Saying farewell to Ann Arbor. But not goodbye...

Alas, this was my last full day in Ann Arbor for this trip, and plans have now been made to return next Spring, so that I can see Michigan without snow! Including the beautiful old hotel on Mackinac Island, filming location of the 1979 movie, Somewhere in Time, which starred Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.

Day 7 photos:

A Charlie Brown Christmas, plus Andorian sock monkey

Ian says goodbye to Dorothy!

The Andorian sock monkey explores Reed's amazing garage sale bargain!

It was definitely a Very Hello Kitty Christmas for Olivia!

When shall we three meet again?

I shall miss watching these icicles grow!

See you soon (I hope), Reed & Olivia!

More sights of Ann Arbor

The plan for today was yet another away mission, roaming around the sights of Ann Arbor and enjoying the falling snow. But what's that the Andorian Sock Monkey has picked up on the main viewscreen? A Borg vessel? We must investigate!

Day 6 photos:

Snowflake!

Snowman window art, Arcade Barbers, in Ann Arbor

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Streets of Ann Arbor, and Michigan Theater

Dawn Treader Books, Ann Arbor

Literary luminaries on this mural by Richard Wolk, painted 28 years ago, near the corner of
East Liberty & South State Streets. With Woody Allen, Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Hese (Hermann Hesse),
Franz Kafka and Anais Nin. It was recently restored by the original artist.

Ann Arbor's beautiful State Theatre

A good day's haul of goodies.
Reed and I unwittingly started a feeding frenzy with reduced-price Hallmark "Star Trek" ornaments!

Trudging around Ann Arbor, gleefully!

There was a flurry of activity just after breakfast on this brisk morning, as Olivia's team of "snow men" turned up with their equipment. In the summer months they mow the lawn; in winter they clear the paved areas of snow. No phone call needed; it snowed over the holidays, so here they are! They probably aren't used to excited Aussies peering through the window and photographing them as they work, though. Driveway cleared, it was off to the mall (Briarwood), hopefully to buy a few US-themed T-shirts in the post-Christmas sales, and to find somewhere nice for lunch!

Day 5 photos:

In come the snow blowers!

Santa's seal of approval?

Too much eggnog?

Definitely too much eggnog

More party animals at the mall

This cute snowman was built the day before by Max & Erma's wait staff.
(They had the boss's permission; it had been a slow day.) He was right outside our window table.

I amused them all by going outside in shirtsleeves to take more photographs of him!
Everyone kept asking - all day: "Aren't you cold?"

Dinner with the Kaleidoscopes (Jeff and his wife, of Kaleidoscope Books). Jeff brought pomegranate ale!

A White Boxing Day

And the snow kept falling! I really should give a plug for the lightweight New Zealand Merino long underwear, which was perfect for lumbering around in the snow of the streets of Ann Arbor, while staying comfortably warm.

Day 4 photos:

Ian and Olivia: in the snow!

We were satisfied to wander the paths of County Farm Park, and to ignore the Straddle jump.

Squirrel nest!

Nature trail squirrel

Remember the wings of Day 3's homemade Christmas angels? Milkweed pods, growing wild!

Snowfall in Ann Arbor's CBD.

Reed and Olivia in the Vault of Midnight!

Squirrel attempts to enter Jeffrey Pickell's amazing Kaleidoscope Books & Collectibles!

Kaleidoscope Books - and my haul! Thanks so much Jeffrey! What a great shop!

Either the vats through the glass are a microbrewery, or I found JJ Abrams' Engineering set
for the new "Star Trek" sequel. Enjoying Arbor Brewing Company's Milestone Cask Porter beer.

Snowfall in Olivia's street.