July is done August Starts

July has some important dates: Canada Day July 1 ; Independence Day July 4; World Zoonosis Day July 6 (yes Zoonosis really is a word -it refers to any disease transmitted from animals to humans, such as rabies). Bastille DayJuly 14; Nelson Mandela Day July 18.

There was also the balloon festival in Jackson

And the Faster Horses Festival at MIS, whch was a great success from what we've heard.
NOW comes August . First is the Riverfolk Festival in Manchester -great Bluegrasswww.riverfolkfestival.org August 9-11 US12 Longest Garage Sale;  Wine Days of Summer, check www.pioneerwinetrail.com.  And, of course, NASCAR 16-18, and Ann Arbor Antiques Market 17-18. ANN ARBOR made a Pure Michigan Tourist Stop" In a world that tries so hard to look and feel like everything else,there is a place that knows exactly what it is-ANN ARBOR. A great town to visit!

July Happenings

This week and next-according to the weatherman- is traditionally the hottest of the year, and it is certainly living up to it's reputation. There are so many events this week and next, in and around the Irish Hills, I hope the heat doesn't spoil them. This week is the Ann Arbor Art Fair-one of the best in the country!www.visitannarbor.org. This weekend is the Country Music Festival at Michigan Speedway-MIS. It has a peculair name www.fasterhorsesfestival.com. I read that the promoter was wondering what to call it and since this is car country-namely Ford Motor country-he read, that years, ago Henry Ford was asked "what do the people want?" His answer was "faster horses" thus the name of the Festival. Also this weekend is the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Jackson at Ella Sharp Park www.hotairjubilee.com.There are 22 balloons entered and the morning launches are at 6:30 am(weather will of course affect them). The Lenawee County Fair starts the 21st in Adrian and runs for the week. This is a great"county fair" with many animals- horses,cows, sheep, goats, chickens, and many 4H exhibits. And(I'm not done yet) On your way to Ann Arbor, you could stop in Saline at the Rentschler Farm Museum -it's right on US12- to celebrate Henry Ford's 150th birthday. July 20, from 11am-3pm. There will be some of the earliest cars, Model T,A B and Tractors and a historical performance at 1pm. And, last but not least, Thursday July 18 is the start of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival which runs thru August 11 at the Potter Center in Jackson. For more info visit :www.MichiganShakespeareFestival.com or call 517-998 3673 If all this tires you out and you need some time to relax,visit Dewey Lake Manor B&B and enjoy the lake. Oh, I did forget, there is a Farmers Market every Sunday from 11-2 at Walker Tavern.

The Tough Mudder

The TOUGH MUDDER Did you know what it was?

I did not until this past weekend when the event took place at Michigan International Speedway Saturday & Sunday. Tough Mudder is the premier obstacle course series in the world. It is a hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by the British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. Tough Mudder is more than an event, it's a way of thinking. By participating in a Tough Mudder challenge, you'll experience a true sense of accomplishment, have fun, and discover a camaraderie with your fellow participants. Plus as a participant, you support the wounded Warrier Project. To date the participants have raised more than $5 million for the Project.
We had 9 guests , both men and women, that did the course and 5 family members, and they all said the same thing"It was worth it!"

This was the Monkey Bars.

And this was Everest; just 2 of the 20 obstacles to be met and conquered. It took our family members 5 hours; our guests were done in about 4.
It is done in Michigan for this year, but probably will be back next year as there were 12,000 participants on Saturday and about 4000 on Sunday-that's a lot of people. Check out the website for more information. www.toughmudder.com.