Manistee and Ludington, Michigan

The Manistee River runs through downtown Manistee

connecting Lake Michigan with Manistee Lake.

A beautiful 1.7 mile riverwalk on the town side across the water. 

The river meets Lake Michigan at the lighthouse and nice city park.

 Pottery artist demonstrating in the window.

Pizza for lunch overlooking the river.

Home in historical district.

Historical business building

Ramsdell Theater built in 1903 at a cost of $100,000. 

Productions and concerts are still performed year round.

The S.S. City of Milwaukee is floating piece of history.  Tours include passenger

cabins, dining and smoking rooms, captain's quarters and pilothouse.

Ludington, Michigan is further south on Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan has many sandy beaches like this one.  

Beautiful sunny Sunday, people enjoying the water and beach. 

City of Ludington Municipal Marina and surrounding park.

Another beautiful red brick courthouse. 

Architecture curves are outstanding. 

Leland, Michigan

The picturesque coastal town of Leland is located

between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau on Leelanau Peninsula.

A block from Main Street is Fishtown, a quaint waterfront historic district.

About 100 years ago, the old wood buildings on the docks were 

fishing shanties and net drying sheds.

Today the buildings are boutiques and art galleries.

The strange boat across the waterway is the Janice Sue, a gill net fish tug.

Restaurant overlooks the falls.

Leeland Champion Cottonwood tree grew 100 ft. tall.  

The town planted the tree in 1901 and was removed in 2011. 

Sixty cloned buds were created from this tree.

Glen Haven Historic Village on Sleeping Bear Bay, Michigan

The Manitou Passage between mainland and islands was 

a short cut for shipping on Lake Michigan. 

The shallow waters and rocks were deadly for ships.

In 1838 lighthouses and life saving stations were built to protect

ships sailing through this passage.

Nearby a Cannery was built to process local fruit 

shipped to Chicago and other Great Lakes cities.

The building is now a museum for historic life saving equipment.

Glen Haven downtown home next door to Life Saving Station.

 Main house for Life Saving Operations and sleeping quarters.

View of lake from front door.

Rescue boat and equipment

Cork life jacket

Rescue boat on tracks ready to be pushed to water.

Outside tracks to left of boathouse.

Canon used to send rescue line to distressed ship.

Line was attached to one of these projectiles. 

Sleeping Bear Dunes, Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan

On the Northwest shore of Lake Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula

lies the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

It is 600 ft. near vertical drop from the 

top of the dune to water's edge.

Panoramic view from top of dunes.

Many visitors play on smaller Dune Climb.

View of Little Glen Lake divided by M22 road to Big Glen Lake.

Old Mission Peninsula Traverse City, Michigan

Old Mission Peninsula extends from Traverse City 19 miles north
 through West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay to Lake Michigan. 

A picturesque road winds through cherry orchards, vineyards and farmland. 

Roadside fruit and vegetable stands using the honor system. 
Cherries out of season but excellent tomatoes and peaches.




Hilltop vineyards provide view of Traverse Bay.



Old Mission Lighthouse built in 1870, formally guided ships into 
the bay from Lake Michigan.  

This area is located on the 45th parallel half way 
between North Pole and Equator. 



The dark blue water at the horizon is Lake Michigan.

In 1854 squatters built this cabin.  

Note the notched beams for the second story.

Local restaurant served a great lunch.

The restaurant hosted a gallery for the local

Art and Craft Trails in Northern Michigan.

The Chateau Chantal Winery has a beautiful overlook to sample wine.

Our friends Del & Marcia were special hosts 

and tour guides for our three days together. 

Thank you both