Adventure 476: Little Eden Camp/Post E

Life's not just good, it's sweet.

A hard rain began about midnight and lasted well into the night. By morning a steady, but soft drizzle steamed more than pitter-pattered the trailer. I took the opportunity to stay under my warm covers, although my eyes did pop open on schedule at 6:30. Judy got up with the birds as usual, but even she came back to bed for another snuggle. We didn't roll out until nearly nine. By eleven the rain clouds had left behind a steamy haze and by the time we returned from another day of memory making, the sun was high in the sky, kids were swimming, old folks were sunning, moms were momming, and the camp vibrated with activity. Today's tradition involved a trip to Beulah to Northern Michigan's famous Cherry Hut. In business since 1922; the college kids working the place for the summer still looked sharp, the girls in red and white pinstripes, and the boys in cherry red pants and pure white shirts. After a piece of cherry pie ala mode, a side of fries, a chocolate sundae, and my cherry ade float, we made for the second part of tradition Wednesday, which was a trip to the Betsie Lighthouse to pick up rocks. Aunt Karen spreads them in her garden, paints a few for gifts, and has for twenty-four years taken as many as she could carry back home to Kansas. I don't know what future archeologists will surmise when they unearth the treasure on Thackery Street. For dinner, we had reservations at the finest dining establishment in Onekama, The Glenwood whose claim is Distinctive Dining. We were not disappointed. To top the day off, conditions finally favored us for a sunset cruise on Lake Michigan. We watched the sun set, and as an added bonus, we watched the full moon rise on the way in. In between,we giggled like school children, relived some bygone days, prayed together, ate together (Often), and otherwise enjoyed ourselves in such a way as to say, "Life is good, especially today.

 The happy campers dressed for dinner.

 The sisters showing off their "wobbles".

 For Janie.

 And for these two.

 A fine group of distinctive diners.

 Miss Kate, a happy Little Eden camper, circa 2002.

 Miss Kim, herself a happy camper, circa 2002.

 A Northern Michigan institution.

 To paraphrase Garrison Keillor, "We're all cherry heads now."

 Who cares that we just ate lunch; bring on the PIEs, FRIES, AND FUDGE!

 The beach at this point loses some rocks every year. They just get in a car and drive to Kansas.

Point Betsie is still quite stunning.

Sunset.

  Moonrise. And like Jimmy Valvano said, "To live a full day you must think, laugh, and cry." We lived another full day, and we're thankful for it.