Our site at Hearthside Grove complete with outdoor furniture and grill. It was cool when we arrived but got warmer everyday during our stay. It’s a beautiful place not far from the bridge to the Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island and Traverse City within a mile of Lake Michigan. This was our first visit here but likely not our last. Friends had told us of its beauty but combined with the views, restaurants and shops as well as historic significance and architectural lovely homes – old and new – it’s a special place. The staff at Hearthside were fabulous and helped make our stay delightful. It was a good rest but also a stimulating visit.
Hemingway spent summers there during his youth and one can see why. It is an inspirational area.
Also we took some gun shots along the way in the Michigan countryside.
A great entrance to one of the many farms.
A field ready for seeding.
Little Traverse Bay – with fog bank in distance
The historic Bay Association homes were built as summer cottages for a Methodist group similar to the one that built the cottages in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. It is a separate self governed area with homes of all sizes and colors. We were fascinated by them and drive up and down the streets. I’m surprised we weren’t stopped for stalking. I took over a hundred photos – these are just a sample of the brightest colors. many were in fabulous condition but several were indeed fixer uppers
A row of homes from the street heading north.
These two building were in downtown Petoskey and had been refurbished by local architects. They were appealing to the eye so I thought I’d include them. The downtown small and very walkable with lovely shops and eateries. Don miss Salmons Grocery and go to Chandlers for dinner regardless of how dear it is….. we celebrated my seventh decade birthday there and it was splendid.
Along with drizzle, fog is a preeminent weather condition during spring in this area. Huge Lake Michigan makes the weather and the shore goes along with it. It’s beautiful and mysterious in the mornings and evenings when it moves across the water and fields like a cool blanket.
Petoskey stones – found on the beach at Little Traverse Bay – these stones contain fossils of coral that lived when the land here was covered with the primordial oceans. They are hard to find so I’m lucky to have found any myself. Usually you need to buy them.
We took a day trip to the “Upper P” and had lunch a Clyde’s Drive In – famous for delicious cheeseburgers. Our server at Chandlers recommended the burgers and the drive back through the Tunnel of Trees. Great advice.
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