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!!!