Day 11 - Mason and Lansing MI

Well, it started out another beautiful day...sunny and low 60's...but turned to clouds and rain around 4:00.  But it's funny...even the rain wasn't bad.  We spent the day with Teresa and the boys touring Mason and Lansing and had lunch at a "local" deli in Lansing.  At 6:00 we went to Bryan's ballgame...enjoyed seeing him play even in the rain.  Then we had to say our good-byes...they have to work and we are leaving for Mackinaw City tomorrow morning.  It was sad leaving them and, yes, I "teared up" as I always do...but we reflected on the way back to the motorhome about what a great week it has been. We'll just be thankful for this time and look forward to the next time! 

Mason, Michigan

Mason is the only city in the U.S. that serves as a county seat ahead of a state capital (Lansing) located in the same county.  As a result, Michigan is the only state in the country with a capital city that is not also a county seat.  Some of the Hugh Jackman movie Reel Steel, to be released in Nov. 2011, was filmed at the Ingham County Courthouse in Mason. Now, aren't you glad you asked!

Bryan's School (Mason Middle School)

Raynor Park

The Little Pink School House was built in 1854, and is located in Bicentennial Park. The families who built the schoolhouse had brought all of their leftover paints together, mixed them together, and had pink!

The county fair is in August, before the first snow in the fall.

Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State Capital

The capital grounds were filled with tents, exhibits, and senior citizens for "Older Michiganians Day". 

We decided it may take a while to tour inside...particularly to get through security...so we just did a "walking tour" of the city.

One of the labor unions is paying these 2 guys to stand there holding this sign everyday.  They have been their several months. 

The building in the middle is where Teresa works.

Marijuana for medicinal purposes is legal in Michigan, so there are lots of "Medical Marijuana" stores downtown.

Mason had a really bad storm several weeks ago and all of these utility poles were on the ground along with many others on the other side of the road.  They all had to be replaced.

Bryan's ballgame...played in the rain.