And just like that, it's June

Monday came, and just like that, it was June.  

We had beautiful weather to start our week.  Daytime temperatures were in the mid-70s with nighttime temperatures dipping into the low 50s.  It's the perfect kind of weather that I dream about all year.  Nice enough to spend time outside, and cool enough to sleep with the windows open all night.  No need for the air conditioner, perfect for shorts, t-shirts, and running around barefoot.  It is Michigan perfection.

With many things at work in flux right now, my days are filled with far too much to do.  We are still down a team member two months after David took a promotion. And this week, my co-worker,  Angela was out on vacation, and I was working as her back-up while she was out, and my amazing boss, Tricia, is doing double duty as she prepares for her own promotion, which I'll share more about another day.  So my work life is crazy, and it probably won't get better any time soon.  Such is life.

While work is crazy and I have lots to do around the house and yard, we still had one very important thing to do this week.  I had committed us to the North Country Trail Chief Noonday Chapter's Hike Every Mile for National Trails day.  This required people to sign up and commit to completing a section of the trail between June 1 and June 6, and I had committed us to two sections.

With the weather reasonable for a hike with Peaches, I knew we had to get out early in the week to complete our sections.  So Monday after work we made the drive to Albion to complete the first section, a 1.15 mile road walk.  We parked the car along the side of the road and headed out to finish our section.  It was a lovely, quiet walk which we did pretty quickly.  Then we turned around and did another 1.15 mile walk back to the car.  2.3 more miles finished putting us at 97.4 miles for the year

It was the perfect little walk for our Monday night, and when we got back to the car, everyone had a nice drink before we headed back home.  I even had time when we got home to spend time working in the garden before we settled in for the night.

On Tuesday, Fiona finished her first year of Nature Preschool.  She loved school this year and is looking forward to going back for her second year of Nature Preschool in the Fall.  I can't believe how much she had grown since her first day of preschool last Fall! I also can't wait to spend some time with her this summer. 

I was excited that we were going to be able to get out to complete our second section of the NCT on Tuesday, especially since Vanessa was going to join us so we could complete the 3.1 mile section without having to walk back to the car.  

Unfortunately, Vanessa was not feeling well on Tuesday, but she was able to get one of her co-workers, who is a former GSP owner, to offer to help me stage my car.  What a big help that was!

She dropped us off, and we were on our way to complete the 3.1 miles, at whatever pace felt comfortable for Peaches.  At the one mile point, we stopped so everyone could take a dip in the river and get a drink. Then we continued on.

I was happy that we had some lovely shaded spots along our walk, and at the two mile mark, we were still going strong.

Then we reached the grasslands, and at the 2.6 mile point of our hike, Peaches, Mina, and I reached our 100 miles on the trail for 2026...and our pace really slowed down!  

This is the eleventh time that I have completed the Hike 100 challenge, starting in 2016.  Peaches has joined me for nine of those years starting in 2018.  It is pretty impressive to think that at 14 1/2 years old, she finished strong this year.  But sadly, I think this will be her final 100 mile year.  It's hard to think of hiking on the trail without her.  But we've had a really good run.

After hitting our 100th mile, we still had a half-mile to go to finish the section and arrive back at our car.  Somehow, near the end, Peaches and Bumble got a burst of energy and finsihed well.  Mina never slowed down and probably would have walked another three miles.  It was a great way to finish our year on the trail.

I was happy to get a picture of me and Peaches at the end of our hike to celebrate all that we accomplished this year and all of the years past.

And like magic, some hikers showed up just in time to take a picture of all of us together.  So proud of us all for finsihing in just 5 months this year.  Woo hoo!  We did it!

With no shelter dog walking club on Wednesdays any more, I was able to take the dogs out to the greenhouse in Eaton Rapids after work  to buy the plants that I still needed for the garden.

The dogs were all very good and enjoyed this little outing, especially since the temperatures had gotten into the 80s, and they didn't get to spend as much time outside during the day while I was working.

We got all of our plants picked out, made.our purchase, took a quick walk around Eaton Rapids,  and then headed home.

While I worked in the garden.that evening, Mina and Bumble played and Peaches just wandered around the yard.  Then they all spent time watching as the neighbors built an enclosure for their new chickens. Mostly, they were watching the chickens as they wandered around the yard.  Chicken TV is pretty exciting. 

Thursday was hot and I finally had to break down and turn on the air conditioner.  

We made a quick visit to the South Lansing Farmer's Market after work, walked around the block there, stopped for a visit at Feeder's Pet store,  and then headed home.

We took another walk around the neighborhood when we got home, then we all had dinner before I headed outside to work in the garden.  

On Friday, Bumble discovered that sometimes it is okay to stay out in the yard, even if I'm not outside with him.  Normally he doesn't let me out of his sight and won't stay out any longer than he needs to if I'm not with him.  But Friday, he settled into his favorite spot in the lawn and chewed on one of his many chew toys while I watched from the dining room as I worked.  It didn't last a long time, but it was progress. 

Somehow Friday was my busiest day of the work week, and when I was finally done for the day, I was exhausted.  We didn't do anything exciting that evening, but we did spend more time outside working in the yard.  It was nice to have a quiet evening at home.

After a slow start to out Saturday morning, we headed out the door to attend a geocaching event at the MSU Children's Garden.  Bumble was so excited to meet all the new people and two new dogs.  He had a great time.

Then we headed out for a walk around the gardens to find the geocaches hidden in conjunction with the event.

It was a lovely morning for a walk around campus.  I love when all of the students are gone.

Peaches took a dip in the fountain while Mina climbed walls and Bumble greeted everyone who walked by us.

After a really nice two and a half mile walk, I tried to get some pictures at the butterfly bench, but only Mina would cooperate.

At least I was able to get a picture with Peaches as she relaxed in the shade while enjoying a good drink of water.

Before going home, I stopped to pick up lunch at Raising Cane's and sat in the air-conditioned comfort of the car to eat.  Then we drove to Old Town to pick up a couple of items at Preuss. 

Of course we had to take a quick walk around Old Town while we were there, and Bumble and the girls met several ladies all dressed up as Mrs. Roper for the Old Town Roper Romp.  I was impressed that Bumble wasn't afraid at all and let everyone say hello.

We finally made it home, and the dogs had a late lunch and then settled in for a nap.  Later I gave them all Kongs so that I could run a few errands without them.  We finished the day with some time outside and the settled in for a quiet night.

On Saturday, we also learned of the passing of our friend Sherman earlier this week. He hadn't been himself the last few weeks, and sadly he died of cancer.  He went peacefully surrounded by his little family of Tom, Barb, and Ruby.  Like Peaches, he is a 2018 ISR alum, and I am so glad that I got to know him over the years.  He was a funny, sweet boy who will be very missed.  

Our Sunday is going to be spent mostly at home.  I have lots to do, and I'm just going to take the day to get things done.  I'll probably get the dogs out for a couple walks around the neighborhood, and we'll spend some time out in the yard.  I'm also hoping to have some time to simply relax.  I'm really looking forward to the day.   

But first, we're heading out to get some strawberries!  It's strawberry season, and I haven't been able to make it out to the farm for the first couple of days they were available.  I can't wait any longer!  Strawberries are absolutely my favorite things about June and it's time to eat a year's worth in the next few weeks.  I love strawberries 🍓!!