Hey Tommy! I was up in that part of the world at the same time last week! Cherry season is always wonderful. Northpoint, sleeping Bear dunes, Petoskey… Such a beautiful area. Too bad I didn’t run into you! Glad you had a great vacation.
but because you should try, when you can, to feel what someone else feels. Such a simple thought but one that could fix a lot of the world's problems. Love your writing Tommy.
I grew up in Michigan but haven't lived there since 2000. The thing I miss most (other than family) are summer mornings and summer nights. In Charlotte and St. Louis (the two places I have lived since leaving), it's so hot in the morning and night that you can't enjoy it. But in Michigan, you can sit outside and (gasp) walk, and maybe even, as you say, need a jacket.
We did Pictured Rocks last year and loved it. I think it might have dropped into the 40s at night, which was unusually cold and awesome at the same time.
I also enjoy how late into the evening it is still light. I bet you could golf until almost 10 pm in Munising.
We spent the early part of this week enjoying some of those Lake Michigan towns you mention (though further south than you were). That's definitely an under-rated part of the country.
You're right--it wasn't full dark until 10:15 or so up there. So beautiful.
Coming down from the UP, we fell in love with Petoskey and Charlevoix and a bunch of those other towns. Traverse City was having the Cherry Festival, so it was pretty crowded, but we enjoyed there too. What a great part of the world.
I believe it was last Sunday. Sunday Morning did a segment about Wilmington. I wonder if they would be able to teach that in the south. The Raleigh CBS station did not show the first 40 minutes of Sunday Morning. Hard to believe that kind of thing is still happening. Charlie Pierce said in his blog we are losing America.
Congratulations on your anniversary! Thank you for reprinting what you wrote prior to going to the church to say "I Do". Glad you were able to enjoy a vacation sightseeing in a beautiful location.
Have I told you lately how much I look forward to reading what you write? Even sports? Or a road trip to Michigan? I’m spending my summer fighting the relentless heatwaves in France, mourning the losses of my beloved bleues and envying your cool breezes. Thanks for the vicarious chill…
Absolutely nothing is air. Conditioned. But after nearly. A decade of French expat life I am comfortable with the life au natural. French folk are tough. And their football is beautiful. As is their bike tour. Last week it was 104F here in Brittany. Amazing. Today, 68F. A relief.
Looking forward to a short vacation myself, starting later this week. Your words - "We both grew up on the water and it gives us something we can’t quite name but can never replace." - spoke to me, as I always tend to plan my getaways around water, whether rivers or lakes or oceans. This one is the ocean, and I can hardly wait to smell the salty air and drift off to the rhythm of the waves....
I'm glad I read to the very end. I just ordered They Stole a City through the library. I've read bits and pieces about the white takeover of Wilmington and am anxious to read this book.
I took some time to think about my perfect albums, and the first two to pop into my head were Donovan’s Open Road and Pink Floyd’s Wish You were Here. I almost would add The Beatle’s Let It Be but I don’t like Dig It enough. k.d. Lang’s Ingenue definitely gets a spot, and I’m with you on Lyle’s album (though it’s a toss-up with Joshua Judges Ruth - I might have to include both of those). Tracy Chapman’s self-titled album or Crossroads and Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Come On, Come On go up there. Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road is almost perfect, but Billy Joel’s The Stranger is near the top. I’ve loved a lot of Tom Petty, Rush, and Van Halen but can’t really think of one specific album I’d like to listen to a lot. Thanks for the journey through a lot of memories!
Hey Tommy! I was up in that part of the world at the same time last week! Cherry season is always wonderful. Northpoint, sleeping Bear dunes, Petoskey… Such a beautiful area. Too bad I didn’t run into you! Glad you had a great vacation.
Ben Folds Five is one of my favorite bands!
I wrote about them right after that first album came out, and for years afterward I got Christmas cards from the drummer's mom. Good people!
but because you should try, when you can, to feel what someone else feels. Such a simple thought but one that could fix a lot of the world's problems. Love your writing Tommy.
Thank you so much, Robbie.
Where is your wife from in WI?
Manitowoc.
How about an updated favorite albums list? 2014 and beyond!
I've been meaning to do this for a while now ... moving it to the top of my list!
I grew up in Michigan but haven't lived there since 2000. The thing I miss most (other than family) are summer mornings and summer nights. In Charlotte and St. Louis (the two places I have lived since leaving), it's so hot in the morning and night that you can't enjoy it. But in Michigan, you can sit outside and (gasp) walk, and maybe even, as you say, need a jacket.
We did Pictured Rocks last year and loved it. I think it might have dropped into the 40s at night, which was unusually cold and awesome at the same time.
I also enjoy how late into the evening it is still light. I bet you could golf until almost 10 pm in Munising.
We spent the early part of this week enjoying some of those Lake Michigan towns you mention (though further south than you were). That's definitely an under-rated part of the country.
You're right--it wasn't full dark until 10:15 or so up there. So beautiful.
Coming down from the UP, we fell in love with Petoskey and Charlevoix and a bunch of those other towns. Traverse City was having the Cherry Festival, so it was pretty crowded, but we enjoyed there too. What a great part of the world.
Your vacation sounded like paradise. We want to plan a trip there.
Holler if you want any recommendations!
I believe it was last Sunday. Sunday Morning did a segment about Wilmington. I wonder if they would be able to teach that in the south. The Raleigh CBS station did not show the first 40 minutes of Sunday Morning. Hard to believe that kind of thing is still happening. Charlie Pierce said in his blog we are losing America.
Was there some particular story the Raleigh station didn't want to air?
Congratulations on your anniversary! Thank you for reprinting what you wrote prior to going to the church to say "I Do". Glad you were able to enjoy a vacation sightseeing in a beautiful location.
Thank you! We had a wonderful time.
Have I told you lately how much I look forward to reading what you write? Even sports? Or a road trip to Michigan? I’m spending my summer fighting the relentless heatwaves in France, mourning the losses of my beloved bleues and envying your cool breezes. Thanks for the vicarious chill…
I can't believe France is hotter than North Carolina right now. Is everything air-conditioned over there?
Absolutely nothing is air. Conditioned. But after nearly. A decade of French expat life I am comfortable with the life au natural. French folk are tough. And their football is beautiful. As is their bike tour. Last week it was 104F here in Brittany. Amazing. Today, 68F. A relief.
Looking forward to a short vacation myself, starting later this week. Your words - "We both grew up on the water and it gives us something we can’t quite name but can never replace." - spoke to me, as I always tend to plan my getaways around water, whether rivers or lakes or oceans. This one is the ocean, and I can hardly wait to smell the salty air and drift off to the rhythm of the waves....
Falling asleep to the waves is one of the great pleasures in life.
I'm glad I read to the very end. I just ordered They Stole a City through the library. I've read bits and pieces about the white takeover of Wilmington and am anxious to read this book.
I took some time to think about my perfect albums, and the first two to pop into my head were Donovan’s Open Road and Pink Floyd’s Wish You were Here. I almost would add The Beatle’s Let It Be but I don’t like Dig It enough. k.d. Lang’s Ingenue definitely gets a spot, and I’m with you on Lyle’s album (though it’s a toss-up with Joshua Judges Ruth - I might have to include both of those). Tracy Chapman’s self-titled album or Crossroads and Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Come On, Come On go up there. Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road is almost perfect, but Billy Joel’s The Stranger is near the top. I’ve loved a lot of Tom Petty, Rush, and Van Halen but can’t really think of one specific album I’d like to listen to a lot. Thanks for the journey through a lot of memories!