Friday, May 25, 2018, Leelanau Sands Casino, Sutton's Bay, Grand Traverse Lighthouse

One of these days I will have to drive a long way and I will not remember how - today was just 24.0 miles (87,057.1 total) to the Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown, MI. That might be one of the most bizarre town names of the places we have stayed to date. During much of our drive along Michigan highway 22, or M 22, we could look over and see Lake Michigan. That made the short drive even more pleasant. Leelanau Sands offered parking with 50 amp power and a view of the lake for $10/night - quite reasonable compared to most options in the area.

RV area is at the north end of the parking lot across the street from the casino. You must sign up for a players card and pay in the gift shop (two-week limit).

We found ourselves with most of the day ahead of us after we settled in at the casino, so we took a drive to Sutton's Bay a few miles south of our campsite.

I was told about a telescope shop that I would find interesting and I was anxious to visit. The owner taught astronomy for 30 years at a nearby college. On the side, he opened a store he named Enerdyne where he sells anything he finds interesting or related to science. He certainly had a lot of fun "toys" that I would love to have if I only had the space in our little home on wheels.

 

We walked along North St. Joseph Street (the main street through Suttons Bay) for a while and looked in a few shops and galleries. We are not very tempted by art or designer clothes or nicknacks, so we escaped with nary a purchase.

Later, we still were not ready to settle in for the evening, so we ventured out again to the north this time toward Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

The lighthouse was erected 1858. In 1900 it was converted to a two family dwelling - I assumed for the lighthouse keepers. What was interesting to me was that they didn't add a kitchen until 1916 and they didn't have electricity until 1952.

We continued around the upper part of the peninsula with our next stop in the Leland Historic District (also known as Fishtown). The fishing district was established over a hundred years ago. Some of the older buildings date back to the lumbering and smelting operations in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Today residents of Leland make a living from fishing and tourism including ferry service to the Manitou islands.

The windsurfer looked like he was having a great time zipping across the water even if he needed a wetsuit to survive in the frigid lake. He was also a good indication that there was a stiff breeze coming off of the water that made sweatshirts a good choice for us as well for the afternoon.