Summer in Michigan : Beach time!

Not surprisingly, I've once again fallen behind on updating The Blog. I've been a little busy! One of the greatest things about living on the lakeshore is summertime in Michigan. Even though Lake Michigan feels like it's still hovering at the tipping point of freezing, the kids love splashing on the shoreline and playing.

Picnic at the beach. We had homemade pizza pockets!

Playing Sand Soccer is one of our new favorite activities!

Too cold for me, but they loved it!

Building a Sand Fortress with underground tunnels.

This week Chad and I were finally able to go out for a date-night. When one of our favorite local eateries had a long wait, we decided to try the Red Rooster Tavern on Scenic Drive along Lake Michigan. It was a pleasant surprise.

They have mostly bar food: burgers, sandwiches, pasta, appetizers, etc. Chad had a Rooster Burger and I ordered a Hazelnut and Fig Pannini. We both very much enjoyed our meals and plan on going back. Not to mention, there's a little-known public beach across the street that's great for walking and watching the sunset after dinner.

But we didn't do that. We went hiking at the Muskegon State Park—which I think we have done a couple hundred of times since we've moved to the area almost a decade ago. This time, however, we thought we'd go off the beaten path and explore some deer trails.

After hiking a ways off the trail, I spotted something through the woods. In a small clearing, far from the trails, we discovered this impressive shelter:

I would have liked to go inside and explore the shelter a little bit, but the bugs were biting and we were quickly running out of baby-sitting time. We are hoping to take the kids on an Adventure Hike later this year to do some investigating on this "archaeological" find. After we've thoroughly covered ourselves in bug spray.

I hope everyone reading this blog is enjoying their summer! Our little hike at the state park reminded me that there are still new adventures and discoveries to be had in our own backyards. Get out and explore!

Worship

Last week my pastor sent out an inquiry, asking those he knew about how they worshipped. I immediately thought of my experience at Lumberjack 100. Endurance mountain biking—from the discipline of training to the test of fire in racing—is a physical manifestation of the spiritual act of surrendering to God.

Just like worship, cycling is a way for me to be rejuvenated, to prioritize, to clear my mind, and to shed anxiety.

On Sunday, after worshipping in the traditional sense in a church pew I went to 'complete' worship: using my mind, my body, my entire being and set out on an all day cycling adventure with my friend Kelly. I didn't bring a watch, nor a computer, nor GPS, nor odometer.

Me and Kelly, just a few miles into the ride.

We rolled out of the driveway at 10:30 AM with no plan other than to head north for awhile.

We found the bikepath and wound our way from Muskegon all the way to Hart.

We stopped for lunch at the Brown Bear with a fine selection of 1 pound hamburgers and assortment of deep-fried vegetables. Mmmmmm.

After a plate of onion rings and cheesy quesadillas . . . well, the next ten miles were a little rough.

Kelly at Silver Lake Dunes. It was really, really windy!

Eventually we headed West and South and stopped briefly at Silver Lake Dunes.

Eventually I got hungry again and started eating my glove.

After a day of riding under a brilliant blue sky, a canopy of changing leaves, past wineries, bakeries, farmer's markets and pumpkin patches and everything that is the splendor of West Michigan in autumn we rolled into the driveway at sunset. 

Exhausted. Wasted.

Renewed.