I recently went on vacation with my family. Some things I learned.
• 72 M.P.H. in a Jeep Wrangler with its top down is a great way to spend an afternoon… once you’re secure in the knowledge that no luggage or people will fly out the back.
• “Intimidating” is the only way to describe how Lake Michigan can change from hour to hour.
• When racing his brother, boys can run forever.
• The prospects of our country’s two presidential options are no less depressing in the presence of beautiful scenery and/or mini golf.
• Happy Hour #1: When cocktails begin.
• The freedom of owning a business comes with the absolute inability to find freedom from that business… not that that’s a bad thing.
• Not all electric stoves are created equal.
• Happy Hour #2: When cocktails continue and children go to bed.
• Dogs enjoy getting away, too.
• 10 conference calls over 7 days is excessive.
• Charlevoix, MI is really coming into its own… great Northern Michigan town.
• There’s a rusted-out shipping container along U.S. 31 with “Go Trump ☺” spray-painted on it. Seems appropriate.
• There are some really solid, salt-of-the-earth, good people out there going about their lives, working hard, and they are a pleasure to meet and get to know. Talking to them offers a fascinating perspective on all that we who work in and around the political realm take way too seriously and think is so, so very important.
• At least for one boy, 9 is the age at which goofy teen-age sitcoms literally become
fall-on-the-floor funny.
• You can’t overestimate the excitement a child experiences from a donut.
• Don’t underestimate the joy a child gets from simply staying at home and playing with friends. Wish I’d know this BEFORE planning a vacation.
• Beer at lunch tastes better than at any other time of day.
• Five-year olds love setting and saying "booby traps," and it's not even because of the word booby... yet.
• Chopping wood sucks, but is better than conference calls.
• Happy Hour #3: When a child is napping and you realize you are just a few hours away from Happy Hour #1.
• The secret life of pets. R.I.P Ricky.
• One of the best views in Michigan is from atop the National Cherry Festival Ferris wheel.
• It’s important to work with good people. I didn’t really learn this on vacation. I’ve always known it. But vacation always brings the needed reminder.
• Pokemon Go is a “game” and not a malicious virus that attacked my Twitter feed.
• Excellent pizza is hard to find, but once you find it all feels right.
-- Matt