Goodbye, Clara

When I was a very little girl my I took my first train ride, leaving from Lansing's Union Depot and going to Detroit to meet my favorite author, Carolyn Haywood, at Hudson's department store. I don't remember a lot about that day apart from meeting the author and then sitting on the floor of the women's clothing department reading my book while my mother shopped. But I also remember the train ride.

Years later that train depot was decommissioned and purchased privately, eventually becoming a restaurant known as Clara's.

It was filled with antiques including Tiffany lamps (some authentic, some reproductions), chandeliers, a classic clock and other treasures, many from throughout the community.

Clara's became a popular gathering place for all kinds of occasions. I'd often meet friends there for lunch, particularly enjoying their thin-crust pizza (a food discussion upon which there was no clear-cut agreement!). When my friend Suzanne came home, it was often a key stopping point!


My family gathered there after my uncle Martin's burial service to share memories -- a classic Lansing family in a classic Lansing restaurant.

And on happier occasions, it was the site of meetings. Rick first met my friends Mike and Kate there and it is where Kevin introduced Rick and me to Molly, the wonderful woman he would make his wife.

The restaurant was well converted into a lovely, comfortable, reasonably priced place. Details were maintained. The hostess station was the old ticket booth.

And eventually a dining car was added as an extension to the restaurant.

Clara's closed this month. After 37 years, the owners were faced with huge needs for renovation -- resurfacing the parking lot and replacing an expensive roof among them.

Road construction that lasted for several years on the street outside caused a business drop and it just didn't seem as feasible as it once did.

So, Rick and I joined Mike and Kate for a last supper at Clara's. We weren't alone.



The place was packed and it seemed like everyone had a camera in hand. We certainly did!

As we walked through taking photos of the old metal piece from the original R.E. Olds mansion that was at the foot of the steps, I couldn't help but think about my many good times there.

         

I took a last look at my favorite pieces, like the three monkeys painting (which doesn't show up all that well here, but is simply magical).

 

The bar was cozy.

And I always loved sitting on the upper level where you had a wonderful view of everything and everyone.



There will be other restaurants, other pizzas, other lovely spots. And perhaps one day another establishment will move into this space and maintain some of the tradition and casual elegance.

But Clara's will indeed be missed in our community -- most certainly by me!

Lights out.

Time to go.

A Little More North Carolina!

Our second day in North Carolina was a little bit family, a little together, a little solo. In the morning, Rick took off for a bike ride on the mountainous roads. The elevation from his dad's home drops about 3,000 feet from the top of the mountain down and it's up and down all the way after that! As for me, it was a bit of shop-and-sight-see time!

Kathy loaned me her car and I took off, landing first at a fabulous kitchen shop and then a wonderful antique mall where I did a bit of damage with some brown transferware, an original program to the Ethel Merman Broadway cast of "Gypsy" and a few Christmas presents. By then it was time to meet Kathy for lunch, and then we cruised by Grandfather Winery.

No, we didn't sip. But she wanted to show me how it was different from the Linville Falls winery the day before. While both are built into a hill and had the same lovely environment, Linville was more of a "California" style, while Kathy described Grandfather's as more of a French Bordeaux style.

As for me, I thought it simply lovely (and made a small purchase in the shop, of course!)

We got home and had a call from Rick. He needed the rescue squad! After a long ride up and down the hills and mountains, he was pretty sure he wouldn't make it back from Banner Elk and up the mountain with much left! So, his dad and I picked him up!

As soon as he cleaned up, he and I headed off to Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.



This classic building was founded in 1883 and remains a working general store and post office.



I found a few more gifts (and presents for me) there, while enjoying the delightfully quirky and homespun style of the store.

Included in my check out were yellow grits, some table linens and a nice piece of cheery oilcloth.

We couldn't leave without having a soda in a glass bottle from the cooler...

...and enjoy the sweeping back porch on a lovely early summer day.

We had dinner in Banner Elk and then while Dick and Kathy were at a concert, Rick and I took a long walk in a beautiful area near the Lees and McCrae campus.



It was quiet, warm but not hot or sticky, and the rushing water added its own coolness.



It was a perfect place for quiet contemplation...



... and a walk in the woods.

There was duck-robatics in the pond...

And babies to admire!

The resident ducks and geese pecked for food...

...and when they thought they might have an extra handout, followed closely!

All in all, a perfect day.

I leave you with a last look at the water...

...and another beautiful sunset.

Back to Michigan!