Gold Park NV

Liz Meyer This is truly an interesting ghost town - interesting and truly a ghost town - in fact, all that I had been told about this place, that it had a rustic saloon and outdoor bar-b-que food service, turned out to be a bust. Everything was closed and padlocked. I drove around the town, which was truly an image of another era, then turned toward home. "The Girls" and I are in Beaty, NV tonight. Some trips are better than others...this was not one of the better ones, but the camping is great!

Amargosa Opera House

Liz Meyer Believe it or not, I have attended a performance here. It was a one-woman show, but when that actress is Marta Beckett, it is a worthwhile show. She is gone now, and there is a memorial to her here. About ten years ago my friends who I call "the Posse" took me on a week-end road trip that included a stop at Amargosa Springs, half way between Death Valley and nowhere. It was here that Marta Beckett pursued her acting dream. To Google her is worthwhile. As I passed through Death Valley Junction, as it is now named, my memories of that wonderful trip were rekindled.

My Wild Child

Liz Meyer My two kids were easy to raise...actually a pleasure. I now can sympathize with some of those parents who don't have it so easy. Cinda (short for Cinderella because she is living "happily ever after") is a rescue dog, and I love her dearly. She is my "wild child". Her strongest characteristic is her hunting instinct. Within a half hour of making camp she comes in with goo all over her, and smelling like the nasty thing she had rolled in. Fortunately I carry enough water to handle the washing that ensued, since we will all be sleeping together on the bed. Her next outing brought her back, covered in cactus. Are we having fun yet? Actually yes we are...it is beautiful out here!
love, Liz

My "Escape Hatch"

Liz Meyer My "Escape Hatch" really looks more like a van – my van! When things get so hectic I have to remind myself I'm retired and that I have choices, it is time to get away. Today is my first stop - A desert wilderness on the Cal Baker Road toward Las Vegas. Tomorrow I will continue on to Las Vegas, take the 95 NW to the mining country. Gold Park NV is a ghost town that Beckons me. The picture is my view as I write this - how could one not love the desert?

Driving a Model A

The best answer to "How do you drive a Model A?" Is, "It's tricky".

Last night I dreamt  I was driving my Model "A", and when I awoke, I knew it was time to get her out and give her some exercise, so I decided to drive her to church.  There are a number of steps to get ready: turn on the gas, check the water, gas and oil, make sure the Advance Handle (that balances the spark plugs, I think) is on "off", the gas handle is at "off", the hand brake is off, etc.  When I remember everything, she works.  When I forget something, she doesn't .

I was successful in getting  there, but in leaving Church, with now a lot of bystanders, I forgot to choke it, and I couldn't get it started.  After a lot of "advice" about what could be wrong, I finally remembered to pull the choke one time, and she started right up. 

Driving into Stater's to get some groceries, I was aware of different people watching this old car.  As I was entering the store, a young boy, about 10, came up and shook my hand, saying, "I like your car."  When I offered to give him a ride in the rumble seat around the parking lot, his eyes got wide and he nodded enthusiastically. With his Mom's grateful permission, we all walked back out to the car, opened the rumble seat (to his wide eyed amazement) and off we went.  I'm not sure I completed the whole check list, but we drove around the Stater's parking lot just fine, with several people cheering us on.  After the ride, the boy's mother, in tears,  told me that his dad was on his 5th deployment, and that I had made their day.  She took pictures to send  to Dad, and heartfelt hugs went all around.

Like I said, driving a Model A is tricky...you never know what to expect. 

Sent from my iPhone

A Stormy Day on the Lake

A Stormy Day on the Lake

Lake Huron, like all the Great Lakes, is known for the fierceness of her storms.  Today the lake is roiling in a summer storm, which is tame compared to her winter storms. It is awesome to watch the turmoil outside from the comfort of the great room in the Main House.  This old house ( a Sears and Roebuck kit house built in 1909) has weathered these storms for 108 years!

The boathouse, also about that old, is not faring as well.  Winter ice forms around the cribs and docks, then when the currents move under the ice, it leaves a tremendous weight hanging from those timbers.  We are having two different dock builders come out to give us estimates for a complete restoration of the cribs under the boat house the the docks. We are already shuddering at the projected cost!

Fairy Houses

Fairy Houses

The magic of living in a forest is dwelling with gnomes, fairies, frogs, and all of nature.  A few years back we built gnome homes, and this year we each built a fairy house.  Neighbors on the island all come down for an annual pot luck dinner when we are here, and they were the judges to pick the best fairy house. Pictured is my house, called "Climbing high".  It won a close second place, behind Hannah's "Beach Front Fun House", which featured a teeter-totter, slide, flowers, and other such amenities.  This morning Hannah and I ran into a young deer on our path from the cook house to the main house.  We think she was looking at our fairy houses.

A Birthday Toast

A Birthday Toast

Angela prepared a special toast with blueberry reduction and champaign (for the grown-ups - sparkling water for the younger ones) and we all gathered on the beach to recount all the many years of family gatherings here at Hatch Haven for my birthday.

This is a poignant year at age 73 to observe how the mantle of responsibility is changing.  Angela and her kids are now handily running the boat, and I can just enjoy the ride.  I am impressed watching Angela launch, gas up, change out the battery, and Captain the boat, while David and Hannah, fresh from sailing camp, handle the lines, the docking and departing. Up until this year, without Jeff here, those were all my responsibilities, and before that, Dave's. A bittersweet passage.

We Made It!

What could be better than waking up on my 73rd birthday than this view out of the Main House of Hatch Haven? Nothing!  Angela, David and Hannah met Ada and me at the airport at 9:45 last night, and drove us back to the Island.  Even in the dark, we had to explore the whole place - our respective sleeping rooms with fresh wildflower bouquets arranged by Hannah, the Guest House, Main House, and then to the Cook House with its newly painted kitchen and new sink.