PJ's Run: Travelogue Tale

During our June trip to and from Michigan, I took to texting photos of each day's run to my Colorado running buddies. They rather enjoyed the running travelogue and asked if I'd do it again during our July/August trip to Michigan. I was happy for the diversion so another travelogue came to be. Here's a replay (with a few extra photos to show what all we were up to during this trip...a lot...).

July 25, 2015, 5 a.m.: Kansas City, Missouri

Mill Creek Park - multiple laps before starting the Kansas City-to-Petoskey drive.
In the wee hours of the morning - and I was not the only one out there!
So hot & humid, I couldn't even wear my ever-present running cap.

July 26, 2015: downtown Petoskey, Michigan

Ignacious Petoskey

Ignacious Petoskey's view

Extra added bonus on this day - a rendezvous with niece Tara and her kids who were staying in my mom's house during the Petoskey/northern Michigan portion of their summer road trip:

Cousins et al! Corinne, Devon, Tara, Cullen & Audrey in Petoskey's Central Park

July 27, 2015: dawn along the bay, Petoskey, Michigan

Dawn glow over the breakwater on Little Traverse Bay

July 28, 2015: Petoskey shoreline

Beach wildflowers along the Petoskey Wheelway of Little Traverse Bay

July 29, 2015: a pre-dawn run

twinkle light flower garden ...a fairy garden perchance

Also on this day, we had the memorial service for my mom, the lovely Elena Vaughan. A day spent in the warm companionship of friends and relatives.

The floral arrangement for the service
under the floral wreath Deb and I made for mom 2 summers ago

Cousins Yi Lu and John, and son Paul

Paula and practically-mom's-daughter, Pat

Cousin Marcie, Pat,
Paula and mom's bro Kent

Uncle Kent (mom's bro) and Cousin Dan (dad's sister's son)

Mom's graduation picture

High school classmates of mine who came to the service
Dave, Wendy (facing camera), Connie (away from camera) & Glae (Dave's wife)

July 30, 2015: a two-run day

Lake Michigan awakens

North Country Trail along south edge of Petoskey

July 31, 2015: a river run

Bear River, teeming with wildflowers along its banks

August 1, 2015: last resort interval session venue

All my favorite straightaways were packed with tourists (height of the summer and all)
so it was off to the high school soccer fields for intervals. Can't have gorgeous every day...

Also on this day, the 45th class reunion of Petoskey High School class of '70! We had a pre-reunion dinner with some friends just to ease into things....

Of this gang, classmates include
Pam (far left), Kirk (to my right), me (in blue), and Connie (to my left)

August 2, 2015: a run along one of my all-time favorite trails

Looking west from East Bay Harbor trail
(Little Traverse Bay toward open Lake Michigan)

Looking east from East Bay Harbor trail
(Little Traverse Bay toward Petoskey & Petoskey State Park)

August 3 & 4, 2015: water and cottages

This day, I just had to get up close to the water

And this day, I just had to run through Bay View
listening to the music and gazing at the cottages

August 5, 2015: hill repeats a la Petoskey

Looking down Harvey Hill - at the top of which
I've spotted a snake, turkeys and deer (not all on the same day)

August 6, 2015: back to college

Explored the trails at North Central Michigan College - a delightful interlude!

August 7, 2015: a regular ol' run

The every-day sight one sees when running along the Petoskey waterfront

August 8, 2015: a change of scenery
Yesterday we drove down to my cousins' cottage at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for today's wedding of Kelly Murphey (my cousin John's son) and Rachel Fussell. Spectacular location and thoroughly delightful day of celebration and family.