![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPT_Cc2Gm800CwdLGKZN3W3HJQlemsqPgMaXHBlsupck9xCu-oupYtvdPT-Jl7UryKd-yBnJWS4KPAvGSS3GYHtEAJxISV1zkZgu8fPyiHGBwyOg1zrZ04ZW350EhRb6peDT2cKaI2KPTDYW0lCWrJOAoQnkaUkJjLFc9c9KXjektUpgCNZMVFGt0DTHS/w400-h266/IMG_0042.JPG) |
This is not the beginning. |
Deciding which photo to put at the top of this post gave me pause. Finally I decided against chronological order for the opening image, because this view of Lake Michigan, with sun breaking through the clouds and creating a shining path across the water, seemed the most striking of my images. But Shalda Creek crossing Bohemian Road was really the beginning -- or the beginning of our (Sunny's and my) arrival at my chosen destination after I woke from a dreadful nightmare and needed the creek, the meadow, and the lake.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_zT7uY2vi-KD23c7diW4T1vXCwybf6cl-8TFUyp_fVjfFQ1B15xzD5FfjxtkHM64IR9MQUFDVOkWgfXJIYOaIdXAbT4oc7OGEXNwL1b0G-rZ-2JhKj1Ip6WK9A67d6hl8Omv4PHF7-8L9eRbYJocb6eAbcbA7jxqQAQ45zFOPtRQzLejrQPy3t7bf41n/w426-h640/IMG_0009.JPG) |
Shalda Creek coming from its road crossing... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x5u-YXGvrkyLzC6P5JY4_ZkEjroVqtDjOkmhOMhL123d0QbeJIln-HaX6_s2sSCsAX1bKhK-ItdypydUJkiX51K6Nn1cOjyUgSSCqKv_y8WEaAXubWQuejjJWVqD-KMNMiImHQe4nTvEtK4fyIAqk8W96NJWFSwFlFp0ltzmyfbgAoQODDQpbsRVh9qJ/w426-h640/IMG_0008.JPG) |
...and continuing to Lake Michigan. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95UgK6qmlwHbMctLPfKLkG7FDGf5TEB8VjuvaCYRa2a9UcNzh7AjZNWiSwE6T29tFT1aU2-Un2-8s50s3bq7AkpmiE8VCyobHoGhZLRGZjfVVH1bIk_1iikcIuj_lJ8cVaZp1myODk6isKOa-XQnrJMnY6mOA4B6pjJn3_DMtwL9RHo-EpHSWz6tUQxAS/w400-h266/IMG_0011.JPG)
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Queen Anne's-lace against out-of-focus running water was a contender for top image. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv5dNaVSMkpxJHwKBGEdGufc5VTx4qVFx2w13kKTxHRX4g8JhDxw7rH_vm9jpervWpzSeOsKzjgXcYh2mK6Q_Lygv5t7Ui-0PiNctvNcZlRUEsUnFyGwEOOqpv9_yUTHu_XVWVl1omPLWJI-TxfKQvAgsFMr74xJ7yyLx4UGz_MWG8t8hKUI-9Aq-w4kM/w400-h266/IMG_0012.JPG) |
Sun filtered through trees this morning on Lake Michigan Road. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKe6OarxZ-kLrVjos3TI5_ytijxwL2wkx-vOZ-xVI7tPnRq0LobaLaWBXE4fT_ZNc1x1xV5vqa_-MeUZ2b6InheXHOgyhaijr7v2ybtJcexgbYrvIFqQq92ijwAJIkA4ZiXX_fsrVTsZQGlZH6UrwYwmrknd-ThOHlkhieUyrEISjJyGgKDnnlgF0Zgid/w426-h640/IMG_0013.JPG) |
Is it one tree or two? Either way, bonded for life.... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSmqQ5cPawbIyHQ1utqgfT9bxYgxYFPfNQXnQwyywP1TDpKnKctDBtHUgImeeMljRH6QMbNquB-bw5OyOsAK7OJ6Ux1aoHP7ooK7mOpsRLUykhRk5sEdA2sogzaZTBJDV-fPPKl5qe01a_vMgcEqfdUs6V91VP-GLuzc6DCKZV05hkZH8w9YLsnTJCcXg/w400-h266/IMG_0016.JPG) |
The old road through the meadow -- |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXUF0uRlhkHQKsuXBzy9vfHXyC_OsxPyYtGBFeCsXSv32x1WIoaC68JVHYruv0K2sajiyHkN8-VOku0hDc-WMd2SoH3wXIxQJB8Zz1DWHHysKYEdvkhRV-UFThksVWDW5SMFHXKaOu9Em2qQ6iu5OUJs-ECSkxv4QR_AnLCT8szvQc0P1hlG2gVu1ouqd/w400-h266/IMG_0014.JPG) |
Reindeer moss, a lichen, thrives on poor soil and pure air. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODug4Ew9TBZpHA11EgAjyr9vQEJFex0Ki6pLY5LdB10e_jodqqgENIL7kS42nYRZbZjVEQW6H2SRQXFYigXNvzzZIkwt0-EjsrQvLxqgq_84Hp3pwRCgYSZGptQvr0sn7AVbix6AyHgnVhxqMre2ex4tP8que6Cifghr3XiyPmL7o_r6o-992LjRzG2fc/w400-h266/IMG_0017.JPG) |
Northern Michigan wants to be forest again |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt19roGUz8ShJEg5VfAnb_fptMDgdekBhd9CHm8C05zOG2cGyIbS5Rzn-_wPR3X544917tU4QUc-ZeUZfb-DgJvoMAUzeu83CZEHiiyIgrZs7Fki8S6IiQVa_4MtjgvLYLGSh_Yd9OxJ71qBginS314DRFnHplyZRNqaJoQ9NiLWcb3YH3nU2zM94MgIXp/w426-h640/IMG_0019.JPG) |
Sunny leads the way along the fading two-track. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BEzqQPIMv7bUtCS50ucljP-t0JgPLMhPBwrFedMbwXTBzgssVQYBXk4tlGQmOdaqbyWMuE3Xv6K3GVGUYvN_xLwXNo_4qGnA1VgOMb_yE49K5VMm6dhM4thBgbZJKo6fEt4DV8uDkUnj6j6ZNv_CwlinhRc1iI2FGTcBxMdSAWaRC6Jpa-pJiKAhFVn8/w400-h266/IMG_0027.JPG) |
A clearing in the distance catches the sun. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LTHRFnZip_i9W-rVPrCLRq1uR6Tk_uGvbec1LK6vsCxcLgQObxFttnOviGrA1XaOkHvv0Rm9opq8AOrGCP5Ay0WToxZ-CkbBki-T6Ia64J_8hqXhZHGGLUKS3myeXawXHDOJkK7_oMEqFmv_-0D5B_q9ga1wrjAnvXVL9zG6I9G6Je7BjrlUbQl0MaFJ/w400-h266/IMG_0022.JPG) |
A glimpse of Shell Lake -- |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNch0q5_J6eRRKoC0YgBz7_4jVfA4iJ4iy70uDH89tc-JZsNkYS-lhXP9GsfzdNFnajf9nNfu-YXrVv4JN5QlDopFTZ7izRRYuOf9OPDjiFzg1yu9VjkXxAPOJfj2mrkUViUaZ2jJeNhYtF5tayKTOLdEPAuccv9FalF6kb3VMyKgYkEgTTr8MiipiEol/w400-h266/IMG_0023.JPG) |
Muddy, narrow old access to Shell Lake -- |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5ep-PTn7y1B1o5Qt2F9ha237g7GjVB5a2g1QK9SGj0bzlA0tPjgb_fo4GTXUi5ixJq7-7Pt1WXIUcyb3GU66_3-WmlAJ9V4CDjbzKOc_lO5wD3ziD-oXJkG1rSacXcvbZnQB0GpK-zKFHBavf2gphjQm8ZZxL9WMtlfoGBiibFgL2348W490fYgJibLX/w426-h640/IMG_0028.JPG) |
Back on beautiful Lake Michigan Road, we are greeted by the sun. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQUlpbVaUXJaOQX5PLK2-mq4ZP-jZ2Sac8pEOizpdb1zrq-BqBPjfVUjbP7bk1865lampr7u8dvlgHD_WmDdEmXmsU0p9RKxYiPXtaAjx1IMGHAfeNFVfs6hTzUB7W_pKyYBzRv1MgA25vv-X0bprYrHsA6qOKgbxkeJA_Qzt2hsEbXlUgF3tW-AOFDkN/w400-h266/IMG_0031.JPG) |
Don't you love signs like this? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpCQIokyaH8hsWXmz5zydWg6pnpvYdTinfhReh-oSknMfohths_0yVrFmCPVoLDyonsGJiGumRe0dTu1CB6ugHrqzI58qab4bFFvT6XvmmHDP1rhNZSzHmlTivcu7bsYIUGa3vj5MJHxbmoupQFIk6tnr_yNeCMnNRhA4xEpYscYxNZteEKRgQg__3zDk/w426-h640/IMG_0036.JPG) |
Do you see Sunny Juliet's ear? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85vGwC79_f9D6YS-qv4IuTQpw3zh_u2e9fjLXRigL0NLXaQ4NXUXIfGTHKoKH3b72xNMkSvxbGoGNIZCglb9agw6zTICfavuJfp34vwSo3Ni7TISSsl_YTW3YQLPQzz7BkFcOliG10Sh-oViVCaKoxstU_cQqtlZWTRpj10dtnAjkUsQWQOXXV7GobylZ/w426-h640/IMG_0039.JPG) |
There is the whole dog! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7VuR3Oun0NC9tZyFsAlaFgKV8XNpNnMLExSH42FkCvZlzIZoOYMvr3m7nb9XpW1yfoBJMNA29EN1eYEoPU8GB0dUzoBfYmms12L8oWMsgcNZ_wpxTSaWiujW4uqqpAzlmygEezp7TDc13rIEct7gLKbk4fH8AhcrmgiHlG1DTcYmDm9vL1vGjkB9qEhH/w400-h266/IMG_0041.JPG) |
Bigger waves than we saw the last time -- |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI_bAFYlMZm9gEVZPfDrHaIJIuDvFmzGLvTEwi_Dvmlyybuyg0E7dgwtctHVz9gaVilG9HTC4AWXON7TpH-FNd82kLd2RMwV-T1KBj4Zf8qyhzDMnVkT5M_ubwmAOf6Uu36gUM0uHHNFGZLdo9gx-_jmjANhEgRwY_SSGrJevAaYNFGe-wXwsJnvYtU4I/w426-h640/IMG_0049.JPG) |
She had to think it over.... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOp1eQSLlQycUplL6jaAGLg4RFiPAFVStt3KbAsHHI1YBgIhs0rmtTLoAHvto7pkKFsS4TI1wWVgBoKiVGavwm_9aya2UtYR30SqmEJLUWatS1uqhpN6JZopV0J4MgnPPIyvQRuIrWYYbHWMTXmnbVtaeO-rL9Z_ltF2pyGoXWjQAhs86mWEatyiwvfWdp/w400-h266/IMG_0052.JPG) |
We retreated briefly to consider our options. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosVGAI1gv7f4yY-7bzdsu7iBJJQCZNtTRoRIcUL44FYoN6aApZpEtMDCap06VRyFLmZmG-Tl4cBEv5h_xbjxnIDafFnYpeb2vSg99Tawac15cijIOdl8Cc9ADjqB2ro60zF_wFnDesta0jS4kMsir2iyoQBDNq_jMfUOt62Xi-ntyO4MmPrsaXyU_HOqm/w400-h266/IMG_0059.JPG) |
But she decided to be a brave girl! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnAr-vUqTQ1K0rzis4A1lIieunE05yb5rvl8JSIIjnsZuipNI2R0qUlZ-v2QPZTyqaQpfykEtklZ-wjTdCBdQX2n_uVWFLQveVKOj0bmy3YArYRPgweK7IlbJlButvj0cbd2vLnOxtBI_NPFk3MTA8ED8md_2VDiyLw_tUgkacvx1Hfhg_nVTxCInvwiG/w400-h266/IMG_0062.JPG) |
The excitement made her frisky! She did a balance beam act! |
She really did walk the log its full length. She is a natural athlete and has the balance of youth.
We were both wet and sandy and windblown and happy. Taking a morning vacation was a very good idea! The only thing that would have made it better would have been not being leash-bound -- but leash is the rule at the Lakeshore.
On the way home, coming back down to ordinary time and life, I stopped for a moment by the pond on Alpers Road, a spot David and I almost never drove by without stopping, and told Sunny once more how much her daddy and I loved that place.