& that's the way life goes

I laugh but on the inside I find this absolutely adorable.

It’s also the place where legends are made. In 2006 the Michigan Legislature declared Oscoda the “official home of Paul Bunyan.” Resident Ed Glotfelty said the proclamation recognizes Oscoda as the literary home for the giant legendary logger based on the fact that the first printed story about him was written by Oscoda Press writer James MacGillivray in 1906.
Glotfelty, a history buff and man of sizable stature himself, portrays the lumberjack during the annual Paul Bunyan Festival, set in 2009 for September 18, 19 & 20. Events include a classic antique car show, children’s activities, a Lumberjack Show and a crowd-awing Chainsaw Carving Championship with participants coming from across the nation. (http://www.oscodachamber.com/)

In truth Oscoda isn’t where I spent my early childhood, that would have been at my Papa’s cottage in National City.   Maybe it’s because I only have vague memories of Island Lake and going to my Great Granny’s and that’s why I don’t find it that special.  Or maybe because it’s tarnished by events that happened in my teen years that I remember all to well.  Regardless,   my heart holds a special spot for Oscoda.  Beginning more specifically Old Orchard Campground.

© rialeilani 2006

I’m not good at making friends.  I’m ridiculously shy and I don’t break out of my shell until I get to know you.  Every summer at Old Orchard I made a new friend.  I became a part of a group.  The friendships didn’t last after I went away to college but for those summers  I didn’t feel awkward.  You ran into some of the same people every year.  Some you remembered, some you didn’t.  I’ll never forget being in the camp store and someone yelling my name.  I turned around and stood face to face with a boy.  And I asked, “Do I know you”.  He told me his name and it came back to me but it was still a little funny that there had been so many people the summer before that I honestly couldn’t place him at first.

I used to want to live up there.  I always wanted to live somewhere different.  Looking back it’s probably because where I was I never felt like I fit in.   Luckily, I had a couple close friends but never a group of people.

Years later I still find comfort in visiting.  Every year LP and I decided we are going to go at least once.  I love girlie weekend.  It’s a time to destress and get away from daily life.  We’re open to new people joining us.  We can’t believe that for the second year  it’s just the two of us.  I’ll be doing a lot of paddleboating, canoing, drinking and bike riding.  Don’t miss me too much (haha).  I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

*the title has nothing to do with anything, i just suck at naming posts and He Loves U Not was on