North Bar Lake
- At June 17, 2013
- By Kim
- In Kim's posts, Places
0
We can sometimes be creatures of habit; ordering the same dishes at a restaurant, hiking the same trails, heading to the same beaches. These tendencies in a place like Northern Michigan are bound to mean we are missing out on something. I will admit to the possibility that I hadn’t been to North Bar Lake, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, since my senior “Skip Day.” That’s a long time ago folks.
Upon revisiting, it’s hard not to fall in love with this little piece of land north of Empire. The pathway from the parking area leads you through a gorgeous wooded area with wildflowers and wildlife abounding (I was lucky to spot a deer this particular night). At the shore of North Bar Lake, I saw two kayakers putting in for an evening paddle, and a family enjoying themselves with some members even bold enough for an early summer dip. There was a strong breeze coming off of Lake Michigan. Although the inland lake is sheltered by the dune that lies between Lake Michigan and North Bar, there was still a subtle ripple playing on its blue surface. I worked my way around the pathway and over to Lake Michigan, noticing the abundance of dune grass in what appears to be a successful preservation program by the park. Atop the dune and on the shores of Lake Michigan, you will find an amazing view to your left of the Empire Bluffs and to your north South Manitou Island.
What a spot to sit back and soak it all in; let the sand run through your fingers; watch the water slowly fade back into the waves that brought it ashore; and contemplate the good in change. After all, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu
Sounds deep, I know, but I just mean I may have ended up at Glen Haven (my go-to spot) and spent an evening hanging with the gnats…
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- North Bar Lake
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- Wooded area along the shore
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- Pathway towards Lake Michigan
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- Ripples on North Bar
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- North Bar meets Lake Michigan
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- View towards South Manitou Island
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- aah…sand
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- Grains of sand and pebbles
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- Sunset over Lake Michigan
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- Dune Preservation
A Look Through Our Lens – Week of June 13, 2013
- At June 13, 2013
- By Kim
- In Kim's posts, Local Happenings
- 2
Photo descriptions (L to R):
1) Picture of rustic – Port Oneida Historical District 2) Sunset reflections – Platte Lake 3) A gilded West Bay at sunset – Traverse City 4) The sky awakening – Traverse City 5) Insane fence – the asylum, Traverse City 6) Another sunset (it’s summer after all) – Glen Haven 7) Don Julin and Billy Strings live music – Short’s Brewery, Bellaire 8) Intersection of water and sky – Treat Farm, Empire 9) Sand, water, bluesky trifecta – Sleeping Bear Dunes
A Look Through Our Lens – Week of May 30, 2013
- At May 30, 2013
- By Kim
- In Kim's posts, Local Happenings
- 0
Photo descriptions (L to R):
1) Sunset over Big Glen Lake – Burdickville 2) Hours: Life up North – Bellaire 3) Glacial Hills Trail, Antrim County 4) Anchor Station Food Truck Grand Opening – Little Fleet, Downtown TC 5) Raindrops on
leaf – TC 6) View from the Cannery Museum – Glen Haven 7) Mama Duck and her Babes – Kids’ Creek, TC 8) Full moon sunset – Suttons Bay 9) The view up, The Woods
Rocky the Piping Plover
- At May 29, 2013
- By Kim
- In Kim's posts, Local Happenings
- 4
Did you know it’s nesting season for the piping plovers (preferred pronunciation is like lover with a ‘p’: Thank you to my mom and her steadfast partner in all things grammar and pronunciation, Mr. Webster, for the clarification)? Did you also know that there are currently only about 6,500 of these little lovers with a p in the world, and that some happen to be right here, right now, in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore having babies?
I had come upon a post about a particular piping plover in the park they call “Rocky” that grabbed my interest. Rocky, the story goes, couldn’t quite get his act together at the beginning. He would sit on his scrape (nest) of rocks instead of the real scrape of eggs, while his unapproving mate looked on. I think she was even overheard mumbling under her breath, “How did I fall for this dude’s stone tossing?” Each year though, Rocky got more “with it.” The next year, apparently still adept at stone tossing, he attracted another mate. When the time came he sat on some eggs (although he couldn’t help himself from sitting on some rocks too). The next mating seasons he finally sat on all eggs and only eggs, and even became a “normal dad” the post says.
I went to the park this weekend in search of some inspiration and in search of Rocky. Walking along, swatting the gnats away, engrossed in my thoughts, he appeared (or at least a lover with a ‘p’ appeared, but please don’t discourage me by saying it wasn’t Rocky). He walked with me for only a bit, after all a normal dad has obligations! But, I had enough time to snap a photo and left the encounter feeling lucky to have made his acquaintance.
I think we all relate to Rocky’s story. After all, we all disappoint ourselves and others at times, we may even sit on some rocks by accident at one time or another, but we have the hope of improving and finding eventual success. We commend your improvement Rocky and say “Good on ya.” Way to do your part in improving the 6,500 figure.
The view from the scrape…
A Look Through Our Lens – Week of May 23, 2013
- At May 23, 2013
- By Kim
- In Kim's posts, Local Happenings
- 0
Photo descriptions (L to R):
1) Cherry Trees in Bloom –
Traverse City 2) Spider Web in the Fog – West Bay, Traverse City 3) Sunset over Big Glen Lake – Burdickville 4) Magnolia Blossom – Traverse City 5) Bumblebee Pollen Baskets – Traverse City 6) Gulls in Flight – Glen Haven 7) Cherry Blowwom – Elk Rapids 8) Forest in Green – Burdickville 9) Mourning Cloak Butterly – Burdickville
