Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:30 p.m. in "The City."

Yes my loyal readers, you read that time right. I got up early this morning to write my blog, only to find that my computer and its associated operating system had artificially determined that an update was needed. That update took several hours, so I went back to bed.

The Small Craft Advisory ended @ 2:00 p.m., only to be replaced by a Gale Warning from 2:00 p.m. today until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow. Southwesterly Gale Force Winds up to 40 knots will gradually shift to west gales tonight and north gales tomorrow until it is all over for the shores of the "Big Lake" from St. Joseph to Manistee. The surf is definitely going to be up!

Yesterday, Mary and I journeyed to one of the newer parks in the Ottawa County Parks system, Ottawa Sands park. As of now, the park consists of undeveloped lands that surround a small lake and border on the Grand River. We like the park as it is, but there are big plans to develop the property for the "enjoyment" of all of the citizens of Ottawa, County. Two different, yet similar, Master Concept Plans have been developed for the property. 

Many people like the property as it is, while others think that the property needs to be more accessible, That's according to Jessica VanGinhoven, Communications Specialist for the Ottawas County Parks. Those   plans include: camping areas with cabins, yurts, and a treehouse, paved trails, a boardwalk to overlook the lake and another to overlook the river, boat docks, etc. You get the idea. Take what is a beautiful piece of nature and make it look like a Theme Park version of America. Sigh.

This is a pic of the property as it is currently configured, courtesy of the Ottawa County Parks and the Grand Haven Tribune website.

I took along my trusty Olympus DSLR camera and took over one-hundred shots during our brief sojourn at the park. There are so many of interest, but I'll only include some that piqued my interest the most.

Located in Ferrysburg, the park is accessible by the road that also leads to Coast Guard Park.

A small sailboat at rest on the Grand River.

As we headed into the park.

The sun through the trees looking to the west.

Pristine. The only fishing allowed is catch and release. No boats nor swimming, as of yet. 

A milkweed pod at the edge of the trail.

Same here.

Looking northeast from the main trail

While I love industrial shots, sometimes natural is also attractive to me. 

Trails have been cut, but gravel paving exists only on the main trail

Fall colors are in full splendor.

Not industrial, but very photogenic.

Just because.

Also yesterday, I passed my annual Medicare Wellness Exam yesterday with flying colors, just like our POTUS. I can hear, I can see, I can walk etc. Plus, I got my over-65 flu shot yesterday too. Apparently, once you are of a certain age, you need a stronger vaccination. Not to mention, it is one more way to minimize any confusion with Covis-19 symptoms. All of that is a way to address that I am now one of the population that is labeled as elderly. 69 is not the new 49, no matter what anyone says. You make accommodations and get on with life.. So, I feel good, I am not as spry as I used to be, but life is good.

This afternoon, we accomplished the indoor chores and I have to go out and rake some leaves into our curbside yard waste recycling bin and then roll the bin to the curb. That's what I mean by getting on with life. It goes on and you do as much or as little as you want or can on any given day. Ciao.