Simple

My mother's family has a cottage in northern Michigan across the street (literally) from Crystal Lake and close to the town of Frankfort. The cottage has four bedrooms, a spacious living/dining room and a kitchen. Like Frankfort, it's small, cozy and welcoming. Simple.

"You're going to be so bored," my sister said to me before I left. I thought about that...and the past...

I came here many summers growing up. We swam in the lake, searched for petoskeys along Lake Michigan and rode bikes on South Shore Drive. My mom would take us on walks to show us little secrets---like the hidden wishing well and "Hansel and Gretel's house" at the top of Figg Road. We would make s'mores on the beach and listen to stories of Abel The Frog.

Moving into my teenage years coming to Crystal Lake lost it's appeal. It was too quiet. I wanted to party! I got bored easily and preferred my friend's company to my family's. Likewise in college but my summers were also inundated with jobs and soccer. My trips to Michigan stopped completely once I started grad school and traveling internationally.

Now I'm here after at least four years away and I think I needed a long hiatus to appreciate it. Yesterday, I walked up the now paved, but still winding, Figg Road and rediscovered gorgeous views. My mom and I went to Frankfort for ice cream and I noticed the quaint architecture. We sat on a bench, absorbed the lazy summer atmosphere and watched the sunset over Lake Michigan. Relaxing. Quiet. Easy.

Maybe being here would be boring to my sister or others and maybe this is a boring blog entry to read. Sometimes it's nice though...no crazy stories, no complicated itineraries, no weird people...just something simple.