Happy Birthday Jana Louise!
We've been exercising every Monday, Wednesday and Friday here in Ann Arbor at the Von Maur Court in Briarwood Mall. I estimate that there are usually 40 - 50 participants of all kinds - male, female, white, black, and Asian, short, tall, skinny and fat. The oldest one appears to be in her 80s. One of the Asian women appears to be in her 30s or maybe even younger. Everybody is friendly and encouraging - there are all different levels of physical fitness ranging from the perkiest lady who bounces through all of the routines and then bounces out of the mall on her way home to the lady who sits through most of the exercises and does small movements with her arms and legs. The important thing about the fitness class is showing up and making an effort. We can feel it - Dick says the instructor finds all of your arthritis every time! When I get winded or my leg muscles feel too sore, I just sit down and take a mini-break - and it's all OK.
The city of Ann Arbor is in constant transition. It seems that everywhere you look, streets are closed for construction, and buildings are either going up or coming down.
It's hard to navigate in the downtown area - there are so many closed streets, and so many one way streets. We're finding that our little Subaru is maneuverable and easy to get around in.
On country roads in southern Michigan the underbrush and forest areas grow right up to the edge of the shoulders. It makes for very picturesque country roads, but I find that after living for the past 16 years in Grand Traverse County, I'm really used to the trimming, mowing and pruning along our roads. You can have that North Woods feeling, and still feel like you have some elbow room. Also, there are a lot of vines here that grow up into the trees and give them an unusual appearance - sometimes feels like you're driving through a Grimm Brother's fairy tale.
Which restaurant would you expect to be the most fun and delicious - Red Robin, a nationwide chain famous for burgers and spirits or Zingerman's Roadhouse, an offshoot of Zingerman's Deli, a local Ann Arbor favorite... Well, the Red Robin wins, hands down. It was so much fun - and the menu is different and interesting - it makes you want to come back and try something else! Zingerman's food was only so-so. We ate outside on the patio and were assaulted by flies. It was a real turn off.
Our apartment is just grand. I'm not sure what I expected, but it is more than satisfactory. We love it here, and we're having a wunnerful time!
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