Backstory: I lived in California for a few years, and while I was there, I met the person who swiftly became my BFF. We’ll call her “D.” Anyway, D and I try to meet up once a year or so for adventures. This year, she joined me in Michigan for “fall stuff.”
Step one of doing “fall stuff” was simple: Apple picking and pumpkin patch! Mom and I took D to our favorite local orchard to get fresh apples and pick our own pumpkins. When we got home with the apples, we put our guest to work cutting and peeling the apples for applesauce and apple butter. Mom and I helped, of course. Obviously, this was followed by making the applesauce and apple butter (some of which I have already packed up and mailed to her in California).
Exploring Ann Arbor was also a thing that had to be done. D wanted to see owls, because SOLO (She Obviously Loves Owls), so I took her to the Leslie Science Center, where we got to see quite a few rescued birds of prey. Owls were among the birds of prey that we saw, of course.
We also took the time to meet up with my sister and some of my Michigan friends to do a completely normal, not-at-all potentially dangerous activity: AXE THROWING. Yes, axe throwing is a thing. And it is FUN. We went to Detroit Axe, which is remarkably cool and very fun. 10/10, would recommend and all that jazz.
D wanted to see fall colors, so my family took her Up North. Dad and Sis spent most of the weekend in the river fishing, while Mom, D, and I spent time hiking, bird watching, and relaxing. And admiring the beautiful colors on the trees.
I definitely didn’t end up wiping out in a massive mud puddle in the middle of the Mason Tract while trying to show my mom that it wasn’t anything that her car would get stuck in. Nope, not me. Must’ve been someone else who ended up coated in cold mud (it was me).
We also took some time to meet up with her cousin, who lives in Indiana. Where did we meet up? Well, at a perfectly normal, totally not unusual, Midwest staple – the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary! We had a wonderful time there. The people who own and run the place clearly love the animals that they are taking care of, which is a delight to experience. Not only do they love the alligators (and turtles and crocodiles) in their care, they enjoy sharing their knowledge with visitors.
Sadly, D had to leave at the end of her trip. However, I am still working on convincing her to move to Michigan. For completely altruistic reasons, of course.