This is my 2nd year at the Book Festival put on by the Alpena Public Library and a great many volunteers, including the Blue Phoenix Bookstore where my books were for sale. Meeting readers and other authors, some of whom I'd met last year, was the best part of the event.
Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. High eighties/low nineties with high humidity. Only the most hardy strolled downtown Alpena. Unlike last year, when the weather was more like Fall than Summer. But those who attended were great readers who asked many questions during the discussions. For the panels I was on, we had a great moderator. Mark (who wanted to remain anonymous and wouldn't tell us his last name) kept the discussions going with terrific questions and made sure all the authors participated.
Hubs visited the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center and the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. His love of maritime history made the former a good choice. The Besser Museum provided much info about the area, which he also enjoyed.
We left Alpena and headed for Mackinaw City. There, according to Hubs, I got my bridge fix. I love looking at the Mackinac Bridge. (Did you notice the spelling differences? It's Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, but Mackinaw City. They are all pronounced the same as Mackinaw City.) On Sunday morning, we drove to a small park that has the best view of the bridge. I was totally surprised by how calm the water (Lake Huron) was. In fact, if you look carefully at the picture, you can see the reflection of the pylons. I have never seen that before. BTW, the bridge isn't leaning. LOL Just me.
Yesterday, we wandered around Mackinaw City, did a little shopping, but the heat and humidity were too much for walking. They say a break is as good as a rest. We had a nice 4-day break from the every day. Mixed a little business with a little vacation. Too early for the trees to change color yet. Maybe next month.
Where do you go for a break?
