notes from away

Near picturesque, originally uploaded by mainegal.

I made it a long weekend and went camping in Northern Michigan. Spent two days camping near Tahquamenon Falls - close enough to hike the eight mile round trip between the falls. I was sore and bruised/battered but it was worth it. I felt happy on the trail. I had nearly forgotten how much I love hiking and the sheer joy it brings.

I also spent time wandering Whitefish Point, Sault Ste Marie and Mackinac Island. The island wasn’t the highlight for me, though biking is enjoyable. (Duh, hiking was) I did enjoy a lovely boat tour at Sault Ste Marie including a ride through the Soo Canal. The canal was pretty busy and it was fascinating watching the large freighters in the canal.

It was one of the most enjoyable and relaxing weekends I can remember. I was happy.

I head right back out to exploring this weekend with a visit to my grandmother in New Hampshire. I have not visited her in nearly two years. Did I mention my best friend is joining me? As is my other best friend, my younger brother and my dad? Yipee…

Germany 1945, originally uploaded by mainegal.

The granddaughter of the man at the bottom left of this photo found the photos on flickr. Yipee.. That means since I have started this project I have communicated with two of the men directly, two daughters and two granddaughters. Not bad for a bunch of photos that had been stored in a basement.

Race for the Cure 2007, originally uploaded by mainegal.

Yesterday morning, I volunteered to take photographs of “Race for the Cure” in Detroit. It will go down as a highlight of 2007 for me. Rewarding, memorable, worthy cause and high energy only begin to tell the story.

More photos can be found here ->http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkilbride/sets/72157600380090684/

or here ->http://www.karmanos.org/detroitraceforthecure/index.asp

Rouen Cathedral, originally uploaded by mainegal.

This church was destroyed during WW2 and rebuilt, only to have a tornado swing through and send the spire crashing through the ceiling… but they rebuilt it again and it is magnificent. I am trying to remind myself of this story since this evening, Jeep’s engine decided to have a massive coronary and seize and then puff up lovely white smoke.

Jeep has been acting up so it had a TLC appointment on Monday. But could it wait - nope. I even had a friend lending me a vehicle next week but this weekend, his spare is being used by his parents. So I am car-less. Thankfully, Toolbox is a wonderful guy and a dedicated friend, because he came to rescue me and towed my lump of metal to his place. In the morning, he’ll make arrangements to have it towed to the dealership and then I can make arrangements to turn over hard-earned money for repairs. Oh the joys of adulthood… but if it can be repaired and for a reasonable price, Jeep will come home again. I love that stupid thing beyond understanding and I really just am not ready to part with it. Who knows maybe it will come out better than before…