#7322 Moran Township, MI

We are at a campsite! It’s right by a lake so it should be a fun day today!

Yesterday we crossed the Mackinac bridge which is immensely beautiful, very long (not compared to the keyes) but with the wind, INTENSE! I went between 20-25mph as suggested. I do think making the bridge a little wider would’ve helped my brain…. and the wind. The kids were nonplussed. The water looks very oceany fro the bridge. I should’ve probably stopped at the welcome center. I thought of that right after we passed it. That toll booth is distracting.

I’m trying to take care of all these things all the time that I could really use help with, that sometimes I drive right past an option without having realized it to be an option. Until it’s certainly behind me. I guess I can be gratefful that it registers in my brain at all and I’m not just blindly missing things. Which I’m sure I do enough of too.

So, We’ve met some super humans! This wonderful couple cam by on their 56th wedding anniversary. They are on a road trip from California. Their Anniversary tradition is to go into a store with cards, look around until each finds the perfect one, show each other, exchange a kiss, and put them back. My minimalist heart loves the idea. My card collector heart thinks “you could take a picture at least!!! Make it into a photo album of love cards…”

I also met Breanna! A wonderful hooman and her mom (?) came by and took good care of us! She’s such a beauty and with a kind heart! What a winner

OOOH! I found new shoes!! Way way better! I can’t be mad about losing those other ones anymore! I’m still a bit peeved at myself, honestly, but these new shoes! I went into the shoe Depo store not really thinking I’d find anything, but I did figure I’d check out the kids section instead of only the adults, and, lo! They were on sale for $11, each strap is a different pastel color, and they fit well! The cashier and I exchange pleasantries about kids shoes being far superior than women’s section. Cheaper and almost the same options! I can get low heels from the kids department if I wanted to. And a Burger King employee pointed them out with stars in her eyes, too. Much shoes! Not saying I’m in love but I certainly danced the shoes home to the bus. Maybe it’ll mean that I will take better care of them. For some reason I just felt like I would find the lost pair under a carpet or something.

Alright! We’re in the UP of Michigan now and it’s all so green, in life and on maps. It makes me think we can probably park and camp anywhere. Gives me the same feeling I had in Maine of wishing to have somewhat of a tour guide. Like I don’t need to know exactly what we’re doing, but someone to tell me that it’ll be ok in this or that area. I also kinda feel like I’ll be becoming that, which makes me feel a bit hopeful that I won’t be alone with the kids forever. And a bit sad because I don’t see myself as the leader leader. Like second in command would be more my jam. Knowledgable about all the happenings, glad to put heads together, but not the one to make a final decision. And if the chance of martyrdom arises, surely the one to take that sacrifice. (envisioning medieval battles here, but totally applicable)

What else has been going on? I erased the mountains and started on a tree, which I hope will become a full Orchard of Smiles on the bus.

The youtube has been on my mind a lot. I know I’ve written about it here before. I need some way to make this editing process more fun and do able. I need the projects to easily start and end in the same work session. It’s much harder to pick up the project in the middle somewhere and that ‘s a lot harder with the kiddos, though they are getting to the age of hearing “I’m working” and dealing with their own wants and voicing when it is a need for me.

They are still sleeping this morning and the earliness has passed. It’s to the point where I’m almost grabbing Gizzi to walk him around a little. Rhea was cuddling a stuffed bull this morning, and Mauve has been jumping after flies.

From here we’ll be going towards Munsing. It’s been marked on my maps forever and I’m unsure why at this point, but I’m sure it’s because past Laney wants future Laney to check it out.

I do have to get onto the deal with life and morning things! Taking care of our toilets (aka pee jugs,) doing some dishes from yesterday, restoring a bit of order, contemplating video editing or something more enjoyable like practicing uke. Or painting more orchard. Or taking a walk. Or looking at maps to see where we’re going today after the kids have a nice swim in the lake if they so please. Maybe editing the last couple paragraphs of my last post to include my why, though it wouldn’t be any of your business anyway…. I think putting my story out there will either create discontent towards me or empathy for other humans and their journey.

At any rate, I have very few pictures I’ve taken over the last couple days, but this deserves some color too, so here’s my few pic dump

I sincerely hope there’s a happy in your heart that can shine bright enough to make you smile!

Many many love and much joy