There was a pretty stiff wind blowing off of Lake Michigan today creating whitecaps contrasted against the deep blue hues of the lake. The rain had cleared out and we had sunshine and blue skies once again. We headed for what one article called the best beach in Michigan - the beach at Petoskey State Park. It was only a few miles from our site at Mangus Park, but the wind (and park rules excluding dogs from the beach) kept us from doing any exploring.
Instead, we made a visit to the Petoskey Visitor's center downtown. Parking was available on the other side of a small park. I fed the meter a few coins and we headed into the beautiful sunshine.
A very nice lady inside the Chamber of Commerce filled us in on several more potential places to see/things to do. The placard below caught Joani's eye and made it clear we don't want to visit this area in the winter!
One of the recommended drives was the Tunnel of Trees along Michigan highway 119 to the north. The drive held much promise, but ultimately we decided maybe this was a drive for another day. This exact location was labeled on Google maps as the Tunnel of Trees, but we suspect there are many such "tunnels" further along the route. It was also obvious it would be best seen in the fall and we will certainly be back.
We took a little more secluded route back passing again through Harbor Springs. The deer seemed pretty tame, at least they tolerated our stopping for a picture from the road.
Harbor Springs seemed to be typical of many of the small northern Michigan towns we have visited - Boutiques and fudge shops. There was one exception, however, this town had a large number of huge Victorian homes that were dazzling.
Many appeared to be 100+ years old. As we drove around we used Zillow to get a feel for the home values. Most seemed to be well over the million dollar mark. Keep in mind most of these "summer cottages" are only used a few months of the year.
Some had the look of a turn of the twentieth-century house but were clearly only a few years old. Usually, the difference could be discerned by the windows and the lack of sagging walls and rooflines.
One large section of town we wanted to visit, the neighborhood of Harbor Point, on a very prominent point into Little Traverse Bay where homes were upwards of $7,599,000, was gated to keep people like us out - I can only imagine just how impressive those houses must have been.
Back in Petoskey, we found a new route to our campground that took us by a little park adjoining the biking/hiking trail that fronts the lake in Magnus Park. Kayakers are cautioned to exit the river before they reach the "drop dam" below.
Bear River Valley Recreation Area
Another evening, another beautiful sunset. Everyone brings out their camera and we all discuss our travels as we watch the colors develop and change as the sun sinks into the waters of Lake Michigan.
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