Wecome back from Gulf Shores
The flowering Iris welcomed us back from the Gulf Coast. We love being in Traverse City but when we are in the South or on the road it does not call us back. However once we get here it is home and we settle in very quickly. Not sure if it is age or just our self inflicted schedule that makes the time pass so quickly. Anyway there is always next year as we are getting ready to hit the road again.
Summer time, relaxing on the deck
We love sitting on the patio looking at the view and watching the weather over the bay. Everyday around six we take time out to wind down and enjoy where we are.
Not relaxing on the deck
First post, replacing the old line fence
This project was all about small rocks and big roots
Finally, the last post – Hope this fence lasts 35 years like the last one – then not my problem!
That being said as usual we had “the” plan which called for replacing the decking on the deck and replacing the old line fence. Our house is showing its age. It was built in 1981 so subsequently there is now a five year list of projects lurking out there and competing for our time and money.
Early spring and it is beginning to look like summer
Life is good after the summer shower…
Easy chair summer entertainment
Summer marches on…
Love those sunrises over Grand Traverse Bay
Fires in Canada make for nice Sunrise in Michigan
All sunrises are not the same
Once the building and grounds projects were put to bed we got on with our summer. The weather was a bit cooler than average with nice rain falls early. Everything was green and for the entire summer we only used the AC once. Being an early riser and off for the morning workout was able to capture many sunrises.
Getting back in touch with Aunt Laura
My Aunt Laura now lives nearby. Over the course of the summer we managed to find interesting places to eat.
The Snyder’s hangout together – Yes, we still all like each other!
Snyder campfire the last night – Sister Marilyn far left
Brothers Four
We spent a long week end on the lake at Brother Dale’s cottage along with the rest of my siblings. Check out my previous post.
Closing down the farm after over 100 Years…
Jan’s family farm is going up for sale. The house was sold which resulted in clearing out the tool shed. The farm has been in the family for over 100 years. It was like a walk back in time cleaning it out. Again, Brother Dale came to the rescue as he took on the project. See the picture of the first load with many more to follow.
Awesome view at the end of the Treat Trail
Treat farm house…a mile in from the road
Treat Barnstead
Treat out building – Cement and Steel
Treat root cellar
Trilliums Dune Treat Trail
Treat farm trail late May
With limited time we did manage to get out and enjoy the region. There were several trips to the Sand Dunes (Sleeping Bear National Park). One of our more favorite hikes is the Treat Farm Trail. It is not on the official trail list for the park so gets very little traffic. The old farm which sits a mile off the road and it can congers up in one’s mind who did lived here and why.
Thunder Birds – Cherry Festival
…of course there is always the Cherry Festival with several hundred thousands of people… Yes, we enjoy it but at a distance.
Jan on the Wharf at Petoskey City Park
Petoskey waterfront
Hunting for Petoskey Stone in Little Traverse Bay
Sunset over Little Traverse Bay at Petoskey Magnus Park
Legs Inn – Note the old stove legs the porch
Legs Inn root art?
Legs Inn personality
Legs Inn gardens after lunch, just off the patio
Then there was Petoskey again…more pictures!
Crystal River early morning kayak run
Crystal River at Glen Arbor
Trip down the Crystal River was a great experience even with the bugs…
Ionia Free Fair – One of our first dates over 50 years ago – first time back…
Fifty year later and no, we no longer do the rides…
Ionia Free Fair – Midway – My kind of ride
Over 50 years ago when Jan and I were dating we attended the Ionia Free Fair…we went back to see how things changed. I know we have!
You are never too old to do the dune climb…we have been doing it for over 50 years
Dune trail does have a big uphill climb but worth it
Dune Trail, the view never stop – this is a great hike
Dune trail hike…beautiful day
Next section of the Heritage Trail at Sleeping Bear Park
Vista from the Alligator Hill hiking trail
Sunset Sleeping Bear National Park
Sunset at DH Day Campground
Stocking drive overlook…it is 450 ft down to the water
Stocking drive trail to the overlook
Larry at Stocking overlook for Sleeping Bear Point
There is now a bike trail at the Dunes called the Heritage Trail. I tried out this year’s new section from Glen Arbor to Port Oneida. The trial is now 15 miles and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a hilly ride.
Again we made several trip to dunes to take on the different trails and of course I took my camera.
The summer quest was to explore all the local micro-breweries…there are 12 now
Hop Lot Brewery (new this year) quickly became a favorite
Mackinaw Brewery – Downtown Traverse City
Right Brain Brewery an old favorite
Jolly Pumpkin Brewery which use to house the Bowery
Jolly Pumpkin Brewery – The last stamp on the Beer Trail summer tour.\
One of our new passions is checking out the micro breweries in the region. The local promotion was to visit all ten brew pubs and get a free glass. I made it to the last one the day before we left for the summer with Marty’s help (Our Daughter-In-law). She came to visit us just before we left. If you come to Traverse City I can now take you to the best of the pubs based on personal experience.
Marty and Larry stop at Clinch Park along the bike trail
Taking a shot at the old rail bridge along the bike trail bridge
Bike Trail – over 100 kayaks on the paddle and brew outing
Marty and I did a couple of nice bike rides.
The Rpod at 9846, the replacement for the 5th Wheel
The last trip in the Rpod
The Rpod replacement
Bringing the RV home to Northern Michigan in june
RV living is a great life style even in a small trailer
If you read my previous post, you know we ordered and picked up a new RV (Rpod by Forrest River) to replace the 5th wheel. The unit looked great but once we used it, we found it too small for our traveling life-style. To make a very long story short at the end we sold it and bought an Airstream. This took a lot of our time as we had outfitted the Rpod already. We did two trips to check things out. Needless to say we were working things out right up to the last minute. The Airstream is great and looking forward to many future adventures.
Last look at the flower garden before we hit the road again!
The yard is looking great, then we leave
Our last two weeks were a blur. For some reason things started to break down like the truck, the refrigerator, the garage door and several smaller things. It almost seemed like our trip was doomed as we worked through the trials and tribulations for the fixes.
Everything fell into place right at the end. There is always something that pulls at us not to leave Traverse City. The weather is great, the yard looks great and there are still many things that we could do.
Our new church home – St Michael’s of Traverse City
This year we moved our church membership from Redeemer at Interlochen to St Michaels in Traverse City. We will miss Redeemer (not the Sunday morning drive) and we now love our new church home.
Nice end to a summer shower and our time in Traverse City
We have been on the road for two weeks. One of the items to do before we left was to do our summer blog post. For some reason that never happened so now here it is ready or not! In the next week there will be an update on our travels to west to Utah and points beyond.
We love being on the road again!
Have a great summer…
God Bless,
Larry and Jan
Hi Jan and Larry, I am so glad you thought of me. I am enjoying your travels and your beautiful photos! “Happy Trails to YOU”. I drove to Ohio late July to visit sister and bro. and friends. Hurt my knee so have been hobbling around since. Better ea. day. Did have a great time though.
Rather quiet around here all summer….so hot.
I think of you a lot and miss you but am so glad that you are traveling and enjoying what you like to do, espec. while you can. Utah has so much beauty. Don’t miss that Ski resort near SaltLake City.
Thanks so much for sharing your trip. I can’t express enough how much I am enjoying your travels.
Love, neighbor Peggy