Leelanau getaway

10.18.2005

So a bit late on the update. But my trip w/ K8 to the Leelanau was quite nice. Despite the hours of driving (which, frankly, didn't seem nearly that bad).

We left Kalamazoo around 6pm, setting straight up US-131, before catching M-115 near Cadillac. From there it was just another hour to Frankfort & the cabins at Wayfarer Lodgings. I packed sandwiches & food so we wouldn't have to stop for food on the way.

Saturday, we set out for a big day driving around Michigan's pinky. Starting w/ an autumn drive into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We had a hard time finding the entrance, and the wind-swept sand made walking along the dunes less inviting than we'd thought. But the view of Lake Michigan was majestic.

We spent much of the trip driving. Which was the point, since the autumn leaves all weekend long were just fantastic.

From the dunes, we went up M-22 (Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route) to the fishing town of Leland. Bought some smoked salmon & turkey jerky, before settling for lunch at The Cove. Where we watched giant coho salmon struggle to jump up a rushing five foot waterfall.

Then across the peninsula to Suttons Bay to hit a few wineries: Black Star Farms, Ciccone, L. Mawby, Chateau de Leelanau, and Willow. Lots of sipping different wines, then dumping most of the glass. They may not have the international reputation of California, Australia, or Spain. But some of the wines are quite good. And I really like the small vineyards & wineries, where you're often served by the proud owners themselves.

We finished early, and headed to Traverse City for the afternoon. Somehow, I remembered it being a much larger city than it is. But we walked about, window shopping in the quaint downtown, before settling in to watch a University of Michigan football game (won w/ a touchdown w/ one second left on the clock!) at the Mackinaw Brewing Company.

Finally, we headed back to little Frankfort for a bite to eat. We just walked the four blocks of downtown to the beach, then decided on the Coho Café, were we split two fantastic dishes. Seriously, if you're in Frankfort, check that place out.

Sunday we headed back to Kalamazoo. We took a leisurely route along the coast to Manistee, were we stopped to stretch our legs. From there, into the immense Manistee National Forest, stopping once to walk through a piece of it.

One last stop in Newaygo for a quick bite, then straight through back to Kalamazoo. In time to watch the Sox win the pennant.

Posted by Miguel at 11:43 PM

Comments

you just brought back memories from the trip I took to Traverse City and Leelanau. Sounds like you had a good trip!

Posted by: Melli at October 19, 2005 04:12 AM

You've become quite the romantic - I remember once you said cities and cement are all we needed.How you hated camping! Of course you weren't camping and I'm sure the company was better:)

Posted by: beverly at October 19, 2005 02:53 PM

I don't know about being a "romantic" or not. But I think my time in Kalamazoo has certainly mellowed me out to appreciate nature more. Or maybe I'm just growing up & not a punk kid who thinks life can only exist in New York. But I'm still not a big camping fan. So I think little towns, the ability to stop for a quick look at a river, then drive away for a latte is perfect.

Posted by: Miguel [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 19, 2005 03:10 PM

Heather and I went to Traverse this spring, it was great. The weather was not good, but the wine amazing. I can't wait to make a trip up there with good weather.

Posted by: sam at October 19, 2005 08:48 PM