sunset on the Ludington lakeshore

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB76YEsX8RpLshawUB3vbj9uhQ24fubXIJ2LxrCW7nRok1_cYP1rv_FfnHcOJYLzcEuErSkevYoZTQAynQKR3Mgg08wC9KCUA4W4Y9AgfcLt2xe1oRs8ri5RimkRvcspdEBiyiAbe5h-ov/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB76YEsX8RpLshawUB3vbj9uhQ24fubXIJ2LxrCW7nRok1_cYP1rv_FfnHcOJYLzcEuErSkevYoZTQAynQKR3Mgg08wC9KCUA4W4Y9AgfcLt2xe1oRs8ri5RimkRvcspdEBiyiAbe5h-ov/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />when it comes to beaches and sunsets, I'm partial to Lake Michigan. and when it comes to Lake Michigan beaches... I'm partial to Ludington. I was able to spend a few weeks there this summer while visiting the US. we try to make it a habit to walk down to the beach around sunset. the clouds and weather this year were not very cooperative, but on this particular evening I was able to get a handful of shots.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFYsQg3JSxDEAiH8QiB5_7PQBEXMu_Qi4kfQ0HacqHzuqQdWmNhMpTgftkQuda_75vq7NRzonYcDvsKtVvtjxK4rfDEzHTbOt5sYOdjT5P5KVvvq4jPNzQUSxqFEx9yy3ifJtYzfkcBV9/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFYsQg3JSxDEAiH8QiB5_7PQBEXMu_Qi4kfQ0HacqHzuqQdWmNhMpTgftkQuda_75vq7NRzonYcDvsKtVvtjxK4rfDEzHTbOt5sYOdjT5P5KVvvq4jPNzQUSxqFEx9yy3ifJtYzfkcBV9/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQz2S83kGc3wsn59ECQeDjCexwP8PEr2LVHMKWYy2JRpgeK1zBtUqQdywDkQPXI41GHh_yy5vabHj6cj_xS6MAZ0oI8jAuyanSqztl80AkvrK8cGapoyENfjvM2Qhb4NeGg5a7jdWug3J/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQz2S83kGc3wsn59ECQeDjCexwP8PEr2LVHMKWYy2JRpgeK1zBtUqQdywDkQPXI41GHh_yy5vabHj6cj_xS6MAZ0oI8jAuyanSqztl80AkvrK8cGapoyENfjvM2Qhb4NeGg5a7jdWug3J/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXUM5xxQ2dA6Es6BoPG2L2B0m3BnnnNXGaqO8OrWxm0Qb2NLUukQCyIBSAH5l6hUnXB1bEmNi2bpTMJleqjRpCHQLrNg_AHHmzRK1rgVCtFE8RRIp9ANXPXm67QmvpzIRWgXa4NAL5_1d/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXUM5xxQ2dA6Es6BoPG2L2B0m3BnnnNXGaqO8OrWxm0Qb2NLUukQCyIBSAH5l6hUnXB1bEmNi2bpTMJleqjRpCHQLrNg_AHHmzRK1rgVCtFE8RRIp9ANXPXm67QmvpzIRWgXa4NAL5_1d/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxPIRnHZeNV45Wpi3KNhxOWt2XdFewD8B8FURstoP3xb9NiG7xaH3TSN5-c3X8AX98As4qHX87kPdJzHgFxSjA8t6_v877xwGZjBVzmm7a72-q__gUN9nvJirnzTEbF1SXG_QR-w0BoNp/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxPIRnHZeNV45Wpi3KNhxOWt2XdFewD8B8FURstoP3xb9NiG7xaH3TSN5-c3X8AX98As4qHX87kPdJzHgFxSjA8t6_v877xwGZjBVzmm7a72-q__gUN9nvJirnzTEbF1SXG_QR-w0BoNp/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCp9p3oaR__dZn3kvs09fRFQP_AXUl2a9Kk-nBOdmZrjg4RwQ4HVbMstf7IGjdHdSsMZ9WvcYwuUQnEhb-0T6XCdSScN_SmRqaq8b854kAz_b8TMlxQjMw6o_kf2Yq8IKrUj26TOR1pnF/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCp9p3oaR__dZn3kvs09fRFQP_AXUl2a9Kk-nBOdmZrjg4RwQ4HVbMstf7IGjdHdSsMZ9WvcYwuUQnEhb-0T6XCdSScN_SmRqaq8b854kAz_b8TMlxQjMw6o_kf2Yq8IKrUj26TOR1pnF/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">can you see why I love this place? I know that having grown up in Michigan and spending many childhood summers here makes me biased, but Ludington will always be one of my favorite places to watch a sunset.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">linking up with <a href="http://bonnieroseblog.co.uk/category/traveltuesday" target="_blank">Bonnie</a>, <a href="http://thethingsiamcrazyfor.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Camila</a>, <a href="http://www.twofeet-oneworld.com/" target="_blank">Jessi</a>, and <a href="http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a> for Travel Tuesday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtElyP4GjVmZT9AjcimeQoanVvk1JnYBOFPk9cOqfDRcl9nFP5gboxYaV6SOnzRHIT-VZNfVKp_9iqZ1R6s8ftKCCWFMxs0DFGGTXNsHN1dgUjhOUzTMhl_CDl4l-M8OFooHrOd7rwv0e/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtElyP4GjVmZT9AjcimeQoanVvk1JnYBOFPk9cOqfDRcl9nFP5gboxYaV6SOnzRHIT-VZNfVKp_9iqZ1R6s8ftKCCWFMxs0DFGGTXNsHN1dgUjhOUzTMhl_CDl4l-M8OFooHrOd7rwv0e/s1600/ludingtonlakeshore-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i>and now I want to take the opportunity to introduce my featured sponsor this month. Sara is the expat behind the blog <a href="http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bristol in my Pocket</a>. if you're heading to England [or just dreaming of it], I would suggest checking out her <a href="http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/p/guides.html" target="_blank">travel guides</a> and her recent posts on the gorgeous <a href="http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/three-cliffs-wales.html" target="_blank">shoreline of Wales</a>.</i><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfGyTQ507nN-9o57QOiXovddE1JVYv601BqA9T1_MFdETCpISVrN5RS_Ibg2VWL0Qd2EWyYVVAUAVfac193oavsUMIQSX5LftySpfZgQqROO_OzcwKK_MHREPMOf49kMI1y39AQBNyhaA/s1600/10556483_10154480905355160_4935204607002069716_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfGyTQ507nN-9o57QOiXovddE1JVYv601BqA9T1_MFdETCpISVrN5RS_Ibg2VWL0Qd2EWyYVVAUAVfac193oavsUMIQSX5LftySpfZgQqROO_OzcwKK_MHREPMOf49kMI1y39AQBNyhaA/s1600/10556483_10154480905355160_4935204607002069716_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hey y’all! I’m Sara, a Texas girl who found herself in England. About a year ago I decided I hated the idea of “settling down”, so I moved to a city I had never been to and a country where I knew absolutely no one. Bristol In My Pocket is a place for me to document my expat life and other things that interest me (history, photography, traveling, and food of course). Hope y’all enjoy!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>any travel plans or goals you have for this year [or have done already] that you'd like to share?</b> I quite enjoy taking day trips to places around England. I believe it’s important to explore your own backyard. However, I’m hoping to make a trip over to Amsterdam later this year to finally experience one of Europe’s most beautiful cities!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>what is one thing you'd love to learn how to do?</b> This is going to sound so lame, but this past year I’ve learned how to transcribe medieval manuscripts. As a medieval history masters student, transcribing documents is essential to my research.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>two of your favorite posts:</b> Overcoming my fear of small spaces was difficult, but in the end the view was absolutely amazing. <a href="http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/cabot-tower-bristol-england.html" target="_blank">Cabot Tower</a> showcases Bristol's amazing beauty. <a href="http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-cliffs-of-moher-ireland.html#.U29nkZXBHzI" target="_blank">The Cliffs of Moher</a> were always on my list of places to go one day. The fact that I can now cross that off my list is so rewarding!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>where would you dream trip take you?</b> My dream trip would be to travel around Europe, spending at least a month in each country. I love throwing myself into new cultures and learning to overcome the smallest of tasks, like conquering public transport. On my dream trip, I would be able to spend enough time in each country to understand its culture a little more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>describe yourself in 3 words: </b>Restless. Independent. Fearless (at least I try to be).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: center;">read more about Sara on her blog: <a href="http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bristol in my Pocket</a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">follow along with</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/sararosedavis" target="_blank">twitter</a> + <a href="http://instagram.com/sararosedavis" target="_blank">instagram</a> + <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10116131" target="_blank">bloglovin</a></div></div></div>

sunset on the Ludington lakeshore

when it comes to beaches and sunsets, I'm partial to Lake Michigan. and when it comes to Lake Michigan beaches... I'm partial to Lud...

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hiking to Big Sable Point

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvOYYWc04CFxW3EoZfQZWUoROde92TpTzrgzXTVvL1mcq2elyCi_GNeoU606k1wuS9HyyHjIUJtDbp4YtKTpZ_FJE5r7phNcn8qHhBsYxW6ssnHpEFimhXCRR1v7izaYeEfX_4mQy9fyk/s1600/bigsablelight_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvOYYWc04CFxW3EoZfQZWUoROde92TpTzrgzXTVvL1mcq2elyCi_GNeoU606k1wuS9HyyHjIUJtDbp4YtKTpZ_FJE5r7phNcn8qHhBsYxW6ssnHpEFimhXCRR1v7izaYeEfX_4mQy9fyk/s1600/bigsablelight_c.jpg" /></a></div><br />I have a soft spot for lighthouses. growing up in Michigan and being surrounded by the Great Lakes [and having a mother who is a little obsessed with lighthouses] I have visited my fair share. Big Sable Point is one of my favorites. partially because you have to hike, bike, or boat to get there.<br /><br />the most direct route involves a straight but sandy path back from the Pines campground, and is a little less than 2 miles. you <i>can</i> bike this way. but the road runs between the woods and the dunes so in some spots it can get a little tough with all the blown over sand.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaWrbsB3TETe8pD39DKfFy82NS-aLQOk_ix4UV5yNrNtOIcB_wSt2MnW7cnAWpmLBKWGQTotuGC9Ot62l5qc-267Qk-PLOntkUdaM2aZchndSCcPchc7k1LPnEbALxWczDSAQUVm9-jbP/s1600/bigsablelight-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaWrbsB3TETe8pD39DKfFy82NS-aLQOk_ix4UV5yNrNtOIcB_wSt2MnW7cnAWpmLBKWGQTotuGC9Ot62l5qc-267Qk-PLOntkUdaM2aZchndSCcPchc7k1LPnEbALxWczDSAQUVm9-jbP/s1600/bigsablelight-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoSNR92UB9yg0D2RaoaNxAsFbzksBUo2eIJ1ShA-zEW8cm3BoILvx5K5L6bvBM9mAN6a-H7RLfnkqSc_ePxd4kd43DB_YEjkoAKpjKlk8XwWtpVtaI44XUvUBXGcTIIy15_eUFNUp-uK0/s1600/bigsablelight-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoSNR92UB9yg0D2RaoaNxAsFbzksBUo2eIJ1ShA-zEW8cm3BoILvx5K5L6bvBM9mAN6a-H7RLfnkqSc_ePxd4kd43DB_YEjkoAKpjKlk8XwWtpVtaI44XUvUBXGcTIIy15_eUFNUp-uK0/s1600/bigsablelight-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChHXHl1UISBWbM2F1W6fj-dbVaYp6bArQzE73tLxPnOR4_SwYV6EwePi19KAqjgE0YqhIaf9sgjkJwdk2GZlbhzfuikmcy7PBqSsKpr2ccZAcPRPKg4mBIPF1hyphenhyphenJZx4rkV4Y4swj4g8ul/s1600/bigsablelight-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChHXHl1UISBWbM2F1W6fj-dbVaYp6bArQzE73tLxPnOR4_SwYV6EwePi19KAqjgE0YqhIaf9sgjkJwdk2GZlbhzfuikmcy7PBqSsKpr2ccZAcPRPKg4mBIPF1hyphenhyphenJZx4rkV4Y4swj4g8ul/s1600/bigsablelight-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />or you can hike out on the aptly named Lighthouse Trail. this trail <a href="http://www.inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2014/06/hiking-at-ludington-state-park.html" target="_blank">starts in the woods</a>, then emerges onto the dunes. your shoes will definitely be full of sand by the time you make it to the lighthouse... but that's why you take them off and dip your toes in Lake Michigan when you get there.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QVBcE9Qa52Vu15oJeOi96D7-TMEb8BvhlD7xcjz9RNzidDtvnsJPAaeCOEtx6N-qm7nbztklXdqQnQVo9cfKWPlZBAgyviS9a_aeWzG74QMjOcNV-I3CCHCxZzNr9_GEZSlRnYxayjlM/s1600/bigsablelight_b-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QVBcE9Qa52Vu15oJeOi96D7-TMEb8BvhlD7xcjz9RNzidDtvnsJPAaeCOEtx6N-qm7nbztklXdqQnQVo9cfKWPlZBAgyviS9a_aeWzG74QMjOcNV-I3CCHCxZzNr9_GEZSlRnYxayjlM/s1600/bigsablelight_b-1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvas6p14K3Dl9DoLSJfpg33MP43esad32zAeXN6nIhWigZjeSN-TqYkfFMtL1zalzWoEvBJQ-QLbDiCfChdFctq5OteEEKrwvrCcAk5lidZUzoN1xFc7nTszf7txeaIyPB3mMv5aYh7o0/s1600/bigsablelight_b-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvas6p14K3Dl9DoLSJfpg33MP43esad32zAeXN6nIhWigZjeSN-TqYkfFMtL1zalzWoEvBJQ-QLbDiCfChdFctq5OteEEKrwvrCcAk5lidZUzoN1xFc7nTszf7txeaIyPB3mMv5aYh7o0/s1600/bigsablelight_b-2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCL5V_oZ_3QBjpDVdc-ZMHOBW2T8PGpCRsON1ryuF3BA_RFAzAkLGjPd5_5Duto4bc_QIjdFi1qzjmI6ECj51EmKFFSOu0xrbUaRCaDdDBlNxYCIGXntU6wOp1t32u1eSjD1wn30-37PG0/s1600/bigsablelight_b-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCL5V_oZ_3QBjpDVdc-ZMHOBW2T8PGpCRsON1ryuF3BA_RFAzAkLGjPd5_5Duto4bc_QIjdFi1qzjmI6ECj51EmKFFSOu0xrbUaRCaDdDBlNxYCIGXntU6wOp1t32u1eSjD1wn30-37PG0/s1600/bigsablelight_b-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />you can pay a small fee to go inside the lighthouse for a tour and to climb to the top. [we opted to skip that given our hike was going to be 5 miles round trip and we've all been up before.] instead we enjoyed the view from "sea" level and took a snack break.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCMBbGk3GVZu4c_2EZdxRx5mk9-y_udYElBkNv4OHKxmGkNjT65nhDmo6N1eDZTtPkbnj16Re1CO8yVCu0wMRMyKSndokih9WkafVY6Fc7QmGoRG7HNltw99UGNzeAJKqAPmGl6erSMhP/s1600/bigsablelight_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCMBbGk3GVZu4c_2EZdxRx5mk9-y_udYElBkNv4OHKxmGkNjT65nhDmo6N1eDZTtPkbnj16Re1CO8yVCu0wMRMyKSndokih9WkafVY6Fc7QmGoRG7HNltw99UGNzeAJKqAPmGl6erSMhP/s1600/bigsablelight_d.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>crossing the dunes from the woods to the lake can be really warm, especially in the low areas where you are shielded by wind. since it was a hot day we decided to follow the shoreline back to link up with the Coast Guard Trail. not only did this mean we had a lovely lake breeze, but we could walk barefoot in the cold water.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CZqWFiwUgNRjk21uZqCEDWC6zFeMVFKcgBA6JO9Bju4dJN76pPtL67k8JPqJ82oP5U3lCFJTs7phmKZKuN5fX5lnyHTdMWvlbvRFW6x_mUQRU0WaGUqAgUTfIepXn4ykuOhFXyFa9CEv/s1600/bigsablelight-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CZqWFiwUgNRjk21uZqCEDWC6zFeMVFKcgBA6JO9Bju4dJN76pPtL67k8JPqJ82oP5U3lCFJTs7phmKZKuN5fX5lnyHTdMWvlbvRFW6x_mUQRU0WaGUqAgUTfIepXn4ykuOhFXyFa9CEv/s1600/bigsablelight-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbk5rrjZahzaixH-FP_fvY04MiwDMiJw0S4ltRpuOEC0ZMpBUgGw67dFDUKGvlB9PLc_8vGdSkBk6Avf5Zmsp89BfcIBbnQ-y_k1aBfVxrUz5Ib6y16KVzL8D05-YvrBxGc1NfaKpC2CY/s1600/bigsablelight-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbk5rrjZahzaixH-FP_fvY04MiwDMiJw0S4ltRpuOEC0ZMpBUgGw67dFDUKGvlB9PLc_8vGdSkBk6Avf5Zmsp89BfcIBbnQ-y_k1aBfVxrUz5Ib6y16KVzL8D05-YvrBxGc1NfaKpC2CY/s1600/bigsablelight-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28UlAJj8vA8aGXTMmxq9tj9Sb-JbYMUhaSqgCOlu0vsRrC_wCTGC1w7CyRizFawtsYWSPjBDu2RJhblCL36ji3RsleB9F6ajEcl64tXiHbEwaxehRwYWhE3hlFW59EjciKr6FUEce3LEM/s1600/bigsablelight-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28UlAJj8vA8aGXTMmxq9tj9Sb-JbYMUhaSqgCOlu0vsRrC_wCTGC1w7CyRizFawtsYWSPjBDu2RJhblCL36ji3RsleB9F6ajEcl64tXiHbEwaxehRwYWhE3hlFW59EjciKr6FUEce3LEM/s1600/bigsablelight-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />[check out the <a href="http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=262&type=SPTR" target="_blank">Michigan DNR website</a> for more information on hiking this and other trails at Ludington State Park.]<br /><br /><i>the cup of coffee that fueled the writing of today’s post was sponsored by <a href="http://www.nearandfarmontana.com/">Jenn</a>. she drinks her coffee with Truvia + almond milk and blogs about lifestyle + home improvement over at <a href="http://www.nearandfarmontana.com/">Near and Far Montana</a>.</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">linking up with <a href="http://bonnieroseblog.co.uk/">Bonnie</a>, <a href="http://unlockingkiki.com/">Kaelene</a>, <a href="http://http//www.tothedayslikethis.com/2014/04/hervey-bay-top-things-to-know.html">Sammy</a>, and <a href="http://www.travel-vanberry.blogspot.co.uk/">Van</a> for Travel Tuesday</span></div>

hiking to Big Sable Point

I have a soft spot for lighthouses. growing up in Michigan and being surrounded by the Great Lakes [and having a mother who is a little obse...

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hiking at Ludington State Park

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJH0wLS8YaF1cPU_bpixtdZewJnPjHsGVnuhlbA4nfgHSUuXqKeiCDpY-9gy106nPiX0yut6G57vVFKx__0oxshdqlYTV0TKhUPTQ0H_H5ujfS8PheCt9ZNfBkryMCIT2P_RmscTGOsMT/s1600/hikingLudingtonStatePark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJH0wLS8YaF1cPU_bpixtdZewJnPjHsGVnuhlbA4nfgHSUuXqKeiCDpY-9gy106nPiX0yut6G57vVFKx__0oxshdqlYTV0TKhUPTQ0H_H5ujfS8PheCt9ZNfBkryMCIT2P_RmscTGOsMT/s1600/hikingLudingtonStatePark.jpg" /></a></div><br />this past week while I was in Ludington with my parents, we went out to the state park for a hike. I probably mentioned it last summer, but Ludington State park holds a lot of childhood memories for me. we used to go camping there in the summers with our family friends, and in fact we just watched some home video [from 20 years ago] where we are all sitting around the campfire talking about our day in the park.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrlhuIwRVtkykgqewhvHa6OJflZqyaZqUKY0SX9tII7zpGCYAE8LVuaVGBm2Rp2I1cQ_8lQiqo0hrdI4voNzujMGdbDgqB3CEUKWh777vbDU5cRkaHGSENUAHSZud-FBlDnSiPumHGJfs/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrlhuIwRVtkykgqewhvHa6OJflZqyaZqUKY0SX9tII7zpGCYAE8LVuaVGBm2Rp2I1cQ_8lQiqo0hrdI4voNzujMGdbDgqB3CEUKWh777vbDU5cRkaHGSENUAHSZud-FBlDnSiPumHGJfs/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iBk00-UMv2W9P1HeMAL7NCQfmi1KGxivVTPTWb2fOiaEZZzQD9wwPnW6raU4GnSmsOLg49nXQmuLODwmqRdzI4UHn8MULytfi9hyphenhyphenalWnXcWjKBpxNlGEQUKSOc6usYD2Vk0UE7UPsppX/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iBk00-UMv2W9P1HeMAL7NCQfmi1KGxivVTPTWb2fOiaEZZzQD9wwPnW6raU4GnSmsOLg49nXQmuLODwmqRdzI4UHn8MULytfi9hyphenhyphenalWnXcWjKBpxNlGEQUKSOc6usYD2Vk0UE7UPsppX/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAonmkfdyb7dcWkHJYDwtX9teUb218Hqeklc0c6KSUth8Dbj9CEnAosMBgjX5fXh4jVPfoVHGV0t0-97IT8R8_qoRFd2W-eIHlYdGox1SBPK4kTShDOhThXiFjkznO_F8YQD1zOGvJBvS/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAonmkfdyb7dcWkHJYDwtX9teUb218Hqeklc0c6KSUth8Dbj9CEnAosMBgjX5fXh4jVPfoVHGV0t0-97IT8R8_qoRFd2W-eIHlYdGox1SBPK4kTShDOhThXiFjkznO_F8YQD1zOGvJBvS/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />having grown up in Michigan, and spending so much time outdoors as a child - camping, hiking, going to the lake - I am probably quite biased. but I really feel that the west coast of Michigan is one of the most beautiful places on earth. and, well, at this point I've been to <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/p/travel.html" target="_blank">quite a few places</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdaA0I4YQAWlvFgtx4J1RPX14NlZDu6pE3InnEyW4alF3rscFp0qz5uTtC8fNLhIXiCPIKp_nHkJV9UGdP1B37ZDp3mGr4OZ1-KNCL9jydrt99zgwwziBxxAU33r4p9v8oNKcpYxIXqmx/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdaA0I4YQAWlvFgtx4J1RPX14NlZDu6pE3InnEyW4alF3rscFp0qz5uTtC8fNLhIXiCPIKp_nHkJV9UGdP1B37ZDp3mGr4OZ1-KNCL9jydrt99zgwwziBxxAU33r4p9v8oNKcpYxIXqmx/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RsgQ8SBM22IWVtiAEzWuwLkeOgL7thxlJ48atWYXddJH_ujUcHiK9YCr-p9swWGhhAv5H6rJabagPV4lAgjmexZDTEydD-gCZJCpxAaXzwvgxYMGB2yA7CvouQFgmPg5d7dPU8DUH_ND/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RsgQ8SBM22IWVtiAEzWuwLkeOgL7thxlJ48atWYXddJH_ujUcHiK9YCr-p9swWGhhAv5H6rJabagPV4lAgjmexZDTEydD-gCZJCpxAaXzwvgxYMGB2yA7CvouQFgmPg5d7dPU8DUH_ND/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wv_-9QGcwLsDbFqo_n66vq_8hl0CckCA9Um5-_W8yUy4gaweusC2vgYXK9w960kJpgUmg0oTY718SKoU9pLxm8X1nCxTtCI6-MMCArKZJpdW-LE5fCrn2ImQnzR5E20X0DyEO9ZO4Fkl/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wv_-9QGcwLsDbFqo_n66vq_8hl0CckCA9Um5-_W8yUy4gaweusC2vgYXK9w960kJpgUmg0oTY718SKoU9pLxm8X1nCxTtCI6-MMCArKZJpdW-LE5fCrn2ImQnzR5E20X0DyEO9ZO4Fkl/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_POVbwBcNo61dRVMZEDE0h2uFnENMvw-HvdCL0PRdtakabAq44sn7t6WnvxbH9vaXssAbiSKj9aZv3M0iQRHbQWVNcOfjVE2sH4klGSp9rquu_GxAnAR4eQgHpj60xQf-PgqxbebuXVj/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_POVbwBcNo61dRVMZEDE0h2uFnENMvw-HvdCL0PRdtakabAq44sn7t6WnvxbH9vaXssAbiSKj9aZv3M0iQRHbQWVNcOfjVE2sH4klGSp9rquu_GxAnAR4eQgHpj60xQf-PgqxbebuXVj/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I admit it - I'm a detail person. especially when it comes to photographing nature. and a hike through the state park provides plenty of little treasures to discover: mushrooms of all varieties, woodpecker holes, moss, acorns, sunlit leaves, insects, and birch trees that have completely decomposed except for their bark.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStfZIk-6fXunj0ZNThsFedtyXeb9xsL9YU8NkZtu76oo-oVDeOQqY0H-yfjGmyRUG2Apc6hWz8OSZs0OBYh4Gmvuis0YH8ggzvWJlZ-hLkJahFW1BsxyVkzhVSr4KpI5lajYAsCobOyp9/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStfZIk-6fXunj0ZNThsFedtyXeb9xsL9YU8NkZtu76oo-oVDeOQqY0H-yfjGmyRUG2Apc6hWz8OSZs0OBYh4Gmvuis0YH8ggzvWJlZ-hLkJahFW1BsxyVkzhVSr4KpI5lajYAsCobOyp9/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI9CfcyKfFo_inNlYaCGaMRHDjmcwrdd1yt82_oCkXaJcXxxj8XYmYlTd6v5MpgQEoOcA6Ymk7JEQw8lOJj0S5Xlor57NyZkIDKULQhJe8bMiFPmg_om9FMgRQIr9F0R17xa9jfX9DgKi/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI9CfcyKfFo_inNlYaCGaMRHDjmcwrdd1yt82_oCkXaJcXxxj8XYmYlTd6v5MpgQEoOcA6Ymk7JEQw8lOJj0S5Xlor57NyZkIDKULQhJe8bMiFPmg_om9FMgRQIr9F0R17xa9jfX9DgKi/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-14.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqfO_58Nxvcz05x7rnSrBblRrDXIh1MqflBAWfq-B7lj89IIv3buKqdx445JHHeORCK-W5rVnXam74cMt3EO9X3h39R_-tfAUQWf54OJq62DE14VuHMTPoqbFcbHfNo2EA_EbpfhfAVN-/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqfO_58Nxvcz05x7rnSrBblRrDXIh1MqflBAWfq-B7lj89IIv3buKqdx445JHHeORCK-W5rVnXam74cMt3EO9X3h39R_-tfAUQWf54OJq62DE14VuHMTPoqbFcbHfNo2EA_EbpfhfAVN-/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYTulrluj7ielevgjV44AoqUMP1mVwv0sOQ7Q_0uJ2Xd1gCxj4uV73qxyZcxin-TUWd5p2GArdwcDmwwf-a3kO6DfZbktVKeKytvyXZHvMs6vkcPSMglXgt1FFOZkURc0X4AzdP-yRykU/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYTulrluj7ielevgjV44AoqUMP1mVwv0sOQ7Q_0uJ2Xd1gCxj4uV73qxyZcxin-TUWd5p2GArdwcDmwwf-a3kO6DfZbktVKeKytvyXZHvMs6vkcPSMglXgt1FFOZkURc0X4AzdP-yRykU/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkICD2X2lPP-EjU9RwthdGwkYBAMlbvxvA3ZteOlWfcs0D6kM9PE8EFfp9mD5Wk3LBnPeaD8c1qoGitL7VI2TjeJD3DgKkb7_Q3y0trTAxCSx4R7AK4NKCkYnUsYt7qvlDNfjMu1ptNF3/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkICD2X2lPP-EjU9RwthdGwkYBAMlbvxvA3ZteOlWfcs0D6kM9PE8EFfp9mD5Wk3LBnPeaD8c1qoGitL7VI2TjeJD3DgKkb7_Q3y0trTAxCSx4R7AK4NKCkYnUsYt7qvlDNfjMu1ptNF3/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />our hike took us through parts of the Coast Guard and Lighthouse trails, through both forests and over sand dunes and even wading into Lake Michigan. today I've decided to share the "forest" portion of our hike - photos of the actual lighthouse and the lakeshore coming later this week!<br /><br />I hope wherever you are in the world, you are able to enjoy some time outdoors this summer. pack a picnic lunch, your sunscreen + bugspray and just go.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVTjzw9ANvHHJ08Q6bc9Eu7Wtu2zUa5_H8FEo1OiPCyuAlK2XeBLXbTF8TUJ3nyI_k2Bg2bfTmcGWZOAN7NBoy3oLa1hEYxxLclBIVOS9V7cXEtxO8EhAByVFVpVTcDg7LzAO-PljOq8J/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVTjzw9ANvHHJ08Q6bc9Eu7Wtu2zUa5_H8FEo1OiPCyuAlK2XeBLXbTF8TUJ3nyI_k2Bg2bfTmcGWZOAN7NBoy3oLa1hEYxxLclBIVOS9V7cXEtxO8EhAByVFVpVTcDg7LzAO-PljOq8J/s1600/LudingtonStatePark-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i>the cup of coffee that fueled the writing of today’s post was sponsored by <a href="http://www.elahtree.com/" target="_blank">Samantha</a>. she drinks her tea half sweet + half unsweet, and blogs about lifestyle + faith over at <a href="http://www.elahtree.com/" target="_blank">Elah Tree</a>. go say hello!</i>

hiking at Ludington State Park

this past week while I was in Ludington with my parents, we went out to the state park for a hike. I probably mentioned it last summer, but ...

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my photography workshop experience

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0JXSXLaDyquSscNFBy1bCmD5SbZMOYQXyDqtnasF6IoqwoZVO1hVNCNj4bDthwenK-yFKjMgiQsA3iRQ8C0jbOiEajHk3YRflXSK44Ayx4fQqJI7rpQ4PeWOJ1nTuoSTogVpDiOT8cYJ/s1600/dunegrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0JXSXLaDyquSscNFBy1bCmD5SbZMOYQXyDqtnasF6IoqwoZVO1hVNCNj4bDthwenK-yFKjMgiQsA3iRQ8C0jbOiEajHk3YRflXSK44Ayx4fQqJI7rpQ4PeWOJ1nTuoSTogVpDiOT8cYJ/s1600/dunegrass.jpg" /></a></div><br />while I was in Michigan this summer, I had the opportunity to attend a photography workshop. I know several of you might say “but your pictures are already awesome! why would you go to a photography workshop?” first, thanks. second, because as awesome as my photography has become [it didn’t start out this way] it could still be even more awesome. and because even though I have owned a camera capable of it for five years... I have not been shooting using manual mode.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj65uEpn_RBlYZuJv3FaPi9Y9xBe6vyD7R4uIFUzVdLQDkBfTaGmeeOE6o-IZk12ZWwrqSCG6erM-0U9bFBekzcu1g6gTmzqg2rvJjrC9wQykYE2v9CAAf5VCDMYW3ScgXZSNSkrjh0ddr/s1600/lakefoam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj65uEpn_RBlYZuJv3FaPi9Y9xBe6vyD7R4uIFUzVdLQDkBfTaGmeeOE6o-IZk12ZWwrqSCG6erM-0U9bFBekzcu1g6gTmzqg2rvJjrC9wQykYE2v9CAAf5VCDMYW3ScgXZSNSkrjh0ddr/s1600/lakefoam.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">the workshop was actually a much-belated birthday present from my parents. they have a condo in the town where it took place and we had planned to be over there at the time, so it was convenient for us. it was my Dad’s idea to attend together as a father/daughter activity. and no offense to anyone else, but this was one of the best presents I’ve ever received.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-H0Y2Fp-L7u0AVlWueRBv4H06OHfAQ4AmDTGRyMkC90lLA-AVWnfzMurONxbZztcPYH64bXT8LcbAcmS5Z9-H6Jy25TTp3HuTiFGBG0OeO3NoC4WpqxVKdoyVMoFhXSPLd5Kz1QXwpzi/s1600/greenbug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-H0Y2Fp-L7u0AVlWueRBv4H06OHfAQ4AmDTGRyMkC90lLA-AVWnfzMurONxbZztcPYH64bXT8LcbAcmS5Z9-H6Jy25TTp3HuTiFGBG0OeO3NoC4WpqxVKdoyVMoFhXSPLd5Kz1QXwpzi/s1600/greenbug.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I was really nervous going into the weekend. really nervous. I mean... showing your work to someone who is a professional at something which you consider yourself to be an amateur is nerve-wracking. but everyone was there to learn, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience. the workshop was hosted by <a href="http://toddandbradreed.com/" target="_blank">Todd and Brad Reed</a>. you might recognize their work from a little old thing called the <a href="http://www.michigan.org/" target="_blank">Pure Michigan</a> ad campaign?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpFL0bUsyGaecM0-nzMWTZoLaZKGIHLIM1jIAu3qTFmnoG4EddKslelNvG_mDHy5_gqcY6po2qeRRAV9vJkviV_cLKg2bSVopaFOlk0RdQ4VzqOA3m7jyYenVoI5cJ4XcOHtYxm3-3Tbe/s1600/dunepath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpFL0bUsyGaecM0-nzMWTZoLaZKGIHLIM1jIAu3qTFmnoG4EddKslelNvG_mDHy5_gqcY6po2qeRRAV9vJkviV_cLKg2bSVopaFOlk0RdQ4VzqOA3m7jyYenVoI5cJ4XcOHtYxm3-3Tbe/s1600/dunepath.jpg" /></a></div><br />I can't say enough good things about Todd and Brad. they were fantastic at explaining the basics in a way that was easy to understand, and then showing us how to put them to use. they answered everyone’s questions, from those us of with moderate experience to those who had only a little [or a lot.] they were encouraging and constructive in their critiques, and the passion they have for their craft was contagious.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Tydur8B6JNoqwLxMdI9LJXhPUslaVRt1BB_gYlKq4NfKpqGOG1P18JrUdzmSbhvVwyEOLZUnpGULv64-BImmzMB6m3ynxdQSFYkq6DhOUeR34gBDOcrxLImUxsugcqb3g5OYjEQDlEks/s1600/sunrisegrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Tydur8B6JNoqwLxMdI9LJXhPUslaVRt1BB_gYlKq4NfKpqGOG1P18JrUdzmSbhvVwyEOLZUnpGULv64-BImmzMB6m3ynxdQSFYkq6DhOUeR34gBDOcrxLImUxsugcqb3g5OYjEQDlEks/s1600/sunrisegrass.jpg" /></a></div><br />the workshop was hosted at the <a href="http://www.cartiermansion.com/" target="_blank">Cartier Mansion bed + breakfast</a> in Ludington, a gorgeous old home and carriage house with a friendly and accommodating staff. the food they served us was incredible. and they made gluten-free biscuits just for me! I ate about a dozen. AND they gave us a private tour of the house.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdIIfoIIGfi5-jRfrbpylzGnjLJUt9Jbqv9iLQr-e9EapORGJRwhHlru0fHdPwuhXN_RzhwtBxtCD__Y-wVUsH7Ej_KD_yKXU_GFj0ZLimFFwSj5W0tUNg2IfyVVQIA0_2SEHNnChMovU/s1600/gulltracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdIIfoIIGfi5-jRfrbpylzGnjLJUt9Jbqv9iLQr-e9EapORGJRwhHlru0fHdPwuhXN_RzhwtBxtCD__Y-wVUsH7Ej_KD_yKXU_GFj0ZLimFFwSj5W0tUNg2IfyVVQIA0_2SEHNnChMovU/s1600/gulltracks.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">over the course of the weekend, we ventured out on two shoots – seeing the sun rise over Lake Hamlin was worth getting out of bed at 5am in 37 F weather. our sunset at the state park was a bit of a dud, but I still has a great time crawling through the dunes. in fact, the photos you see in this post are a few of my favorites I shot during the workshop.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHZdt6uy3z3aO1mCmPebuufRgPioP6jeWYYyY_okOCYVLzZLwV2UCCdJ3r0H0WgE3mNQaDwaCa061jf_cAoMNzyErcMdhQpd7-Af1792pfHaUQ_9w-7pfnKGltajF_RI8NRPsbwyrL5d8/s1600/gullfeather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHZdt6uy3z3aO1mCmPebuufRgPioP6jeWYYyY_okOCYVLzZLwV2UCCdJ3r0H0WgE3mNQaDwaCa061jf_cAoMNzyErcMdhQpd7-Af1792pfHaUQ_9w-7pfnKGltajF_RI8NRPsbwyrL5d8/s1600/gullfeather.jpg" /></a></div><br />I had a great weekend, learned a ton, and have some fantastic photos to show for it. this isn't an official review or anything... mostly I wanted to share my photos and my experience. but if you are interested in a photography workshop, have the money to spend, and live in or can travel to west Michigan, this is definitely one I would recommend! if you are interested, you can check out their <a href="http://www.toddandbradreed.com/lightbox/index/cms/14" target="_blank">workshops here</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVx18wR2o8IKpsB90ErydMVcESnrBYcVlGIV1CYI7kqmaINMiX4HKDScnhEmSh9yOWy-0kERdlsHmzHIyJ3g6ADDlhQs8an_RLU59PdlV9_K-bCWhYU9v_OWRY9iJaSmgvSOROXjgx5Pn/s1600/inkblottrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVx18wR2o8IKpsB90ErydMVcESnrBYcVlGIV1CYI7kqmaINMiX4HKDScnhEmSh9yOWy-0kERdlsHmzHIyJ3g6ADDlhQs8an_RLU59PdlV9_K-bCWhYU9v_OWRY9iJaSmgvSOROXjgx5Pn/s1600/inkblottrees.jpg" /></a></div><br />oh. I should also mention that <b>I'm not afraid of manual mode anymore</b>. in fact, I can't imagine going back. </div><!--EndFragment-->

my photography workshop experience

while I was in Michigan this summer, I had the opportunity to attend a photography workshop. I know several of you might say “but your ...

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seven things + three awkward photos : a self-portrait

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XHkA8j6AFTW1ewtj2SzjyuUSmbV0jTqJaytRP3hLiAo-wjoi4qRggbN-q21jCbXuXgzjtqp67QLoFThCot119ueQP2PyInXpZe_K_cdDaRD9OMhHS8eTnWIopOlyYP4M3JeW7Hq-FU22/s1600/logedit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XHkA8j6AFTW1ewtj2SzjyuUSmbV0jTqJaytRP3hLiAo-wjoi4qRggbN-q21jCbXuXgzjtqp67QLoFThCot119ueQP2PyInXpZe_K_cdDaRD9OMhHS8eTnWIopOlyYP4M3JeW7Hq-FU22/s640/logedit1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1. this is me. sitting on a giant piece of driftwood, on the shore of Lake Michigan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb6bD69Bh_2TAy_EvJjhc1BeJ4vb3UoBtfrzo26pdOmR6-ZLDCZ-RWQYhYMp8ID9WUmX4n1qifvt_bWB89hvaGpkytB2KixgMQvv_WRaBK6gahoJhjnMWly9fT1DMTcAF5Ea9bm-fEubx/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb6bD69Bh_2TAy_EvJjhc1BeJ4vb3UoBtfrzo26pdOmR6-ZLDCZ-RWQYhYMp8ID9WUmX4n1qifvt_bWB89hvaGpkytB2KixgMQvv_WRaBK6gahoJhjnMWly9fT1DMTcAF5Ea9bm-fEubx/s640/IMG_1886.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt6JmXwBpsPLibHXriLumuxeaa7HuIrh0KOH2ovNFmcvgs26aeNxSTXJL6XQ5eIB7YWrmXe1Pfi9C34OhEoCXBouvsGKFnaXjYp1X39rCseSR7zrCL4L0sqGazfzBkoAmtTLp25h1K2QW/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt6JmXwBpsPLibHXriLumuxeaa7HuIrh0KOH2ovNFmcvgs26aeNxSTXJL6XQ5eIB7YWrmXe1Pfi9C34OhEoCXBouvsGKFnaXjYp1X39rCseSR7zrCL4L0sqGazfzBkoAmtTLp25h1K2QW/s640/IMG_1887.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />2. we drove out to the beach grass and sand dunes of Ludington State Park for sunset last night. a place that holds a lot of memories. there was some <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2013/08/jars-of-sand.html" target="_blank">clashing of childhood ideals and adult realities</a>. again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX_wlhx6FK-vtt7_KMyvgJ4iLjCaJJeNWXLIjIMDmKU-DT37dEQHRCEgRuhZnxoam0Pq8CVph9YATzZ1_0_67BSGPmiHctJVlMuz2kKFKjvvJqFHF7UIEWE0jPZJRz9MwVI870lLJtxbw/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX_wlhx6FK-vtt7_KMyvgJ4iLjCaJJeNWXLIjIMDmKU-DT37dEQHRCEgRuhZnxoam0Pq8CVph9YATzZ1_0_67BSGPmiHctJVlMuz2kKFKjvvJqFHF7UIEWE0jPZJRz9MwVI870lLJtxbw/s640/IMG_1915.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc14nxFS8XdmrbUjcqKczZ3YcqOOg6nam2Pm7dQ34HL-M3i0Y-EK8Z3CzjZN0nde5l5HNCs2MmufP3EvY96NpFVWtsqewlMxFBFiEkGbj8S1927XLtk6SlQ1otr1aVw_lndNOZDHJ6TLTr/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc14nxFS8XdmrbUjcqKczZ3YcqOOg6nam2Pm7dQ34HL-M3i0Y-EK8Z3CzjZN0nde5l5HNCs2MmufP3EvY96NpFVWtsqewlMxFBFiEkGbj8S1927XLtk6SlQ1otr1aVw_lndNOZDHJ6TLTr/s640/IMG_1889.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynvcXpzN0H8jCYj-7COvbTAIpGvFrkWBWmDE8ThiHouzSn1Kf1MyTawfe0o2TcCxoM5hz3_r_NOKGl0epFzDBoJKz4nSk9xxvxGeox54MEm8CjDf0EkhvPoCYt_d0dniv41tetPPj5WQh/s1600/IMG_1913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynvcXpzN0H8jCYj-7COvbTAIpGvFrkWBWmDE8ThiHouzSn1Kf1MyTawfe0o2TcCxoM5hz3_r_NOKGl0epFzDBoJKz4nSk9xxvxGeox54MEm8CjDf0EkhvPoCYt_d0dniv41tetPPj5WQh/s640/IMG_1913.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3. but it was also the best sunset of the week, so far. did I mention we are back in Ludington this week? well, we are. and this was our fourth cloud-infested sunset. I'm hoping saturday skies prove to be more clear because... I'm going to be taking a photography workshop this weekend with my dad, led by the guys who shoot the "Pure Michigan" campaign. [kindof a big deal.] </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm very excited, and a little bit nervous. we are bringing 5 of our best shots for them to critique, and are going to do group review of the stuff we shoot during the sunrise/sunset sessions on saturday. [who, me? nervous about being judged?] I know a decent amount about the technical aspects of photography, but mostly I shoot with my gut and not always my brain. I'm an aperture priority girl, but I'm trying to keep an open mind about manual.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjudOEugmLQVJGYokTntzkcXzZ7r6Do-6I10H55zSJVFuW0FXALnbsOOk2RInB9GFUcW8uTam34o8DyDxvSRuRXWy0tIX3ejH5-KXheqmmpUgv6IYIc2n8N5rxzskRQltPH9DOslWZnyz/s1600/preview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjudOEugmLQVJGYokTntzkcXzZ7r6Do-6I10H55zSJVFuW0FXALnbsOOk2RInB9GFUcW8uTam34o8DyDxvSRuRXWy0tIX3ejH5-KXheqmmpUgv6IYIc2n8N5rxzskRQltPH9DOslWZnyz/s640/preview.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4. you may have noticed things look a little different around here. I may have procrastinated editing photos for today by making new banners and badges inspired by my yellow bicycle shirt. and 45 minutes later, that turned into a new blog design. <i>what do you think... love it? hate it?</i> [let's be honest, you're probably just proud I kept my last design for almost 6 months without changing it on you!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsoRfwjAeWVVv4rodiGh2rXfAq5kYk0giaTSA4T9GQFA-sE3H5qjnA66OgN7ac0KfG_HbpSKcjC1nLdgM9sZcnKIbhA5TkTfd688YauT1e7xp6KumtcJTCiuBEY3qKspe2Dnmy2q1PYRu/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsoRfwjAeWVVv4rodiGh2rXfAq5kYk0giaTSA4T9GQFA-sE3H5qjnA66OgN7ac0KfG_HbpSKcjC1nLdgM9sZcnKIbhA5TkTfd688YauT1e7xp6KumtcJTCiuBEY3qKspe2Dnmy2q1PYRu/s640/IMG_1877.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">5. funny story about this photo. I set up in the park by the harbor right after the Badger came in. most of the people in the park were there to watch the boat, or playing on the playground, so I thought I was safe to shoot some undercover selfies. [though, is it a selfie if it's not on your cell phone?] I sat on this little post thing and shot with my remote, then decided to stand up on it for a few shots, and then did some awkward flailing. after, I looked over at the boat you see in the left of the shot. there was totally a man sitting in the... what do you call the "cockpit" area on a boat? anyway, he was in there, and had obviously seen my entire photoshoot in all it's weird and awkward glory.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">6. well, let's see. today's <a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/blogtember-september-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">blogtember challenge</a> is a self-portrait. you got 2 pictures of me, mention of childhood issues and one of my deepest fears, a new blog design, and an embarrassing story. <b>in list form.</b> I think that paints about the most accurate description of me you can get.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodhzj173ZorT5CQYEeuIrrAifm8QCdn2uWo0JH6C6NyUiNUvr_Khp_dfa8XRKElX9h3EIL6y-bney7XvyWOKNlNpZj6O7uaE8UOw2e84ki3bQr5KyajbOtnHrKJJI1p42UiM9S4K9KNnu/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodhzj173ZorT5CQYEeuIrrAifm8QCdn2uWo0JH6C6NyUiNUvr_Khp_dfa8XRKElX9h3EIL6y-bney7XvyWOKNlNpZj6O7uaE8UOw2e84ki3bQr5KyajbOtnHrKJJI1p42UiM9S4K9KNnu/s640/IMG_1901.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">7. oh wait... one more awkward photo. just for good measure.</div>

seven things + three awkward photos : a self-portrait

1. this is me. sitting on a giant piece of driftwood, on the shore of Lake Michigan. 2. we drove out to the beach grass and sand dunes of Lu...

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