Platte Bay - Ludington

A 45-minute drive along quiet secondary roads through forests and farmland brought us to Platte Bay, a place recommended by our Swiss friends, Dwight and Anita. It turned out to be the highlight of the day.

The wide sandy beach with its shallow, crystal clear water was simply beautiful. We spent about an hour walking north along the shoreline before turning back. It may sound a little boring, but it was anything but. We were fascinated by the smooth, colorful pebbles on the beach and the incredibly clean, fine sand. My keen eyes even spotted several natural sand art formations. Along the way, we found footprints from dogs, deer, raccoons, and, of course, plenty of seagulls. With only the slightest breeze, the surface of Lake Michigan was almost as smooth as glass. It was one of those perfect moments you wish could last all day.

From there, we continued south along the Lake Michigan shoreline to Point Betsie Lighthouse. Since 1859, it has guided ships through the Manitou Passage. Although it is no longer in active service, the beautifully restored lighthouse now serves as a museum. I managed to capture a few photographs that I’m quite happy with.

A few miles farther south, we stopped in the charming town of Frankfort for lunch. Ursula enjoyed a delicious New England clam chowder, while I treated myself to a Reuben sandwich. At the next table sat a delightful 95-year-old lady and her daughter. They suggested we visit the scenic overlook in nearby Elberta before leaving town. We took their advice and were rewarded with a wonderful panoramic view that we otherwise would have missed.

Continuing south, we made a quick stop to explore the park and harbor of Onekama before reaching Manistee, where an impressive old steamship immediately caught our attention. We stepped aboard, only to discover it had been converted into a museum. Since we weren’t planning to spend the $20 admission fee, we skipped the tour, but the friendly attendant told us a little about the ship. The "City of Milwaukee " once carried four railroad tracks loaded with freight cars across Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Glen Haven, making it one of the largest railroad car ferries of its time.

Our final destination was the Ludington State Park Lighthouse. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to visit, so we headed to the Ventura Motel, where we had reserved a room for the night.

Our after-dinner entertainment was the FIFA soccer match between Colombia and Portugal.Baca lagi