Chapter 1

Once upon a time there were five sisters who decided to take a foliage trip around the thumb of Michigan. They figured if they went around the thumb they couldn't get lost, they had to end up back where they began. They had a point and they did not get lost. Two of them were almost run over by a truck. Two of them tried to communicate with a gas station attendant that did not speak English. Using their best gestures and signals they tried to indicate the severity of their situation. The fifth sister, stuck in the back of the vehicle, tried to keep track of the other four. The brain they shared was put to a rigorous test. All of the elements were present for a typical Kemper Vacation (their parents would have been so proud.)

On Thursday at 4:00 one sister proceeded to leave her home in route to the second sister. She thought she had passed up second sisters home so she turn around and went back only to find out she hadn't passed her sisters home. She wasn't lost she was just confused.

After picking up the third sister and then forth they proceeded to Michigan to meet their fifth sister. Step one of the trip was completed, all five sisters were now together to begin their adventure. 

Friday morning was met eagerly by three of the sisters. Actually they called their other sisters and received a reply why are you calling so early its only 6:00. It was 6:00 her time, but it was 7:00 to the other sisters time. The last sister just moaned and groaned and snored, as her sisters discovered the time dilemma, watches were then synchronized.

While one sister continued to snore, one went in search of gym and the others went to the swimming pool. By 10:30 all where showered, dressed and fed and they began the next phase of the journey, shopping. The sister that did all the snoring was well rested and eager for the attack on the outlets (shopping was her passion.) Arriving at the outlet they jumped out (nobody fell) and headed for the Spiegel store (in memory of their mother). No purchases were made there; it was a disappointment to all.

Have no fear they were about to discover more deals then they ever imagined. From kitchen pots and pans to super sized bra bargains. (Eat your hearts out nieces.) Oh, but they did so well, their mom would have been talking about their bargains for years.

Next stop was a super-colossal, massive sized Christmas store full of bright colored, gleaming, glassy, crystalline, flashing, shimmering, twinkling, glorious, magnificent, Christmas items. They were flooded with wonder, and anticipation. After much searching they did find bargains among the many splendid things. They decided this would be a good place to return to some day. 

Tired and weary they stopped at a Chinese Restaurant. They arrived at their hotel to rest up for the next day on the road. Their vehicle had become smaller as they immerged from each store with a variety of items, but have no fear the vehicle was plenty big enough.

The next morning found two sisters walking the perimeter of a Michigan mall, two sisters swimming, and of course one sister snoring. As the sisters enjoyed their continental breakfast they talked about their childhood days. They noticed that the television in the breakfast room was becoming louder and louder. After receiving a dirty look from a fellow hotel resident the sisters proceeded to laugh their way back to the rooms. It seems the lady was interested in terrorism and not their childhood. 

It was raining as they loaded their vehicle for a day of they-didn't-know-what. Being that they were all so decisive it was hard to figure out what they would do so they just began their drive. They had an idea, stopping at a flower shop they proceeded to order flowers for a (daughter) niece for her birthday. That flower shop will never be the same after dealing with them. It was a small shop and when they all walked in it was full. 

They proceeded to drive through some beautiful foliage pointing out special scenes as they passed them. Then they saw it, standing so innocently on the corner, playground. On the playground were a wooden arc (like Noah had), train, and plane. It was irresistible. They had to play on it and so they did. Cameras in hand they began to figure out how they could take pictures of themselves on these wooden wonders. It wasn't easy, (they had to fight bees too) but they did it. It was a comical sight, I'm sure.

Next stop was a museum of anything and everything. It was free to the public. It was an old home in its original decor. They saw a bounty of stuff all of which was interesting but none of which belonged together. It was well worth the stop since it was free. (You get what you pay for.) Oh, and they even had a donut hole and apple cider free.

That evening they saw a merry-go-round in a mall and went to dinner at Damon's. These sisters became known as the Chicks and preceded to win their way into the trophy kingdom for their impressive answers to the Damon's quiz game. Their brain was working well. (Hooray for Claire).  One sister took a picture of the other four sisters as they held up the trophy. (I believe the other four embarrassed the one that took the picture.)

The following morning they took a trip the museum in Michigan. It was absolutely great. They had a very difficult time leaving the museum. You know how that goes, two people begin to move towards the exit and three find another room with more art. Then those three begin to leave only to find the other two have disappeared into who-knows-what room. They played ring-around-the-museum for a while but eventually they escaped into the dull rainy street. 

It was now time to begin their journey home. It wasn't quite as easy as it sounds. First of all just trying to get out of Detroit was an exercise in patience and determination. They could see the freeway but the way to it was hidden, until they turned the wrong way into a very scary (make-sure-the-doors-are-locked) area. Somehow they ended up on the right road in the right direction. It's a good thing they did, for they had a surprise in store for them.