Exploring the World as a Roving Retiree

 This morning I tried to take the 2 German Shepherds for a walk on their land but the one turned back because Conway and Jo were at home (but about to go to the office). We had a great breakfast at Restaurant Jo (ha ha), grits and more! In the afternoon we took the dogs for a walk in the nearby Lakenenland Sculpture Park. It was free and pretty interesting.  Then we drove 45' to Muninsing to the Miners Castle and beach and then to the Muninsing Falls. Dogs were not allowed everywhere but most everyone admired the handsome pair, Bowie and Keeva. A view of the painted rocks, better than a crowded boat trip Then we went for a brief look at their favorite beach, Sand Point. Very pretty, few people, lovely sand, almost no garbage except for a vaping pen. Finally we went to dinner at Tracy's, part of the Roam Inn. Delicious but pricey food. We sat outside on the front porch with the dogs. Our server brought bowls of water and treats for the dogs! Sea bass Jo got the seafood stew wit...

First the Marquette Farmers Market which was great! They had lovely live music from a 5 piece strings group.  Reishi mushrooms for sale After a frustrating search for breakfast out while Jo went to the office for work, Conway and I rejected the Bodega Cafe because of an hour's wait; next, Donckers had stopped serving breakfast at 10:45 (on a Saturday!); finally, we ended up at the Coachlight restaurant with a basic wood decor and inexpensive though not imaginative menu, his first time there. After breakfast,  we went to the Dead River Falls which was challenging for me: not well marked, no railings and some scary drops, way too many people,  chances of tripping over tree roots constantly. I was glad to have my brother's hiking stick and a bottle of water and Jo's help. Most people had nothing with them and wore sneakers. Many children! But the falls were pretty and the bugs not noticeable.  I started out holding Rosie's leash but soon Jo took the leash from me, thank...

After a 3 store hunt for canned pumpkin for dogs (Bowie has a problem), I drove their Audi SUV making a funny noise to the Marquette Regional History Center. They had a fairly big exhibit on Michigan and the Upper Peninsula and also an exhibit on the local history of photography.  Having done a paper in library school on daguerrotypes (what teacher approved that!), I thought I knew a fair amount. But it was many years ago and there was lots to learn. And a few photos of interesting photos from the Regional History: TB ("consumption") and pine products  Yoopers had to be resourceful! A photo of the first Marquette prison and a 1936 edition of "America's Most Unique Magazine" The Criterion Music Box One of the first snow mobiles

 Today is my 4th day in Marquette, Michigan. I am visiting my brother, Conway,  and his wife, Jo.  I have never been here and I am enjoying the weather. It's just about the same temperature as Seattle but 60% humidity! The Megan Abbott book I just failed to finish, "Beware the Woman", takes place in the UP. She writes: "The Upper Peninsula has some of the same extremes that Los Angeles does, she says, because it is so beautiful and the ends of the Earth.  You feel like you're in this sort of liminal space between civilization and everything else." Conway and me with Bowie the dog (waiting patiently for the ball to be thrown) in background  Jo (Oana which is Joanna in Romania)  They have a big house, full of art, lots of land, and 3 big dogs.  I have walked the dogs but not the oldest one who is a mutt and not a pure  breed like the other two.   Since I don't have use of a car except for when I took theirs while they were at work one day ...