Fishing at the crack of dawn!

Today was the BIG day that I've been waiting for for almost a month! I got up at 4am and went with my parents to the Shepler's dock in St. Ignace for our fishing charter trip! It really wasn't "our" trip, it was my Dad's birthday trip. Thought of by my mom, booked by mom, reserved by mom, and then at the last minute one of my Dad's close friend's paid for the whole thing!!

It was beautiful to watch the sunrise over Mackinac Island, and to bob around on Lake Huron, fishing alongside the Mighty Mac bridge! The charter started at 6 and was over by 10:30-which was p l e n t y of time. The fish weren't biting as good as the day before, and as we were leaving, the wind and waves were coming up. So, now as I sit here typing this, I feel like the seat I am on is rocking like the boat did!!

My Dad let me reel in the first catch. It was about 18" and pretty light-it didn't fight at all, so I thought it got off at first. Then Mom reeled one in that was about the same size. The next one on was a big one and it was fighting, My Dad refused to reel it in, he made me do it since I've never caught a big fish before. I should have let him take it, because it got off! I did get the last one, it was also the smallest one.

The next one was his, it was the biggest one of the bunch. He had to reel it in for over 400 feet! Luckily it was only about 4 pounds, otherwise he would have been reeling for a half an hour if it were bigger!

We had 12 lines in the water the whole time we were out, but I think with the coming weather, the fish were hunkering down, or moving on.

It was a fun trip. The captain was full of very interesting history and facts-he is a life-long yooper and fisherman. He cleaned and filleted the fish for us. It was funny because as we pulled into the dock about a half dozen ducks were sitting in the water waiting for us. He said they wait every morning for him because he gives them scraps from the fillets.

We went to Bentley's Cafe in St. Ignace for lunch because we were all starving by the time we got off the boat. I had a great whitefish sandwich and enjoyed the old building and Happy Day's/old soda fountian type atmosphere. Their building is one of, if not the oldest building in St. Ignace.

It was a fun day. Not one I am likely to repeat any time soon. It was very expensive, and I'm very grateful that I was invited to come along, and very thankful for my Dad's friend who picked up the tab! Now, for a couple of days of R & R with my little Lucy and my parents!! All my guys had to work or go to school, so they had to stay home this time. It's kinda nice to only have to worry about/take care of only one person this weekend,

Here are some shots of our day...

It was VERY dark at 6am!!! 

but not for long...the sun starting to come up almost right away!

 Mom reeling in her catch of the day!

 Captain Denny helping to haul it in...

 Success! Looking forward to a yummy dinner!

 Dad getting ready to reel in the biggest catch of the day!

 He reeled and reeled and reeled-over 400 feet of line!

 A few Mackinac Island ferries went past us (really closely) on their way to the island. We got treated to the giant waves they left in their wake.

 Finally! Another successful catch!

 I've been doubly blessed this summer! I've seen the sunrise near the bridge and the sunset!

 A sea lamprey the captain caught yesterday and held for us to see today.

 Ugly thing!!!

 Waiting for their daily breakfast treat from Captain Denny.

 Mine are the two on the left.

 The Osprey-Eastern U.P. Charters.

Ready for the grill-YUM!!!

Hope you're having a great day! I'll be by your place to catch up later tonight-it's time to sample our catches!!

Texasware, Pyrex and Towels!

I slept in today and only went to a few sales. yesterday was a lonnnnnnnnng, hot day and it felt wonderful to sleep in!! One of the first sales I went to was a family run estate sale that wasn't advertised. They only had a couple signs out at the road, and that was it. They seemed very overwhelmed at the task before them. They only priced a very small amount of stuff and had that on the front porch. The rest was left in the cupboards and where it stood, and they gave a price when asked.

I got two Texasware bowls and a Pyrex Butterprint casserole for just a couple of dollars. The next sale was a charity sale and I got a couple more pieces of Pyrex, and the last sale was a multi-family barn sale. All I could find was a couple vintage California dish towels.

My treasures may have been few and far between today, but I'm very happy with what I got, and very happy with how little I paid!!!

The countdown is on until my big fishing trip with my parents---only 5 days til I head back to the U.P., and 6 days til we try our luck with salmon fishing!!!

Here is what I picked up today...

Hope you have a great weekend!!!

Junkin Alert!!!

I just got an email from my SIL about a new sale in her hometown. It's short notice, I know, but it sounds like it might be fun! So, if you live near Rochester Hills, Michigan-go check it out and let me know how it is!!

Tiger's Game!!

Yesterday, my bosses treated the entire staff to a Tiger's game at Comerica Park! They have done this for three years now. I didn't go last year because it was a night game, and I have to get up at 5:30 for work...I did go two years ago though.

They even paid for spouses to go! We got a ticket as well as a food voucher for a hot dog, chips and a small  beverage. Our seats were up pretty high, but we had a great view of the field! Boy was it HOT!!! We were right out there cooking in the sun!

It was a pretty boring game-not much excitement for most of it. The Tiger's were down two runs for most of the game, then they tied it up and went into extra innings. That's when we decided to head for our car. After nine innings baking in the hot sun, we called it quits.

They ended up winning with a walk-off single in the 11th-the best, most exciting part of the game and we missed it!!! Oh, well...at least we beat the traffic! We had to walk about 4 blocks to the car, it was like walking through a gauntlet of pan-handlers, beggars, street musicians, crazy people, and other people who were attending the game.

The place we parked at was only $5. The place where Eric and the rest of the maintenance crew parked was $20 and they were about the same distance away as we were! I just found this place by pure luck-it was where my GPS told me to turn! :)

Here are some of the shots I took at the game...