Lake Michigan

In Michigan, we bounce like ping-pong balls from one thing to the next. When we aren't driving all over the state to visit good friends and family, we live at the beach.

The routines of being back to school now seem organized and orderly, which is always a relief after weeks of pandemonium. Yet, our hearts are still reaching back to the warmth of the chaos and color and texture of the lake and all the love that seeps in and out of that place.

For the sake of getting it done, I'm combining three weeks of serious beach time into one post, so please forgive the picture overload.

At Lake Michigan, there are always sand structures to be built.

Seagulls to be chased.

And holes to be dug.

There are shores to be walked on.

And grass "jungles" to be explored.

There are friends to be played with.

Endless cribbage tournaments to be won.

And too-loose swimsuits to be lost.

There is peacefulness to be disturbed by conniving little boys with handfuls of sand.

Clean towels to be polluted by sandy feet.

And sand to be covered in from head to toe.

But at the end of each day, there are wet boys to be bundled up in beach towels (my favorite).

There are evening playground walks to be taken.

Sand mounds to climb up.

And miles of silky sand to lie down in.

There are channels to be walked along.

Freighters to watch approaching.

Old anchors to run through.

And evening light to catch.

There are rocks to be climbed on.

Films to be made (see here).

And windy days to be endured.

Did I mention sand?

Obviously, there are some baths to be taken.

Teamwork and creativity are used to operate the drinking fountain.

And water balloons are sneakily thrown off the balcony.

Family gatherings and bike rides are constantly in the works. Beach picnics are abounding in good conversation.

There are cousins who swarm the boys like they are the best things since sliced bread.

Which is a good thing, because there are chilly sunset dips to be taken that moms don't necessarily want to participate in.

And of course, there are breathtaking sunsets to be witnessed.

How we love that place.

Although I love coming home after each summer jam-packed full of memories there, I still consider Lake Michigan "home" as well.

And I'm so glad it is becoming just that for our children too.