Thursday was a day off, running errands and tying down a couple of loose ends, before we left town for a few days. Thursday night was dinner out with my wife, son and his new girlfriend (1st picture) It's a local brew/restaurant, and they do a great job! They overheard the birthday talk, and brought over a big piece of chocolate cake, and one of their beer glasses as a present!
Friday, we packed what we needed and headed for our first stop- The Shelby Gem Factory! Have you ever gone past a billboard (many times!) advertising what sounds like a neat tour but never went? Well, we decided we would find this place and see what they do. A couple of wrong turns later, we found it! It was a non-descript looking industrial building, founded in 1970 (2nd picture) and we were having second thoughts... What the heck! In we went, to a rather interesting lobby, showing the gems they produce in various stages of processing, and a description (3rd picture) of the process. We found out because of the proprietary nature of producing synthetic gems, there was no tour, but a short video you could watch that was quite informative. Then on to the show room where you could buy emeralds, rubies, diamonds, sapphires, set in genuine solid 14 karat gold. Nothing fake here! The stones actually have the hardness and brilliance of real gem stones, but with no flaws! I was impressed enough to buy my wife an early birthday present(4th picture)! Yes, everyone, I let her pick the one she wanted! On to Little River Casino, where we gambled, with little success! We caught dinner in Cadillac, at a place I think was named The Dawg House... looked new, and the food was good! It was casual, as it was right next to the State campground! We headed for our place west of Tustin, did a quick stop to take a scenic view of the kind of landscape this part of Michigan has(5th pict). We arrived at the lodge ( 6th photo- Yes, we really named it that! 10 guys own it counting me!)and started to settle in to relax.
Saturday, we wanted to head for the new Turtle Creek Casino early, as the crowds would be bad later.. The 7th picture is of the outdoor fountain/waterfall as you enter the casino- you should see the three story one in the casino! We then headed for a little casino up on the Leelanau penninsula, just north of Suttons Bay. Traffic by now was bad! Labor day week-end and all... We made some money there, enough to buy supplies for a BB-Q at the cabin with friends coming up for the evening! Just before we found a super market, I took a picture of the bay (8th and 9th pic) and a sloop called the Welcome- a reproduction of a ship that sailed the great Lakes in days gone by.. Our friends arrived on time, bringing appetizers! We had NY strips, charcoaled, cob corn, potato salad, rolls, then carrot cake- enough!
Played cards, relaxed, They headed home, we went to bed!
This morning, we decided to head home- our dog missed us! Did all the usual schlepping when packing, then unpacking...Farwell to The Big Beaver Hunt Club, 'til next time! The weather was beautiful, and it actually was fun and relaxing!
29 comments:
sounds like nice time all around despite the proprietary nature of things....
Family, friends and food...sounds like you had an eff n good time.
Is the third photo with the rock and the little plague where larry is buried?
Sounds like you all had a lovely little break :)
Drive safely home..
x
DogB- Gonna miss your photos, but remember when neither one of us posted pictures? You can write without illustration- and I will read it!
jeffb- Tweren't bad! I don't relax much, but when I do, it feels like someone patted me gently on the head..
marmy- The rock was the only thing on the outside of that building that had any visual appeal! Break was good.. got alot on my mind, similar to you- but without all that friggin' pain you've been in..
and if you don't like how I drive, stay off the sidewalks! :) Just kiddin'- I am the best driver you might ever meet!
((((buff)))) sorry you have stuff buzzing around ya noggin :(.....
LOL@stay off the pavements..... well thats cos you drive on the wrong side of the dam road lol....
I loved it when I drove in America last summer, everyone was shouting and waving out their car windows at me, I couldnt hear what they were saying though, cos I had to keep beeping the horn cos they was driving right at me LOL ;)
x
marmy- How I would define people living in your country- The most sensibly insane people on the planet...and frankly, I don't know how anyone right-handed obtains a drivers license...
God I Love Michigan!!!!
Great Pics Buff...
Enjoy your Monday off....G
g-man, Have you heard that song getting air play about Michigan to the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama?" It nails it pretty good, in my book!
Oh you lovely man buying your wife just what she wants for her birthday - so much better than flowers and chocolates!
Sounds like you had a great break at your 'cabin', I'd love a cabin somewhere to escape to.
Sorry to hear you've got 'stuff' going on, in the words of the song 'things can only get better'!
It sounds that you had a really good time and the weather (most importantly) was good. I loved those pics btw.
Looks like a relaxing time...such a pretty landscape. And such a handsome son.
Very nice b'day present for your wife!
My husband lucked out, b/c I am just not into gems. But I do appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into them!
"I was impressed enough to buy my wife an early birthday present(4th picture)! Yes, everyone, I let her pick the one she wanted!"
Oh, honey....you are the MAN!!!!
xoxox
ake- Happy Wife= Less grief for the Buff! The place is amazing, and under used.. When I get away, more and more- I don't want to go back to work!
middleditch- Welcome! The weather is not an issue in Michigan- you get what it gives!
Urban V- How kind you are! Carnivore vs. Vegan- and yet we manage to find common ground... I think it's because we both seek it in our lives..
claudia- With the combat pay your hubby is going to make- he'd better bring you something really nice!
Buf? that is your son? ( SWOON!)
Are you anything like him? :)
Of course you must be!!
That is a beautiful ring! I have a similar sapphire ring, only two little diamonds on the edges!
That was picturesque! Happy Birthday to mrs, Buf!
that sounds, and looks, relaxing! Thank God one of us had a good weekend.
mona- Thanks! I promised his girlfriend I would post a better picture of her, when she isn't squinting into the sun! I plan to take a better pictue of the ring, too.. It's a beautiful emerald green that doesn't show well in the photo posted..
VodkaM- I read your post- I understand!
what a great time you had!!! Big Beaver....I think I might have to start calling you that instead of Buff...hmmmmm
Beth- When we first bought the property, there was a beaver pond...After we built the lodge, the maroons who are the officers of the club were told beavers were very destructive and probably would do damage to the place.. They had a guy come in and trap them to get them off the land..Now, instead of a really cool pond, we have a swamp on that part of the property- good for nothing..
Looks like a great time! My neighbors used to go to Cadillac often, but I've never been in that neck of the woods.
Happy Birthday to the Mrs!
Yes happy birthday Mrs B!
Glad you all had a lovely time.
Oh good times huh Buff! Next time your going to hit the big money at the casino!
Lini- "neck of the woods.".. you still are a Michigan chick! Don't you ever forget it!
Casdok- I wish for you to have some fun- all on your own, guiltless free, with no one being happy but you...
rog- Miss the Mitt once in awhile? Glad you were here, if only for awhile..
Yeah Buff...
Kid Rock made this Summer very memorable with that tune...G
One day I'll stop threatening you with showing up at "The Lodge" and actually do it.
Very nice and lovely gem on your bride's finger. Well done man!
g-man- Still burnin' about the U of M loss...
anndi- What a treat that would be!
Okay Buff...when should I be expecting my ring??? ha ha
Looks like a good time.
Michelle- On you, a ruby would work nicely!
the ring setting is almost identical to my engagement ring except for the width. Mine is fatter. I want to go. What a fun trip.
Hahaha!! I love how you named it The Big Beaver!! That's hilarious!! :D
And how sweet are you spoiling your wife like that. ;) Glad you guys all had a great time!!
--snow
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