Parading Around - Week of July 3rd

“A procession is a participants' journey, while a parade is a performance with an audience.”
~Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking

For the last several years, Cam has been attending the Cascade Township Fourth of July Parade right near our house.  This was the first occasion when he wore the police costume for his powerchair to be in the parade.  The bike parade began at 10am and everyone was welcome to join.  Chris walked with his proud son while Jane waited to see her boys, patiently sitting in a camp chair on the corner of 28th and Cascade.

The Raisch fam saw Cam right at the beginning of the bike procession and snapped some pics for us.
The homemade floats with local businesses are always fun to see.  Many folks throw out treats for the kids.  Buddy Megan, helping out with one of our local ice cream places, Jam N Bean, ran right over to Cam to be sure he was getting enough candy.

Cam insisted on driving his SWAT vehicle
to the end of the procession and then came back to watch the parade with his mom.  Immediately following the floats, fire trucks and police cars is an outdoor fun area set up right outside the library.  Games, a petting zoo, and rides were in full force.  We dined on hot dogs and chips for lunch, trying to stay in the shade.  It turned out to be a very warm day, so after seeing some animals and checking things out, we decided to head back home.  Some good advice: "If you're watching a parade, make sure you stand in one spot, don't follow it, it will never change.  And if the parade is boring, run in the opposite direction, you will fast-forward the parade."


On Thursday, we were invited to tour the Columbian Logistics company, right by Cam's house, with our cousins.  Aunt Betsy's (maiden name, Zevalkink) family has been a part of the business since its inception.  Her kids and grandkids were visiting from all over- Chicago, Vermont, and South Africa!  The tour was informative and interesting.  Columbian has grown from a single public warehouse, cross-dock delivery business to a multiple warehouse facility business, which provides a full array of 3rd party logistics services, including Contract Warehousing, Food Logistics, Foreign Trade Zone, Dedicated Transportation, and Transportation Management.

Each one of the bags of that Cam is looking at weighs 2000 lbs. Cam really liked the forklift machine and seeing how high it could go.

In 1924, Barend Zevalkink, coined the phrase “not service at cost, but service at any cost,” to describe his commitment to service. Over the years, that commitment evolved into their core value of legendary customer service becoming the heart of the business. Today, Columbian Logistics Network is run by 4th generation brothers, John and Jim Zevalkink and is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Many thanks to Aunt Betsy for including us!

The weekend brought our standard trip to the cottage.  Saturday was a blustery day and Cam came up with the idea of digging out the kites from the basement.  Luckily, Oma knew right where they were!
The kites flew high and the sun shone brightly.  Chris and Jane battled the waves in the kayak while Cam opted for beach playtime with Oma.  Grandma and her grandson do have the best sand bakery around and create all sorts of dessert delights.

Oma and Opa treated us to a five star dinner to celebrate Chris' birthday (a little early) with perfectly marinated steaks, fresh vegetables, corn on the cob and homemade chicken tenders (yes, Cam is spoiled!)
To top off that delicious spread, a real dessert, the famous Ryke's cake appeared, complete with favorite ice cream choices.  Oma and Opa sure do know how to make their family feel loved and special!

An extra added benefit to top off a great day was the spectacular Lake Michigan sunset bursting colors all around.  We urge you to find one and experience its beauty as soon as possible.

Imagination is the highest kite one can fly. ~Lauren Bacall 

Camology Quotes:

While in the car, we were discussing what we should do for dinner out 
to celebrate Chris' birthday next week...

"You know what would be pretty cool?"
What's that, Cam?
"If we took Dad to the restaurant where they say 'Yee-Haw' when it's your birthday!" (It's Texas Roadhouse if anyone wants to make future bday plans!)