Michigan Vacation - Day 2 (July 11, 2021)

  We started day two (07/11/21) a bit later than we hoped. I got up about 7 AM per usual and headed downstairs for coffee but found no one stirring/ So I went back upstairs to brush my teeth, shower, etc. Tom, meanwhile, sat on the bedroom floor and read.

 When we all got moving Ami made poached eggs on bread. She added arugula and guacamole. Quite an unusual and delicious way to start the day.

 Also tangerines, bananas, and a hot sauce for the eggs.

 The day promised to be beautiful.  The sky was crystal clear and the air quickly warmed. Already the loon was calling from the water.

 This shot is on the south side of the house (aimed northeast) with a view of our cars. I left mine in the driveway all night.

 Here's a good view of the deck. Four people had plenty of room.

 And a view of the living room from the second floor loft.

 Today (our second and last day there), Steve offered to drive and our first destination was their property overlooking Lake Michigan. It is northwest of Northport on the Leelanau Peninsula. They own a Mercedes Benz SUV with all the bells and whistles. It's the first car I've ridden in that has some self-driving capability.

 Arriving at the property, we spent some time marveling at the view of the lake. It'll get great breezes in the summer but the winter will be cold here.

Tom(l) and Steve

 Steve is having  the bluff reclaimed. Loads of sand are being dumped there and various other landscaping techniques will be tried. Ground covers will be planted and mechanical means applied to hold the sand in place. Steps are being built down to the beach.

 Here's a video of the steps being built:

 Just south is an agricultural area. Lots of cherry trees still held fruit. I understand this was once an asparagus farm.

 This is the area where a "garage" will be built first. It'll have a living area above the cars. The idea is to have a place under roof where they can vacation while they wait for the house to be built. Both are in their mid-50's so their retirement date is not yet set.

Peterson Park is just north of the Orr's property. At the moment it offers the only safe path to the water's edge. I found this tree quite unusual. It's near the parking area. What causes the trunk to form a circle?

Looking south

 Once we reached the beach we began hiking south so we could see their property from the lake.

Looking north

 On our drive back south we stopped in Northport for lunch. We ate pizza and drank beer from a local brewery. The pizzas were fired in an outdoor wood-burning oven. They were $35 (both).

Tom (l-r), Bill and Ami (and Roscoe) - Credit: Steve Orr

 This is the G. Marsten Dame Marina (also called Northport Harbor)

 Later, back on Long Lake, we drank more wine as Ami prepared dinner (poor Ami!). She had grilled veggie burgers, corn on the cob and watermelon. Did I mention wine?

Bill (l-r), Tom and Steve

Ami (l-r), Tom, Steve and Bill

 Thus ended our stay in the Traverse City area. The next morning Steve and Ami had an appointment in Traverse City and Tom and I headed south to Bear Lake.