Memorial Day Cycle...

After a month or so of not cycling, I dusted off my bike and headed off for a cycle ride on Memorial Day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and I enjoyed my ride in the early morning light.

Lineman training school at Henry Ford College.

Spot the great blue heron.

Enjoying all the green of early summer. :)

Lake St. Clair Metropark...

We visited Lake St. Clair Metropark one rather chilly Sunday afternoon. This Metropark, on the shores of Lake St. Clair, is a short hop north of Detroit. It was fun to sit on the beach for a while and look out over the calm waters, with plenty of boats and fishermen at work. We also took a lovely walk around the small peninsula, formed by a river channel on one side and the lake on the other. It was a lovely afternoon! :)

The channel that allows boats to access the marina.

Walking along the quiet paths.

Candace and I enjoying our family walk.

Lake St. Clair, looking southeast.

Canada geese on the lake.

This common tern relentlessly dive-bombed the water in search of a meal.

Cormorant perched above the lake.

Gull by the water's edge.

Detroit skyline as seen from 34 kms (21 miles) away.

Afternoon Walks...

Dusty has proved herself to be an incredibly loyal canine member of our family, and we often walk around the neighbourhood. We've enjoyed some lovely walks in winter and spring. Looking forward to more fun walks with this sweet girl over the months and years ahead. :)

A snowy walk back in February...

And an early May walk with the redbuds looking so pretty. :)

Beautiful Proteas...

I'm a member of a South Africans in Michigan group on Facebook, and the other day someone posted that they had an extra bunch of Proteas that they didn't need. Proteas are abundant in the Western Cape province, and the King Protea is South Africa's national flower. 

I looked up where they were located and quickly decided that the 20-minute drive was worth it for these beauties. It's rare to find Proteas in the United States, and so this was a true blessing!

The yellow flower here is a pincushion - one of many varieties of Proteas found in South Africa.

Camping Trip for Mother's Day...

For the first time in a few years, we put up our tent! We joined Candace's family down at White River Campground in Cicero, Indiana, over Mother's Day weekend. There was lots of good food, fun activities, arts and crafts, shooting at the archery range (for the boys), and generally enjoying the lovely weather. 

Our children absolutely loved the freedom to ride around on their own, visit the playground and make new friends, and spend time with their Indiana cousins.

On the drive down, we spotted the USAF Thunderbirds practicing for an airshow in Toledo.

The children loved wading in the river.

Our campsite across the road.

Riaan warming up on a chilly morning.

French toast for breakfast. Yum!

Uncle Jake helps Riaan at the archery range.

Anya paints a colourful flower pot for Candace.

The pretty pedestrian bridge over the White River.

With the beautiful Candace.

Family photo at the end of our camping trip.

Driving back through Fairmount, Indiana, we spotted this Phantom F4C at the American Legion Post.

There is also a Vietnam-era Bell UH 1 Iroquois helicopter on display.

Great Lakes freighter Saginaw offloading in Toledo, Ohio. This vessel was launched in 1953!

Dusty was excited to see us again. :)

The Lord of the Rings Monopoly...

A tense weekend game of Monopoly in our household, as the ringbearer joins the quest to Mount Doom. Board games are just one of our children's favourite ways to spend a dreary weekend. :)

Beautiful Drawings...

Our middle child has developed quite a skill for drawing and colouring. She will spend hours sitting at the table with her markers and paper. I think she takes after her mother, who makes the most amazing quilts and blankets. This is Eliza's Quilt Cat. :)

And a colourful reminder that she drew one Sunday at church.

Dandelion Lawn...

The dandelions have certainly come out in full force this spring!

Belle Isle Adventures...

We visited Belle Isle State Park for Earth Day on Saturday, 26th April. There were lots of activities to coincide with Earth Day, and free entry to a number of places that would usually have an entry fee. We took the opportunity to visit the Aquarium, Conservatory, and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. 

The exhibits were absolutely fantastic in all three places. The Aquarium and the Conservatory highlight a huge selection of both local and exotic animals and plants. And the Dossin Great Lakes Museum focuses on the maritime history and how early trade on the Detroit River shaped the region.

The Aquarium is a beautiful building.

Admiring the various displays.

Clownfish and blue tang.

Piranhas.

Axolotl.

The fish pond outside the Conservatory.

Filled with amazing plants.

Japanese lantern.

Venus flytrap.

Hibiscus flower.

Beautiful plants from all over the world.

There were lots of South African plants in the area with plants from arid regions.

Lush ferns and palm trees.

Riaan with the anchor of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Beautiful stained glass window from the City of Detroit III paddle steamer.

Model ships highlighting early trade on the Detroit River.

A theodolite dating from 1876.

Eliza takes us for a boat ride. :)

Model of the SS Greater Detroit.

The shipwreck section featured the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The William Clay Ford sailed directly over the wreckage during its futile search for survivors.

Eliza peers inside a lighthouse lantern.

Riaan on the bridge of the William Clay Ford, now part of the museum.

View across to Windsor, Ontario.

Eliza surveys the scene from the bridge.

US Coast Guard launch speeds along the Detroit River.

The Detroit Princess riverboat sails past more leisurely.