We spent most of September on Anna Maria Island. Although it was still really hot, after Labor Day the crowds were smaller, which is a good thing. In addition to the typical island related activities of walking, biking, sunsets and a whole lot of staring at the water, we enjoyed a couple of sunrises on the east side of the island and a sunrise swim in the gulf one morning. Both were great ways to start the day!
There were two special events that we really enjoyed during our time on the island. The first one was about twenty one months in the making while the second one took a little longer to transpire, ninety three years to be exact.
On December 31, 2019 Ms. Emma Joy made her way into the world. Beth and I were fortunate that we were able to be in California to meet her shortly after her arrival. There were a few miles between her and her namesake (NaNa), around 3,000 miles, give or take a few. So getting the two Emma's together was a little more difficult, especially when you throw a pandemic into the mix.
On September 15, Sarah and Emma made the cross country flight from California to Florida, which is not an easy task for anyone, especially when you're traveling with a very active 21 month old. Fortunately everything went well on the flight and they both arrived a little tired but no worse for the wear. Early the next morning in Rossi Park, on the Manatee River in Bradenton, the two Emma's met for the first time. They enjoyed talking to each other in their own unique languages, and the elder of the two Emma's enjoying watching the younger Emma play in the splash pad and on the playground.
During their week in Florida there were several visits between the two Emma's. Each visit was special and full of laughter and smiles. We're so thankful that they had the opportunity to meet and that we were there to witness it and capture many of the special moments on camera.
After a fun filled week, we said goodbye to Sarah and Emma and sent them on their way back to California to be reunited with Joey and James who had a week of "Boy's Camp". Once again, good karma was with them on their journey, and while it wasn't an easy flight they both made it home safely, unscathed and still friends with their fellow passengers.
The second big event of the month was on September 24 when NaNa celebrated her 93rd (she claims 39th) birthday. We enjoyed the big day with a birthday lunch on Coquina Beach with all four of her children (Steve, Debbie, Cindy and Beth) as well as a couple of spouses (Marilyn and I), two grand children (Scott and Kyle) and a grand daughter in law (Nermin). There was plenty of food, cake and a perfectly in tune rendition of Happy Birthday that stopped other beachgoers dead in their tracks.
The day after the birthday festivities it was "on the road again". This time going places that we had been (and love) but as a bonus we had two guests with us. We have the honor of having Beth's sisters with us for a while. We're able to show them some of our favorite places we've discovered, as well as the chance for them to spend some time with our favorite and only son, Ben.
We flew to Pittsburgh which is where we spent the first night and retrieved the car.
As I've mentioned in previous blogs, Pittsburgh only came on our radar screen because Ben lives close by. Although it's a "big city", in reality it's not that big and it's full of interesting things to see and do. We enjoyed a one hour, three river boat tour before riding the Duquesne Incline to the top which gave us a great view of the city, Point State Park and the three intersecting rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio). We had lunch at the most Pittsburgh place you can eat, the original Primanti Brothers and walked through the Strip District. The Strip District got it's name because it's a long, narrow neighborhood, in case you were wondering. We finished the day driving around the University area, botanical gardens and the impressive surrounding neighborhoods.
The next morning we were off on a bear hunt. We were looking for Yogi, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear and knew right where we could find them. As expected, we found them and Ben as well, at Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Kozy Rest. We enjoyed spending a few hours at the campground watching the happy campers being entertained by Ben and his activities team, as well as touring the park, cabins and "glamping tents". Ben and his sweet dog Allie enjoyed showing Debbie and Cindy their home. Late afternoon we enjoyed a meal together before pointing the Silver Bullet towards our first destination in Michigan, Mackinac Island.
Beth and I were "day trippers" to Mackinac Island last year. We enjoyed it so much that this time we spent one night on the island. It was Debbie and Cindy's first visit to Mackinac Island, and like us, they were impressed with the beauty and serenity of the place. Any island where there are modern conveniences, great food and fudge, but no cars, has to be a great place.
Late Tuesday afternoon we arrived at what will be our "home" for the next month, Munising, Michigan. It is located on Munising Bay along the shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We fell in love with this area, our beautiful rental home, and the amazing fall colors last year, and have been looking forward to coming back since the day we drove away.
Settling into this slice of paradise and sharing it with Debbie and Cindy was a wonderful way to close the month of September.....................truly a month to remember.
