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.

Charlevoix, MI

Charlevoix is an impressive tourist town on Lake Michigan.

City Fathers did a good job of designing the harbor area on Round Lake.

Mural on Rexall Store Wall highlights points of interest.

Amphitheater with large grass lawn, fountains, park benches 

with a view of the marina. 

Stately homes on the harbor bluffs.

Draw bridge over canal to lake is the main street to town. 

Bridge raises every half hour for boat traffic.

South Pier Light Tower

Tour Boats

Beautiful day, good deli sandwich, ice cream dessert with a 

million dollar view made for a nice day.

Petoskey, Michigan

Petoskey sits of the shores of Little Traverse Bay. 

 City Park is the jewel of old downtown.

Many boutique shops, restaurants and art galleries line the streets.

Pie stores are very popular with locals and tourists.

The city RV park is on the shore of Lake Michigan is very popular all summer.

One of the good view sites of Lake Michigan.

Mackinac Bridge Michigan

The Mackinac Bridge links the Upper Peninsula to lower Michigan.

We crossed over the bridge on a quiet but rainy day.

The waters of Lake Michigan on the west meet Lake Huron on the east.

The 59th Annual Labor Day bridge walk will bring 80,000 to 100,000 people.

The Governor of Michigan leads the walk.

All the hotels and campgrounds are booked a year in advance for 
this 5 mile event. 

Tahquamenon Falls, Upper Michigan

Newberry, Michigan is located on the eastern side of the

 Upper Peninsula, between Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

 Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a popular tourist attraction 

to view the Upper Falls and Lower Falls.

The Upper Falls drops 50 feet to the river and are known for their brown color 

caused by tannic acid from decomposing hemlock tree bark.

The heavy foam is caused by soft water, organic material and turbulence.

A great spot next to the falls for fly fishermen.

Boardwalks allowed visitors great views.

Four miles down the stream are the Lower Falls.  Visitors

are able to rent boats to paddle to the base of the falls.

Lower Falls are a series of five smaller falls.

 A young couple in wedding attire traveled by boat to this area of 

Lower Falls for a photo shoot. 

Off came their shoes.......

Her wedding gown and his trousers were getting wet........