After the sunrise, it was back to Pigeon Road Pottery for another day of ART DETOUR.
So we re-built our displays after packing everything down for the night. The “fear” of
stay animals wreaking havoc in our tents overnight, plus the chance of wind & rain,
made us all very cautious. So we all had a lot of re-assembling to do. And just in time,
as the customers were coming in full force.

While we were meeting customers and enjoying ART DETOUR, I was also taken by the
natural surroundings. Fall was definitely in the air. The colors. The textures.

And then, just to make Wendi’s flowers even prettier, this little butterfly decided to hang out
with us for quite awhile. Flitting around, sucking nectar and basking in the sun.

And by the end of the day, Amy, Wendi, Sarah and I were all quite pleased with how the
ART DETOUR was going. Not only were we having a lot of fun, and eating a lot of s’mores…
the customers were actually showing up, buying art and having fun with us! There were
a LOT of s’mores being made. And we were all on a bit of a sugar-high by the end of the day.

The merry group of artists hanging out at Pigeon Road Pottery after another long day.
Sarah, Wendi, myself and Amy (left to right) were pleased with the day, and happy that it
was almost over. Only one more day to go…

Another morning in the Northwoods. Another sunrise over the lake.
Sure, I could really use some more sleep… but when I know something this beautiful
is going on outside, how can I resist?! Me and my camera up early again!!!

But then… this one huge cloud decided to roll in…

And then that “one cloud” decided to bring some friends… and with that the sunrise was done!

So I’m up in the Northwoods. And it’s beautiful.
The “condo” cabin we’re renting is right on a lake facing east.
So it’s the perfect location for my morning sunrise addiction!

So this morning Amy and I set out to run some errands about town… and I
use that term loosely, town. While Amy was at the dentist first thing in the morning,
I had a chance to go for a quick hike in the woods. And it was a great start to the day.
You know how I love to start my day with some beautiful nature! So Amy dropped me off
at this bridge which also serves as the trail head. I got to hike… she got to swish & spit.
I definitely got the better part of the deal…

Then we got back on track, and head off to the hardware store, Wal-Mart and more getting
some last minute supplies… like more s’more fixins’!!! After the errands, it was time for
Amy and I to figure out were the tents were going to go. And then we started to set up
our tents before Sarah & Wendi got there. Once we had a plan, we both got started.
Of course I had to tackle my over-loaded car… slowly so nothing fell out…

And with our signs all ready, we were hoping to get people either coming or going…
we’ll place them along the highway tomorrow, hoping to pull in the tourists!!

Once I had my booth all set and ready to go for the night, Sarah and Wendi arrived
and we helped get them set up. My parents showed up as well since they were planning
on spending the weekend in the Northwoods doing the “official” tour and doing some
undercover espionage & marketing for us along the way! Unfortunately, Kathy Furda
of Northern Light Glass was not able to join us for ART DETOUR. She had some last minute
family health issues to tend to, but her beautiful glass work will be with us all weekend.
So even though Kathy may not be making s’mores with us this weekend, you can still see
her beautiful work while we’re at Pigeon Road Pottery.

Love the colors. Love the textures. Love my harvest “souvenirs” from “Art In The Barn.”
But can anyone explain to me where Summer went so quickly?!

Sadly, my weekend escape was quickly coming to an end.
So I hopped on my bike for one last ride before packing up. Another beautiful day,
another beautiful ride. Unfortunately, I knew my time was drawing short.

When I got back to the cabin, it was already time to pack up. But I had to sit on the dock
just a little more… and got for a quick dip in the lake… and then hang out a bit…
get a little sunburned… and then finally say my goodbyes and start the drive home!
I would have stayed longer… but I had to get back for another week of Summer Camp!!!

Saturday we woke up very early to get Amy to her art fair. She still had some
setting up to do, and I was apparently her designated assistant. Since we had set up
the tent the day before, Saturday started with setting up tables, shelves and putting
out her wonderful pots. Check out her website for more at Pigeon Road Pottery.

Unfortunately, after only a couple hours, a huge storm came through and effectively
closed down the art fair. But as in true Northwoods style, just an hour after we closed
everything down & packed the cars, the sun came back out! But by then, the customers
and most of the artists were gone for the day! So we went to Dari-Maid for ice cream!!!

Back at the cabin, we again relaxed, and spent a little quality time in the hammock!

Unfortunately, before the sunrise could impress us again, the clouds rolled back in
and covered the sky. So it was time for another boat trip around the lake with my friend
Pam at the helm! Then back to more relaxing… and incredible grilled brats for dinner!!!

Another day in the woods. Another day in heaven.

So while Amy did some more packing up & prepping for her art fair,
I once again hopped on my bike for another tour around the area. The roads are
in great condition and the scenery is breathtaking everywhere you go.

When I got back, we packed the cars and headed off to Land O’Lakes, way up there on the
Michigan peninsula border. My friends Pam & Pat have a cabin up on Moccasin Lake and
offered to let us stay there… since Amy’s art fair was going to be in Land O’ on Saturday.
When we got there, we were impressed by their cabin, their lakefront and their hospitality!

We played. We chatted. We relaxed. A wonderful escape.
We swam. We ate chips & salsa. We boated around the lake and saw a deer swimming
across, the loons and their newly born chick and a couple bald eagles flying around.
Which only made the loons scream and cry out louder… whimsical, yet haunting.

And so as not to disappoint, Mother Nature served up yet another stunning sunrise!

And oh, but wait there’s more… as the sun set, and I thought the sunset was over…
suddenly, the orange glow began on the horizon. Like a “freebie” second sunset!!!