Covered Porches and Wooden Screen Doors

I had a great day…There was chaos at home and so no one asked, I didn’t offer, so here I am.

I normally get to work at 6:00 am. Sometimes ten minutes one way or the other depending on the weather, but today I was there at 5:40 am. I tied up loose ends. Checked emails, handled a couple of parts quotes. By that time, my boss arrived and we headed toward Lake Superior. We have an outstation there and it’s opening for summer aircraft maintenance. I inventoried equipment and parts while the boss dealt with policy and employee issues. You’re thinking what was so great about that?

Well, for starters--- I drove. We all know I have a driving “history” to put it nicely. This guys gambles on me and I drive the company HUGE Chevy Silverado Cab and a half. First thing—“Bruce, I can’t drive backwards…” His response, “Sure you can…” With all the confidence to the world.

There’s a coffee shop in town that makes the best coffee, but I can’t bring myself to spend the calories on it. First stop--- the coffee shop. All the while working with me on driving the monster of a truck.

We travelled two and a half hours talking about everything but work. When we arrived, We knocked out the work. Bid our good byes and cruised through the town. It’s a college town with the workings of an abandoned mining community around Lake Superior. We stopped for lunch and a place called The Library. Decorated with old books, it was a brewery and pub. I had the best Chicken Chef salad in a while. We rehashed this morning’s meetings and checked the menu for Key Lime Pie. They didn’t have it so we decided not to settle and moved toward home.

They next stop--- a Quilt shop. We Stopped at the Portage Quilt House. He even went in. He told me not to rush, he chatted with 2 other customers and the 3 ladies that worked there. We played with a cat named Cheddar.
I paid for my purchases and we moved on. Being a businessman, we went through a discussion about how the shop could make more money. It was an awesome shop. Tons of samples, “primitive toys”, a line of needles, threads, and thimbles that were the best I’d ever seen in the U.P. --Confession—I hope I get to go back real soon. Here are my purchases. Truthfully, they are for giving away. Ever have a friend you want to remember “just because”. Not having a quilter’s resource close, I purchased these just for that.
It was 37 degrees with the wind blowing off the lake. But we stopped for ice cream just because the ice cream store was open and they don’t stay open year round in this part of the country. I opted for the Pepsi—kicking myself now—I should have done the ice cream. We got back in the truck and headed back to the office. The road meandered next to Lake Superior a ways and we noticed a statue. I told him I had to find a picture to take. “There’s your picture.” We turned down a dirt road that led to the top of a cliff where the Snowshoe Priest stood looking out over Lake Superior. It doesn’t matter what your faith is, you have to admire the work of this man remembered. Coupled with the dangerous weather conditions… it really restores my faith in humanity.
A couple of snapshots and a chat with the Sister there and we headed home.
It was a ten hour day, but I’d do it again tomorrow. Everybody needs a break from the back of the hangar every now and again. A great day.