Day two began with the Sue and I departing the hotel under partly cloudy skies and temps in the 60's. The day's itinerary included visiting more lighthouses, checking out the cities of Ludington and Traverse City, a wine tasting or two, another casino stop, and finally ending up in Mackinaw City - at the base of the Mackinac Bridge.
From the Little Sable Light, we traveled further north, and making a stop at the Silver Sands Resort area, on Silver Lake. Looks like a popular getaway in Western Michigan, with the sand dunes lining the western side of the Lake.
After another coffee stop, we headed for the the city of Ludington, home to the SS Badger, providing daily ferry service to Manitowoc, WI. The 410' S.S. Badger entered service in 1953, designed specifically to handle the rough conditions that it would likely encounter during year 'round sailing on Lake Michigan. The Badger reigned as Queen of the Lakes during the car ferries' Golden Era in the late Fifties, with Manitowoc, Milwaukee, and Kewaunee as her Wisconsin ports of call. With little railroad freight business left in the '70's, and without ever tapping into the opportunity to serve the needs of the vacation traveler, the Badger sailed from Wisconsin to Ludington and tied up for the last time in November 1990 - signaling the end of the century-old tradition of car ferry service on Lake Michigan. However, in 1991, an entrepreneur named Charles Conrad committed his own financial resources to reinvent the S.S. Badger to carry leisure passengers and their vehicles. Along the shore where the Badger loads stands an old ferry - SS Spartan.
Time to head on and check out the Point Betsie Lighthouse, North of Frankfort, MI. This lighthouse was not open when we arrived. However, due to the Lake Michigan winds, the sand dunes have grown higher than the fencing, and we were able to check it out close up.
The lighthouse complex had completed an exterior renovation in 2010, and currently is undergoing an interior renovation.
By now it was almost noon, and we still hadn't reached the northern end of the state. So off we went. Next stop, Grand Traverse Lighthouse, near Northport, MI. This is not the original lighthouse was constructed in in 1850. However, it was razed and rebuilt in the current location to make it visible from all surrounding waterways.
The complex grounds are very nice, with access to water on the north (Lake Michigan) and eastern (Grand Traverse Bay) sides of the lighthouse.
Its that time of day, where a winery visit seems like the right thing to do. So time to head back south on Hiway 22 toward Traverse City.
As we approached Sutton's Bay, the GPS "winery finder" pointed us to the Black Star Farms Vineyard and Winery. Its a beautiful setting, from the moment you wind down the drive into the vineyard, to the time you pass by the stables and the winery.
The wine tasting area was PACKED, so other than a quick photo, we left without a sample. Ok, this not having a "refreshment" before 2pm each day on vacation was getting old, so it was mandated "FIND A BREWERY!" My "tour guide" obliged and we headed for the North Peak Brewing Company in Downtown Traverse City.
The building is ocated in an old converted warehouse on W. Front Street, a couple blocks from the "main downtown drag". Trying to save some room for a dinner in Mackinaw City, we tore into an order of nachos to go with our beers. Defintiely hit the spot, and stirred up the "shopping bug" in the "tour guide." Time to explore some of Downtown Traverse City.
Cherry Republic, a store dedicated to all things cherry, was our shopping spot. Amazing what they can do with cherries! Candy, jams, wines... you name it, they had it.. made from cherries!
While "the travel guide" scoped out the cherry store, I took a few minutes to survey the main street area. Looked like a nice place to spend a day shopping, drinking, and eating. Across the street was the Mackinaw Brewing Company. Had it not been late in the afternoon, another beer definitely was in order!
By now its 4pm, and time to start working north on our two hour journey to Mackinaw City. But not without testing our luck again at Turtle Creek Casino near Williamsburg, MI. They were having a slots tournament, and even though all we could win was free play at another visit, we decided to give it a try. No, we didn't win the tournament, but after that experience (banging the "spin" button constantly for five minutes), I cannot figure out how all the 65+ year olds can play in these tournaments, and not end up with a wrist injury! I was able to leave the casino with more than I came in with (not much, but still ahead), and as was the case at the casino on Saturday, the "tour guide" lost again!
Finally, we pulled into Mackinaw City, with dusk settling... no dinner tonite... we splurged instead wirh Dairy Queen Blizzards in Downtown Mackinaw City!
Mackinaw City, and the Comfort Suites. As we checked in, the desk agent asked if we wanted to upgrade to a jacuzzi suite, and being the cheapskate I am, I said no. Once she saw I had just joined the Choice Privileges Program, she decided we needed that suite, and gave it two us at no extra charge!
A great way to end the day!
Day three's adventures to follow .....
By now it was almost noon, and we still hadn't reached the northern end of the state. So off we went. Next stop, Grand Traverse Lighthouse, near Northport, MI. This is not the original lighthouse was constructed in in 1850. However, it was razed and rebuilt in the current location to make it visible from all surrounding waterways.
The complex grounds are very nice, with access to water on the north (Lake Michigan) and eastern (Grand Traverse Bay) sides of the lighthouse.
Its that time of day, where a winery visit seems like the right thing to do. So time to head back south on Hiway 22 toward Traverse City.
As we approached Sutton's Bay, the GPS "winery finder" pointed us to the Black Star Farms Vineyard and Winery. Its a beautiful setting, from the moment you wind down the drive into the vineyard, to the time you pass by the stables and the winery.
The wine tasting area was PACKED, so other than a quick photo, we left without a sample. Ok, this not having a "refreshment" before 2pm each day on vacation was getting old, so it was mandated "FIND A BREWERY!" My "tour guide" obliged and we headed for the North Peak Brewing Company in Downtown Traverse City.
The building is ocated in an old converted warehouse on W. Front Street, a couple blocks from the "main downtown drag". Trying to save some room for a dinner in Mackinaw City, we tore into an order of nachos to go with our beers. Defintiely hit the spot, and stirred up the "shopping bug" in the "tour guide." Time to explore some of Downtown Traverse City.
Cherry Republic, a store dedicated to all things cherry, was our shopping spot. Amazing what they can do with cherries! Candy, jams, wines... you name it, they had it.. made from cherries!
While "the travel guide" scoped out the cherry store, I took a few minutes to survey the main street area. Looked like a nice place to spend a day shopping, drinking, and eating. Across the street was the Mackinaw Brewing Company. Had it not been late in the afternoon, another beer definitely was in order!
By now its 4pm, and time to start working north on our two hour journey to Mackinaw City. But not without testing our luck again at Turtle Creek Casino near Williamsburg, MI. They were having a slots tournament, and even though all we could win was free play at another visit, we decided to give it a try. No, we didn't win the tournament, but after that experience (banging the "spin" button constantly for five minutes), I cannot figure out how all the 65+ year olds can play in these tournaments, and not end up with a wrist injury! I was able to leave the casino with more than I came in with (not much, but still ahead), and as was the case at the casino on Saturday, the "tour guide" lost again!
Finally, we pulled into Mackinaw City, with dusk settling... no dinner tonite... we splurged instead wirh Dairy Queen Blizzards in Downtown Mackinaw City!
Mackinaw City, and the Comfort Suites. As we checked in, the desk agent asked if we wanted to upgrade to a jacuzzi suite, and being the cheapskate I am, I said no. Once she saw I had just joined the Choice Privileges Program, she decided we needed that suite, and gave it two us at no extra charge!
A great way to end the day!
Day three's adventures to follow .....
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