Marine Traffic at Port Huron...

We visited Lighthouse Beach at Port Huron with good friends from Indiana on the 4th of July weekend. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then spent time relaxing on the beach. The children loved the calm waters of Lake Huron, and I certainly enjoyed watching all the marine traffic sailing along to destinations both north and south.  

It was a lovely day at the beach.

The pusher tug Sharon M I with its barge Huron Spirit.

It was loaded up with sand heading towards the St. Clair River.

Sailing vessels were enjoying the day...

As was this sightseeing boat and fishing trawler.

Great Lakes freighter American Mariner heads out onto Lake Huron...

Followed closely by Algoma Innovator...

With her large self-unloading boom.

Herbert C. Jackson was the third large ship to head out onto Lake Huron.

An older vessel, she was built in 1959.

The Herbert C. Jackson sails past motorboats and yachts on the lake. 

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.

Blue Water Bridge, connecting the United States (left) with Canada.

We walked along to see the famous Huron lightship.

The water was so blue and so clear!

Chemical tanker Algoterra moored alongside in Canada.

The brand-new general cargo vessel BBC Kolding sails along the St. Clair River.

Flying Chicago Visit...

After spending the night in Michigan City, Indiana, we caught the South Shore Line train to the Millennium Station in Chicago. We were scheduled to arrive at 10h00, but due to a recent derailment on the line, we had to disembark the train and catch a bus for part of the journey. We rejoined the train further down the line and closer to Chicago. Unfortunately, this added about an hour onto our travel time, and so we were a bit late for Riaan's SA passport appointment. As it turned out, we had to wait a while to be seen and so being late didn't really matter.

The passport application went smoothly (once we were seen) and we then walked back through the city, grabbing a late lunch at Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken. We detoured to show the children Chicago's famous Cloud Gate sculpture (AKA The Bean), before catching the train/bus back to Michigan City.

We arrived back to our car (parked at the Michigan City train station) after 19h30, and then drove the three hours back to Detroit. It was a very long day, but we were exceptionally pleased to see the "Welcome to Pure Michigan" sign above the Interstate. It was another fun adventure for all of us!

Walking quickly to the passport appointment.

More time to enjoy the views on the walk back.

Nando's is a South African restaurant chain.

Selfie at The Bean.

It really is an amazing work of art.

Spot our reflections!

Michigan City, Indiana...

We drove across to Michigan City, Indiana, on the last Sunday in June. We had scheduled a South African passport application appointment in Chicago the next day. We decided it would be easier to catch the train into the city as opposed to negotiating Chicago traffic by car.

We stayed at a hotel in Michigan City, and after checking in we headed off to spend time at the lovely beach, where we watched the sunset over Lake Michigan. It was a beautiful evening!

The attractive Michigan City East Light.

The children loved the calm waters.

Sunset over Lake Michigan.

The setting sun sends a ray of light across the waves.

Father's Day 2026...

I started Father's Day with a lovely cycle in beautiful weather on Sunday, 21st June. I then received cards and gifts from the children, before we all headed to church.

After the service we drove to nearby Fair Lane Estate, where we hiked around the lake. We saw lots of wildlife, including a deer at close quarters, as well as frogs, turtles, a great blue heron, and a rather fierce squirrel. 

The day ended with a family braai. It was a great Father's Day with this crew!

Beautiful setting on my cycle.

Flowers at Fair Lane Estate.

The striking architecture of Fair Lane.

The lovely meadow.

Peaceful waters.

Great blue heron.

A buck in the woods.

Butterfly on a daisy.

Grumpy-looking painted turtle.

Pretty water lily.

Big frog waiting for a meal.

Fierce squirrel.

Father's Day braai. Yum!

Another Date Cycle...

Another parents' night out (where the church provides activities for the children so the parents can enjoy a date night) this past month meant another date cycle for Candace and myself. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time - and I was able to try out my new Cannondale South Africa cycling kit. :)

Decked out in the colours of South Africa's national flag. :)