T&C's Michigan Travels: October 1, 2009

Last year we spent part of a day at the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, MI. Since then, we have been planning a return trip and today we made that trip!

On our way to the Cherry Republic, we stopped by the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes and drove the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This is a beautiful ten mile drive through the sand dunes and native forests of western Michigan. Our main reason for returning to the sand dunes this year was to walk to the top of the 450 feet tall dunes that overlook Lake Michigan (first photo taked from top of 450 feet tall dune). Note the change in the color of the water as it progressively deepens. During a normal year the dunes move inland one foot. This is caused by the wind from the storms that roam the Great Lakes. We noticed that a significant amount of erosion had occurred in several areas.

One area is going through a “blowout”. A blowout occurs when the wind removes the sand from an area and a bowl or hole develops where a raised area used to be. The second photo shows this area. The hill in the middle is slowly disappearing.

After leaving the sand dunes we headed to Glen Arbor and the Cherry Republic (third photo). Cherries are the thing at the Republic, and samples are plentiful. It is best to arrive hungry and try everything. It’s all good! The restaurant fixes nearly all the food and drink with some form of cherries. Even the hotdogs have cherries in them! Our drinks today were Cherry Root Beer and Cherry Cream Soda, both quite tasty.

Our final stop was the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Northport, MI (fourth photo). The lighthouse was built in 1858 and operated until 1972. Every lighthouse has something that is unique and Grand Traverse is no exception. This is the first lighthouse we have visited where steps going up into the tower wind counter clockwise. The stairs were also quite narrow leaving us with the feeling that no one of large stature would have been able to reach the lantern room! Grand Traverse has been restored and now operates as a museum.