Instant recognition. A photo of the Arch, Golden Gate Bridge, Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, Space Needle… you know the city. The small-town of Grand Haven has such a photo. If you have ever visited, you will recognize the Grand Haven South Pier & Lighthouses. From any angle. From any distance. No matter the quality of…
February 24th: North Beach Erosion Update
Finally! A non-breezy day. Time to drone before the wind, and some snow, returns. North Beach was our first stop. Since arriving in Michigan, it has been our favorite beach. Quiet and peaceful during the week. When wandering over at 10:00am some week days we would be the first to arrive. This winter it has…
February 21st: The Year of No Winter
The Year of No Summer occurred in 1816 when Indonesia’s volcanic Mount Tambora pumped the atmosphere with ash and sulfur. Frosts and snow in the summer, with widespread crop failures, was the result. Nothing so dramatic here, but I am beginning to believe this is the year of no winter in Western Michigan. Or at…
February 20th: Shilo stays safe
Had to wonder today… do you keep your child as safe as my dog? No real excitement. Not much else to occupy my mind. The calm before the storm tomorrow. Minimal beach ice, some remnants on the fog house and catwalk. But enough ice still around to climb on. A mother and child, wandering near…
February 15th: Just one day later
Amazing the difference one day can make. Yesterday, fairly calm and no ice. Today… winter came to Grand Haven State Park. When you have extremely nasty weather, where do you go? The beach of course. Cold weather and a strong west wind built up the ice from scratch along the shore. Waves slamming into the…
February 14th: Rocking the place with Roborock
Way back in October, when the leaves were still on the trees, I bought a Roborock S5 robot vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming was one of my few chores. Knowing that with a growing golden retriever puppy, I was going to need to vacuum every day, I decided to automate the process. After some research, I made…
February 13th: Still. No. Ice.
Last year there were spectacular ice mountains on the beach by now. This year… open water. Even saw a couple surfers out earlier today. You really, really have to love surfing to be doing it in February on Lake Michigan. This evening our puppy had a seizure. Unlike any we have ever seen before. Her…
February 11th: Drifting with Lana
My obsession with Lana Del Rey & Norman Fucking Rockwell. I partially awoke at 4:49 am this morning. Earlier in the night, I had listened to a thunderstorm thru my headphones. The sound of building rain carried me away, back to a deep sleep. Return with the thunderstorm? Nah? I didn’t need to go back…
February 10th: Love where you live!
Do you love where you live? Many times in my life I have loved where I live. You can too! Although some places are tougher than others to love. Try a small town in NW Iowa. My parents forced my to live there growing up. How do you possibly love living in LeMars, Iowa? Bitter…
February 6th: Contemplating the light snow
A little light snow at the beach today. We need more! Give us a foot or so all at once. Then some cold weather and a west wind to build up ice along the shore. After that, bring on an early spring. Now please. OK, I take it back. I am thankful for whatever comes…