Lower Peninsula, Michigan

The temperatures have definitely been going down as we head north, and Michigan is glorious! Our first stop is just outside of South Haven.

 Since we're only here for one day, we do what all the other tourists do, we head to North Beach to see the sunset on Lake Michigan. 

The next day we travel to Leelanau County, which is a summer tourist destination. 

We land at Wild Cherry Resort near Suttons Bay in northwest Michigan. 

It looks like it's blocking the view, but this is the perfect RV shade tree!

Many RV sites around here are booked for the summer season a year in advance. We were very lucky because someone had canceled their reservation just before I called! We couldn't be happier with the site we got!

It blocks the PM sun w/o blocking the view from the RV or the satellite signal!

Wild Cherry has a golf driving range on site

The path to the tent camping sites

Tom spots a Great Blue Heron down by the water and gets a chance to take out his camera and telephoto lens.

The location is very convenient. Traverse City is about 20 minutes south, so we can take care of shopping. For some of us, there is pickleball in both Suttons Bay and Traverse City...outdoor play only of course. 

The base of the Dune Climb

It is also close to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Sleeping Bear is probably best known for the Dune Climb, and arduous 400+ foot climb up . 

 

 

View from the top of the climb

View from the bonus climb to the high point

From the top, you could continue on for another three and a half miles across the sand to Lake Michigan. 

We decided to be smart and not hike across the sand dunes. Instead, we head north and do the Sleeping Bear Point trail.  Hmmmmm...

Surprise! Sleeping Bear Point is a three mile hike through the relentless sand dunes!

After our desert like hike, we reward ourselves for surviving by stopping in Glen Arbor and taking a very cool dip in Lake Michigan. 

This region of Michigan is fast becoming the Napa of Michigan. There are numerous vineyards and wineries to visit. 

I should note that because the area is cool, they do specialize in white wines. We did not find many red offerings. One stop we made was to an organic winery, Green Bird Organic Cellars and Farm.

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Driving around the area, we happened across a powered paragliding group. In powered paragliding the pilot wears a motor that allows him/her to take off from flat ground. This group was using a small airport.