But Stacey proposed something new – going out to Topgolf. We did the math, and this excursion ended up being cheaper than an escape room (and for 2 hours, instead of just 1).
I’ll be honest – I wasn’t exactly sold on this, as I don’t really play golf. And I wasn’t sure how much fun it would be. But I was wrong! We had a blast!
Liz, working in the living room, stuffing rope insulation between the flooring and drywall.
Detail view of the work. This stuff has a strong odor (it smells like a Pirate’s locker room), but does dissipate. Eventually.
Really, really fun night chatting with everyone. It’s been a long while since I was in grad school, a long while since I’d been in the company of academics. It was fun to talk about books and politics, and all manner of current events with folks. Really great company, and a really great time.
I love this photo, as it feels like an renaissance painting. Of note: Max and Lauren, with two drams each of the Hakushu.
Group shot of everyone, enjoying some Vichyssoise (a traditional favorite, though I’ve only ever had it hot).
With the workers coming back today, to address the various issues we found… Liz and I couldn’t stay home. So we did what we used to do in the old days – head downtown, to work onsite at our respective offices.
Late morning, several of us took Grace to the airport for her flight back to college. On our way home, we stopped off at the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt.
Late in the afternoon, several of us headed out to The Colby Escape Room, in Whitehall.
Turkey-vision.
A while back… I saw some advertisements for Board, an electronic board that interacted with physical pieces. It seemed like a combination of a lot of things I like – board games, with a bit of electronic tech thrown in.
Before our trek up to Whitehall, we learned that the cabin Mark and Anna have in Michigan is fairly close by. We talked a bit about meeting up, and today ended up being a good day for us to hang out. And to check out their cabin.
Unfortunately, Anna ended up being out of town for work. But we still arranged to meet up for a tour, a walk around the grounds, and an early dinner.
Now, with us far away and waiting for some new floors to be installed… what better way to relax than to go out for a run in the brisk, Michigan air? It’s chilly out, with some decently strong winds… but no better time than now.
Running to relax. What an odd thing to do.
While we had several deer grazing, there was one of them that spotted me through the window. And kept a close eye on me, the entire rest of the time.
Big day, last day. Tomorrow is when the flooring guys arrive, and by the morning we need to have everything off the first and second floors.
So that means – everything is shoved into the basement. Or kitchen. Or bathroom. Or the small space between our walk-in closet and the bathroom, which we’ve colloquially referred to as “Harry Potter”.
Front door, looking colorful again.