Vacation wind-down...

It's almost time to leave my northern Michigan getaway.

Moonrise over the lake

The boat cover has been de-pooped (I don't know what those gulls are eating, but it ain't pretty), and the only things left on the dock are pine cones, blown down by last night's storm.

The house echoes with the giggles and screams of six little girls, and the vaccuum keeps gagging on funky-shaped rubber bands, Barbie stickers and pony tail holders. The refrigerator has been emptied of gallons of ice cream and mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and macaroni salad. Squashed blueberries stain the deck, and chubby chipmunks huddle on the fenceposts, eyeing dropped potato chips, kernels of corn and sandwich crusts.

All in all, it was a typical noisy, very busy ten days, with side trips to Mackinac and boat trips and several trips into town to the grocery store. Not very relaxing, but that's what I leave these last couple days for, hanging out here after the crowd has departed to drink in the last days of summer, breathe the pine-laden air, and contemplate the long drive back to Chicago.

Big sigh.

I'm already looking forward to next year.