NFL Off Season Compressed to a Few Short Exciting Weeks - 07/27/11 09:39 AM
With the labor negotiations for the NFL finally over, every team is now circling the wagons and taking advantage of what is left of the normal several month long off season.  Players on waivers are being released tomorrow, and already teams with salary cap room are feasting on the free agent market filling holes where talent is needed.
  However, I think we will see most of the exciting moves between Thursday and Monday of this coming week as the teams all scramble for lost time. 
Negotiations that normally would drag out for weeks and months are being condensed down to … (4 comments)

Spending Some Time Outdoors Adventuring with my Camera - 07/25/11 09:16 PM
This past weekend I decided to spend some time outdoors exploring.  I went to the Fort Custer Recreation Area located between Battle Creek and the village of Augusta, Michigan. 
It consists of 3,033 acres of land that was originally acquired and developed by the federal government to establish Camp Custer, a military induction and training facility during WWII.  The land was later deeded over to the State of Michigan to be used as a park under the Nixon Presidency in 1972. 
Fort Custer Recreation Area is a fabulous place to go hiking, mountain biking or even running.  The trails span over … (2 comments)

The Beauty of Fort Custer State Park - 07/25/11 01:36 PM
This past weekend I decided to take some time alone and return to one of my long forgotten joys in life which is hiking.  I have not found many places to hike in the last few years, and oddly enough, there was a place very close to Battle Creek that I had not explored. 
The Fort Custer State Park or also known as the 'Fort Custer Recreation Area'.  A few years ago the Michigan Department of Natural Resources changed all the names of State parks to 'Recreation Areas' which was the result of legislation passed.  I prefer the name State Park … (1 comments)

Big Winnings in July & Big Brothers Big Sisters - 07/22/11 01:01 PM
I am still going through my tons of photos I took at the Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival that was held here in Battle Creek, Michigan earlier this month.  I had gone to the event on Monday with my little brother from Big Brothers, Big Sisters and he wanted to visit the carnival section. 
While there he had to try his hand at shooting hoops at one of the booths.  Well, to the surprise of those running the booth, he cleaned up! 
Here he is with his winnings: a huge Curious George Monkey and a stuffed football. 
I … (6 comments)

Space... The Final Frontier... - 07/21/11 01:35 PM
I had to share this one.  Here I am at the NASA exhibit that was part of a moving expedition at the Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival in early July.  This was something you could climb a ladder and kind of climb into to pose for a photo. 
Or, if you have a even greater imagination, you can just picture me walking on the moon showing houses or vacant land to developers.  Imagine what that will be like?  'Too much moon rock over here Mr. Buyer, I suggest you consider the valley over there.  It has a better … (8 comments)

Ferris Wheels, Snow Cones & Funnel Cakes in July - 07/13/11 03:52 PM
On the 4th of July weekend I went to the Battle Creek Field of Flight & Balloon Festival held at the W.K. Kellogg Airfield.  Part of the event was a fair, complete with a ferris wheel and some other rides.  I took the photo below when walking around right at dusk when I first got there, and I thought it was kind of a typical scene one might see anywhere in the country in July. 
Just looking at it myself, it brings me back to all the times I went to the fair with my parents in the summer time.  
Funnel Cake anyone?  How … (8 comments)

The Farmers Market in Battle Creek, Michigan - 07/11/11 11:23 AM
One of my favorite personal finds in my area is the Farmers Market in Battle Creek, Michigan.  The Farmers Market is held each Saturday and Wednesday morning in downtown Battle Creek out side the McCamly Plaza.  Local farmers from around the region come to sell their goods and produce, and it is a great healthy alternative to the produce you find in a regular grocery store.
  Additionally, the prices are very competitive and the produce in many cases is larger and healthier looking as well.
My wife and I make the visit to the Farmers Market at least once a … (9 comments)

The Rocket Car That Did Not Impress - 07/09/11 10:05 PM
Last weekend at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival over the Independence Day weekend, there was an evening performance of a Rocket Car prior to the Fireworks show.  I did not really know much about the evening agenda, other than my wife and I went there to see the balloons and the fireworks show. 
Right after the 'Balloon Illume' which I have written about earlier in my blog, there was a wonderful air show with air planes flying in loops spitting flames from their wings against the darkened sky.  It was really sensational, and everyone around … (7 comments)

'Be Scene' On Air - My First Cable TV Appearance in Battle Creek, Michigan - 07/06/11 09:16 AM
Last month I was invited to do a panel interview on a local Cable TV show called 'Be Scene on Air'.  The show is a weekly show on Community Accessvision TV in Battle Creek, Michigan.  The CEO of the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS® Kathy Perritt, Bill Hanner, the President-Elect for 2012, and myself as President of the Board in 2011 were invited to the show to talk about the local Real Estate market. 
It was a fun experience, and the first time I had ever done a show of this sort with a panel discussion.  I can tell you it … (8 comments)

Independence Day Fireworks Grand Finale in Battle Creek, Michigan - 07/05/11 09:06 PM
At the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival there was a wonderful fireworks display held at the end of the evening on Sunday July 3rd, 2011. 
It was preceded by a Hot Air Balloon Illume (Short for 'Illumination' if you are unfamiliar with the term) and a night time air show with bi-planes throwing fire and shooting fireworks in the dark. 
It was quite an entertaining evening already, but nothing quite tops a 4th of July celebration than good old fashioned fireworks on a hot summer night.
The fireworks were so spectacular, and exciting, I thought I … (5 comments)

Independence Day Fireworks Highlights the Night in Battle Creek, Michigan - 07/05/11 08:48 PM
As a highlight of the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival held this past weekend, Sunday evening capped the days activities and events with a grand fireworks show in celebration of Independence Day across our nation.
As in many places across the nation over the 4th of July weekend, fireworks were the traditional highlight of the evening festivities.  Ours was held Sunday evening, with a proposed rain date of Monday evening, which never needed to happen as the weather was beautiful.
Our fireworks show was preceded by a Hot Air Balloon Illumination called a 'Balloon Illume' and a … (3 comments)

Night Air Show at the Battle Creek Field of Flight 2011 - 07/05/11 11:10 AM
Over the weekend my wife and I went to go see the Balloon Illume and Fireworks show at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival at the W.K. Kellogg airfield.  This is a huge annual fourth of July event that happens every year. 
Regretfully I had never actually attended the festival myself, and only watched fireworks from afar and chased balloons around town over the years. 
This year we went to go see the balloons illuminated at night, which I wrote another post about already on this.  A added treat was in store for us after the … (2 comments)

Balloon Illume Video - Battle Creek, Michigan 2011 - 07/05/11 10:26 AM
I would have to say that one of my most favorite things about living in Battle Creek, Michigan is the annual Balloon festival that is part of the Field of Flight and Air Show held each 4th of July weekend. 
This year, rather than just chasing the balloons around town, I went to the air show and attended the evening 'Balloon Illume' event that was held before the fireworks on July 3rd. 
A 'Balloon Illume' is where many of the balloonists bring in their balloons and light them up right at dusk, so you can see them illuminated.  This year we … (4 comments)

Balloon Illume at the Battle Creek Field of Flight & Balloon Fest 2011 - 07/04/11 09:58 AM
Last night I went with my wife to see the 'Balloon Illume' which was going to be featured right before the fire works show.  It is essentially an event where the balloon crews set up their balloons and light them up right as it gets dark so you can see the beauty of the balloons at night. 
It is quite a beautiful event, and last night there were approximately 15 to 20 balloons that set up for the event.  The balloons are a part of the Battle Creek Field of Flight and Balloon Fest which is an annual event on the … (2 comments)

My New AR Milestone: Crossing 200,000 points - 07/03/11 12:11 PM
Today on Sunday, the day before the 4th of July, 2011 I crossed over into 200,000 points on Active Rain!  I knew I was approaching the number, but I guess I was not really prepared to reach it.
I still feel that I am still learning every day on AR, and so in many ways still feel like a Newbie at times.  I can tell you we have some of the most amazing people collectively sharing ideas, experiences, new technology and just good fun than I have ever experienced anywhere else.
I want to thank all my friends that I have met on … (12 comments)

Battle Creek Balloon Festival 2011 - 07/03/11 11:28 AM
Every year in Battle Creek, Michigan on the 4th of July weekend our city hosts the Battle Creek Air Show & Balloon Festival.  This year is like no other.  We have the blue angels in town as part of the airshow, in addition to the balloons. 
This morning as I was having my morning coffee, I heard the sounds of balloons flying over the house again.  It was not as close as I experienced last year, but it I still managed to get a few photos.  I went out chasing them as well, to see if I could get closer.  I … (3 comments)

Sunday Challenge: How Much Did I Pay for These Items at the Turkeyville Flea Market on 4th of July Weekend? - 07/03/11 11:06 AM
Yesterday morning I drive over with my wife to the Turkeyville 4th of July weekend Flea Market.  It is annual 3 day flea market that is usually pretty interesting.  It has been a few years since I stopped by one, and this one is usually one of the better ones to go check out. It is located at 'Cornwell's Turkeyville' in Marshall, Michigan between Battle Creek and Marshall.
It is always fun to go walkthrough a flea market now and then.  You always find some incredible deals, but also you find a lot of junk.  However, I guess there is always something … (6 comments)

Organic Herbal Fishless Sushi - 07/02/11 04:59 PM
My wife and I have been dieting for the last two months, and we have lost a great deal of weight.  I have personally lost 30 lbs since the beginning of May. 
Being on a diet often means making sacrifices, and often gives one the idea of boring food.  The last few weeks my wife has been complaining about the lack of variety in the food, as we are limited to 500 calories a day.  (Really is is not as bad as that sounds, trust me.)
Anyway, because my perennial herbs are now growing in the back yard around my greenhouse, … (3 comments)

Flowers that Resemble Fireworks in July... - 07/01/11 03:28 PM
Every summer always brings a variety of flowers, in almost any part of the world.  One particular flower I always look forward to each summer which blooms in late June and early July in Michigan is Bee Balm.  Bee Balm is also known as Monarda, and many other names.  It is a herb, and can be used for teas.  It even historically was once used as an alternative to English tea imports during the times of the original tea party in Boston Harbor.  
The true wild varieties are found three colors: red, pink and lavender.  There are also some domestically grown … (8 comments)

 
Michael Delaware (Troxel Realty Co. LLC) Rainmaker_large

Michael Delaware

Battle Creek, MI

More about me…

Troxel Realty Co. LLC

Address: 720 Capital Ave SW, Battle Creek, MI, 49015

Office Phone: (269) 968-9293 x 211

Cell Phone: (269) 274-6102

Email Me

I enjoying looking at the lighter side of life. So, this blog is about my wacky observations, my sometimes sideways point of view and the Southwest Michigan, Battle Creek Area Real Estate Market.

Follow MichaelDelaware on Twitter

  




View Michael Delaware, CRS's profile on LinkedIn




Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog