Larry, Buster, Carol, and Gordon at Bernbaum Family Cottage, Colon, MI 2023-07-28+29
This was a bitter-sweet occasion.
Buster and Larry were preparing the Cottage to sell it, since all the Bernbaums now live far away in Montana and Washington.
Many of the memories were sweet, though
Front Walk
BUSTER, LARRY, AND CAROL AT THE COTTAGE ENTRANCE (taken by Gordon)
BUSTER, LARRY, AND GORDON AT THE COTTAGE ENTRANCE (taken by Carol)
COTTAGE DECK FACING PALMER LAKE SHORE (built by Buster)
COTTAGE LIVING ROOM
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COTTAGE KITCHEN, UPDATED BY BUSTER
COTTAGE BATHROOM, UPDATED BY BUSTER
COTTAGE GARAGE ("GARAJ MAHAL" per Larry) -- Buster built this garage himself, starting from bare ground.
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LIKE MANY TOWNS IN SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN, COLON IS NAMED FOR A GERMAN CITY -- COLOGNE.
COLON IS NEAR THE BIRTHPLACE OF HARRY BLACKSTONE JR, THE MAGICIAN. THERE IS AN ANNUAL MAGICIANS' CONVENTION HELD IN COLON. THERE ARE SEVERAL SHOPS FEATURING MAGIC TRICK EQUIPMENT AND HOW-TO BOOKS.
--Wikipedia article on Blackstone Jr--
WE ORDERED CARRY-OUT DINNER FROM CURLYS, IN DOWNTOWN COLON, AND PICKED IT UP.
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WALKING BACK TO THE CAR WITH OUR DINNERS, WE MET THIS GIRL AND HER FRIEND
THE PREVIOUS EVENING, WE HAD DINNER AT UNCLE HANK'S FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN COLON, THE RIVER LAKE INN.
THE INN HAS HAD HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS AND BLUE MARTIN FEEDERS FOR DECADES. WE WATCHED MANY HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH THE WINDOW WHILE WE ATE DINNER (WE ALL HAD EXCELLENT GRILLED FISH ENTREES). AFTER DINNER, WE STROLLED THE GROUNDS.
THERE WERE ZINNIAS ...
... AND SNAPDRAGONS
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... AND HYDRANGEAS, OH MY!
THE HUMMINGBIRD VIEWING WAS AMAZING.
BOTH EVENINGS AT THE COTTAGE, LARRY RECITED ACCOUNTS OF HIS MEMORIES OF THE COTTAGE. I FOUND THEM VERY MOVING.