Bear Lake Vacation - June 2019

 Tom and I were in Bear Lake just a few days this year (Sunday, 06/09 - Wednesday, 06/12). We took the ferry from Manitowok, Wisconsin to Ludington, Michigan and then drove the short distance (less than 50 miles) to Bear Lake.

 Breakfast Monday morning began with a stop at the Lakeside Cafe. For so small a town and so small a restaurant, the Lakeside has exceptional food. We met Robin Heaberlin there, too - an added bonus - who had just arrived for a week's vacation. Like us, in her younger years her family (the Barlett's) had a cottage in Bear Lake. The nostalgia runs deep. We also met up with another Miamisburg friend ... Doug Parramore.

 Monday appeared to be a rainy day so we drove up to Frankfort and visited Crystal Gardens where Tom made some nursery purchases last year. They also have an excellent antique/memorabilia store and a shop just for rockhounds.

 This gorgeous dahlia immediately caught my attention. Such an explosion of color! It was too big - and probably too expensive - to bring home but it was certainly an eye-catcher.

 This hanging basket seemed on fire.

 The irises were in bloom and there was an interesting variety. Tom bought one for a friend.

 Then on north to the nearby Port Betsie Lighthouse. I've seen it many times before but I wanted Tom to be able to compare it to the lighthouse in Frankfort's harbor.

 Constructed before the Civil War (1858), the lighthouse was automated in 1983. It is a lovely design and one that had stood the test of time.
 Obviously the sky has cleared and our expected rainy day has become a thing of the past.

 Later we stopped at Pierport so that Tom could hunt rocks. He said that was his main reason for coming to Bear Lake. The breeze was stiff and the air still cool. I always enjoy just standing at the water's edge and watching the waves roll ashore ...

 We drove to the public access area near the Dayton Bear Lake Outing Club and enjoyed the view.

 Another view of the Dayton Club.

 We returned to Pierport a second time so that Tom could fill his bucket with rocks. He found a small Petosky stone which I placed in my change purse. Some of the stones will go to the base of the barn; others will go near the henhouse we are remodeling. Still others will go in planters.

 Finally, a last evening in Bear Lake, we walked across the highway from the Bella Vista Inn to the public access area and enjoyed the late evening breeze,

 Tom found a rock or two ... or course!

 Near sunset the sun dipped behind a bank of clouds so there was no color to enjoy. But the soft muted grays were pleasant, too, and mimicked our mood at having to leave in the morning.

 And so Bear Lake fades into memory for another year ...