ROAD TRIP! There’s something about getting out of my typical environments and just being away that restores my perspective like nothing else. I only have a couple of days, so I hit the road this afternoon and headed up to the CityFlats hotel. I love this place. Environmentally friendly, classy, and fun. The architecture is artistic, and every room is furnished and painted differently, so each stay is a fairly unique visit. I’m on the fourth floor this time – slightly smaller room, but super-quiet. It’s the perfect place for a mini-retreat.
My friend Katie told me once that I walk differently when I’m in Michigan. I don’t know if that’s actually true – but I noticed it again today: as soon as I crossed the state line, I started grinning. I’ve been a lot of beautiful places in my lifetime – but this is definitely still one of my favorites. And there’s something about coming back to a place that feels like home that just makes me feel lighter. So maybe I do walk differently.
Road trip sidenote: I found myself wondering today what kind of music there will be in heaven. I hope there will be lots of different kinds. Station surfing turned up some really great songs today in a number of different genres.
One of the best moments of this day was an absolutely amazing latté. If you’re ever in Holland, MI, be sure to stop in at J.P.’s Coffeehouse. It’s not on their menu anymore, but if you ask for a hot buttered rum, you won’t be sorry.
A few years ago I was out for dinner with some friends when I noticed a woman sitting at one of the tables near the windows. She was alone, and reading, over what looked like an amazing dinner. I suppose I could have felt sorry for her – but I didn’t. My first thought was: “That’s brilliant.” And watching her enjoy herself gave me the freedom to follow in her footsteps. I had a lovely dinner tonight at a rooftop restaurant with a great book. It was introvert heaven. 😉
One of my favorite things to do to unwind is watching odd movies. Tonight’s movie of choice: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. (Said league appears to involve a female Victorian vampire. I am amused.) It’s a little more violent than I’d anticipated, so I’m not sure I’d recommend it (or let a thirteen year old watch it – what’s up with the rating system?! Sheesh!) – but there are some great quotes. So far my favorite conversation in this movie is between one of the bad guys and one of the lead characters: “What are you?!” “I’m… complicated.” Aren’t we all…
Those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile know that no road trip would be truly complete without at least one fun wildlife encounter. I call this “Squirrel with Pizza Crepe um… Un-identified Breaded Object”. I’m pretty sure it was bigger than the squirrel was. And I’m kind of in awe that neither breaded object nor squirrel fell from the tree…
