Downtown Petoskey, Michigan is one of the most utterly charming places I’ve visited. Lots of shoppers flock here for the fine stores and shops filled with gifts and clothing. We best enjoyed the breathtaking sunsets but I also liked the architecture and the details in so many of the storefronts.
This ghost mural clues in the curious visitor to the fact the upstairs of this building was home to the Normal Business College. Seeing things like this always makes me wonder about the people who taught and studied there. Where were they from and what ever happened to them?
What did they learn here and how did they apply that knowledge to bettering themselves and the world around them? Do their grandchildren’s children still live in Petoskey or did they travel west to live or go abroad on grand adventures?
Clearly, I will never know but these types of questions keep me entertained for hours.
Today I head home after a week of gallivanting and adventuring with my cousin Sherrie. Her brother called us the modern day Thelma and Louise.
For months we had planned a trip to Savannah but got spooked by possible storm damage and flooding caused by the hurricane. So, I consulted my handy list of endless possibilities for a trip and we agreed on something fun that we were able to throw together literally overnight.
We ended up heading north instead of south and spent the week poking around Michigan in the Petoskey area. We strolled around Mackinaw Island, watched the sun set from Sleeping Bear Dunes, got our feet wet in Lake Michigan, admired barns, churches and lighthouses and swooned over classic cars cruising the main drag in Frankenmuth after shopping at the town’s world famous Christmas shop.
There was good food, thrifting, rainbows and buckets full of rain. When the weather turned sour, we redirected and did something different than we wanted and had a fabulous time anyway.
We also met some fascinating people along the way including a gas station philosopher I’ll tell you about some day.
That’s the thing about this journey called life. Sometimes it goes as planned. Sometimes, a hurricane throws you off path. Sometimes that alternate route is better than you imagined possible.
Cancel the plans and do something better. Take the detour. Accept a stranger’s recommendation. Go look for the thing that everyone else passes by, and once in a while, follow the crowd. Maybe there’s a crowd gathered for a great reason.
I ate way too many rich foods this trip and look forward to getting back into some healthier eating habits. We were awake early and out late so a better sleep routine is welcome too. I look forward to seeing that little black cat of mine as well.
Isn’t it wonderful to go out on grand adventures and yet be glad to go home? It is true. Even if you are Thelma and Louise – there’s no place like home!
