I just had a week off of work and enjoyed quite a bit of that time with my family. Charlie had to work so I took my mom to Detroit for a couple of nights. We spent one day at IKEA (I'm in love!) and the other we went to the Detroit Zoo. It was incredibly hot, and we were disappointed that most of the animals were not visible because they were trying to keep cool. We did enjoy the creatures we could see though and had a good, exhausting time.
They had a butterfly garden (not as big as the one they sometimes have at Frederick Meijer Botanical Gardens)
They had a nice bird exhibit -- there were some birds there I had never heard of.
Some tired, hot animals.
They had peacocks, but we had more fun looking at the pea-hens and chicks that ran around freely.
We were really looking forward to the arctic circle exhibit. There is a tunnel under water and the polar bear swims around so you can get a close-up view. Well, the seals were having fun swimming, but the polar bear would have nothing to do with it.
We were very exhausted after walking all over the place. Probably because we spent 3 1/2 hours walking around IKEA the day before. Did I mention that I love that place?
After the two days in Detroit, we headed home to my place and relaxed. We went to the coffee shop and a few stores in Frankenmuth before Mom headed home. Then, the next day I headed to her place. I spent an afternoon with my grandma, making our favorite veggie soup (to freeze for easy lunches). I helped her get her Super-8 projector up and running -- and was able to watch a vacation movie from 1966. We have many more to check out in the future.
Mom and I also made a quick drive out to Spring Lake, MI to visit Lake Michigan. It doesn't feel like summer to me if I don't visit the big lake at least once. I didn't get my feet wet, but we walked the fisherman's pier and enjoyed the lake air.
This weekend, Charlie and I have just been chilling out and watching the olympics. Tomorrow I head back to work. It is always rough after a good vacation, but it'll only take me a day to get back into the swing of things.
