North Bar Lake

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…

Spring at Treat Farm

After an April full of snow showers, I find myself more observant of each small sign that spring is actually springing.  I’m not ashamed to admit I might have even hugged each one of these little wildflowers in a sign of appreciation for their long-awaited arrival!

Seems to me there aren’t many better ways to feel rejuvenated after a long winter than taking in some fresh air standing over Lake Michigan and appreciating each small step of progress towards the summers we all love.

Treat Farm is located in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  It has flowers, woods, fields, old farm buildings, and views of Lake Michigan.  It even has a giant fat porcupine that lives in a tree.  We’ve written about the farm and hike here.

The Gray of March Showers – Downtown Traverse City

You may have noticed the skies and waters sporting the “in” color this March, gray.  It took me some convincing, but there can still be beauty found out there amongst the sprinkles and thaw.  On this particular day, with the gray putting a bit of a damper on our motivation, we decided to stay close and explore the downtown Boardman river banks that are sometimes neglected for the bluer lake shores.   Take a peak, you may see some hidden beauty as well.

Good Harbor Beach

Winter has never been my favorite season.  Until moving back to the area years ago, I had lived in another blustery Midwestern town – Chicago.  The temperatures, at least with windchill, seem similar to me in both places.  But Chicago’s winters come with plenty to do indoors. Most of northern Michigan’s winter attractions, however, require one simple thing, a willingness to be outside.

It was with concerted effort over the past year or two that I learned to like winter.  I invested in the proper gear (accepting the tradeoff of looking like the Michelin man in exchange for warmth), took up downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing (go big or go home, right?).  I never thought it to be true, but all those people who told me to learn to like winter were right.  I now look forward to the snow and am not sure I’m quite ready for spring yet.  There is such beauty outside our doorsteps this time of year and I am glad to have seen more of it each year.  This particular winter, I have been exploring the shores of Lake Michigan and pondering over what forces have combined to make each beach I have visited look so unique from the others.

If you have followed the blog, you have seen the photos of Van’s Beach in Leland and Esch Beach south of Empire. Today’s post is from Good Harbor Beach.  The unprotected beaches such as Van’s and Esch have impressive formations, reminding us of the strong forces of unhindered Lake Michigan waves.  Good Harbor, as its name suggests is more protected. There were no massive ice formations along the shore here. There was in fact a stretch of sand to walk along, just as in summer.  But different than my rock-hunting walks along this beach in the summer, this time mixed in were fragile ice shells that had broken off from the rocks that brought them ashore; small shelves of ice and sand revealing the wave patterns that formed them; and a glossy, Lake Michigan-made ice rink right over the top of the sand.