The kite strings that came with the kite worked their way into a tangled mess when I first tried to fly it, so we got in the car on Sunday and shot up to Mackinaw. On the way there we ran into a bit of excitement. Just North of Pellston a bunch of emergency vehicles were making their way through traffic and pulling into the airport. Naturally, I pulled off to the side of the road to let them by me. Once they passed I drove a bit further and there were probably 30 or so cars lined up along side the road. My first thought, since people were watching, was maybe it was some kind of drill...or maybe even the end of some kind of parade. I pulled into the township hall and asked a bystander what was going on. She replied "I think this airplane is going to crash in a minute." So I looked around...and everybody was standing outside of their cars with cameras and cell phones pointed to the sky. All I kept thinking to myself is "How can all of these people...when someones life is in danger...stand here and gawk and stare like they are watching a movie on television? How is it that no one seems concerned for those in the plane?" So we turned the car around and started out the driveway. Another thought came to mind. "What if the plane hits us?" Hehe. That scared me a bit...but as we were about to leave the plane gently glided onto the grass next to the runway. As we watched it come down I realized there was no landing gear. So apparently the plane had some issues and the guy flying it was pretty darn talented and new how to land his plane without wheels. :P I congratulate him for that! There was no fire, smoke or explosions...so I am sure all the people who were ready with video cameras were a bit disappointed. I am very happy for all who were aboard the plane though. I read the article in the paper today and everyone was just fine. The plane had apparently taken off from Harbor Springs shortly before experiencing electrical issues and having to land without gear in Pellston. I am just glad to know that everyone was okay...including a 79 year old man.
Anyway...to the kite strings. We went to Mackinaw to the Mackinaw Kite Co. and found some strings with some help from one of the women working. She was very nice and even showed me how to properly tie the strings to the kite. It all made sense once I saw it done... :P I felt a bit stupid for trying to get them tied the way I did the other day...but I was not discouraged. We made our way to Sturgeon Bay by way of Carp Lake. We wound our way to the state park and found HUNDREDS of people...and cars...lined up along both sides of the road by the beach. That was a bit disappointing because we could not even find a place on the beach to sit for a few minutes. We crossed over onto the dunes side of the road and got the kite ready to rock and roll. Within a few minutes it was in the sky...and then *THUD*. Not bad for a first try. Next try...up in the air...*THUD*. Dang it. Third time is a charm...up in the air...maybe for a minute and then *THUD* again. It was kind of a never ending process until we both got frustrated...and on the last flight it stayed in the sky for a couple minutes. Of course then...*THUD*. So we packed it up...feeling extremely accomplished...and hit the road to Cross Village. We took M-119 all the way back to Harbor Springs and went home.
So the weekend was not a complete loss...it was relaxing and gave us a chance to just hang out.
Goodnight from Northern Michigan!
-Derek
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