Bucket List: Must visit the HOMES Lakes. Check.
When I was little, like most students in America, I learned about the HOMES lakes in Michigan. Lakes Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. I thought it was so cool that they were so big and blue and cold in my textbook, and knew that I wanted to go see them live and in person. Since I don’t really have an official “Bucket List” cuz I find the list slightly depressing for it means that I will one day die, going to visit the Lakes isn’t technically on there for the list doesn’t exist. Minor technicality. But on my imaginary bucket list, I was able to check one more thing off of it…excitement.
I felt slightly silly and out of balance for a couple reasons today. Firstly, I didn’t know where I was going. But that’s really not any different from any other day here in Michigan because I really don’t know where I am at all. I am such a huge map person because it’s like secret information that the privileged and designated “Map Reader” knows. Unfortunately for me, I still haven’t seen or touched a Michigan map and this fact makes me feel discombobulated.
Secondly, I was in the car for 4 hours. Not my most favorite activity. I decided to take a really long nap and was awakened by the driver when we got in eyesight of the Mackinac Bridge. I for the life of me couldn’t figure out why everyone was A) so excited to go see a dumb little bridge and B) why there wasn’t a bridge less than 4 hours away where we could each lunch. But when I saw the bridge, I immediately knew that this was epically cool. Like uber (pronounced OO-ber and it means “extra”) epic.
We got out of the car and one of the fellow staffers said “Welcome to Lake Michigan!” I thought to my little school girl days and my insides radiated with excitement for I was making a real life connection to what was once just school textbook facts. Me on Lake Michigan—one of the HOMES lakes. Uber epic.
We got out and found a grill and cooked burgers. We remembered all the things to cook with except for a spatula or grill turner so we used nature’s next best alternative—mini stick branches. It took some teamwork and creativity, but we were eventually satiated. After my burger, I really wanted another ½ of one and decided to split it with another co-worker. It was about 60% done when I turned away to go goof-off. I turned back around and there were some huge sea gulls eyeing my piece of meat. Before I knew it, they were PECKING AT MY BURGER!! Number A, Mr. Birdie: Aren’t you supposed to be eating wormies and little buggies? And Number B, Mr. Birdie: Why aren’t you dying from the flames of the grill?!?!?!! Not ok. He ate half of my burger! I stared at what was left and was afraid of getting bird or parasitic cancer and just threw the rest away in disgust and disdain.
THEN, as I was walking back to the car, I stooped to take a picture of a plaque under a light pole for the bridge and historic area that was less than 10 feet away from the car. I heard this “pth” sound like someone was spitting and then felt this ooey-gooey stuff on my left arm. I eyed it and let out a howl.
“OMG!!! A SEAGULL POOPED ON MEEEEE!!!!!!!”
I laughed so hard after my momentary silent-no-air-in-and-no-air-out with exasperated eyes affixed to my conundrum. HOW do I get such luck? I should sell my luck and make a profit. After getting cleaned off, I now have the best “one-ups” story at Mackinac Bridge.
I will say that even though I had perfect un-luck at Lake Michigan today, I did get to see a spectacular sight. This world is absolutely beautiful and I love taking it in. I also learned that dreams should never be given up upon. It may take years and years and years for them to come to pass, but they can. It’s very possible. Ssoooo..maybe I should dream for the male version of a Godiva bar with some character, a brain, and back muscles…Hmm… I jest, I jest..sorta.
I get to sleep in tomorrow. I’m SO excited. I think I might just start that process now. But, “now’ is a relative term. I still have to go potty and turn out the light.
Good night readers!
JLP
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