What I did on my summer vacation...

At the end of June and beginning of July, I was able to get about a week of vacation, during which I was able to head home and to the Island, with a few other stops along the way. Mark and myself left Williamsburg in my car for DC on a Saturday morning, staying with his friends in the city. We took the afternoon (and braved the intense and disgusting heat) to explore the Folklife Festival before making our way to a Nationals baseball game with his family. The game was fun, and became even more eventful when a giant storm rolled in, causing the game to be put on hold and us, quite drenched, to leave and head back to his friends' apartment for more matches of Mario Kart (on Wii and a super huge HD tv!). The next morning, we were up and on the way to his grandparent's house northeast of Pittsburgh, and then on the next morning to Ann Arbor.

photos: The National Mall with the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival (the same festival that I worked at last summer), this year featuring Texas, Bhutan, and NASA; the inside of the Bhutanese buddhist temple on the Mall with a Bhutanese monk; the new Nationals stadium; the view from above the first base line (by a couple of tiers) of the stadium, complete with a view of the Capitol in the background (our seats were under the big scoreboard in center field); and a staple of a Washington Nationals game -- giant-headed presidents that run around.




Once back in A2, we met with Mark's friend Craig (with whom we were staying), gave Mark a tour around town and campus, before meeting up with Cadi and Brian for some time at Dominick's (ah, the sangria), trivia night at Connor's, and a couple of stops at Ann Arbor Brewing Company and Ashley's before turning in for the night. The next day, we met Lee May for breakfast before heading to Frankenmuth to meet my mom, dad, and sister for lunch at the Bavarian Inn and some shopping around town. Then, at last, I was back in Lansing, feeling a bit exhausted. The next day (Wednesday) we both slept in, swam a bit in the g-units' pool, found some fresh ice cream and cheese curds at the MSU dairy store, met the family at dinner at the pub, and chilled with the family for a final evening, before both we left for the North and my dad left for his new home and job in New Mexico. Thursday morning had us up, packed, breakfasted at Flap Jack, and on the road north.

photos: Mark's friend Craig's Optimus Prime transformer poses with the Colonel (Mark's version of Rebel Roy), handing over his matrix of power (I think that's what it's called); the g-units and me in Lansing; Joe and his girlfriend, Sam; and Mom, Leslie, and Josh.




Before heading to the Island, we stopped at Leg's Inn for a good polish meal after driving the tunnel of trees. It was fun to see all the island folks, even though I'd seen some of them just weeks before at Beth's wedding. We hiked, ate, blacksmithed, wandered, and relaxed. The 4th of July at the fort was just as good as always, though odd for me since it was the first that I'd attended that I didn't have to work. We also got to hang out with the Pub Runners, which was and is always fun. We were up early the next day to head off the island and downstate, having to drive all the way to Bruce's new home in Ohio. We made it (after stops for lunch and Meijer shopping), albeit late. Sunday we were definitely exhausted and had a difficult time leaving the delicious and local breakfast and relaxed atmosphere of chilling on his farm. However, we did leave and made it back to Williamsburg that night, with me ready for work the next day.

photos: Wildflowers on the back patio of Leg's Inn in Cross Village, MI; Ben Bever showing what he thinks of non-Deere tractors; Katie and Maria find a carnival ride in the woods; the Colonel's horse finds a companion at the Pink Pony; and Mark up at Fort Holmes.





photos: The view of the Fort from the Rifle Range; the guys sing a bit on the 4th; the girl scouts raising the flag on the 4th;
the Michigan volley during the 38-gun salute; and the crafties during the salutes.





photos: Me, Mark, and the Pub Runner's #1 fan (I promise, there are indeed photos of us not making these faces -- it's not a permanent thing); Bever worried that he might have lost his "boob inspector" badge -- classy, Bev...; Bever just like we remembered him; a stop at Bruce's house wouldn't be complete without frolicking dogs; and Bruce's family farmstead.





All in all, it was a great trip and a lot of fun. Thanks so much to all of you that helped us and hung out with us along the way!

Summer fun in the 'Burg

This summer has been a mix of fun, work, and money-saving. Work-wise, we've been busy with a summer teacher's institute and also producing podcasts and videos for the Foundation (check JYF's website, linked on the right of my blog, and look for our passionality videos!) On Flag Day (the day I came back from Beth's wedding), we had a cookout at our house, complete with encouragement to guests to dress in clothes inspired by Flag Day. While I wore overalls, a bandanna, and pigtail braids, others got a bit more creative with their outfits, as you can see in the photos...

photos: Mark Summers embraces his flag day outfit; Carla, Matt, Mark, and Mark Summers; Mark and Summers apparently having fun; Ryan, Scott, and Joe also apparently having fun; and Caroline, Green Mark, and Jack definitely having fun.





Also, one weekend day we did some festival-hopping, beginning with a microbrew festival at Colonial Downs, one of the main horse racing tracks in Virginia. I'd never been to a horse race, so it was a fun atmosphere in which to enjoy it (live music, microbrew beer tastings, and festival food). Later, we visited a couple of cookouts before attempting to go to the county fair (turned out to be cancelled...). Still, good times all around.

photos: Jack trying to figure out his bets; and Mark and Jeff getting ready for their pizza-eating contest (Mark in plaid, Jeff in yellow) -- they didn't win, but they got a free meal.


By mid-August, we had a party at Mark's house featuring a band of our coworkers. They hadn't played in public since the last staff picnic, so it was fun to hear them again and to hear their improvements. Also, a couple of weeks later, Dirk (a coworker) had a kind of housewarming party, fitting in the pattern of summer cookouts and gatherings.

photos: Sally, Kris, Varia, and Jamie at the Lords of Misrule party/concert taking a break from all of their dancing; Jeff enjoying some Mexican candy that paints your tongue; Scott, Green Mark, and Jack trying to stay out of trouble; the Lords of Misrule (Duane - Guitar, Jaie - lead vocals and keyboard, Todd - drums, and Graham - bass); and the guys getting into trouble at Dirk's house.

Beth's Wedding!!!

In June, Beth and Travis (friends from Mackinac) got married on the Island. Jenny and I were both in the wedding as bridesmaids, with Jenny as the maid of honor. I had a whirlwind trip back to Michigan, meeting Jenny at her house on Wednesday night and both of us heading to the Island on Thursday, just in time for a bit of visiting before the rehearsal. The wedding was quite lovely on Friday June 13th at Stonecliffe. We were kept very busy, but it went well and we had a ton of fun. After the wedding, we enjoyed a lovely reception (complete with Michael Jackson dance battle!) before heading downtown to the pub and Pink Pony (Myk Rise was playing!). Here are some of the photos, but also check Katie and Trace's blogs for more photos and my YouTube page for videos to come.

photos: Dave the blacksmith and Jenny at Fort Mackinac; Beth and Travis in costume, preparing to give a tour to their wedding guests; Beth and Travis get a card at their rehersal dinner; Jenny trying to open the champagne for a "bachleorette" toast (she wanted to go to bed early that night, so no big party); and Jenny, me, Beth, and Lindsay about to have a really classy toast with plastic cups and all.





photos: The back lawn at Stonecliffe where the wedding will take place; Jenny kept finding photos of us on brochures, etc. all over the island; Jenny practicing putting Beth's veil on; our tacky sweatshirts match our lunchbox desserts; and Lindsay (Beth's brother's girlfriend) shows off her sassy 'do for the wedding.





photos: Andy Anderson, the videographer and our new friend; Travis' sister and fellow bridesmaid Eliza sneaking a bit to eat before the wedding; Andy taking his turn bowling at The Woods, which we all did to kill time and let loose before the ceremony; we had to walk from the condo to the wedding, so Jenny carried Beth's train while the rest of us kept a lookout for the Travis and the boys; and me trying not to get fall down the stairs or get my shoes stuck in the grass.





photos: Beth and Travis after their vows before walking back down the aisle; the wedding party; the Mackinac crew; Beth and Travis on their way to get some photos done; and the setting for the wedding, after the ceremony.





photos: Beth getting really excited to get her ride in the carriage and show off as a bride (at least, on the way to the fort for photos); Dave and Maria at the reception; Beth and Travis, with T trying on Joe's helmet and reliving the good-old-days; all the tables had oragami, and Katie and I learned to create a awesome paper crane; and a Lead photo (all lead interpreters at one point) with Katie, Maria, Joe, and me.





photos: The standard self-portrait of Katie and me; sunset from Stonecliffe over the bridge; Dave and Myron looking on and plotting how best to avoid dancing; Joe, Bever, and Trace doing what they do best -- posing; and a crafty photo with Katie, Jenny, Beth, me, and Maria (Joe snuck in there at the bottom).