Day 225 – Lake Michigan Tour – Part 2

Day 225 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Before leaving Traverse City, we took a short driving tour around the historic district, but unfortunately missed the seven wineries this early in the morning!  I didn’t time that very well.  Too bad I didn’t arrive earlier yesterday!  That’s ok, we continued along our Lake Michigan Tour and spent a lovely morning on Old Mission Peninsula.

Old Mission Lighthouse

We poked along the 18 mile drive past harbors, countless orchards, wineries, farmland, and roadside cherry stands on the way to Old Mission Lighthouse.  The lighthouse is located at Mission Point which is just a few hundred feet south of 45th Parallel of Latitude, half way distance between the Equator and the North Pole.  The beach here was so interesting.  Beachgoers had set up cairns on the boulders that poked up in the shallow water offshore.  It was very serene looking.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 224 – Lake Michigan Tour

Day 224 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Petey and I began our Lake Michigan Tour in Ludington where a cross, memorializing Pere Merquette, stands over the harbor.  It is thought, the French missionary and explorer died nearby in 1675, though the exact location remains a controversy.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
lake in chippewa national forest

Day 214 – Northern Minnesota Circle

Day 214 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

I began with a great start to my morning.  My coffee from the shop was served in a paper cup with the question, “What keeps you awake?” printed on the side with a variety of answers from local patrons. My personal favorites were “Extra innings and overtime” and “When I hear my three-year old ask, ‘Mommy, what letter does “s” start with?’”

After my morning Joe, things went south.  This may qualify as a do over day.  I headed northwest out of Grand Rapids on Highway 2 and was supposed to turn north on 48. I unknowingly missed the exit and didn’t notice for a while. As a result,  I backtracked to Deer River and eventually reached Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway which cuts through Chippewa National Forest.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!