The Great Up North

This past week my dear friend Alexis and I decided it was time, time for that drive that we had talked about for over a year.  So we each packed 2 bags, one with clothes and the other bag brimming with camera gear, then we headed to the great up north.



The original plan was to drive slowly throughout the trip, but as usual, we were running late that initial bon voyage day.  As we pulled away from our beloved Ann Arbor, we could feel all stresses being left behind.  We were on our way to the island, Mackinaw Island.  Now we just needed to make that last ferry of the day, or we would be losing our reservation at Mission Point.



After driving 4 hours and 23 minutes, or 285 miles, our plan to drive directly up 75 hailed us a front row seat (if we had chosen) on the hydroplane ride to paradise.  Okay, so it's not the Caribbean, but it is our island, Michiganders little slice of the slower life.

 The first day was spent soaking up the sites, but in a quieter, slower version then a day-tripper would.  The slow walk from Mission Point to the downtown area provided us with many beautiful photo ops of flowers, a sweet old lab resting in a big chair, architecture and of course horses and the quaint fudge-filled village.  It was still early on Friday, so the weekend crowds were only beginning to arrive.  We headed down a back street and discover a new coffee place and possible job opportunities for next summer (for my friend, not me!).

Once again, we realized that an appointment made earlier was upon us, so we dashed back to the resort to enjoy some much needed spa treatments.  You may wonder what this has to do with photography.  Well, I believe to find ZEN in this world, I must be in a Zen place myself.  So this was our treat before leaving the island that afternoon. 


Onward to the Mighty Mac and beyond. Next stop the other paradise, Paradise, Michigan.  The drive up highway 2 was stunning with the setting sun catching the yellows, oranges and red on fire!  We were surprised at the low availability of rooms once we arrived in the sleepy town, but finally found a place to rough it for the night.  Let's just say we were inside...I think.  A quick trip to find some food and the shoreline to view the amazing starlit sky, then off to sleep.  Another 69 miles for the day.


The next day was filled with a lot of travel.  We completed the 15 minute drive to Whitefish Point to catch the strong winds blowing in some nice sized waves, then back south to view the Taquanamum falls and across the bridge to the Lower Peninsula before a big storm was predicted to hit.

I love the northwest side of Lower Michigan.  Its beauty is like an oasis.  To end the day we traveled through the tunnel of trees, catching the sunset on the beautiful tree lined winding road.  The plan was to find a place in Petoskey to relax for the night, but we found what seemed like the entire southern half of MI occupying every hotel room in the northern hemisphere!  Sigh, this was not a part of the plan, but we are flexible, and the drive down to the thumb area just gave us new destinations to photograph the next day.

Our last day was spent touring the countryside to Port Austin and lunch in the German town of Frankenmuth.  I live in such an amazingly beautiful state, from the rolling hills and farmlands to the rocky, pine tree filled Upper Peninsula, to our gorgeous shoreline that surrounds us.  We are very lucky to have the 4 seasons and over one fifth of the world's fresh surface water. 

Nine hundred twenty two miles and hundreds of photographs later, we arrived home with the feeling of real satisfaction for what we accomplished, along with a twinge for another road trip soon!

Sweet little Oliver recently turned 2 1/2, so we met at Mill Pond Park to capture his wonderment and play. His cautious ways were a breath of fresh air, as I'm used to chasing after many kids, including my own!  He was so inquisitive, talking in such perfect sentences.  He loved the castle-like play structure with its ins and outs, and the truck and digger in the sandbox, but I think it was the splash of the stones hitting the water that brought him the most delight!  Looking forward to seeing you again in the snow Oliver!

Viewing D.C.

After planning a family trip to Washington D.C. for years, we finally did it! It seemed there was always something that stood in our way, but this year we ventured east, to Gettysburg, then on to D.C. for a week long immersion of U.S. history.  The timing couldn't have been better.  Our history enthusiast, our 11 year old son, soaked up every minute from the battles to the Smithsonian's  wonders and we never heard the words all parents cringe at, "I'm bored!" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Space Camp Botanical Gardens

So this year I decided to drive my son from Michigan to Huntsville, Alabama for one of his summer camps.  What? Am I crazy?  Okay, yes I am a little crazy, but this was Space Camp!  I just knew he would love Space Camp and this was the first year that I was able to send him.  Along with my son I took another dear friend, who is like family to attend with him.  This was family week, so having a 19 year old attend with an 11 year old was totally cool.  As a matter of fact, their roommates were a retired FBI agent and his grandson!



Here is a photo of the retired space shuttle Pathfinder.  The next photo shows the shuttle's rocket boosters and its fuel tank.  This tank is so large that you cannot see the actual space shuttle that's on top of it from this angle! Let me just say, when you walk underneath - you suddenly feel like an ant!

While the boys were playing astronaut, I decided to check out the local botanical gardens in Huntsville.  I was so impressed, I bought early Christmas gifts there and a membership (that I can use at over 200 other gardens).  It was beautiful!  I must have been there over 4 hours taking photos, even so I am certain I missed some of the trails. 

Note, I should have used something in the photo to give a better perspective, because the colorful chairs are so big, that an adult gets lost in one - like the one that Lilly Tomlin sat in while playing Edith Ann back in the 1960's!

My favorite place in the gardens were the hammocks. 

 

In this wonderfully shaded area they had a circle of hammocks, with a long string of them, looking like little boats tied together.  I just had to try one out!  It was so relaxing and fun listening to the little ones squeal with delight as their parents pushed them in their own swinging pillow under the trees.


After leaving the gardens, I drove to the Huntsville historical district, where I photographed many old homes.  It was very humbling to look at the historical signs that read over 100 and sometimes 200 years old - wow!

At the end of the day, I realized that Decatur was only a 15 minute drive from my hotel. From the map I could see there was water, which possibly meant good views for the sunset.   I dashed over there, to capture the remaining 10 minutes of that days light.  It was beautiful.

  I don't know about the boys, but I think this Space Camp idea was pretty cool!

Travel Photography - Chicago

I LOVE VISITING CHICAGO.  Its bustling pace, endless opportunities and grande views take me in every time I'm there.  Our most recent visit was quick, but even after a lifetime of visiting the windy city, it still surprises me.

This time my son and I explored the Chicago river on an architectural tour.  I now question why I didn't do this much sooner.  The history of this city and even its buildings, rich with famous architects fills your senses and makes you feel proud to be a part of it...even if you're not a native. 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there are the museums.  Which one to peruse, but honestly, how many times can one go to a museum?  Well, as true museum goers know, as many times as one wants!  We finally bought the family membership at the Museum of Science and Industry with friends (who live there), so we can go again and again and again.  This time we experienced Animals Inside Out.  It was quite amazing and I would recommend it highly.

Of course there's the food.  During two other adventures, my Yelper-app-happy husband discovered Yolk http://eatyolk.com/ and Frank and Dawg's franksndawgs.com  These were two of his most advantageous finds, along with Girl and the Goat, but I'll save that review for another time.  All I can say, go hungry and don't be afraid to try something out-of-the-dog.

To top it off, I snuck out of bed after midnight, gathered my Nikon, reset my speed and ap, and shot away at the beautiful city scape while hubby and son were peacefully sleeping. 
Ahhh...my kind of getaway!

Charity of the month for May - SUICIDE PREVENTION

As with many of the charities that I donate or become involved in, this one is very close to my heart.

 

On December 31st, 2012, my beautiful cousin Justin took his life. His ever smiling face (below, right) is missed by family and so many friends, still hurting deeply from their loss. Justin's brother Jeremy Howie will be participating in an over night walk in Washington DC on June 1st to raise money for awareness, education and prevention of suicide. 

 

If you have lost someone to suicide or just feel the compassion to support those who have, please donate http://jeremyhowie.com/savealife for Jeremy, our family and many others, who all thank you from deep within our hearts. - Janice Nelson - Z.E.N. Photography Lifestyles
 

 

Solitary Swing

Unique Addresses

 

 

DEXTER DRIVE

The drive from Ann Arbor to Dexter has always been a favorite of mine, winding along the Huron River.  After taking my son to school this morning, I took my Nikon on a little jaunt up Huron River Drive.  I'll share some of those photos with you this month.



ACADEMIC GAMES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - Charlotte, NC

The AGLOA National Championship playoffs may be played by kids, but many adults dedicate hours upon hours each year to coaching, all of which could not be accomplished without the dedication of many parents.  Hala!

 

 

 

 

Charlotte, NC

 

 

Eric and Vivian, two of the many AG coaches from Ann Arbor, MI.

 

 

Valerie and Dawn, two very dedicated parents in Ann Arbor, MI.

Editing photos for a presentation tonight at 5pm for 900 or so people - no pressure!

Charlotte bound

Getting on the plane for a 4 day photo shoot in Charlotte...just realized I forgot to put on makeup this morning, and I don't have any with me...uggh.

A new look is just around the corner!  Can't wait to see it all come together

Kellie Bambach @ http://www.sparklefurry.com/

 

Easy like Sunday morning...

In Rememberance...

Chi-loop

Year Long Garden Assignment