Michigan Vacation - August 5 2023

  We left Farmersville at about 9 am and arrived in Northport, Michigan about 6:30 PM. It harder traveling with a pup but we had no major mishaps. Well, she vomited a couple of times (once just as we arrived) but I think it was from the excitement.

 When we got there, Amy had made a wonderful zucchini casserole and we sat down to this beautiful table and unwound from the almost 500 mile trip.

 

Sleep couldn't come soon enough. They had a Murphy bed installed - king size yet - with wonderful bed linens and we were soon out like a light.

Michigan Vacation - August 6 2023

  These pictures are posting in random order but I'll describe what they're of even though they may not be in chronological order.

 This is the Grand Traverse Lighthouse at the Leelanau State Park. It's located at the tip of the peninsula where Steve and Amy's house it. I'd say it's about a twenty minute trip north of their house.

 We picked black raspberries that afternoon. Though Steve found them a bit sour, they were perfect on pancakes the next morning. And with blueberries and Michigan maple syrup, too.

 Steve calls this "The  Barn" though it's a high-class structure for sure. It even has an elevator.

 Picking black raspberries.

 Much of Steve's "yard" is planted in wildflowers. This is a close-up of some of them.

 This nearby beach in Omena. Parker had never seen a lake before (this is actually Omena Bay) but she put her paws in the water and seemed not to be afraid.

 Me and Parker.

 Steve and Amy. Beau, their son's German Shepherd, is chasing a ball in  the water.

Tom

 Steve's property is allowed to grow natural with lots of wildflowers instead of grass.

 French toast for breakfast

 Tom, Parker and Beau. The first time Parker saw Beau she screamed. Literally screamed.

 How do you go to sleep with a schnauzer on your stomach?

 Wonderful meals! This was an eggplant-based casserole. Look at that homemade bread, too (store-bought).

Michigan Vacation - August 7 2023

  At the marina in Northport ...

 As I've said before, "money floats".

 Tacos at Fingers Crossed rounded out the day with a great late day meal. Tom and I paid for the meal to help cover the cost of our room and board.

 Lavender lemonade, a specialty non-alcoholic drink there.

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Peterson Park near Steve and Amy's house.

 Resting on their deck.

 Rear view of our guard dog.

 What a breakfast! Homemade pancakes with the black raspberries we picked, blueberries, whipped cream. Also scrambled eggs (with Half and Half and whipped in a blender) and a fruit cup. We were quickly spoiled.

 Parker's getting some shut-eye.

 Interior view of The Barn.

Michigan Vacation - August 8 2023

 

 Parker was asleep face-down and I took a picture of her pads.

 Wider view. Taken at Motel Bear Lake.

 Now Bear Lake. This shot is at the public access area nearest the Dayton Club.

 Our room at Motel Bear Lake. Recently re-opened, the motel has been remodeled from when it was the Bella Vista Inn. I'd give it a 3/5 this time around. The cold water faucet in the bathroom sink didn't work (though there was  another working sink in the bedroom), the TV came with no instructions and there was no chest to put clothing in. Still, it was quiet and reasonably comfortable (though $150 + $20 for the pup in a room with only one queen bed). 

 Tom sat outside with Parker.

 We met Coulter Buhler and Chandler at Storm Cloud Brewing in downtown Frankfort. Michigan.

 Great pizzas!

 Myself and Tom

 Coulter and Chandler. We met them in Jackson, Wyoming earlier in the summer. Chandler spent summers in this area of Michigan at a family cabin (and later home).

 Chandler worked here as a barista: Petals & Perks in downtown Frankfort.

 We love Crystal Gardens in Frankfort and always stop by.

Earlier shot of Steve using his laptop.

 Close-up of  Beau.