Michigan Vacation - Day 3 (July 12, 2021)

  Bear Lake isn't far from where we stayed on Long Lake. It was less than 50 miles, I believe.

 Our first order of business was breakfast since we merely got up, had coffee and left Long Lake. We planned to eat at our favorite spot, the Lakeside Cafe on Lake Street. Unfortunately it was closed. Bear Lake Days had been that weekend and the Lakeside was in charge of a pancake breakfast. I suppose they were tuckered out.

 So we drove to Onekema and found the M-22 Grill open. It fit the bill perfectly. We had an excellent breakfast and the wait staff was wonderful. We'll return on our next trip to the area.

 Then, with the promise of another beautiful day, we headed back to Bear Lake and the Dayton-Bear Lake Outing Club. This is where we used to own a cottage.

 I had contacted Joellyn Bashford while still at the M-22 Grill and she said to come ahead. She provided a street-by-street tour and gave us the names of the current and past owners.

 The shore area has lots more recreationally craft than when we used to vacation here.

 This was our cottage circa 1940 to 1980. We sold it since all three guys (Dad, Bob and myself) were working full-time and couldn't get away often enough (or long enough) to justify the expense. It was a major mistake because nowadays prices have gone through the moon and nothing is for sale.

While Joellyn gave us the walking tour, Fred uncovered their pontoon boat. Soon we were on an around-the-lake tour. Oddly, for all the time I've spent on this lake I never once circumnavigated it. I suppose it is several miles around. The ride took about an hour and a half. Talk about unexpected hospitality!

Joellyn (l-r) and Fred Bashford

 I had heard about bald eagles at Bear Lake before we arrived but as we were on the shore Fred pointed to one flying high above. He said he'd show us the nest. This is it, high in  an old pine, with a lofty view of the lake. It's perfect real estate for an eagle.

Tom

 What a wonderful time we add, visiting with the Bashford's, seeing the Dayton Club again, being on the lake!

Bill (l-r), Tom, Fred and Joellyn

 Then to the Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve ...

 This 313 site offers a 0.75 mile wooden boardwalk which allows for easy (and dry) access. 

 The clouds were gorgeous as we made the walk, But on any day, it's better to look down than up.

 Tom was a botany major at Miami University so this was right up his alley.

 Part of the boardwalk was closed while we were there "to avoid disturbance to several species of birds as they nest in this critical habitat". We were there July 12 as noted. That area is closed only through July 15.

 The swan on the left sounded like a vacuum cleaner, siphoning the algae at an impressive pace.

 This boat was parked near the entrance to the march, perhaps being stored or repaired. I was attracted to the name. [This is not part of the marsh]

 We made a final stop at Bear Lake to say goodbye for this year. We have missed the previous two years due to the COVID pandemic.  I felt lucky to be here at all but I'd have loved to have had more time.

 My little 2017 Chevrolet Cruze got over 49 mpg on the trip up. It was only a couple of miles per gallon less on the ride home/