Northwoods Report

Have just returned from a (slightly too long) trip to the North Woods of Michigan (not the UP, just slightly south thereof) to visit my family. This is the first time all of us-- all the cousins, aunts, uncles, everybody-- have been together, probably ever. This is usually my fault, for not showing up. This time, I showed up and completed the family portrait (taken at a buffet banquet hall on the outskirts of town decorated with fake wood paneling and lots of animal heads).

Highlights:

Actually getting to talk to my Uncle Mike, who I've seen only three times in my life, once every ten years (4, 14, 24). He's insane, lives in Las Vegas because when he came back from Nam the Michigan weather was just too much for him, doesn't drink, shoots big guns for fun. He's a great guy, basically. He and his wife practically begged me to come visit them.

Hanging out with my cousin Iris, the only little kid in the world that I'm not terrified of. The best part was her telling me about a dream she had about wolves in tutus. I wish I'd had it myself.

Riding a bike around Mackinac Island, which I didn't think would be fun at all but was actually very peaceful and beautiful. Made me decide to go reclaim the bike from the old apartment.

Eating some really good pie. I mean really, really good pie.

That's about it. Glad to be back to civilization again, though. Not enough noise up there; I could hardly sleep at night.