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

Traverse City, MI

Busy downtown Traverse City has population of about 15,000.

It is located at the base of West Arm of Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan.

Traverse City region is popular with tourists and 

is the largest tart cherry producer in the USA.

Historical State Theater owned by Michael Moore who is

a documentary film maker, author, director and producer.

Each year he sponsors a charitable film festival.  

Traverse City State Hospital was founded in 1883.

The hospital treated mentally ill people in northern Michigan.

Before closing, the hospital was treating more than 3,600 patients.  
The facility was self sufficient growing their own food and 
maintaining a herd of 400 cattle.

The complex went into disrepair after closing in 1989.

Currently eleven building have been refurbished into privately owned condominiums, restaurants and shops.  

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is 

a very popular residential area. 

Hartwick Pines State Park, Michigan

One of Michigan's largest forest of
old growth white pine trees is located in this area.



Hartwick Pines State Park is the largest park in northern Michigan.

White Pine Trees in this grove are 350-375 years old 

and reach a height of 150-160 ft. 

Michigan led the nation in sawed lumber production in the 19th century.

The Big Wheel was a revolutionary invention to drag logs on the 
ground.  This allowed logging in the summertime.  Normally, logs were slid on
ice and snow in the winter.

Canoe's made the old way by burning out the center and shaping with ax.

Old time logger's shelter during the winter 
when logging was deep in the forest.  Main camp had log cabins.