Mackinac Island
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We've visited Mackinac Island many years ago, courtesy of my cousin Boris. Just the two of us, couldn't bring boys along for some reason that I don't even remember. It was 2004, I believe, and photos from 2003 to 2006 are still not posted here. Some day I will do it, I swear.
The island looks and feels the same: the fort, Grand Hotel, fudge stores, even the seagull on Marquette's head, but this time around our entire family had a chance to enjoy it all. Despite being ungodly touristy, it's a unique place with a very special vibe, as Annie put it. Girls loved it, and boys had some good time as well. And so did we. We really need to do things like this more often.
Devil’s Lake
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The day before our departure for Devils Lake Liza decided to get sick: mild usual symptoms and positive COVID test. We considered not going, or going partially - I was to stay home with Liza, and Yelena would go with Annie, - but decided to go as planned. It looked like a good idea to get Liza out into the sun instead of leaving her to marinate at home. Since Isa was supposed to join us, we warned her parents about the positive test, and they didn't mind. Nor did Isa.
After we got to the lake, set up the camp, and hiked to the Devil's Doorway, Liza did get better. Yelena got worse though, and so did Annie. I even had to take Yelena to the hospital in Baraboo; they did the test, treated her dehydration, gave her some pills for nausea, and discharged her with instruction to take lots of fluids and use Tylenol for everything else. "There's not much we can do for Covid, you see." After the hospital Yelena felt so much better that we stayed for another day, and in the end went home on Thursday instead of Friday because of rain. There was no more hiking, but the kids still managed to have fun. I taught them to play Durak, and they enjoyed it. For some reason that game is unknown here. All in all, as Yelena put it, it was the "best way to have Covid."
So we are home now, and both Yelena and Annie are still sick. Hope it will not last long. I also wonder when it is supposed to be my turn; weird how this stuff works.
Nationals
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Bottom line: girls made it to the World Team as WS Junior Quartet and are going to Buenos Aires this October.
In the Solo Dance event Anne got fifth. Could be third, but that didn't happen for the number of reasons.
I am very tired, and on Sunday we are leaving for Devil's Lake. No details, sorry.
Anne:
Photo | Style Dance | Style Dance Official | Free Dance | Free Dance Official
Quartet:
Photo | Quartet | Quartet Official | Quartet Pro
Те, кто читает по-русски, несколько более детальное описание могут найти здесь.
Regionals
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Just got back from Appleton, WI, well, technically it's Grand Chute. Just to remind: there are ten USARS regions. We belong to the Great Lakes Region that consists of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, and the Regional competitions serve as a qualifier for the National championships. Where, in turn, winners in World Class events get qualified for the US World Team. This year's World will be held in Buenos Aires.
Liza didn't skate for obvious reasons. Annie skated Junior World Class Solo Dance and got third.
Quartet skated as a trio, with alternate just doing rollout. She will be skating at Nationals as well, if there is no competition. If there is, Liza will try to skate.
Here are the videos:
Anne Style Dance
Anne Free Dance
Quartet
In a few weeks we are going to Lincoln, Nebraska for Nationals.
First work day
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Annie's first day on the job: she works as a lifeguard at the Butterfield Park District. Beautiful day to be a lifeguard: overcast, 57 degrees, and probably not a soul in the water.
Herb Garden
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Annie was asking me since forever to build raised beds for her herbs and tomatoes; the problem was we couldn't find the proper spot for them. Finally, we destroyed a giant old stump and a couple of bushes in the backyard's furthest corner, got two ready-made raised beds from Costco, and now we have a great little herb garden. Our friendly neighborhood rabbits will appreciate it a lot, I am afraid.
Got to do something about the neighbor's fence, since it is very visible now. Not sure what exactly, there's not much of that fence left to paint. Will probably plant some climber there.
Bike upgrade
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Since Annie is now doing long distance bike rides with me, she got a decent bike instead of her old Trek 3700. Now it's Specialized Sirrus 2.0, pretty good hybrid with 700C wheels and hydraulic disc breaks.
Elyria
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Came back from Ohio Cup late last night. No photos except for a couple of phone pics, very dark rink again. For some reason I wasn't in the mood even to try. So, just videos.
Quartet
Anne: Style | Free Dance
Liza: Style | Free Dance
Eugene and his bike
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Boys decided to stop by; girls got a chance to ride a motorcycle, and they are ecstatic about it. Now I have to worry about them getting bikes too, as if Eugene was not enough. God, I am afraid of these things.
Lynwood
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Another league meet, this time in Lynwood. Everyone keeps changing their routines, there is a lot of improvements. I only took photos though: as I have mentioned before, Lynwood got decent lights. So no video, alas.
Annie: Style Dance | Free Dance
Liza: Style Dance | Free Dance