Wednesday 16 October 2013

LIFE: On Getting Away

Autumn Lake Autumn Lake
Cabin Toasted Marshmallows Swan Mist on the Lake

You might have noticed I've been a little absent of late - we've just been busy road tripping and exploring again this time up in the north of Michigan. Thing is, Joe doesn't do anything by half especially when it comes to presents be it birthdays or Christmas. So for my 27th birthday, which was at the end of September he excelled himself in booking us a four night stay in a cabin literally on a lakeside in the middle of nowhere surrounded by the most incredible autumnal colours I've ever seen.

The cabin itself is one of three located on Bear Lake in northern Michigan outside of Rose City - my first sample of small town rural America. A somewhat sleepy town, but one ideal and central for exploring all the forests, parks and lakes the region is bursting with. Our visit however began on day five of the government shut down and has many of the northern scenic attractions - from the Huron National Forest to the Sleeping Bear Dunes are government run visiting them became more of a challenge.  "Closed" signs were hasty taped across public toilets and bins were chained shut, yet many visitors were still making their way on the tails even if they couldn't make use of the tourist centers. 

Nights were spent in battleship duels, star gazing to cider drinking, making bonfires and yes trying my first ever toasted marshmallows (I had a sheltered childhood I will be honest). When life feels a constant uphill struggle to pay day, to loud neighbors and free-ways at every turn while constantly being pulled into social media and technology our trip away was a very welcome escape from life - no phone signal, no TV, no wifi - even if the way home didn't turn out like planned.

I'm hoping to get out a load of blog posts about just what we got up to with many a picture of just how gorgeous the leaf colour gets in the Mid West in autumn - truly stunning! 

12 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, this sounds amazing, good job Joe!
    The cabin looks beautiful and all your photos are lovely, I love the one of the swan :)

    Jess xo

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    1. Yeah there was a pair of them, they honked their way onto the lake every morning as the sun was rising and would stay for a while then fly off. Apparently they are a big fan of pizza crusts as we found out!

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  2. This sounds really quite lovely, and looks stunning! What a great way to spend your birthday!

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  3. This looks so beautiful and relaxing, I could do with a break from technology myself. What a sweet looking cabin.

    Charlotte Adele

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    1. Yeah aside from no TV it really was a home away from home, so quiet and the views from the windows were amazing. Even had chipmunks climbing all over the windows!

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  4. Michigan looks beautiful in autumn! I love in Scotland & this is what it looks like too but more in the highlands :) I bet this would look beautiful in the summer months :D the thing - don't know if it's a float jetty - looks so cute :)
    What a thoughtful other half you have :) roasted marshmallows are awesome :)
    xxx

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    1. At times Michigan, especially with all the lakes does remind me of Scotland and certainly of the Lake District just really lacking the mountains! There was a platoon out of the water - I bet it's a lot of fun swimming off of it in the summer months, the water looked a little on the cold side this time of year!

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  5. Beautiful colours! I thought our trees here in Bath looked pretty good but those look amazing! Love the picture of the lone swan as well :-) x

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  6. Beautiful photos! I love how in-tune Americans are with the seasons here. The landscape is just phenomenal.

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    1. That's one of my favorite things, especially this time of year when everyone really starts decorating their homes and porches up to match the season and the holidays, so much fun!

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