This might be Surprising News but...

I went on a road trip the weekend before last with my sister, my middle niece Maggie and her boyfriend!

Yep, the hermit left her house.

I boarded Blue, Jimmy and Nora and Lily came to my house and took care of the little ones and my cats.

It was a day trip to Racine WI.

My sister and her husband lived up there when they were young and had no kids.

She LOVES the place and talks of moving back someday.

I visited just once way back then, so that was like 30? years ago.

So we left early on Saturday and drove up.

On the way up we stopped at a fresh fruit/vegetable/flower outdoor place
and they loaded up on organic goodies, while I talked to the goat they had.

When we got to Racine, we went to a few shops and then headed to the beach.

It was beautiful although a bit chilly and windy.

We collected some rocks from the beach and I laughed and said we could buy a bag of them for $2.50 at Lowes.

My sister said it wasn't the same and I know what she meant. Kinda.

Then we spread out blankets and everyone laid down for a nap.

I laid down too.

I tried to meditate.

I focused on the sand beneath me and thought how it might be good for my back.

I laid there and focused on pushing my back into the sand.

I sat up and looked at everyone, napping.

I got my book out and read for a bit.

I turned over and tried reading with the book held above me but the wind tugged at the pages.

I rolled over and read on my belly again.

My niece's boyfriend opened one eye and asked if it was a good book 

and I said, Yeah, kinda.

I read a page or two and sat up.

I picked up the little rocks and placed them one by one on my sisters back and head.

She didn't move.

I picked up my camera and looked around.

It was very pretty there.

I took random photos and walked around.

I walked into the lake. It was freezing.

Maybe it's more fun when the weather is hot and the water is warmer.

I walked back to the blankets.

Everyone was still snoozing.

I sat down and read some more.

I thought about people who want to take vacations and lay on the beach.

I wondered what was wrong with me.

Even when I was younger, I could never stand to just lay there and sunbathe.

I was the one jumping up and down and trying to catch a wave.

Maybe if they had horseback riding on the beach...

(I still haven't taken any riding lessons.)

Finally the others started sitting up.

All sleepy and slow.

I resisted the urge to run up to them and pull up the blankets.

Instead I said, "I'm hungry".

My sister asked if I was an old person who eats at 4.

I said it was already after four and by the time we got things packed up and found a place, it would be dinner time.

So we left and drove around and looked at houses.

I did enjoy that.

Many were in the Frank Lloyd Wright style. 

Very cool and facing the lake.

Yeah, that would be major dollars.

My sister pointed out a few that she liked and thought maybe they could afford.

That made me wonder if she's won the Lottery and not told me.

We did drive by a house that I liked for myself.

Odd that I'm tearing out the plants in my front yard and then I pick out another filled with flowers.

So, we went to dinner and then hit the road.

On the drive back my niece drove and I was in the front passenger seat.

The other two napped some more in the back.

Maggie and I had a nice talk.

I told her that I wished that there had been horses, although I don't know how to ride yet.

She said she had ridden a few times in the past and she would love to take lessons with me.

That made me very happy.

So, it was a good day.