Michigan is BIG. I say that having driven to the far northern reaches of the state. Our family is in a charming little town called Grand Marais, on the shores of Lake Superior, just east of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We came across the Mackinac Bridge yesterday and on to the Upper Peninsula. The bridge, BTW, was built the same year I was born: 1958.
Lemme catch up on a few recommended spots in Benzie County, a ways back south, in and around the twin towns of Elberta and Frankfort on Lake Michigan's eastern shore, where we were staying, just about 45 minutes south of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Peterson Road Beach, on Lake Michigan is a gem, and probably locals-only. It garners a mention in this useful Michigan AAA magazine piece on the region. You turn left, or west, off M-22 onto Peterson Road, a bit north of Frankfort, and follow a winding gravel road several miles. Parking where the road dead-ends, and a boardwalk down to the huge sandy beach, with dune grasses behind you, and great dune bluffs visible in the distance, to the north. The water must have been 70 degrees; just a tad warmer than Puget Sound, uh. Matt The Wonder Dog leapt through the surf catching frisbees and going under in the process. The Old Fart has got some life in him yet.
Shallow water, sandy bottom made this spot great for our kids, too. Highly recommended. Just bring plenty of sun umbrellas; there's no shade.
Dinner at The Manitou, on M-22, between Crystal Lake and Peterson Road. Great, slightly swank North Woods atmo and fare. Perch, whitefish, trout, pike all excellent; so too the salad with cherry vinaigrette, and especially the Bell's summer wheat ale.
In Frankfort, don't miss the Crescent Bakery; fresh-baked artisinal breads; scads of fresh-baked pastries, great sour cherry smoothies, and gourmet sandwiches. They even have a laptop with wireless Net access for customer use!
In Elberta, back across the Betsie River from Frankfort, don't miss the playground on the riverfront, and just up the hill, the Trick Dog art gallery, where there's great dog art, t-shirts, arty knick-knacks, Cuban sandwiches, Brazilian French Toast, gourmet coffee and baked goods. Generally speaking, I am no fan of dog art (pictures of, not by, dogs). But theirs is great. I hope they add more of it to their Web site, eventually.
Now, we're way up north in Grand Marais, far off the beaten track, even for the Upper Peninsula. Lovely, public access sand beaches on a bay behind a little peninsula fronting Lake Superior, and great locally-made brews and pizza at the Dunes Saloon of the Lake Superior Brewing Company were last night's highlights.
More to come.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at July 21, 2005 06:45 AM
Matt,
You are in Jim Harrison territory - he's one of my favorite novelists though his recent output has gone a bit slack. Anyway keep having a good time see you when you get back -
DA
I'm glad to see you and the family are out enjoying yourself, Matt. Nice photos too.
By the time you return, the Seattle Monorail Project should be firmly set into rigor mortis.
So .... would you like to meet for that coffee? (he he he)
Posted by: Iguana at July 21, 2005 01:08 PMYou (4) are really getting around. I'm going to limit myself to a beach on south Puget Sound. And a trip to Whistler, BC. Getting provincial, right?
Posted by: Ron at July 21, 2005 01:27 PM