After a quick breakfast we set out for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, but first we stopped at the Traverse City marina.
The water was so clear you could see straight to the bottom.
On our way to Sleeping Bear Dunes we drove through what seemed like the heart of farm country; farm after farm, with fields of corn and apple and grape orchards. I should've taken some pictures and picked up some apples along the way. Hopefully we'll have another chance later because it's really quite beautiful. I especially like the red barns.
We decided to start our visit to the dunes by doing the Scenic Drive. It's a 7mile drive with 12 points of interest along the way.
We stop to admire the dunes and the Manitou Islands in the distance
Sunlight reflecing off the lakes. I'm not at the room right now, so I'll have to figure out what they are called later.
Time for the main attraction: the view from the top of a 400ft dune ... wow!
And yes, those to tiny dots are some foolheaded man and his poor girlfriend making their way down the slope. They did go all the way down to the beach, but didn't try to make it back up there while we were watching. Apparently it's an extremely strenous climb and it takes about an hour of trudging through the sand before you make it back to the top!
Just look at the color ... isn't it amazing! You can even see the rocks on the bottom. We'll definitely spend more time at Sleeping Bear Dunes the next time we're in Michigan.
Our next stopis also part of the Lakeshore; the Empire Bluffs Trail is a short easy-moderate hike to a bluff overlooking the dunes as they gently curve around the lake.
More clear, shallow waters. We both pulled up our pant legs and walked through the water. A bit chilly, but comfortable once you get over the initial shock.
The drive north was interesting because you could tell fall is just around the corner by the change in the leaves. It'll be interesting to see what the Upper Peninsula looks like tomorrow ... it's supposedly a week or two ahead of the Lower Peninsula when it comes to fall foliage.
It's incredible the amount of lakes that are in this area. We kept catching glimpes of water on both sides of the road, as well as many signs directing us to so-and-so lake. I snuck into someone's backyard to take a picture of this beauty:
We made it to the ferry dock in plenty of time. The last ferry of the day leaves at 5:30 so I'd worried about getting stuck in traffic, but in the end we had 45 minutes to spare. Unfortunately the wind had really picked up so it got really, really cold.
Here's our boat:
If I had any sense I would've stayed in the enclosed compartment, but I went outside to take pictures of the bridge and the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel is one of the most expensive hotels you'll ever find ... their cheapest room tonight was more than $600 per night! That does include dinner apparently, but unless they're serving gold crusted diamonds on the side that hardly seems like a bargain. ;)
You might have to enlarge this one, but the Grand Hotel is the one slightly to the right of center.
Arriving in the harbor.
A horse taxi. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island, so horse taxi's and bikes are the main modes of transportation.
Cute grocery store on the way to our hotel. We found out later that our hotel is a converted bible school. What better place than a remote island with limited transport back to the main land!
Cute grocery store on the way to our hotel. We found out later that our hotel is a converted bible school. After all, what better place than a remote island with limited transport back to the main land!
You can see two (small) lighthouses in this picture.
It took a long time before the taxi showed up, but our driver was very nice. He told us about all the things we saw along the way and some of the other people were going to the Grand Hotel so we got to see it from up close. Unfortunately it was getting too dark to take pictures without a tripod.
By the time we got to our destination it was completely overcast and I was bordering on frost bite despite wrapping myself in a blanket, so we asked our driver to take us back to the docks. Maybe that sounds like things didn't work out, but other than the cold it was acutally very enjoyable. Horse taxi's are a great way to see the of island and the clip-clop of the horses' hooves is super relaxing.
We had dinner at the Seabiscuit, a horse themed restaurant that shows nothing but Seabiscuit the movie on its TVs. Food wasn't anything special, but the hot coco and the decor alone were worth it.
Well I'm almost done. I think I'll sit by the fireplace for a few more minutes than call it a night ...
Total miles for total: 193
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1 comments:
We had some difficulties to post a comment.
Didn't have the slightest clue what to do.
But something worked!
I think I saw the film with seabiscuit.
A crippled horse and a boy with a severe injured leg?
Staying on top of the 400 m hill, good thinking!
Love xxx Joeve and Rob
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