You know, for a blog the info in this thing sure is out of chronological order….

On my way out of Big Rapids, I was surprised to see a sign for Cran-Hill Ranch. This is the summer camp I went to a few times in high school. As a self-absorbed teen who didn’t have to drive there himself, I had little idea where it was, though I suppose if you’d pressed me at the time I could have told you it was up north and about an hour away. Now I know.

I figured I was close enough for a short detour, so I took one. There it was, between Cranberry and Hillsview lakes. It’s been 30 years, so my memory was pretty hazy, but I recognized it immediately.

I’ve stopped for lunch in Big Rapids, home of Ferris State University. I have mixed feelings about the place. I am technically an FSU alumnus, having graduated from their art school in GR. When I later worked for them, the main campus in Big Rapids was the source of usually-indifferent but sometimes-helpful IT support. It was also the source of no help whatsoever with the unfair labor practices of the art school. Not that I’m bitter or anything.

The ride from GR has been pleasant enough, considering the weather. I’d forgotten how hilly it is NE of town, with my speed bouncing between 25 and 45 mph depending on which side of the hill I was on. It’s been mostly overcast, with the wind generally behind me. Not nearly as warm as the forecast threatened. The storm system I saw coming from Wisconsin earlier is passing just north of here, part of why I’ve stopped for lunch here and now.

The restaurant is Cranker’s Coney Island (“an eclectic eatery”) located a few blocks from campus. It’s a family restaurant type place, with sandwiches, full breakfast menu, and so on. I’m having a gyro and fries from their lunch menu: yummy.