Thursday, June 19, 2025, Harrison Township, MI

I am sure that our daughter Anne would tell you that one of the most memorable events in her young life was when her daddy decided to have her join him watching the movie Jaws. She was so scared. I don't think she has forgiven me to this day. I mention this because this is the 50th anniversary of the movie's release. Of course I had to mention it to her. 

It's very breezy on Annie this morning. Cousin Marty lives in an area open to the winds coming down the river and off the lake. It's a great boating community with boat yards, marine stores and old broken down boats everywhere. One could wander around for hours.

Marty lives where the Clinton River meets Lake St Clair.

Spring on the Great Lakes is known for bugs, muffle heads, black flies, etc. One favorite of course is the mayfly. Here in Harrison Township, MI they do not have mayflies. Instead, they have fishflies which look like our mayflies but are spotted and darker than the tan ones we in Ohio love. 

About 11:30 everyone was up and at 'em and the first round of serious reminiscing was completed. Cousin Marty had given us a nice breakfast of fresh fruit and sweet rolls. He then turned into a tour guide, taking us all on a nice ride around Lake St. Clair. We went down Jefferson Blvd, I believe, all the way into downtown Detroit. We went through St. Clair Shores where we had stayed at Jefferson Beach Marina with the Orros, past one of my favorite Marine stores, past the magnificent mansions of Gross Point and all it's exquisite neighboring communities and finally into a much different Detroit. In Detroit, we saw areas that would qualify for the Bargain Block TV Series, the run down communities where old homes are purchased for almost nothing and renovated into something that helps rebuild the community.  We stopped for lunch where Kerry and I had a delicious turkey breast salad with walnuts, and cranberries. 

Then it was back to cousin Marty's to pick up Mike who could not tour with us because of a Crohn's disease flareup. We then went to Marty's and Donna's brother Tom's warehouse where is is preparing for an art sale. Tom is a collector. He has 30,000 vinyl LP records and tons of art that he is trying to organize and sell. To me it seems like an overwhelming task as there are no inventory records or evaluations of value. But Tom, Marty and Donna are determined and are approaching the task very enthusiastically. They have come a long way to get where they are now. The first big sale is planned at the end of the month.

Kerry, Marty and Donna opened two suitcases of African collectables because of their interest in African items. We used Google Lens to look up some items and get an idea of their value. While somewhat effective, it is really too slow for the quantity of items in question. 

We all wore special cousin reunion shirts Georgina had obtained for us. Martine was the grandmother to all the cousins. We often got comments when we piled into restaurants. Cousin Marty always offered to accept applications to get into the family.

When the activity slowed for a moment I was able to get a picture of all the cousins, except for Pat and Kerry's brother, Jack, who were unable to attend.

Sister Marty, Cousin Marty, Mike, Donna, Kerry and Tom

Following a quick dinner we drove back to Marty's. Hard to believe but there was yet another thunderstorm, although it produced a beautiful double rainbow that we followed most of the way. 

After a delicious tiramisu dessert from Olive Garden and a glass of wine, we were ready for bed. Georgina and Mike planned to stay up for the late arrival of their grandson, Kody, and his girlfriend, Tori. 

Tomorrow we will meet the Orros in Port Huron. It's about a 5 hour trip. I hope to depart no later than 10:30. Today would have been a nasty day to travel with high winds and seas in Lake St Clair. Tomorrow is forecast to be much better.  Marianna has invited us for a summer solstice dinner on Voyager to kick off our summer cruising fun. 

The route from Cousin Marty's to Port Huron

I must say, having Starlink to provide reliable and fast internet is a major game changer. I used to waste hours trying to get a wifi signal good enough to post this blog. Thanks Elon!