New Perspectives at the UofM Botanical Garden

While I was down state I made my annual visit to the UofM Botanical Garden, located just outside Ann Arbor.  Since I have taken photos at this location many times, I decided to take pictures this time that are from a different perspective.

Although it was quite chilly out (and it had been 32 degrees the previous night), I spotted this yellow butterfly....

Mason Fossil, Gem, and Mineral Show

This past weekend I had my last show of the year in Mason, MI.  Thanks to the club members who put on a great show and feed us well all weekend long!  Also thanks to everyone who came by the booth to buy rocks, mineral art, or just to say hello!

Here are just a few photos I took....

Part of the show floor...

A couple of the exhibits....

More show floor...

A couple of show participants....

My booth...

While down state I visited my friend, Marsha.  She mowed a section of the lawn so we could play croquet.

Dinner ... free range chicken over Cesar salad....

Ore Freighters in Marquette

Yesterday I drove to Marquette and traded in my Suburban for a newer Suburban.  Although part of me wishes I could get a smaller car that gets better gas mileage, I still need a big car to do the two shows I'll still be doing (Cuyuna show in Brainerd, MN in May and the Central Mich rock club show in Mason, MI in Oct), as well as buying product at the Tucson show.  I like some of the features of the 2011 Suburban, but my 2003 Suburban had other features that I liked better -- but the new car will work!

While in Marquette, I grabbed something to eat and went over to Presque Isle Park to eat.  Two freighters pulled into the ore dock while I was there.  One was unloading coal while the other was getting ready to load iron ore pellets.  I had to leave so I couldn't stay around to watch the loading.

I stopped by the Agate Cross Bed and Breakfast a couple of mornings ago to ID a rock.  Here is a photo I took of some of their flowers.

Super Moon over Grand Marais Bay

A couple of nights ago I had museum appointments in the evening and as I left to head home I noticed the moon rising over the bay.  This supper moon is sixteen percent closer to the earth than normal.  It was beautiful!

Fall Color Drive and HIke from Sable Lake to the Log Slide and into Grand Sable Dunes

Thanks to my son, Kevin, for helping me to move my cord wood into the wood shed.  Although heating with wood is cheaper than other possible heat sources -- it is a lot of work.  I finished up the last cord or so after he had to leave.

Just after Kevin left to drive home he called to let me know that the fall colors were peak on the drive between Sable Lake and the Log Slide area in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  After I finished moving and stacking the rest of the wood, I drove to the Log Slide area and then hiked into the dunes.  You are invited to go along with the photos below.

Driving west on the last curve before Sable Lake...

Sable Lake...

Boat ramp on Sable Lake....

Continuing west toward the Log Slide...

Driving north on the Log Slide access road....

Hiking from the parking lot toward the Log Slide area....

There were lots of people in the main Log Slide area so I headed east into the dunes...

Heading back to the parking lot..... Notice the setting sun peeking through the trees....