Harrison, MI

Spent the Labor Day week in Harrison, MI.  You say Harrison???  Well, we waited too long to make reservations and you end up with 2nd or 3rd choice.  Campground was well maintained and everyone was very congenial.  About 60% were seasonal.  Several scenic areas surrounded the area so we took advantage and went to explore.  The area is in the middle of the state, palm of the "Mitten".  This area of the state is known for its lumbering and recreational (hunting / fishing).  At dusk we would venture to the surrounding fields to see the numerous deer that came out to feed.  Unfortunately, they usually were a good distance from the road but exciting to see the quantity.

Hartwick Pines State Park - Logging Museum displays camp life of the 19th century logging industry.  As you can see the build of this Logger and Larry are about the same! 

Lifting device to load the logs unto the railways.

Trail through Hartwick Pines.  They do an excellent job explaining new and old growth forests.  They also point out the different trees that were harvested.

Chippewa Nature Center, Midland - Unfortunately it rained the day we visited and was not able to view the entire area.  Did take a walk on a few short trails which showed us the area.  There was a glassed observation area in the back of this main building where you could watch the animals feed.  

Mr. Wild Turkey just strolling through the Nature Center.

This is the estate (110 acres) of Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow - "Dow Chemicals" fame.  Gardens are just beautiful, keep using this word to describe so many things we saw.  You could spend days at this place and we understood why the locals had the season pass after we spent several hours touring.  Their son Alden added many architectural elements to the gardens.  The Dow's believed the Gardens should never be revealed in a single shot.  A couple of weddings were in progress as we toured. 

Water Fall within the Garden

Estate Garden surrounding the Dow's home.

Red Bridge - A unique Alden Dow design which leads to the conservatory.

Sun Bridge - Alden Dow design sun's reflection completes the circle.

Unique pieces throughout the garden

Always need to capture the little guys!

As you can see it was a little chilly, even Larry had sweats on.  Fire felt good.

Of course if there is a fire there are marshmallows!  The cook at work!!!

South Haven, Grand Rapids, Ludington, MI

After dropping off Cheryl's Mom we continued our journey into Michigan.  First stop was South Haven area which is south of Grand Rapids. 

Douglas/Saugatuck area - these art communities are located along the Kalamazoo River

More landscaping in Douglas

You can tell it's an artist area with these decorative items.

More art

Fresh roses

Keewatin -steamship built for the Canadian Pacific Railroad in Scotland 1907.  Served over 50 years as the "railroad" connecting the Georgian Bay and upper Lake Superior railroads.  It could hold 288 passengers and 86 crew.

Bridge was modern for its day

Lounge area as you can see it was pretty classic for the early 1900's

A typical stateroom.

Dining Room

Communication's room

Bay Lighthouse

The Kalamazoo River serves this area with access to Lake Michigan.  The river serves many from touring, recreation and fishing

We enjoyed a relaxing picnic lunch along with the activity on the river.

Mt Baldhead

The 282 steps that take you to the top of Mt Baldhead sand dune.  This is easier than hiking it in the sand.

Along the trail to the lake.

Michigan Beach area from the dunes

View of Lake Michigan from the trail

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids

This was a good remainder of history.  President was never elected to office.

Cheryl had to capture this picture.  Gardens surrounding this museum are beautiful.

Fountain as you enter the museum.  There were several weddings taking place in the park the day we visited.  By the way, both Mr and Mrs Ford are buried on this site.

A Frank Lloyd Wright designed Prairie-style house built in 1909

Meyer May house - Meyer May was in the clothing retail business.  Closets had retail clothing fixtures for easy access and they pulled out. 

Stained glass throughout the house adds lighting and design.  Notice the straight line design.

More of the straight line design and pillar.

Wall Mural separating hall and dining area

Dining table

China set!

Divider between entry and main area.  It separates the area but lets the light in from the windows.

Modern fixtures for 1909!

Wright designed chair for the house.  It's a recliner.

We continued the trip north and camped at Ludington State Park.  Michigan has many great state parks which we enjoyed.

Remaining pieces of a ship wreck.  Lake Michigan can get rough during a storm! 

Big Stable Point Lighthouse

Tried to get creative on taking a picture.  This was a beautiful walk along the beach.

Gardens by the Lighthouse

Hiking "with friends" on the park trial. 

Another friend, the park was full of wildlife.

One of the many coves with relaying settings in the park.

View from a trail over looking the lake.

The little guys, mushrooms growing along the trial.

Leaving downtown Ludington and heading north