February 1st already!

We woke this morning to a nice sunrise. Unfortunately it didn't last long. We had an overcast day, but still pretty warm. We got a call from our builder and they should have a revised estimate for our construction project in the next day or two. He sounded optimistic about the new bids.

Since today is Brad's birthday we decided we had to do something special for him. We got on our bikes and rode the bike trail to the very eastern tip of St George Island. The trail is five miles and we didn't see another soul the whole way. The island is very narrow at this point and we could see both St George Sound and the Gulf on either side. We saw about a half dozen Blue Herons along the way. Once at the tip of the island we started on a message to Brad. Nancy wrote "Happy Birthday Brad" in large letters in the sand above the tide line. Then we started gathering shells. Nancy was filling in the letters with shells and I was collecting far and wide along the beach. About 500 shells later we had the message completed! We sang happy birthday to him and could feel him smiling down on us. Brad would be 26 today!

We rode back to camp for lunch and later took a three mile hike through the nature trails. When we talked to our builder this morning he told us it was 12 degrees in Suttons Bay. Makes us grateful we can have this experience and escape from that weather for the winter. Life here seems too relaxed sometimes. I hope we don't get too complacent and lose our drive with all the loafing we have been doing.

This campground is pretty neat. 60 sites but only about a third occupied. The campers come and go, but we are seeing a lot of BIG RIGS. Both fifth wheels and huge motor homes. People from Oregon, Washington, Michigan, New York, Tennessee, Montana, Texas, and even Florida!

I tried to upload pictures but the signal here is too weak and uploads take forever and then don't happen. I'll post pictures when we have a better signal.

May you all be safe and happy. Until next time.......

Happy Birthday Brad

Happy birthday message after applying hundreds of shells

The east end of St George Island. No development except an old access road now a bike trail. 

Sea shells by the seashore

A blue heron takes flight. We must have seen ten of these as we rode our bikes.