Day 31

The sunset in Paradise was gorgeous. It was one of the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen. And we really were in Paradise — Paradise, Michigan. We were lucky, last night, to score the last campsite at the campground in Tahquamenon Falls State Park which is less than twenty miles from Whitefish Point. We pitched the tent quickly, got back in the car, and arrived at the Point just in time for the sunset. It was cold and the wind was fierce. Lake Superior was so rough one easily could have mistaken it for the ocean. And the sky was a brilliant shade of pink. Dad would have loved it.

I texted my mom a picture of the sunset and the promptly got a message from Verizon telling me there would be a extra charge for the text because my plan did not include international usage. International!?!? How bloody stupid are the idiots running the ship at Verizon. The last time I looked at a map, Michigan was planted squarely in America. And I am certain the border is still closed, so how could I possibly even enter Canada to send a text message? Verizon’s given me crappy service this entire trip. And finally, I can get a text through and they want me to pay extra for it.

The whole reason we drove up to Whitefish Point was so G3 could examine the night sky. Plus, Kati had read somewhere that the Northern Lights could sometimes be glimpse from there. We didn’t see the Northern Lights, perhaps it was because of the clouds that were gathered on the horizon. But there were no clouds overhead and the stars were amazing. G3 excitedly danced around the parking lot — the wind whipping his hair in all directions — pointing out all the constellations to me. I love his enthusiasm. It makes me happy. It was cold. The wind made it feel like winter and we only had sweatshirts. After all, I packed for a heatwave. If it wasn’t freezing we probably would have stayed even longer. The sky is so much prettier here than it is back home.

After the incredible heat out west Kati couldn’t wait to get to Whitefish Point which promised cooler temperatures. She got her wish this morning. It is cold. In fact, the wind is making it feel like early fall.

The rocks at Whitefish Point are magical. Last year, Kati fell in love with them. Superior rocks, on this beach, she claimed are the most beautiful rocks in the world. But not only are they pretty they have the ability to calm and sooth Kati. Whenever she feels anxious or upset rubbing the rocks with her fingers makes her feel better. And so she wanted to come and find more rocks. Slowly, she walked the beach carefully selecting a handful of rocks to bring home. Whitefish point is her happy place and the rocks will help her keep smiling even when she is no longer here.

As for me and G3, the air may have been cold but nothing was going to stop us from taking one final swim (this summer) in Lake Superior. We love the lake too much to leave without a proper good by. The lake sparkled under the sun and the water was a clear inviting shade of blue. We walked out to the point — and while Kati was dressed in a sweatshirt and fleece — G3 and I and stripped down to our swim trunks and dove into the water. It was warmer than the air and we had a pleasant time swimming. However, the moment we stepped back onto the sand the wind hit us like an air conditioner on high. Goose bumps rose up on our arms and legs and we shivered uncontrollably. G3 and I raced back to the car to change into dry clothes. Kati was a bit slower — it’s hard to run with rocks in your pocket.

Before leaving Paradise, we stopped at a food truck because I didn’t want to leave Lake Superior without having white fish. I ordered just a couple of pieces to appease my craving and hold me over until lunch. It was really tasty. It may be my favorite fish.

For a late lunch, as we past through Mackinaw City, G3 wanted to stop at Weinerlicious, which he claims has the best hot dogs. Kati had wanted to eat here last summer but by the time she and G3 showed up, they were closed. As a result, she was a tad bit jealous G3 ate there when he and I stopped in back in May. Having eaten there today, her jealousy has subsided. And she agrees with G3. The weiners are fabulous.

This week is Family Week in Provincetown, Massachusetts. For the five years my brother owned a condo in P-town he let us stay there so we could attend Family Week and have fun at the ocean. This year, he sold the condo, so we couldn’t go to Cape Cod. We’ve had another exciting adventure instead but still, it’s hard not to miss a place you love. However, after reading about the massive outbreak of COVID among the vaccinated, I’m glad we aren’t there this summer. I feel awful for the full time residents, many of whom are vulnerable. But in the push to salvage businesses and the grab for normalcy, compassion lost out. From what I read this outbreak is behind the CDC once again recommending that everyone mask-up indoors. But people will scream and shout and declare loudly that masks are a violation of their rights. And so, more people will die. At this point, if you choose not to get vaccinated and you die, well you were the idiot. I can’t feel sorry for you. But how many people can’t get vaccinated? Why can’t we just all agree to be kind and wear a mask to protect those who have no other defense against the virus. It’s really a very simple thing to do.

We ended our day — after a long-ish drive — at the country’s largest Christmas store. Bronner’s show room is almost as big as two football fields and it is packed full of Christmas ornaments, decorations, toys, and attire. The moment you walk through the doors you are blasted into the Christmas season. Christmas carols spill out of speaks all around and it’s hard not to fall into a Christmas mood. We were here last year and Kati and G3 both insisted on a repeat visit. Why not, picking out our yearly ornaments is more fun when you have so much to choose from. G3 picked out a llama for himself. We got little gnomes for our family ornament. A Buffalo to represent our road trip (they didn’t have prairie dogs). And a black belt for me since…well, finally earning my black belt this year was a big deal. Being here it was hard not to feel a touch of sadness. Dad always loved the holidays. He was always excited around Christmas and we will never have another Christmas with him. I fought back a few tears not wanting to spoil G3’s fun.