Blog 6: Learning to Drive again

During the last week of September, work required a trip back to the US for a Global Innovation meeting.  Pretty cool opportunity and a nice chance to get a quick taste of the US. 

The meeting was held in Mackinaw island, which is a location that I’ve always wanted to experience.  It is located on an island in northern Michigan just below the Upper-Peninsula. 

Mackinaw is an historic site in the US as the island bans the use of Automobiles.  It is a place my sister Erin would love since she recently achieved her PhD in Equine Science (go figure).  It is also a rather ironic location to host an innovation meeting that focuses in the automotive industry. 

The trip was nice, but also long.  There really isn’t any good way to get into Mackinaw… Chicago and Detroit are the best options, but both required a major drive afterwards.  I chose Chicago so that I could meet up with Mom in Chicago for a two-week visit.

After arriving, I met up with a good friend at a restaurant outside of Chicago.  He made a 2hr drive just to have dinner with me…  That was awesome.  It was a quick visit, but a really good one.  It was a great start to a short trip back to the US. 

Afterwards, a colleague and I drove to Lansing (for the first overnight) and then to Mackinaw the next day… This was my first time driving since I arrived in China (7 weeks) and really nice to have someone to talk to.  Think about how weird that is… Consider your average day.  How often do you drive?  Then consider giving it up.  We can still get around with our driving service, but not physically driving is a very odd and isolating feeling.  To date (28-Nov, 29-April-2018, I know… this blog is wildly overdue), Amanda hasn’t driven in 4 months.  Our trip to the US at Christmas time will be her reintroduction. 

The drive back was brutal… I had 7hrs of long, straight road in front of me.  I was tired and it was tough, but I survived.  During the drive, I decided to visit (and borrow a room from) a cousin who lives on the outside of Chicago.  That was a special treat.  My cousin Lane and I have gotten quite a bit closer after our 1-yr move to Illinois in 2015.  He and I are both big football fans and often trade barbs and thoughts about the college and NFL seasons.  He is also dealing with Cancer right now… however, am happy to say that he was just informed that he beat it.  Well done Lane! 

Lane’s family was great.  Gave me a room, bought me dinner, and helped me repack my bags after a quick trip to Wal-Mart to buy the essentials.  The essentials included; 3 boxes of frosted mini-wheats, 4 boxes of gold fish (big ones), 10 boxes of jiffy blueberry muffin mix, 10 boxes of jiffy corn muffin mix, several gifts, 3-4 bottles of shampoo, a bottle of molasses (that opens on the trip home – horrible), 2 nerf guns, 1 big bag of sour patch kids, 1 big bag of Reeces Pieces, 2 boxes of honey nut cheerios, and oatmeal (admittedly, that was an impulse buy)… and yes, I did get it all in my bags.  Impressive right?

After a nice night at Lanes, I met up with Mom at O’hare Airport and we settled in for a long flight back to Shanghai…   

Picture 1 - Creature comforts:  An apple cider factory followed by Culvers... Gotta love Michigan in the Fall.


Picture 2 - Mackinaw Island:  The irony is that we hosted an automotive conference on an island that doesn't allow automobiles.


Picture 3 - Amazing colors:  The island was full of life and the season was perfect for pictures.


Picture 4 - More great pictures.


Picture 5 - Horse-draw happiness:  When we didn't walk around, we moved by horse drawn carriage.


Picture 6 - Fun shots:  That is one really big hat for his head.

Picture 7 - Enjoy every moment:  We worked a lot, but found time to grab some pictures during the down time.  It was a good week; work hard, play hard.


 Picture 8 - My hero:  This guy is a stud, my cousin, and named Layne Burns.  He was diagnosed with Cancer several months ago, but has successfully beat it down.  Life has been rough for him, but he keeps a smile and a good attitude.  It was an impromptu visit, but totally worth it.  Appreciate his humor, a warm dinner, and help shopping at WalMart that night.  

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