We were on our way with overcast skies and 72 degree temperature. By 10:00 a.m. Google found Rivers Edge Restaurant for a very satisfying breakfast. It was just what we wanted with all of the Saukville locals. We were on our way again at 10:30 a.m.
Traffic was light, roads were good and we made very good
time until we hit Hwy 35 with two-lane traffic and just a couple of passing
lanes.
We stopped at the Michigan Visitors Center and picked up an
informational booklet on Munising and a Michigan map. We hoped to buy some
special toast in Trenary, but the bakery was closed. We lost an hour crossing over to the Eastern time
zone, but otherwise the experience was uneventful.
We found Beach Inn Motel with no problem, and were checked in
at 4:30 p.m. We have a spacious lawn outside our door overlooking this lovely lake. We took advantage of this perfectly beautiful
day with crackers and Brie, plus wine and beer.
We have enough food for another meal, and instead of going out to eat we
had smoked fish on rye bread with sliced tomatoes.
We have reservations for a 3:00 p.m. for a Pictured Rocks boat cruise tomorrow.
The person that took my reservation said that later in the afternoon was best with
the sun hitting the rocks.
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Breakfast was the typical Continental, but would satisfy us through the morning.
We headed to Pictured Rocks National Seashore to view waterfalls. However, waterfalls would be elusive. We could hear the Munising waterfall, but to view it we'd need to walk some distance on an uneven path; Peter didn't think that I should attempt it. The elevation of Machu Picchu and the rocks of Galapagos are a distant memory. The other waterfalls required some climbs and/or many steps. We drove until the road ended, with beaches and some scenic overlooks. We followed Hwy 58 to Kingston Lake where we found a secluded picnic table for our lunch. It was so peaceful and isolated, well worth the drive.
We didn't have a lot of time to spare before out boat departed to view the Pictured Rocks. We headed to the top deck thinking that would be the optimum for taking pictures. Not that great. There was no standing on the upper deck, but people were free to move around on the lower deck. Trying to take pictures with heads in the way and cameras raised was a challenge. I still managed to get some fairly good pictures.
The rock formations and colorations were spectacular. A real bonus was the weather, nice and mild, with a gentle breeze.
Dinner at The Dogpatch was very rustic as the name suggests, but filling and quite good.
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
We headed to Fayetteville Historical Park, a reconstructed area demonstrating an iron smelting settlement with a harbor. On the way we spotted a wonderful picnic spot and remarked what a great place to have a picnic. When we arrived at our destination, the first challenge was approaching the Visitors Center down a number of steps. An overlook of the grounds appeared to be down a steep incline, which would also have to be ascended. There were numerous buildings spread some distance apart that would involve very much walking. Even though I had my walker, it would be very strenuous. We spoke with people who completed the trip who told Peter to talk me out of it. We took their advice and headed out. Good thing the attendant was not present when we entered the grounds, otherwise we would have paid for nothing. We backtracked our route and found that great picnic spot right next to the lake.
Dining options are very casual. I think the only sit-down restaurant was the Dog Patch, the rest seem to be take-out and counter service. EJ's Dine or Dash (the dine is a stretch) had good reviews, and even had deep fried pierogi on the menu. I had a gyros. After finding a post office to mail my letter to Don and Masako, we drove through the downtown that is getting the main road widened.
We finished the evening outdoors, well beyond sunset.
Thursday, August 26 2021
We are really lucking out with this weather, 72 degrees at 10:33 a.m. heading for Lakenland Sculpture Garden.
This was the highlight of our trip, well worth going there. Construction worker Tom Lakenen built over 100 sculptures from recycled iron, acquired mostly from construction sites. It is spread out along even paths that are drivable and/or walkable and is completely free; however, donations are appreciated. I started walking and taking pictures as Peter followed in the car. I think I captured them all. The sculptures were very imaginative and showed a lot of creativity.
Dinner tonight was at the East Channel Brewing Company
with a pizza restaurant next door.
We got two IPAs and found a shelf outdoors facing the road. We each ordered an 8" pizza that was brought to our spot. We met Jonathan who was Discovering America on his Harley over 7000 miles.
Friday, August 27, 2021
We were on the road at 10:03 a.m. on an overcast day. I told Peter to drive slowly through Tenary, maybe the bakery was open. The bakery looked permanently closed. There was a mini-mart on the edge of town (don't blink or you'll miss it) that we stopped at to use the rest room. On the shelf were many bags of Trenary toast, plus other bakery products. I bought a bag of toast and a rye bread. The bakery is in town, but not a shop.
We hit some pretty heavy rain that did not allow us to stop except to use restroom facilities.
Before getting to SRS we stopped at Walgreen's for my prescription, but it was at Loomis Rd. Also did some grocery shopping at P & S. Peter questioned why no one was in the dining room at this time; it was dinner time. A notice in my apartment said that someone in the kitchen staff tested positive for COVID and meals would not be served until Tuesday, August 31st.
We were mighty hungry by the time we got to Pitch's for full racks of ribs. The waiter forgot our salads, but we had complimentary cheesecake and coffee.
