North Manitou Island

The Overholt clan made it safely through our first backpacking adventure. We hiked 17+ miles around North Manitou Island in northern Michigan. Granted, we have a few scrapes, a couple of sore muscles, and a plethora of mosquito bites. Bryan and dad naturally had no problem with the hiking, and mom and I (the backpacking virgins) made it through our first experience remarkably well.

Here are a few of the highlights:
~getting seasick on the way to the island (that was only me)
~many beautiful views of lake michigan
~rarely seeing anyone else on the island-- being in the middle of nowhere
~reading for hours
~getting lost in the woods for a bit, but thanks to a compass, bushwhacking out
~a chipmunk breaking into our food bag on the last day, as well as chewing off part of our tent
~watching my dad whittle and fly a kite
~watching my mom break branches and pick up (steal) stones
~ digging holes...
~ not getting poison ivy (a small miracle)
~being able to be smelly/sweaty/hairy for 4.5 days

overall, it was a very successful family vacation. Pictures to come.

Washington DC

Hello from the capital! I'm currently in Washington DC visiting my engineer Julian Gonzalez. Tomorrow is my last day here-- the time has flown by. We've gone dancing, visited the Smithsonian of Art, walked around near the Capital building, gone swimming, cooked, watched movies gone to church and read the Bible together. After a month of not seeing each other, it has been wonderful to spend time together again. We are learning how difficult long distance relationships are, and how difficult it will be this coming year. These short visits are surely a blessing, although saying goodbye is always difficult. All in all, we've had a wonderful time :)
But not TOO wonderful ;)


[The picture is technically from the last time I was in DC (the 4th of July) but I haven't added any pictures from this time onto the computer yet. Deal with it.]

Shortly after I return to Sidney, the Overholt clan will be taking off to Michigan on a family backpacking trip. Prayers are welcome. We are all looking forward to being in nature and having the challenge of camping and "roughing" it, as well as doing it together while not killing each other. It promises to be a memorable experience.

And that's about it.