Vacation » Jim Shields Photography

Category Archives: Vacation

Aug 20 2012

Mini Vacation 2012

Well this past weekend Deb and I headed out for a mini vacation to the Lake Michigan side of our beautiful state. We started out on Friday after Deb got off work and our first stop was Grand Haven, Michigan, where we wandered around through the town before heading off to our hotel in Holland, MI, which was just 20 minutes away. This particular weekend was one of the busiest weekends of all for hotels in Michigan since I tried approximately 50 other hotels up and down the western coast of Michigan. It seems this is one of the last weekends before the kids go back to school so finding a hotel on this coast was almost impossible. We were both very pleased with the Hampton Inn in Holland, MI, which was absolutely wonderful. Apparently it was just recently renovated and everything about this hotel was above my expectations. Sometimes I don’t like to make reservations at a hotel where I don’t know anyone who has previously visited, but this weekend I had to since finding a room anywhere was difficult.

On Saturday we headed to downtown Holland to wander around the shops before heading to Saugutuck for the rest of the day. I believe Saugutuck is one of those towns that just never ends, however I think we made a good dent on hitting every single shop in that town, and a few bars as well for lunch and refreshments. Once we got back to our hotel in Holland we enjoyed the pool and whirlpool, along with taking advantage of our free drink from the hotel, before going out to dinner for some great seafood. Deb and I were pretty tired after all that walking but on Sunday we headed to South Haven to wander around and shop before getting on the road to home. I’m not sure Deb and I have ever walked as much as we did this weekend but we had lots of fun and weather was absolutely amazing. Not too hot and not too cold, just perfect I would say.

So before we left I was thinking I wouldn’t take my camera on this trip, so what was I thinking. Taking pictures is what I love to do so here are just a few of our trip. Enjoy!

Sep 09 2010

Canadian Lakes 2010 – a little R & R

Over the holiday weekend we were able to spend a few days up at my brother-in-law and sister-in-laws place at Canadian Lakes for a little R & R. I had every intention of bringing my computer to get some editing done but in my hurry to get out the door on Saturday morning I forgot the computer. I had worked a wedding the night before till very late and my wife was already at the lake so it was up to me to get out the door with everything I was supposed to bring on my own. Guess that didn’t work out too well but I didn’t forget much more than my computer. I think that was Somebodies clue to leave it home and relax. Oh well, I would have worked too much as the weather was not so good. The pictures below of the sunset have no enhancements at all. That is exactly how it looked for only about 5-10 minutes. It was breathtaking. I think I posted a picture on Facebook taken with my cell phone but it didn’t do the scene I was seeing any justice at all. It was a great time to spend with family. Moments like that can never be taken away so you have to grab them while you can.

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Jul 19 2010

Canadian Lakes 2010..a little R & R

We just returned from Canadian Lakes for our semi-annual trek for some fun in the sun. Many thanks for all who put off the July 4th celebration until this past weekend so I could attend too. I was quite busy on the holiday weekend shooting weddings. Their was quite a wipeout on the tube this year and since no one was hurt too bad I thought I would use a slideshow for that sequence of shots. My camera is quite capable of locking on to a subject with a very high rate of frames per second. I just happened to be locked on for this sequence so you will see it’s lucky no one was hurt too badly. Poor Alex took a good shot to the stomach and was sore afterwards, which you will see on one of the images as he hits the water at a high rate of speed. And I think we instructed David to actually let go of the tube next time. A great time was had by all and we returned on Sunday to attend the funeral of my wife’s Aunt Jeanette. She will be missed but we all know she is in a better place now.

Feb 22 2010

Vacation 2010…that’s a wrap!

Well our vacation is now over and it’s time to get back to work. Can’t believe last Friday I was getting sunburned at the pool and today I shoveling myself out from all this crazy snow. Oh well, that’s why we love Michigan so much. A special thanks goes out to my Dad and Gail who were such good hosts for our week in Florida. We had a great time relaxing with the two of them and watching the Olympics. I have to admit I’m not sure I’m ready for retirement living yet. I think I would go crazy with nothing going on all day. Here is a picture of a Cypress tree (I think) that I photographed on Friday evening when we went out to dinner. I thought it looked best in black and white. Now it’s back to work for me.

Feb 15 2010

Vacation 2010-Just Another Day

I took a walk this morning and see they turned the heater on in the Jacuzzi and the pool. It was only about 40 degrees outside but they are expecting it to get to 70 today. They must be thinking someone might actually use them today, maybe even me. I know 70 doesn’t sound all that warm but when I checked the weather for Sterling Heights it said the high is only 29. I will take 70 over 29 any day. Gotta go get my suit on. See ya!