Dipping Our Toes into the Sand: Traverse City to Mackinaw City

Ah, last weekend found a break in the weather, and TaGeez and I headed up to Traverse City to join other Free Range Lobsters for the Red Wings Training Camp. Gorgeous weather for camping, geocaching and a little sightseeing. 

Our early morning view

scrapcat and TaGeez, taking the beach by storm!

First morning found out geocaching up Old Mission Peninsula with PopLob. Even though we garnered this Virtual smiley years ago we find ourselves at the foot of this lighthouse every year. 

This year we brought along a hitchhiker. Hockeyman40 left Octie behind in the hotel so we kidnapped him and posed him all around the peninsula. We sent teasing texts to Johnny all through the morning.

Old Mission Peninsula has a lovely virtual, family- and kayak-friendly geocaches, Earth Caches, a fabulous Travel Bug hotel, and the Zombie cache at the Bohemian Cemetery. It also has quite a bit of history with Babe Ruth batting balls into the bay and the old General Store.

As we headed off the peninsula (and onto several other Virtual and Earth Caches), we had to stop for this Old Mission Peninsula Earth Cache GC6686J. It is the best view with rolling hills filled with grapevines framed both the loveliest, blue water. 

TaGeez and I had a few hours alone so we headed inland for some Virtuals. Ghost of Prince Froggers GCA060, down some old sandy Seasonal Access roads, was a disappointment. But the Leaning Tree Trails GC792F was a lovely walk along the Keystone Rapids.

Heading to Mancino's Pizza, we made one final detour to the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Earth Cache GC14EWP. The horizon was a lovely palette of pinks and purples. The water was very still with no boats coming or going. 

We packed Sunday morning. We had decided to head home via the Tunnel of Trees and Mackinaw City. Yes, my fellow Michiganders... we decided to head home from Traverse City via Mackinaw City. If you've read this blog are you really surprised? 

Helping us begin our journey was an enjoyable Got Benchmark? Wherigo GC1WPD5 up US 23. Eight benchmarks set in these cute locations ending in a nature preserve. Tall grasses and low mushrooms. That was the last of our bushwhacking for the rest of this trip.

Time to head north towards Charlevoix and Petoskey and eventually the Tunnel of Trees.

From Harbor Springs on, M-119 is the Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route, one of the Pure Michigan Byways in the state (Wikipedia). This 20-mile drive snaking through quaint towns, historic cemeteries, camps and nature preserves....

It’s called a “tunnel,” but unlike a mountain tunnel, the Tunnel of Trees gives the road tripper a different view and experience at each twist and turn as it hugs Lake Michigan, with rich hardwoods on each side creating a tree canopy over much of the narrow road. (Roadtripper.com)

The tunnel ends in Cross Village, home of the famous Legs Inn. Oh, the history! Oh, the view! And, oh, the Polish Food! My true regret is that the sauerkraut was so damn good! Nothing worse than craving something for dinner the width of a state away!

Built in the early 20's, Legs Inn is named for the inverted cast iron stove legs the original founder used to decorate the roof of the building.

TaGeez passing the time with a new friend

As you head to the back of the property the restaurant complex overlooks Lake Michigan. Stick a quarter in the viewer to see four lighthouses in the lake. And if you find yourself weary and in need of company, set yourself down at one of the picnic tables filled with visitors drinking wine and sharing tall tales.

The view from the balcony was stunning!

It's getting late so we moseyed into Mackinaw City and the Old Mackinac Point Light.

From here you can take pictures in front of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge or mosey over to Fort Michilimackinac. 

You may remember this bridge from my posts earlier in the month when we toured the US 23 Heritage Route along Lake Huron. We started in Bay City and headed North, past the Mighty Mack and onto McGulpin Lighthouse. This time we started in Traverse City and headed North, past the Mighty Mack and onto Old Mackinac Point Light. Pretty cool visiting two Great Lakes just one bridge width apart!

Another remnant from the US 23 tour were the Tom Moran steel sculptures. Heading south we found ourselves tackling a series of Virtuals starting in Onaway. Much to our joy we passed Moran's headquarters and his famous George Washington!

A lady at a nearby gas station pointed out the new Awakon Park Sculpture and Historic Landmark Trail. We tottled over there to find all of Tom's more famous pieces mixed in with the remains of the American Wood Rim Company. Great way to top a fabulous day exploring Pure Michigan.

I've shared several of his most well-known pieces here, but I truly recommend if you are in the area to stop in. It appears to be still under development so I'd like to come back one day.

At this point we turned south and, after garnering the information for three more Virtuals, headed back to Detroit. 

Geocaching takes you to the most amazing places. And when I think of amazing places I think of Pure Michigan.

Labor Day Adventure: US 23 Heritage Trail III

 ALPENA TO MACKINAW CITY

You know how you go on a road trip for the first time with friends and by day three you're ready to slap the snot out of them? Well, that didn't happen here. From the first moment we toddled down an old logging road to pulling up into fish's driveway, Sunday was fabulous!

It sounds like a cliche, but it is true: 

Geocaching takes you to many interesting places!

The first stop was Bell Cemetery off the Besser Bell Road. That in itself is a fascinating bit of history - the old logging roads from when lumber mills were king. This one reminded me of the "seasonal road" to Bland Cemetery outside of Traverse City - getting there is half the adventure.  Luckily we had ShelleyJean at the helm on the way in and afishoutawater on the way out.

Like all communities, death was no stranger and the cemetery of Bell can still be found if you search hard enough.  Great efforts have been made in its preservation and restoration with a large fenced in area, the erection of a monument and fences around the few remaining wooden crosses.  The monument attested to those buried in this area... (including) two sailors who were washed ashore. (Presque Isle Migenweb)

afishoutawater, ShelleyJean and TaGeez

Unmarked crosses on the South side of the cemetery.

With the fancier stones on the North....

We spent quite a bit of time here reading the headstones and taking pictures. It was a very moving tribute to this lost town and so quiet, cut off from the world by these tall tree.

We found the geocache just outside the fence in a grove of white birches (I miss birch trees). Funny side note: I dropped off a trackable here believing that since it was end of summer and these roads will probably be impassable soon that it would sit here until Spring arrives. Later that day I was pleasantly shocked to find another geocacher visited right after we left, and my TB is on the move!

Back on the road and heading North on US 23, we made our way to Rogers City for more geocaches at notable historic and scenic locations.

US 23 Discover Tour - Boat View GC63B57

Here is another piece of art by Tom "Iron Man" Moran, owner or Moran Iron Works, located in downtown Roger's City. (We saw his Eagle and soldier the day before, remember?) Tom's incredible welded sculptures dot this area and can give you quite a start when you round a corner and spy a giant arm coming out of the concrete.  Looking into it:

Since 1989, Moran Iron Works has constructed a unique and intriguing float to enter in the Onaway, Michigan Fourth of July parade. The float entry is the town's best kept secret until the community sees it for the first time on July Fourth. The anticipation and excitement each year for everyone to see what Tom has come up with is worth all the extra time put into each one of these projects.  Most of these sculptures are located in Northern Michigan, so everyone has a chance to admire some of Onaway's treasured artwork. (US 23 Heritage Route)

Looks like we need a follow-up trip for all the heads we missed.

Alas, that was the last of the giant metal sculptures we saw this trip. But not the last of the beauty. Next stop: Hoeft State Park. The sight of miles & miles of nature trails, sandy beaches, and one 1929 Sears & Roebuck's modern lodge constructed from a catalog kit (with furniture built by prisoners - who knew?).

Afishoutawater said the next stop was a "must do" so off to 40 Mile Point Lighthouse and the wreck of the Joseph F. Fay. Up to now we had been caching pretty steadily, but it was time to stop and smell the lake air and take pictures (Ok, TaGeez DID happen to find a difficult geocache DNF'd by some recent visitors). Lovely, refreshing stop.

Forty Mile Point Lighthouse

ShelleyJean and TaGeez

Remains of the wreck 

Ok, this stop on the Heritage tour may not seem exciting, but I had to add it. If you zoom in, you will see that BOTH ShelleyJean and TaGeez are holding cache containers and signing logs. Seems someone left a 'throw down' so we signed both just in case.

Ah, quirky and quaint Cheboygan. My only regret is that we had friends visit the same day and didn't find out until we checked Facebook afterwards. We missed other friends earlier in the day at Forty Mile Point Lighthouse, and we passed family in Mackinaw City later on. Looks like the gang is all here but not together.

Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw

Cheboygan River Front Range Lighthouse

LOVE art in the park. They had a mosaic gazebo, too!

Spied on the way to lunch at Mulligan's

And, as everyone knows, when heading up I-75, you must SEE SEA SHELL CITY! 

afishoutawater with Man Eating Clam! Yikes! GCK9X7

We were told to point at the "man eater". I'm not sure why TaGeez is
pointing at me!?!

At last, Mackinaw City, the Mighty Mack, and St. Ignace. We knew there was a chance that I would reach my 7,000th cache find on this trip, and it was at this point we realized it was a reality. Only 12 caches needed, it took longer than expected because we were distracted by Mackinac Fudge, saltwater taffy, and souvenir shops. What a full yet gloriously relaxing adventure!

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I must insert my apologies here. I tried. I really did. I tried to cut our 1K+ pictures down to a select few. But the Mighty Mackinac Bridge is stunning, and we took pictures of it from every angle. Again, I'm grateful for all the geocache hiders who led us to these very beautiful and secluded beaches. Thank you for understanding.

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Traffic was crazy with the bridge closing tomorrow (for the annual Labor Day walk) and the Labor Day festival along the water's edge. And, yet, with all the thousands of people milling about we had so many beautiful spots to ourselves.

How's this for a final resting place? GC3RB8G

The cemetery has it's own private beach!

Not the best photo but a lovely Earth Cache GC1MTTC

Oh, yes! And caching, too!

We must be rewarded for good behavior, right? 

St. Anthony's Rock Earth Cache GC1E8AR

Such a stunning view and such a GREAT cache container! Labrynth by the
Lake GC33FJM earned its favorite points on both accounts

And then it finally happened. I hit my 7,000th at McGulpin Lighthouse (northeast shore of Mackinaw City). The container wasn't very exciting, but the sense of satisfaction is amazing! Of the geocaches in the area, we picked this one specifically as a reminder of our US 23 Heritage Tour adventure!

US 23 Discovery Tour - McGulpin Lighthouse GC63NWB

So, of course, we had to take pictures. TaGeez thinks he's helping

I couldn't have done it without this fabulous man pushing me down hillsides

McGulpin Lighthouse - see TaGeez up near the light

This is what we came for! We earned our path tag and bragging rights!

Alas, the sun is setting and TaGeez has to work tomorrow, so with one final look, we were off!

We, of course, cached on the way home. The 1-75 Drinking Fountain Earth Cache GC27XZK is our fourth Artesian well YTD!

Who picked this angle? We need a taller tripod!

Thank you, afishoutawater, for your companionship, the use of your car, and the great suggestions you added to this trip. The Earth Caches really added to the flavor and to the history on this adventure.. Thank you to ShelleyJean for the laughter - you are an amazing photographer and I treasure the photos your forwarded.*  Thank you to the SAGeocachers (and all other hiders we crossed paths with) for a most excellent series. And thank you to my love, TaGeez, for making every day an adventure.

*Shelley's pictures are absolutely gorgeous, but I didn't want to use them without her permission.