3 animals I could watch all day. Bald Eagles, Hummingbirds, and Dolphins!

My friend Alvin narrating this!

There were indications the Armstrong Elevator was for Neil but I'm always going to assume Louis! LOL beautiful sunrise. Then Detroit and GR! Played with Pat Cronley at his jazz on wheels in Flint. Met some new friends. Was so great to catch up with my dear friend John Hill! Then traveled up to Traverse City for a BWK gig and had a really fun night with the band. I'm not ready for cold weather! Thanks to Mike and Tonya Hamann for their hospitality and so much more. Good to see Mom Hamann! Thanks to my Pops for the use of his car. Made it back to FL for my last week before starting work at WMBI. Few more nights at the Jetty!

I had a very quick but relaxing time in Key Largo after my dolphin adventure. 

Bucket list item accomplished! Not quite swimming with dolphins but at this age the closest thing. I have loved dolphins since being a little kid. I have gone to the jetty to watch dolphins every night that I can since being here. I made my way down to Key Largo and had a platform experience at Dolphins Plus. Everyone was very nice, I learned some things about dolphins and was a great experience to be up close with a dolphin. Thankful for the opportunity. 

 Well, a rough day for the  West Michigan Jazz Community. Two passings of fellow musicians. Jeff Beavan and Kathy Lamar. We have not only an incredibly talented community but it's a close community. I owe so much to this community. I knew Jeff better than I knew Kathy as I didn't start sharing the bandstand with Kathy until later. She was always very kind and complimentary to me and I was always grateful for any opportunity I was able to have to play a gig with her. Above picture by Bruce Robey

​I played with Jeff for many years. Mostly on drums I think. On the Colley & Company, Jeff may have not made that gig, but I can't remember why.

​ I could always count on Jeff to keep me laughing. Two "Jeffisms" I tell people a lot. 

Both of these I was playing drums with him and we got done with a song and he says, "Max, I have two words for you" "Taste Tee" LOL
Then they let me pick a tune and I counted it off really fast, half way through the song he leans over to me and says, "Max, think of the children" LOL 

I'm so thankful for my West MI Jazz Community and even more than making music with these two musicians, I will miss the fellowship we have on and of the bandstand! 

Very bummed to see not 1 dolphin but the sunset was beautiful!

This jetty I go to every night I can is my favorite spot in FL. Always has been since I've been coming. However, the dolphins have not been out as much. Only saw 1 or 2 tonight. However it was fun to watch this pelican eat a fish whole and a time lapse of the sunset. Enjoy!

I have been going back and forth between Fl & MI this summer for gigs. I have one more back and forth between being home for good. For the first time in all my trips to Mackinac Island, I actually got up early and walked around the whole island. I ended up doing 9 miles. My feet paid the price the next few days and the airport was not fun, but I had such an enjoyable time and felt I pretty much had the island to myself. Unfortunately, my phone camera did not work for a few days and about half way around I shut it off and back on which fixed it, but so many pictures I was excited about did not come out including a great sunrise. In the airport in Atlanta, I made some friends. A  French Horn player and violinist who were so kind and we knew many of the same people. Upon returning back, I had a nice visit with Mom and Dad Townley! 

I'm staying a mile from Oscar Schere Park. While they have bald eagles and are known for the scrub jays, it was like a heat index around 100 degrees, so I didn't see much. I did see the animal I hate most snakes. A guy told me this one was harmless but I hate them all! I walked 5 miles and probably over did it as I was wondering if I was going to make it to my car. Then of course back to the Jetty the last two nights. Fun watching the manatees swim close to the people. 

I taught James Suggs many years ago when I was working with kids from East Kentwood. I lost track of him after he moved a few years later. Then I found him on Facebook years ago and saw he became a professional trumpeter and educator. A few years back we did a concert together and then last night I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him again doing a Louis Armstrong Tribute. I'm so proud of James and so happy to see this community love and support James. The rest of the musicians were awesome and so kind and welcoming to me. Of course it was so fun to play with Mr. John Lamb again. Also had the pleasure of finally meeting James sister in person. Unfortunately the picture looks like I'm joining Blue Man Group! LOL My 58 minute drive ended up taking an hour and a half to get there for no apparent reason. That was frustrating and went through a pretty good storm on the way also. Florida life! Thanks James for having me and thanks for keeping Pops's music alive! 

Have only seen 1 dolphin since being back but the manatee were active tonight. Also a cool sunset and cool lightning. 

First time at the Jetty without seeing any dolphins. I think the department of tourism stopped paying them once they found out I wasn't moving here! Cool parrot a guy brought however. Also stopped at Cracker Barrel and saw the Louis Armstrong records!

When I go to the cemetery, I don't stay long. I see it has holy ground. I call it Talia's Heaven Portal. I thank God for the time with Talia. Make sure the flowers are good and then leave. For whatever reason, I really was thinking about the service I did. It was very special because all my family came. Talia did not want a funeral so I just did this with family. Handed out her favorite blue roses and also she loved macaroons. Esther made some beautiful comments. I shared some verses on passing to Heaven. It was not too long at all. There were complications with the township which was frustrating but I also had a very kind event happen on the way to the ceremony. What was weird was I thought about that a lot while I was visiting this time for whatever reason. When I got home later my Facebook memory for that day was it was the exact day 3 years ago that this happened. 

Stopped quick to see my dear friends Dale and Sandy! Before I needed their services, they were my biggest "fans". They would come to any public gig I have in support of me. Then I needed them to take care of Talia when she passed. I was just talking with Sandy that she was the last person to see Talia on this earth. Can't thank them enough for all the love they've shown to me over the years!

While the wildfire smoke from Canada is not great for breathing, it causes some interesting sunsets. I also had to get a picture of this gold finch from my Dad's house. 

I had 3 gigs with BWK. Battle Creek, Traverse City, and Gull Lake. I enjoy the camaraderie with the fellow musicians. We have a lot of fellowship and good food. My friend Jen is the owner of the mansion in Battle Creek. It is such a cool place. One of Talia's favorite flowers were right in front of me on one of the gigs. Fun weekend. I also had a rototom solo. LOL I have to say how much I love playing with my friend Jordan Richards on bass a former Northview grad and John Gist and I  really work on musical things on these gigs. We are working on our sound together, phrasing, intonation. Nice to get to that level. Also on the 3rd gig we celebrated bass friend Robert Pace's birthday

Flew home from West Palm Beach. Went past some storms. Saw a lot of other planes in the air. I think the one city may be Lexington. 

My friend Jeff Uban had me out to work with his kids for a camp before school starts. Had a good time working with his brass and percussion students. 

Then I had so much fun meeting up with my friend Markus Howell's parents. I love seeing the environments people grow up in and his parents were so soulful and I was so happy to have the chance to meet them. 

Then typical FL creatures. The thing is, I didn't take these at the zoo or something, I took them while I was pumping gas in my car. LOL 

Love the Jetty!