ismo

So yesterday we started off merrily enough for the lakeshore, after the Sparrowhawk's music lesson was finished. We arrived and saw the manager, of whom we've become fond over the years. She is recovering well from her massive heart attack and stroke of last year, and the doctors are no longer telling her she has only a few years to live. They seem to have given up predicting. We drove out to the park, found a lovely spot by the river, and had a snack of bread and butter, cheese, hard-boiled eggs and cherries. We took a stroll along the riverbank and past the dam, where the roaring water was sending up plumes of mist. We visited the lake and I waded around in the water. A fog was blowing in, and by the time we left, the horizon had become invisible. It was cold and windy. It was late-ish when we returned to the motel, so the Sparrowhawk went out to get us some take-out for dinner.

Aaaand . . . this is where things took a turn for the suboptimal. I shortly received a dejected phone call to inform me that somehow or other, he had an unexpected encounter with a light pole, in an otherwise empty parking lot, which resulted in a broken tie rod, rendering the car not drivable. Eventually the tow truck came and took the car to the Jeep dealer for repairs, and returned the Sparrowhawk to the hotel. Fortunately, I had brought my usual emergency can of soup, (and the emergency bowl and spoon, etc.) so we were able to have some soup and toast and a Snickers bar for dinner.

Alas, the car cannot even be looked at until next week. In the morning, the search for a rental car began. There were none to be had anywhere closer than an hour away. The hotel manager helped us call various possibilities, and eventually got the the maintenance man, who had business in Muskegon, to drive the Sparrowhawk there and drop him at the car rental place, when he returned after some time with a car. Meanwhile I walked into town (not a heroic feat--it's only about half a mile away) and ate a solitary breakfast. The waitress called me "darling" and gave me "senior coffee," which only costs a dollar. Then I walked to the bookstore, where I wandered around for awhile and finally gave in and bought a shiny new notebook. This is the triumph of hope over experience, as I do my best to believe that I WILL finish the book I'm using now, and will need a new one to fill up with wonderful things. May it be so . . . .

Once the Sparrowhawk returned, we got him a sandwich, went back to the park and were brave enough to take on the Coast Guard Trail, even though we were both dragging our feet and had to sit down a few times. It was very pretty, and I think I saw an eagle through the trees. It was hard to see clearly, but the wingspan and the majestic dexterity of flight were unmistakable. We had dinner at the ice cream place. It was still so light out, though the wind was blowing and it was only 50 degrees. I brought two wool sweaters, so we each donned one, and took yet another walk around the port and the marina, reading all the historical signs. I have 15,000 steps now.

So, not really as planned, but not totally terrible. I feel sad for my car, which was in pristine shape after nearly 10 years. Not any more, sigh. I guess at some point we'll have to drive the rental car back up here, pick up the car, return the rental, etc. It remains to be seen how long that will take.