It has been 8 long months, and 8 months is too long! After rescheduling over and over again since January, Ryan and I finally made it for a weekend together up north. In case those of you reading this weren't aware - I LOVE up north. I love the drive up, which takes us farther and farther from normal routines of life and work. I love seeing the shoe tree along 131, the sign with our favorite insurance agent, Marc Patrick, and the first sightings of Lake Charlevoix as we get closer to the cottage. I love the winding road along the lake that provides a constant view the clear blue-green water, and I truly enjoy when we see the sign for "Ye Nyne Olde Holles" golf course, because that means we are moments away from our driveway down to the cottage. At the point where our cottage is built, you can no longer see houses or the lake from the road, only trees. When we see our name post, we turn onto a driveway covered with stones - I love that sound - the tires rolling over the stones as we drive through the trees to the houses below. And then one of the best parts of coming up north... opening the back door and looking through the house to the dock, the boats and the lake. Did I also mention that up north has a certain smell? Outside it is fresh and cool, with hints of campfire smoke in the evenings. Our cottage has a certain smell, too. It is a familiar smell, and I love it. It maybe the wood walls, or the cleaner my grandmother uses, but whatever it is, it is part of what makes me smile when I open the door for the first time. I LOVE up north. :-) So anyway, Ryan and I came up this weekend, and enjoyed a very relaxing, surprisingly sunny day (the weather forecast called for rain all day!) today - and have decided to stay longer tomorrow before heading back to reality. Here are some pictures of our early May visit to Charlevoix. :-)
The cottage (can't wait until there are more people - and beach towels drying on every available railing! :-))
The dock - hooray! It is in before Memorial Day! (Thanks, mom and dad - this means more time to play in a few weeks :-))
The empty shopper's docks...can't wait to get out on the boat!
Ryan at the harbor - the boats are starting to come in!
The new landscaping, waterfalls and fountains in Charlevoix by Round Lake
The Landing - our FAVORITE place to eat on the water
Hanging out in the car on the ferry back to the cottage
Two happy people on vacation - with no one to take a picture! :-)
