Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer as far as most Michiganders are concerned. This is what we’ve been waiting for all winter long, the sugar sand beaches, beautiful cloudy skies, warm wind blowing off the water and clean air that feels and smells like it does when you live on a peninsula surrounded by fresh water. Today I feel like I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
If you grew up in Michigan, you would probably take the beaches for granted because there are so many of them, and they are all special in their own way. This is the beach at Point Betsie Lighthouse near Onekema and Frankfurt. The beach is an interesting combination of sand and rocks. Just a few feet away from where I took this photo is a beautiful sugar sand beach. I can’t wait for summer and HORRORS, taking my laptop to the beach and working there while I’m baking in the sun.
This photo is looking at The Weathervane restaurant in Charlevoix from across the canal by the drawbridge. The restaurant is run by Staffords and so far, every place I’ve been to that they own is great.
I was trying to think of what makes the Weathervane so special and it all boils down to its distinct personality, comfortable atmosphere, great food, and wonderful view. After enjoying a meal here, I like to go across the canal and walk to the free public beach. And, here’s a tip, when you’re coming into town, park before you get to the drawbridge.
Up until this summer, I had never checked out Wildflowers, but had driven by the shop on my way to Syncronicity in Glen Arbor. My friend Lisa had told me this was one of her favorite places to go when she was up north with her mother-in-law.
Now I can see why. Inside, the shop is filled to the brim with unique specialty items, from home accessories to personal gifts. Outside, the garden area showcases lush shade gardening with plants, statuaries, fountains, birdbaths, furniture and more for sale. It’s located on M-22, here’s a google map link.
I’ve been very negligent in writing posts on Michigan’s tremendous fishing opportunities. This big mouth bass was caught just after sunset off a dock at Gun Lake in Shelbyville. I’ll be trying to come up with more fish tales for you, Michigan is full of them.
I just knew it was going to rain right around when I took this picture but just didn’t care because in upper Michigan it’s all good. Northpoint is another one of those spots where you’re immediately on vacation when you get there. I LOVE it!
For those of you who have never been to Leland, maybe you should plan it in your agenda. It’s very unique, and I mean that in a nice way. There’s a bunch of interesting shops along this waterway, which leads to Lake Michigan. I took this HDR photo while I was standing on the dock. If you look close, you can see a dam that bridges the local hotel and The Cove, a fabulous seafood restaurant.
Leland, Michigan is also known as “Fishtown” around here. I suspect that the Leelanau Peninsula is one of the best kept secrets in the world and Leland is another of the reasons why. If you visit Leland, check out the Bluebird Restaurant or the Cove (yumbo!)
As you may have heard by now, Sherwood Forest was just amazing at night. Here’s another of the paths that ran through the forest which was equally impressive. I took this a little earlier when it was dusky and the lights just went on.
If you love basking in the sun by aqua blue waters on sugar sand beaches, maybe you should check out Charlevoix. It’s a beautiful seaside town along the shores of Lake Michigan. I took this photo in Boulder Park, please click here for a Google map link.
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