We visited some of the cemeteries in Ohio and Michigan where George's family members are buried. Dick and Judy sit awhile on a family gravestone after watering the plants. 
The rest of us quietly wandered the cemetery, reading headstones.
The family checked out the old family homestead. 
George's grandparents lived here, raising 8 children!
Well, as my Dad would say, "It is a little 'one-horse-town'. There are about 12 members of the North Adams Lions Club - devoted fund raisers who meet once a month. 
After dinner was served we listened to a presentation by Judy's daughter, Lora, on Leader Dogs for the blind.
This small Michigan town reminds me of 'The Waltons', a TV series I enjoyed decades ago. Down to earth, neighbors helping neighbors.
Magee Marsh covers about 2000 acres of wetlands. It is unique because it provides all of the components vital to a marsh system - beach ridge access, deep and shallow water, an open marsh and sedge meadow. 
These conditions provide a critical stopover habitat for migrating birds. 
We stopped for lunch here, then explored the walkway
.
I enjoyed walking in the tall grass along the beach.
We arrived safely home about 9:45 p.m., found a pile of newspapers in the chair on the front porch, and heard a very lonely cat inside.
We spent the Labor Day weekend north of Seattle at Shannon Creek Campground on Baker Lake. Nestled in the foothills of Washington's rugged North Cascades, Baker Lake lies in the shadow of two of the area's tallest mountains, Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan.
The weekend recreational areas were packed with noise and people - something we generally avoid. But, it was an enjoyable change, being a part of the fabric of humanity on a holiday, and we had a good time.
Listening to loons calling at dawn was a real treat. 
One man flew in his family on a private plane, so they could spend the day swimming.
We checked out every campground along our route through the Skagit Valley, to determine campsites for future trips. Whatcomb County's Silver Lake was packed with swimmers and sun-bathing.
The shoreline of Baker Lake is beautiful and varied, with lots of tree roots and stumps underwater. 
The water is incredibly clear and cold where this stream enters the lake. We paddled upstream as far as we could, then let the currant push us downstream. 
We spent an afternoon hiking along the shoreline of Baker Lake.
This dramatic beach was washed out in the flood of 2006. 
We took the eastern trail down toward Noisy Creek Campground.
Much of the food served on this camping trip was prepared ahead of time, so a meal could be served within minutes of arriving at camp. This was a smart move, because we didn't find a camping spot until about 4:30 in the afternoon!
After setting up our tent George went to fill the water jug, and I put on my apron to start dinner.
And, this wonderful crusty bread which I sliced and warmed in a skillet to bring out the flavor.
This meal was served after canoeing Baker Lake, after a hike along the shoreline - Rasam, cornbread, and fruit.
We stopped along the road near McMurray, Washington, to have lunch - vegetable soup and falafal burgers, pita bread and macaroni salad.
There was an old cement barrier pushed to the side of a trail. I used it as my camp kitchen.
I set out lunch items, water jug, and assembled my camp stove. 
There was just room for the car and our chairs along the side of a little pond rimmed with cattails. 
We hiked it after lunch, then continued our drive through the valley.
I bought a book on the history of McMurray at the General Store - "McMurray - Gone With The Trees" by Varee A. Bandazy. Paperback, used, from Amazon, $92.35. This little country store had some old copies on a shelf. I paid $5.00!
This is a little cabin near McMurray. As soon as we saw it, both of us laughed, and George said, "There's your place!" I wanted to stop and photograph it, but we were driving too fast. Found a photo on Flickr!
In Egypt Ful Medames is a working man's breakfast - fava beans in a spicy sauce, often mashed like hummus, and served with lots of olive oil, lemon, sliced eggs and pita bread.
I spiced the ful with home-canned harissa and ras el hanout. Side dish of rice and red beans, cornbread and Greek pita, and coleslaw.
A typical ful medames breakfast served by an Egyptian street vendor will have pita bread, pickled vegetables and fresh rocket leaves on the side.
Anthony Bourdain recently featured the cooking of New Orleans. I was inspired to cook red beans and rice, and some cornbread.
