Autumn Getaway

Last weekend was a dream. Gorgeous autumn color was in full swing, the trees were ablazed with brilliant hues of red, orange, and gold under the sunny blue sky, and the leaves were wrafting on the crispy autumn wind. Pretty like a dream.

We're staying two nights at this charming retreat on the beautiful spider lake.



This's Hin's lucky catch of the day. It was caught just minutes after he threw the rod at the dock on the first day.

The canoe trips on the spider lake was an unforgettable splendid experience. Having a 17 months old on board for the first time stirred up quite a tense emotion at the beginnning. Elle was very excited in the canoe and moving around a lot. I was hearing constant yelling from the restless dada at the back every time the canoe was shaking because of this busybody baby. One moment she would lean against the bow and look out like a lil' canoe captain, the next moment she would come over to "help out" paddling, and all of a sudden she would climb onto me, look over my shoulder and say "Hi" to her dada at the back. It took a while for us to start relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking autumn color reflecting on the lake while the boat was adrifting slowly on the water.




The kids had too much fun running along the hallway, jumping up and down, and thrashing the living room with all sorts of board game and toys, enjoying the time of their life.




On the second day, we headed further north of MI and drove through the scenic "tunnel of trees" on the narrow winding M-119. We stretched our legs at Good Hart's General store, getting its famous chicken pot pie. Elle couldn't wait to start digging into the gravy the moment to settle down at the picnic table next to the store. After a short break, we countinued driving under the canopy of trees to Cross Village where M-119 ended.




On the way back, we stopped over at Bill's farm market in Petosky. Hundreds of pumpkins laying on the ground against a fabulous backdrop of rolling hill blasted with fall foliage.


By the time we got back to the house, we jumped right into the canoe, drifting in the midst of the beautiful lake. It's a bliss.



Elle was really a bad co-sleeper, rolling all over the places on the bed. Sometimes I found her whole body thrown upon me, or a leg in my face. First night, she rolled over the pillow fort on the side of the bed and fell down to the floor. On the second night, she fell off at the end of the bed and dropped onto her dada who was sleeping on the floor. Aside from her clumsiness, it's interesting to find her playing with kids about her age or younger now. She and Azman was chasing one other and running around together; one would look for another when one was not around; one would mimic after the other one did, like hiding behind the couches together, climbing up and down the stairs. It's utterly cute to see her interacting with Alesha too. She would brush her hands against Alesha's cheeks and said "Baby". She would put the teething ring into Alesha's hand and help her pick it up when she dropped it. This's her showing her affection by giving a hug to Alesha, utterly sweet.


Thank y'all for such a memorable trip, great company and great food.