Vacation from Vacation - Day 7

When this section of the National Lakeshore was a private
attraction, the owner built a covered bridge as a photographic
background.  9/24/2019 dwm photo

The morning of our day off, I started it like every other day at Mission Point.  I swept.

I didn't "have" to sweep, I wanted to; part of that ownership that comes with living in a light house.

But after cleaning up, we were off to spend the day on the west edge of the northwest corner of Michigan.

Since we cleaned our part of the house the night before, we didn't want to dirty the kitchen, we drove into Traverse City to give the Original Flap Jack Shack a try.

A small section of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.  South Manitou
Island is below the line of clouds. 9/24/19 dwm photo

It was a homey, comfortable breakfast and lunch spot.  We poured over a map and our list of places we wanted to see while carbo-loading for the day ahead.

Our day off wasn't rainy, but there were enough showers in the forecast that I left my bike back at Mission Point.  Without the bike, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in the Sleeping Bear Dunes was still at the top of the to-visit list.

I was interested in checking out what appeared to be a covered bridge (top left photo).  It wasn't on any list of Michigan covered bridges I could find, but it was a bridge under cover, so how could I ignore it.

The wind off Lake Michigan when we stopped had to be
50 mph, creating beautiful waves.       9/24/19  (dwm)

The drive offers 11 stop and park places where you can get out to see the Dunes or one of its features closely.

The photo at left was taken at the Lake Michigan Overlook, 450 feet above the water.

In the foreground the darker strip of sand is part of tradition the National Park Service is trying to discourage.  That is running down the dune.

At one time, people ran down the steep incline and once at the bottom could hike south along the lake until they could easily hike up.  Because of the higher than usual water level, that bench of walk-able sand is gone.

The Ranger at the station where we entered the Scenic Drive told us (and anyone entering) that if someone runs the dune and needs to be rescued, the cost is $3,000.

I decided not to run.  Because I'd probably fall and roll into the water like a wounded lemming.

The Cherry Republic is in Glen Arbor, Michigan.
9/24/2019 dwm photo

After we finished the circuit of Pierce Stocking Drive, it was time to check out the home of the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor.

It was started by a local man who sold t-shirts.  Eventually, he found success that built into a business that embraces the essence of northern Michigan, cherries.

The small community of Glen Arbor is home to its store; its wine tasting room; and cafe which features a counter with every type of cherry ice cream you can imagine.

The end of our last day at Mission Point.
9/24/2019 dwm photo

We stopped in the small town of Cedar, which has a yarn shop connected to quilting You-Tubers my wife enjoys.  There was an ice cream shop across the street (I don't care for cherry ice cream) where I bought a small cone.

Then it was on to Traverse City where we shopped in the stores and shops of the redeveloped Northern Michigan Asylum.  Tours are offered, but sadly I missed the one earlier that day.

After dinner at the Peninsula Grill, we drove to Mission Point for our last night by the lake.