Platte Bay - Ludington
Hari ini, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
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
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park
Semalam, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was a 45-minute drive west of Traverse City. We made a quick stop at the visitor center to pick up our day pass and a map so we could decide what to explore within a four-hour time window. The sky was overcast at first, but the clouds gradually lifted, and enough sunshine broke through to make for a beautiful day.
Our first stop was the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a 7.4-mile loop through forests, towering dunes, and spectacular overlooks of Lake Michigan. Around every bend, there seemed to be another postcard-worthy view.
Next came the famous Dune Climb. Rising 284 feet above the parking area, it looked easy enough from below, but climbing it was another story. Every step sank into the soft sand, making the steep ascent surprisingly exhausting. The most frustrating part was the series of false summits. Each time we thought we had reached the top, another dune hill appeared in front of us! After about 45 minutes of climbing, we had covered roughly three-quarters of the distance and could already see a glimpse of Lake Michigan shimmering in the distance. At that point, we decided we had earned our reward and headed back down, perfectly satisfied with what we considered an age-appropriate achievement.
Our next stop was Glen Haven Historic Village. Back in the 1850s, it was a busy port where steamships stopped to load firewood for their boilers. Over the years, it evolved into a lumbering, farming, and cherry-canning community before eventually becoming part of the National Park. There wasn’t a great deal to see, although we did enjoy watching a blacksmith demonstrate his craft in the old forge.
From there, we drove to Fishtown in the village of Leland. This charming waterfront is one of the last authentic working commercial fishing villages on the Great Lakes. Fishing boats still head out each day, and commercial fishermen continue to unload their catch at the docks. We took a break with an ice cream and a coffee on a terrace overlooking the little waterfall, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Our final stop was the Grand Traverse Lighthouse at the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. Built in 1858, the lighthouse served as a point of reference for ships until it was automated in 1972 and now operates as a museum. It was smaller than we had expected, and we decided to skip the $12 admission fee. Instead, we wandered around the grounds, took a few nice photos, and enjoyed a brief walk to the beach.
It has been another day filled with beautiful scenery and new experiences. To top it off, we had dinner at a nearby family restaurant, where we ordered fresh Lake Michigan perch. It was absolutely delicious!Baca lagi
Traverse City, MI
25 Jun, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
I was still asleep when Ursula looked out the window and exclaimed, “Oh no, it’s raining!” That woke me up in a hurry, and I immediately started working on a Plan B for the day. Fortunately, the forecast showed the rain tapering off around noon, so we only had to scrap our planned hike in Wilderness State Park. Unless, of course, we wanted to get soaked and spend the rest of the day with muddy shoes.
Before leaving Mackinaw City, we took a quick drive through the downtown shopping and restaurant district and were relieved to discover we hadn’t missed anything important.
From there, we followed scenic country roads to Harbor Springs, where we treated ourselves to an excellent poke tuna and seaweed salad at the Pier Restaurant. According to Wikipedia, Harbor Springs is one of northern Michigan’s prettiest little resort towns. Just a few miles from Petoskey, it has only about 1,300 year-round residents, but during the summer it comes alive with boaters, sailors, vacationers, and cyclists.
Sitting on the restaurant terrace overlooking the harbor, we admired the impressive yachts tied up at the docks. Afterwards, we strolled along the waterfront, taking photos of the beautiful homes, many of them painted white. It didn’t take long to realize that this charming little town is home to a considerable amount of wealth.
Next, we made a small detour to buy fresh strawberries from an organic farm. While we were there, we noticed a winery across the fields and, on a whim, decided to stop for a tasting. The wine wasn’t exactly something to write home about, but the visit turned out to be worthwhile anyway. We met Cathleen and Tom, the parents of the winery owner, who shared the story of how they had purchased the property from a large landowner for their daughter and son-in-law. They admitted they didn’t know much about wine, but they certainly knew the history of the place. It’s amazing how much you can learn by simply talking to strangers.
With that, it was time for the longer drive to Traverse City. This time, we let Google Maps choose the fastest route. By then, the rain had completely stopped, patches of blue sky appeared, and the sun even made a welcome appearance.
Our home for tonight and tomorrow is the Travelodge by Wyndham. We finished the day with an excellent sushi dinner at Red Ginger downtown. As we walked out of the restaurant at 9 PM, we noticed the blue sky above us.
Tomorrow’s weather forecast looks very promising.Baca lagi
A visit to Mackinac Island
24 Jun, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Shepler’s Ferry brought us to Mackinac Island this morning. Located just east of Mackinaw City in Lake Huron, the island is famous for its Victorian charm, scenic shoreline, and historic landmarks. Since cars are not allowed, transportation is mainly by horse-drawn buggies and wagons. No wonder the entire island carried the unmistakable aroma of horse manure! Fortunately, one of the best ways to explore the island is by bicycle, so after disembarking, we rented a pair.
A scenic road follows the shoreline all the way around the island, and we completed the entire 8-mile loop in less than two hours, including stops at Arch Rock and several other scenic viewpoints. With only about 18 feet of elevation difference, it was an easy and very enjoyable ride. We were glad we chose to see the island this way.
By noon, we had worked up an appetite and treated ourselves to a light lunch at Mary’s Bistro Draught House. An elderly couple at the next table had sailed their yacht from Port Huron, about an hour and a half from Detroit. They highly recommended visiting the Grand Hotel’s cupola, perched at the very top of the building, with its unique décor and spectacular views over the Straits of Mackinac. We took their advice, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit. The hotel itself, with its beautifully manicured gardens and famous front porch, was equally impressive.
Afterward, we climbed aboard a horse-drawn buggy for the ride back to the village center. It was another memorable experience and a fitting way to enjoy the island’s slower pace.
Our original plan also included visiting historic Fort Mackinac, built by the British in 1780, along with the blacksmith shop and the art museum. Unfortunately, time slipped away, and we had to leave those out.
We made it back to the dock just in time to catch the four o’clock ferry back to Mackinaw City.
The weather forecast had called for a 55 percent chance of rain, but somehow we stayed dry all day. We wrapped up another wonderful day with a tasty dinner at Audie’s Family Restaurant.Baca lagi
Mackinaw City
23 Jun, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Before departing from our motel in Blind River, we had an interesting conversation with our next-door neighbors, two Canadians riding beautifully customized Harley-Davidson motorcycles on their way to Quebec City. The bikes were immaculate, gleaming in the morning sun, and I had no idea that motorcycles like these could cost a small fortune.
As we continued west, we passed several Mennonite settlements and stopped at one of their furniture showrooms. The craftsmanship was remarkable. Chairs, tables, bed frames, cabinets, nightstands, and other pieces, mostly handcrafted from maple, showcased exceptional quality and precision.
After reaching Sault Ste. Marie, we headed south and crossed back into the United States. What followed was a long and rather monotonous stretch of Interstate 75 with little to see. To make matters worse, we suddenly lost our cell phone signal, and Apple CarPlay disappeared from the dashboard. What a nuisance! Fortunately, things became much more interesting as we approached and crossed the impressive four-mile-long Mackinac Bridge on our way to Mackinaw City.
After six days on the road, our gas tank was running dangerously low, so we stopped at a Shell station and filled up at $4.25 per gallon. Nearby, we found a family restaurant where we enjoyed a quick lunch before continuing to our hotel.
Once again, we arrived far too early for check-in. To pass the time, we visited the nearby Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, which is no longer in operation and now serves as a museum. Attached to the lighthouse is a two-story brick residence that once housed the keeper and his family. Inside, a narrow spiral staircase of 50 steps leads to the observation deck, where four round porthole windows provide views of the surrounding area.
Next, we located the ferry parking area for tomorrow morning’s trip to Mackinac Island. By then, it was already 5:30 p.m., and since we were near the harbor, we decided to enjoy an early dinner at The Hook Lakeside Grill.
After dinner, we took a stroll along the waterfront. We admired a massive U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker docked nearby and then came upon a large outdoor orchestra rehearsing for the upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations. Listening to the music as the evening sun settled over the harbor felt like the perfect ending to day seven of our journey.Baca lagi
Blind River
22 Jun, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Since we had only a short drive to Blind River today, we allowed ourselves a little extra sleep. There was no reason to rush. Our motel room even had a coffee maker that brewed surprisingly good stuff 😎.
Leaving Little Current, we crossed the famous one-lane swing bridge, an engineering curiosity that immediately caught our attention. Supported by a massive central pivot, the bridge rotates 90 degrees to allow ships to pass through the channel. The process begins at the top of every hour and takes about 25 minutes to complete.
In Espanola, we stopped at Tanner’s Supermarket to browse around and ended up leaving with bottled water, a few beers, some plums, and a T-shirt that Ursula couldn’t resist. For the next several miles, we happily snacked on the plums until it suddenly occurred to us that they might have a certain effect on our digestive systems 😅.
We arrived in Blind River just in time to satisfy our midday hunger. A couple of coffees and some sandwiches did the trick.
Our accommodation, the Old Mill Motel, sits right across from the railroad tracks, but check-in wasn’t until 4:00 PM. That gave us plenty of time to explore the Timber Village Museum, visit Fourth Sand Beach, and hike the Boom Camp Trail. All three turned out to be excellent choices.
After relaxing in our simple but comfortable room and taking a quick shower, we returned to the 17 Restaurant for dinner. To end the day, we shared a cold Molson Canadian beer as a nightcap.
Tomorrow, we’ll cross back into the United States and make the roughly three-hour drive to Mackinaw City, Michigan.Baca lagi

PengembaraIt looks like you are enjoying good weather. Heat index here in Texas has been well over 100°. It will be nice and toasty for your return. Your “pool boy” reports all is well at your homestead.

Pengembara😹 Yikes! 🥵 I hope the pool boy is taking a break to dip his toes in occasionally 💦
Manitoulin Island
22 Jun, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
For those of you who are interested, here is a bit of history and facts about Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada (by Google):
Manitoulin Island, 2,765 km2, the largest island in the world located in a lake, is part of an archipelago at the top of Lake Huron straddling the Ontario-Michigan border. Its northern shore encloses the North Channel, which leads to the St. Mary's River at Sault Ste Marie. An extension of the Niagara Peninsula, Manitoulin Island has an irregular, rocky shoreline and many interior lakes.
Indigenous Peoples
Before European contact, the territory around the northern Great Lakes, including Manitoulin Island, was controlled by a loose confederacy of Anishinaabeg peoples: the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi. Their alliance was known as the Three Fires Confederacy. The Odawa called the island Mnidoo Mnis, meaning “island of the Great Spirit.” The Odawa believed that Mnidoo or Manitou dwelt on the island. Jesuit missionaries arrived in 1648, but their mission was short-lived. The island was sporadically inhabited until the 1830s, when Sir Francis Bond Head tried to convince First Nations in Upper Canada to settle there.
While many First Nations were unwilling to move to the island, some farmers were. A shortage of farmland elsewhere in the province meant many farmers were eager to cultivate the island. The government realized that to open the island up to white settlement, First Nations needed to cede the land. In 1862, William McDougall, Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, visited Manitoulin Island to negotiate a treaty.
Wiikwemkoong First Nation refused to sign McDougall’s treaty. Other bands, however, did sign the agreement, which is referred to as the Manitoulin Island Treaty, 1862; the McDougall Treaty; or Treaty 94. The treaty ceded the majority of Manitoulin and the surrounding islands to the government. In exchange, First Nations received reserves. Five reserves, as well as Wiikwemkoong’s unceded land on the island’s eastern peninsula, were set aside. In addition to Wiikwemkoong, the First Nations on the island are: Sheguiandah, Aundeck Omni Kaning, M'Chigeeng, Zhiibaahaasing, and Sheshegwaning. (See also Reserves in Ontario.)
Economy and Transportation
Though the island is fertile only in spots, farming has always been a major economic activity. Turkey production thrived after 1920, and by 1930, the island was one of the most important sheep-rearing areas in Ontario. Logging dates from the 1860s, and commercial fishing for whitefish and trout was also an economic mainstay; however, both these industries have declined.
Since the 1920s, the island has become a popular outdoor recreation area, and tourism and agriculture are now the principal activities. Little Current, within the town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, and Gore Bay are the main populated centres. Little Current is linked to the mainland by road. The railway reached Little Current in 1913, but the line was abandoned in 1980. The swing bridge built for the railway remains for vehicle traffic. A ferry runs for much of the year from South Baymouth to Tobermory on the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
About 14,500 people live on Manitoulin Island, of which approximately 5,600 are Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).Baca lagi

PengembaraVielen Dank für die Auffrisch-Lektion. 2019, am Anfang unseres 7-Jahres-Trip, haben wir einiges gelernt aber wieder vergessen. Umso interessanter jetzt.
Little Current
21 Jun, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
We arrived early for our ferry crossing to Manitoulin Island, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy a cappuccino and a cinnamon roll before boarding. The Chi-Cheemaun is an impressive vessel, with ample space in its belly for transport trucks, campers, passenger cars, and motorcycles. Ursula and I found a sunny, sheltered spot on the upper deck and enjoyed the smooth 1-hour and 45-minute crossing.
After disembarking, we followed Highway 6 to the village of Little Current. Along the way, we stopped at an Indigenous trading post that also offered beautiful views of the lake and its many small islands. The store itself was somewhat disappointing. The owners were not Indigenous, and many of the souvenirs appeared to be inexpensive imports. Still, I bought a small bottle of sage essential oil that will remind us of Manitoulin Island whenever we add a few drops to our home sauna. 😊
Since it was too early to check into our motel, we stopped at Hawthorn’s for a light lunch. At the next table sat a woman who appeared to be Indigenous, and before long, we found ourselves engaged in a fascinating conversation. Now a grandmother, she was born and raised on Manitoulin Island and still lives on a nearby Reservation. During the long winter months, she handcrafts skirts featuring Indigenous designs, while her husband builds traditional Indigenous-style furniture. In summer, they travel to Pow-Wows throughout the island and mainland Ontario, where they dance and sell their creations.
Her spiritual name is “Early Rising Woman,” or Wabah-Kwe in Ojibwe. We learned so much from our conversation with Wabah-Kwe that, before leaving, we asked if she would allow us to pay for her lunch. She happily accepted, and that simple gesture brought us as much joy as it did her.
By then, it was 1:30 PM, and with such a beautiful day, we spontaneously decided to go for a hike. Google suggested the Cup and Saucer Trail, only 19 minutes away. It turned out to be an excellent choice. The 5-kilometre trail climbed steadily to spectacular lookouts overlooking the blue waters and countless islands below. Even the walk through the quiet forests of pine, cedar, and aspen was a pleasure in itself.
After a refreshing shower back at the motel, we relaxed for a while before heading down to the harbor for pizza and beer on the rooftop patio of a waterfront restaurant. The beer was excellent. The pizza, not so much. Still, sitting there as the sun slowly set behind the harbor made the evening worth its weight in gold.
Later, we took a stroll along the waterfront boardwalk when a voice called out from a nearby balcony: “Hey guys, how are you doing?” It was a couple who had crossed on the ferry with us that morning. Moments like that remind us how friendly Canada can be.Baca lagi
Tobermory
20 Jun, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
When I crossed the street this morning to buy croissants for breakfast, I noticed a car parked beside the hotel with a “Just Married” sign and a string of cans attached to the back. It made me think about how many years Ursula and I have been together.
🚙 Today’s drive to Tobermory was 165 miles straight north along the shores of Lake Huron. The scenery was mostly flat farmland, with occasional cattle pastures on one side and beach communities on the other. Like yesterday, we took a few detours to explore some of the sandy beaches and wondered about the many waterfront properties for sale.
About halfway there, we stopped at a roadside farmers’ market and picked up a basket of fresh strawberries. They were sweet, juicy, and absolutely delicious.
After checking into a simple roadside motel, we drove five minutes into Tobermory, located at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula. The town is known for kayaking, diving, sailing, and boat tours to nearby islands and rock formations. The crystal-clear water was stunning.
A couple of cold beers on a restaurant patio hit the spot before we strolled through the harbor and browsed the charming little shops. After a short nap back at the motel, we returned to town for an early fish and chips dinner.
The internet and phone reception are both slow and spotty - it took me over an hour to upload this footprint 🤣.
Tomorrow, we are taking the ferry to Manitoulin Island. Departure is at 8:45 a.m., with check-in at 7:30. A good reason to turn in early tonight. 😎Baca lagi
Bayfield, Ontario
19 Jun, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
Day 2 got off to a great start when we exchanged our rental car for a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. This time, Apple CarPlay worked flawlessly, and it was a pleasure using Google Maps directly on the car’s dashboard.
Today’s destination was the charming village of Bayfield, located on the shores of Lake Huron in western Ontario. Highways 94 and 69 led us to the Blue Water Bridge, where we crossed into Canada. The border crossing was extremely busy, and it took more than half an hour before it was finally our turn.
Once across, we followed the shoreline north. The landscape was remarkably flat, with lush green agricultural fields stretching out on both sides of the road. Corn and soybeans appeared to be the dominant crops, although we also passed a few cattle farms. The homes and properties along the way were exceptionally well-maintained, reflecting the pride many Canadians seem to take in their communities.
Several times, we left the main highway to explore small lakeside towns and beaches. Under the bright sunshine, the waters of Lake Huron looked deep blue. Although the water was still cold for June, we saw a number of people wading along the shoreline, though none ventured out for a swim.
We arrived in Bayfield early in the afternoon and checked into the charming Little Inn. We were fortunate to get the penthouse room on the third floor, complete with a cozy sunroom reached by a small staircase and furnished with two rocking chairs.
After settling in, we treated ourselves to ice cream from a shop across the street and took a leisurely walk along Main Street. The village was bustling with small boutiques, pubs, and restaurants. An artisan market was underway in the town park, where I spent quite a while chatting with a talented woodworker and fellow woodturner. I complimented him on the exceptional craftsmanship, precision, and attention to detail displayed in his work.
A short afternoon nap was followed by dinner in the hotel's dining room. We both chose the fish and chips, and they certainly lived up to expectations. During dinner, the couple at the next table suggested a walk to the beach to watch the sunset. We followed their advice and were rewarded with a truly spectacular Lake Huron sunset.
Tomorrow, we continue north with a three-hour drive to the picturesque town of Tobermory.Baca lagi
Dearborn - Henry Ford Museum
18 Jun, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
We landed in Detroit right on time. The shuttle bus took us to the rental car center. Our Toyota Camry Hybrid looked fine at first, but we’ll be exchanging it tomorrow, because a “Service Required” message appeared on the display, and despite several attempts, we couldn’t get Apple CarPlay to work - and I know the problem is not my iPhone 😀. Fortunately, that minor inconvenience didn’t put a damper on our plans for the day.
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation was an impressive museum covering the equivalent of nearly 9 football fields under one roof. We spent almost four hours wandering through its vast collection of exhibits and could easily have stayed longer. We left with the feeling of having barely scratched the surface.
The cars and transportation exhibits alone were worth the visit. We traced the evolution of the automobile from Ford’s legendary Model T through classic American cars, race cars, drag racers, presidential limousines, school buses, and even commercial trucks. Beyond automobiles, the museum features massive steam locomotives and rail cars, historic aircraft, heavy machinery, and fascinating manufacturing and assembly line displays.
Among other highlights were the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat, which sparked the Civil Rights Movement, and the presidential limousine that carried John F. Kennedy and other US Presidents. Everywhere we turned, there seemed to be another piece of American innovation waiting to be discovered.
About halfway through our visit, we gave our tired feet a break at Lamy’s Diner, an authentic 1946 diner that was relocated to the museum from Worcester, Massachusetts. Being there, sipping an original root beer felt like stepping back into postwar America.
After returning to our nearby Comfort hotel for a little rest, we headed out for dinner at Ford’s Garage. My chicken wings with Bourbon BBQ sauce were excellent, and Ursula thoroughly enjoyed her blackened salmon.
The weather was windy, and the temperature was a few degrees cooler than we had anticipated. It was a wonderful way to end the first day of our 13-day road trip.Baca lagi














































































































































































































































