I rose at 6:45 and made coffee. This time, the room was not made up yesterday, meaning I drank the rest of the coffee I had bought, little pods for the Keurig. I had a scone also from Lansing to go with it. Deborah soon replied and was dealing with some work items. We would not share breakfast together at the hotel. I also started to put things in my suitcase as Tuesday was a travel day. Not packing yet, more piling.
I wrote the blog in the hotel room, turning off the AC, which blows directly on the workspace. Ugh! I wrote it all in my PJs.
I showered and all of that. I decided on a T-shirt as we were headed to the Michigan Renaissance Festival near Holly, Michigan. It would be warm and dry today. Deborah arrived about an hour later, and I had finished breakfast by then, having already decorated her birthday trip with flights and hotels. I am trying to be there for two weekends, as Deborah will be working during the week, and she coordinates Adult Education in the current cut funding for whatever-it-was-because-it-is-education mode of the Trump administration (F**kers!). I hope to get a weekend and spend her birthday weekend together (we have a romantic weekend in Saugatuck planned with a wine tour).
We spend the morning together, and then head to Holl, Michigan, stopping by McDonald’s for lunch. We park and are routed to the far end of the south parking lot. It is a long walk to the entrance of the festival. We order tickets online, still discounted, and get scanned and soon walking in the large circle that is the experience.
It is a rocky and uneven walk. Not an easy place for wheelchairs. There is more food than I expected and not all of it themed (those roasted turkey legs are ubiquitous). The crowd is large, and at least a third is dressed up, though it looks more like a time-traveling market (with SciFi, as I saw at least one Mandalorian). Faries (of all kinds) were quite prevalent.
Zoltan the Adequate did a good magic and fire-eating routine, and I would love to steal his dove routine. His escape routine from medieval-looking cuffs was entertaining as he would point with a hand that was somehow unlocked and then back in the cuffs a moment later as if nothing happened.
Harmless Danger Jugling was terrific, though we only caught the last of it. Next time, I will plan to watch more shows! I skipped the jousting as I am not a fan of horses in general, and clashing horses, even less. The magic shows looked fun, and there was glass blowing and other sports, more my style.
We had some mead and some nuts as a snack.
We did not have a physical map (and the map had few details, and when acquired, did not help much), and we wandered in a circle completing the loop, I think three times. I picked up a few items that I could not find elsewhere. There is always something unusual and special besides the usual expensive dress-up items.
It was a pleasant afternoon, but I found myself coughing from the dust and allergens. I would do it again.
Next, Donovan, Deborah’s son, agreed to join us at Camp Ticonderoga, which is the bar and restaurant for a local golf course. They decorate with lots of antlers and even elephant tusks! We enjoyed a meal on the porch, and were only a little bothered by wasps. I got a Monte Cristo, which I would regret taking with me, as the jelly spilled in my gym bag. I am sticky while writing this. I have to clean up my travel items and bag when I reach home! It was a pleasant meal.
Next, we watched a new Matlock episode. The season is over, but we have not finished it yet. It was good to get back to it, and it was nice to sit and just hang out and pet the dogs. After that, Deborah dropped me off at the hotel, as I had an early start for my travel home on Tuesday.
I set my alarm for two alarms. Sometimes I miss the first one. I packed and went to bed with everything ready for my travel day.
Thanks for reading!
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