Summer's End

As the end of summer fast approaches, I find myself looking for a few fun things to do to make it a memorable one. Of course, it's already been memorable with Jaden getting to spend quality sibling rivalry time with Kyle. He's needed someone other than two crabby old women to hang out with. True, Kyle is often a crabby teen, but it's better than being stuck with "old" people all the time.

In an attempt to get out of the hot house, yesterday we decided to go to Ludington. We've been threatening to go for weeks, but never mustered up the motivation. It seemed to be a must-do yesterday. It was a very long drive there, but when we arrived on the Lake Michigan beach, I somehow felt like I was home. The sand is weird, there are no surfers or waves for surfers, and the pier is just... bizarre, but the atmosphere was familiar. Laid back, beach calm. I think I could live there if it wasn't for the lake-effect snow that is guaranteed in the winter. Here are a few of my favorite shots from our wonderful day:

     Our plan was to look at the pier and compare it to the California piers I was so used to, but our journey took us in the opposite direction as Jaden fulfilled his obsession with collecting things by unearthing tiny shells and stray seagull feathers.

    As much as he loved collecting shells for T. to put in her shirt pocket, he hated the feeling of the sand between his fingers equally. I don't blame him. It was oddly clingy, almost processed-looking sand - so evenly tan and fine it was nearly too perfect, especially on this part of the beach.

    I guess these are some type of seagull. I think they're too pretty to be "dump ducks."

   




      Painted on the pier a few steps further we saw "1/2 mile to the end of pier." I guess we got our workout in for the first time all summer.

    Close-up of the lighthouse. I'm not generally all that fascinated by lighthouses, but I can see the appeal. It's mysterious and much much smaller than this picture lets on.

     The boys at the base of the lighthouse. The pictures don't show it well, but this particular lighthouse is actually shaped like a ship. It was pretty cool. Jaden didn't want to pose, so I had to settle for goof-off child.

     The shoreline from the end of the pier. It really makes that half-mile look much longer.

     Thankfully, Mr. Booger was too terrified of the waves breaking on the rocks to stand on the edge by himself for another shoreline shot. When I asked him to stand there, he was hesitant, making sure I knew he might fall in.

I tried to get little man to sit on the same stump Kyle sat on, but it didn't work out. He wanted his own log. He chose the one he's perched on... but there was a part sticking up that kept poking him in the butt. Maybe next time he'll listen.

 This is a four-person see-saw. I don't know that I've ever seen one before, but I think Jaden would have had more fun if he had an extra 70 pounds or so on his frame... and maybe another foot or two on his height. As it was, he sort of just dangled in the air.

In all, it was a great day. Jaden experienced a less-threatening beach with little waves. He was noticeably nervous as we approached the end of the pier, but he knew I wouldn't let him fall in. He got to walk in the water along the shore with me, and even though I didn't get any pictures of it, I know he loved that part. He thought the water was cold, but honestly, the Pacific is MUCH colder than that shallow water was. We had such a great time it was hard to go home, even though we were ALL exhausted. I wish summer at Ludington could've lasted forever.