Not Roses This Time

This time of year reminds us that not all flowers bloom near the ground. These roadside poplars, willows (weeping and black), and maples are blooming now in Leelanau County, and the first couple apricot trees along M-22 are showing their first blossoms. Soon it will be time for cherry and apple orchards to deck out in their annual finery. 

Five-Dollar Roses

A week after being purchased at the $5 sale price, these roses are still beautiful.

It's a Tough Trail Ahead

Here Comes the Sun!

Clouds lifting over Lake Michigan

We went out under still-overcast skies, but in the west, over Lake Michigan, the clouds were lifting, promising a sunny day.

South Fox Island like distant white mountains

Manitou Islands kiss on the horizon

New Year's Day -- OUTDOORS!

A beautiful day for trekking and tracking

Neighbors were out early

Sarah loves this kind of adventure

Ice is beginning to form on the creek

Thin ice, that is

Who but a squirrel would attempt this?

But the whole area is well travelled

Mystery clump surrounded by deer tracks

Probably not an elephant turd

Broken apart, clearly it's moss....

We were far from the road

where the scenes were lovely

and many dramas had taken place--

An invigorating start to a new year!

Light at the End of the Shortest Day

(through the windshield, obviously)

There are many advantages to being a passenger, but one I appreciate most, perhaps, is having my attention and hands free to capture scenes along the road. Bright sun burst through the clouds late on Tuesday afternoon. What a ride!

Above and directly below were scenes along M-22 on the west side of the peninsula, and the remaining three come to you from Eagle Highway.

Did I Bring This On?

Was it my children's snow stories in the window?