Judy Grillo
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Summer in the Middle

7/31/2017

6 Comments

 
When SummerFest ended, the streets of Ann Arbor seemed empty, and I was missing my outdoor music venue! Fast-forward 10 days, and it was time for the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair of more than 350 known and emerging artists from across the country. Now in its 58th year, it draws over 300,000 people during four days to see (and buy) newly created works, from life-size sculptures to photography to jewelry, and much more. What stunned me is that the Fair lines a dozen main thoroughfares near the campus and downtown, yet somehow the city still runs! I perused for two days (without a purchase), and took in some live music, too. Within days, the Kerrytown Concert House presents a "week after Art Fair Song Fest". The entertainment goes on.

While I've been in town for more than two months now, I'm still working on my "to see and do" list. As the calendar turns to August, I'm wondering if I will ever pass this way again. One never knows, right? There are three small towns nearby that I hope to fit into my itinerary, and last weekend, I spent a day cycling and walking, while playing tourist in Saline. 

​Named by French explorers for its salt springs, Saline is dear to my heart because it's where I've enjoyed cycling every Saturday morning with a small group from the local bike shop. Just four miles from "home", it was founded as a village in 1832, flourished with the expansion of the railroad, and by 1875, Saline was the principal agricultural shipping point in southeastern Michigan. In 1931, it became the "city of Saline", and today, with a population around 10,000, it's holding on to its small town feeling, while rural life diminishes.

As I continue to work, play and explore, I am also itching to roam. I've pondered Banff and Jasper, a return to New Mexico, a cycling trip around Lake Michigan, and travel abroad. With no definite decisions for the remainder of the year, I will say two things with absolute confidence -- I'm not ready to settle in one place, and I'm never going to live too far from the sea!   
6 Comments
Barb
8/4/2017 01:34:34 am

Hey Judy.. just checking in on your updates. Hope you're able to break up w/ your dentist soon. And glad my visit was sandwiched in between fairs. But sounds like the art fair would be my thing. Cobblestone Farm.. remember reading about that and thinking about visiting but then forgot. Working too much and the stress is intense. You should travel abroad. Better now before #45 makes it hard to leave the country. The reason I was thinking Chile is bc it it will be summer there soon.

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Judy
8/5/2017 11:18:09 am

Barb: Thanks so much for checking in! My dental divorce is on the horizon! New front teeth on Monday then one more check-up and I roll out of here on the 19th! Cannot wait to get out of the routine life! I've been working for 3 straight days at this screen. Life? I think not!

Sorry we didn't make Cobblestone; they're only open one day for 4 hours, and that was the day we were sweating by the river and dreaming of NYPD and wine.

My travel abroad this year was to be New Zealand but my dental bill has pretty much kicked that off the list! I have my "top 3"; just can't afford to do it in the near future, and I now want a touring bike to take with me!?!? Not worried about 45 as much as the embarrassment of being an American these days.

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Anne-Marie
8/6/2017 12:51:14 pm

A lovely montage of structures and topography, with particular fondness for Salt Works Brewery and Ticknor-Campbell House. Love the Song Fest poster. There was much celebration of our own goat/GOAT up here in Patriots Country!

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Judy
8/6/2017 04:39:36 pm

AMG: Yes, I love that Brewery, too. I took an inside photo but it was so bright that you couldn't see the stained glass windows that are all still preserved. Quite nice. I have no idea what your GOAT in Patriots Country comment means!? Wait till you see where I'm touring this week! j.

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Ed Condon
8/7/2017 06:30:26 pm

Judy - Anne Arbor Michigan wow I didn't see that stop on your itenery. You have gone to an amazing amount of festivals and art fairs.

How you come up with new stops, planned and unplanned adventures I don't know.

Baniff and Jasper would be my next stops. Lot of elevation for cycling.

Galena ride next week here in MD.

Your friend ed

Reply
Judy
8/9/2017 09:00:07 am

Ed ... been here in Ann Arbor for dental work (see 6/5 entry!) and will soon be heading back to my tent in the woods somewhere in PA. I considered Banff/Jasper till I found that it's another 2,000 miles NW of here AND by mid-September there's chance of snow and overnight temps in the 30s -- no thanks! Will be in MD at month's end; let's try to get together. Enjoy Galena! I love that sweet little ride! j.

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