June
Michigan's Upper Peninsula June 14th-18th
Thursday: Porkies and the Yurt
This was the yurt we stayed in in the Porcupine Mountains. Camping in style!
Friday: Mining Tour, Hancock, and Marquette
We did a mining tour in at Adventure Mining Company on a very rainy day. I learned a lot about copper mines and the history of this area.
Had to get a picture of Suomi Cafe, though unfortunately it was just American diner food.
And had to get a picture with the Marimekko bench. People were not overstating the amount of Finnish pride in this area.
Saturday: Painted Rocks
I'll let these pictures speak for themselves, but I highly recommend Painted Rocks National Lakeshore. Even for a gloomy day, this was the part of our trip with the most memorable views. Our hike was about 9 miles, which was a little long, but totally worth it.
Sunday: Mackinaw Island
Somehow I failed to take any pictures of this eerily perfect little island. Personally, it was far too touristy for my tastes, but the mishap we had with the ferry on the way home may have tainted my experience.
Birthday Weekend and Pride
On June 22nd I turned 25 years old. Crazy to be a quarter of a century old already! It was a pretty low key birthday that Friday, I went out to lunch at a sushi restaurant. The remainder of the weekend was spent at Twin Cities Pride, where I got to see Monet X Change!
Meet and greet with Monet X Change!
Walking in the TC Pride Parade with my Alma Mater and Employer, Hamline University.
New Orleans June 28-July 2nd
My college friend was back in the U.S. and we got a chance to visit her and her boyfriend at her grandparent's home in New Orleans.
Riding the cable car!
July
Got to see a long time high school friend and the parents of another friend, visiting from Panama!
Got a group together to do a Harry Potter Escape Room for Rachel's birthday. A lot of fun!
Came home two different weekends, the second on we took some family photos. Guess our color theme.
August
What's a Midwest summer without some sweet corn at a county fair? I'm not sure what the face was about, but I can assure you it wasn't a reaction to the corn.
Not my last day of work, but my one picture with the (almost) whole Wesley Center crew. I'll miss you all!
August has meant saying goodbye to a lot of friends and family. I finished my job at Hamline University on August 17th. I Spent the weekend after with my sister, and now I'm at home just finishing up packing and getting prepared for the big move.
See you in a week Finland!
