Sunday, June 15, 2014

Pretty morning.  Nice view crossing the Mackinac Bridge which has a $4 toll.  It is very windy and they told us yesterday that the Bridge was built to be able to move up to 35 feet, though we can't feel it today, thankfully.

After we get out of Mackinac City, we are back to countryside with some occasional farming.  We see a few deer as we head southwest.  

This is resort territory. 

Yacht Clubs, Country Clubs, Private homes and estates.  Lots of $ along Traverse Bay which is a huge bay off of Lake Michigan.  We stop at a picturesque little town called Charlevoix, founded by French Jesuits around 1700 as a mission for the Ottawa Indians.  We take a walk to a nearby lighthouse, then stop for scones at a bakery called Simonsens and enjoy sitting on their patio.  The chef even comes out to say hello and tells us the Orange Pecan scone was voted #1 for Northern Michigan. It IS tasty. A large boat comes into their harbor and we get to see the drawbridge operate.

scones made differently, folded over

We spotted these floating deck chairs near Traverse City – great idea!  Several swans and lots of sailboats, many tilted at what seems to me a precarious angle due to the strong winds.

Matt calls for Father's Day while we are in Sutton and we have a nice talk.  Bryan will call later when we are in camp.

We stop at Manus Park and walk a little on the rocky beach, looking for Petoskey stones with no luck.  They are a spotted rock sometimes found in this area.

Manus Park

The water is amazing in its variations of color.  Depending on the depth it ranges from tannish, steel blue, almost purple to aquamarine, bright blue and deep blue.  Of course, the color of the sky has an effect too.

Away from the water again, we are beginning to see lots and lots of orchards, apple and cherry so far as we can tell. 

Several vineyards and wineries as well.  Many roadside stands, most not open yet, have their signs ready.

Getting tired driving (and riding) so we head for Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore Park and get a nice campsite and I am able to get my National Park passport card (Have to be 62).  Nice perk for getting older!  What a bargain at $10, it gets us into any National Park facilities and gives us a discount on camp sites as well.  Too bad there aren’t very many National Parks in the Midwest! We’ll explore the park tomorrow.  Tonight we have nice showers and Greg is just getting ready to start the grill when it gets very dark and our menu changes to chili INSIDE as the rain arrives.