Deer Fear and A Beautiful Place

One morning, before the sun was up I was on my way to the Fall Fairy's house. I was concentrating on driving in the dark. I don't see very well and instead of looking for deer (which I usually do), I was wanting to catch the cars in the distance so I wouldn't have to struggle so hard to see. As I pushed harder on the gas, going hmmm perhaps 55-60 mph or so, out of nowhere a huge body flew across the road filling my entire windshield. Now I saw no head, nor feet, just body filling my eyes. I know that buck must have had a full blown rack of antlers. I only had time to tap the brakes and I'm telling you I know not how but we did not collide which I am sure would have taken both of us to an early death. Fifteen minutes later my heart was still racing.  I now have what is known as Deer Fear. (I made that up :) So when Handsome asked me if I wanted to take an 8 hour drive with him into the heart of deer country, of course I said... yes...

We drove and drove and drove and drove...we saw large splashes of red on the road...scenes of untimely deer deaths and who knows about the drivers...dusk was falling rapidly, we watched earnestly for big brown eyes, hopefully still at the side of the road...we saw a fawn and then came to a town where the houses lined the road we were on...Betcha we can relax.......nope, out trips Bambi's mom and 2 teenage deer.  Finally, we made it to the hotel.

We could sense that the lake was very close, but in the deep dark we could not see it.
The hotel staff had made a bonfire and we were able to toast marshmellows and make s'mores. Our room was lovely, luxurious and I felt thoroughly princess-like and spoiled.

In the morning we had breakfast and the restaurant overlooked the lake which was a stone's throw from the hotel...we walked the beach and collected pink rocks. Handsome was not feeling well and spent most of the afternoon in bed. He said that he was glad I was with him and I have treasured that comment ever since.

So beautiful and big ... although after Saturday night there were only 5 cars in the lot (besides the staff). Off season you know ... kind of reminded me of The Shining (although that movie made us laugh). We did feel as if we should be seeing some ghostly forms walking the long corridors.

Yep, we were right the lake is RIGHT THERE. By that tree, see those rocks, that's the fire pit.

Pampas grass so lovely in the wind.

Can't believe there were still leaves on the trees...it was mid to late November after all.

"I want to take THAT one home", I said. He tried, but he couldn't quite do it.

Such a lovely room with balcony and kitchenette. The linens were so soft and pristine white.

I wanted to upload more photos, but blogger wouldn't let me.  I tried 3 times and I am ready to throw the computer through a window.  But I digress as the Fall Fairy would say.

 We started for home later in the morning ... we learned it was opening day of hunting season ... We stopped at the strangest McDonald's for lunch and what to our wondering eyes did appear but a pick up truck with a really big buck in the bed. Now I am no tree hugger, but the sight of a gutted deer is just not what I want to follow behind on a two lane road for miles...couldn't they cover them up...we were glad to get closer to civilization where Handsome manipulated the spaghetti-like toll ways and express ways in quite a wonderful fashion avoiding any traffic jams and hot spots just in time for us to pick up Sargie poo poo before it was dark! He is amazing (Handsome is).

It was a really nice trip, but we were glad to be out of the car. Beautiful place, but we still think the UP trumps. I feel I should be talking about Christmas, but I really wanted to share this story with you.