August 2026 Michigan Vacation

 Gerry and I had a wonderful time in Michigan! We flew into Traverse City on Wednesday, August 19 and rented a car. We drove the scenic 116 mile  M-22 on Thursday. We stayed Thursday through Tuesday with our dear friends Steve and Gladys at their beautiful historic home in Manistee, MI. We flew back home to LA on Tuesday, August 25th.

 We checked into the Grand Traverse Motel On Wednesday evening around 7:00pm. We drove a short mile or so to the downtown Front Street "city center" with several blocks of restaurants and shops. We took a short stroll along Front Street, perhaps 1.5 miles total, and stopped at Seven Monks taproom for dinner. 

 a 1954 Studebaker car greets us at the Grand Traverse Motel

Thursday morning we checked out of the Grand Traverse around 9:30 am after eating their continental breakfast. The drive on historic M-22 was well worth it, with so many scenic stops. 

We drove north, and the first stop was Sutton's Bay, about 18 miles north of Traverse City. 

A lovely peaceful Suttons Bay welcomed us

The town of Sutton's Bay was a small "get out and walk" town with many small shops to explore. We especially liked the Bayside Gallery. 

Owl rocks and glass art at the Bayside Gallery caught our eye

 We headed further north to the town of Northport at the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. Then we headed south, stopping in the town of Leland. We walked to the dock and bought some smoked trout at Carlson's Fishery, a family-owned multi-generation business since 1904. We also bought some Raclette cheese from the Leelanau Cheese company.

Onward to Glen Arbor and the bridge separating Glen Lake from little Glen Lake. 

Gerry under the bridge at Glen Lake

Next stop is Frankfort, a small town with historic houses. We ate lunch at the Pork City Smokehouse, where we each ordered a whitefish sandwich and shared an order of french fries.

Our lunch stop

Enjoying my sandwich!

Ten miles later we arrived at Inspiration Point, the highest point along Michigan's shoreline, just north of the town Arcadia. We climbed the 120 steps to the viewing platform, with a breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Michigan.

Gerry is a few steps above me and took this photo 

Both of us together at the viewing platform at the top

Quite the view! Worth the stair climb for sure!

Onward to Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve, our final stop on this scenic drive. It is estimated that over 80% of all original Great Lakes marshes have been destroyed. These marshes are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world, and Arcadia Marsh is one of only 15 or so remaining coastal marshes along Lake Michigan’s Lower Peninsula shoreline.

We walked the boardwalk out-and-back, about 1.7 miles. Saw many butterflies, heard many birds, and especially enjoyed seeing a beautiful green heron and it's reflection.

Green Heron on the marsh

Monarch butterfly caught our eye

Great Blue Heron hanging out

We arrived at Steve and Gladys house around 6:00 pm. They gave us a tour of their renovated house, which has old-time furniture, pictures and atmosphere. It's like living in a house in the Victorian Era before the current times. 

We went out to dinner at TJ's Pub, located on the first floor  in the historic Ramsdell Inn.

Gerry, Steve and Gladys approaching the Ramsdell Inn

Friday morning, Steve cooked a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage. It was cool and cloudy in the morning. In the afternoon we drove around Manistee and Gladys shared with us the history of some of the historic houses, and then we headed to a nearby beach. We looked at many colorful stones along the shore, ate a picnic lunch in beach chairs on the beach, and then Gerry and I took a short swim in Lake Michigan!

Friday evening we ate dinner at The Painted Lady Saloon. All of us ordered the cod dinner special - 3 pieces of crispy cod served w a choice of potato and a side.  Very delicious and generous portions!

We're happy diners at The Painted Lady Saloon

After dinner we went to the Manistee National Golf & Resort to attend a free outdoor concert. The band was The Downtowners,  a five-piece band of veteran musicians from Northern Michigan. The band was great, and it was a very fun evening.

Gerry took this picture of me, Gladys and Steve at the concert Fri pm

Saturday after our breakfast of Steve's homemade apple pie and more, Gerry and I drove to Big M Park, about 20 miles away. We hiked the Fire Tower and Cheat Seat loop, a scenic 2.4 mile hike.  Had the place to ourselves - saw plenty of mushrooms on the trail, and of course, the Fire tower. 

Excited to take the short hike

This mushroom looks to me like an upside down hand-made wooden bowl

A colorful mushroom display

The Fire Tower is so much taller than me

And the trees are so much taller than Gerry

We drove back to Manistee and strolled the 2.8 mile Manistee River Walk. Very nice and peaceful and beautiful - no graffiti (like we have in LA, unfortunately)  and also, no litter.  A clean and pristine walk.

Steve cooked a delicious dinner of salmon, black beans and corn on the cob. Then we headed over to the Northern Cider House & Winery (15 miles Northeast) in Kaleva to see and hear "Bee and the Brood" another popular MI band. 

Sunday morning we went to the First Congregational Church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Church is about a half-mile from Gladys and Steve's home. The current historic building (First Congregational Church) is 134 years old (completed and opened on December 12, 1892). Gladys is in the choir, and she has such a beautiful voice. The church service was from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. 

First Congregational Church

 After the service, we walked up the 80 stairs to the top of the church bell. 

The bell at the top of church

A lot of congregational members have "left their autographs" on the wooden walls over the years.

Autographs from 1913, 1912 and 1908 

Sunday afternoon we drove 10 miles north to Onekama. Steve filled his 7-gallon water barrel with fresh water from the constant flowing water springs fountain. This fountain stands next to Portage Point Drive about a half mile from M-22 near Onekama. It flows all year long fed by an artesian spring.

Famously known as the "Two Lake Town," Onekama is nestled along the shores of Portage Lake with a channel connecting directly to Lake Michigan. There were nice views of Portage Lake 

There were nice views of Portage Lake, and then the clouds grew dark and ominous above Lake Michigan to the West.

It did rain an hour or so later, but it wasn't a downpour

Gerry and I took an early evening neighborhood stroll before dinner. Nice to get up close to many of the historical houses Gladys had pointed out to us previously on the Friday afternoon drive. A highlight on our stroll was seeing the Dempsey Manor Inn Historic Home. James Dempsey, lumberman, built this Queen Anne style home in 1894 on the corner of Maple and Fifth streets.

The Dempsey Manor Inn - now a Bed & Breakfast lodging

Steve & Gladys prepared dinner at their home. Steaks cooked on the grill  for the three of them (chicken breast for me, since I'm not a red-meat fan), delicious corn on the cob and salad.

After dinner, we drove to Fifth Avenue Beach for gorgeous views of the sunset. 

Quite the spectacular sunset!

Our dear friends (and perfect MI hosts) Gladys and Steve

Here's the four of us together as the sun goes down

Final photo five minutes later

Monday the four of us visited Ludington State Park, about 30 miles south of Manistee. A highlight was the four mile out and back walk to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse. This historic beacon was built in 1867.

We saw many butterflies on this walk to the Lighthouse

We also passed several sand dunes along the way. Such a scenic walk in Ludington State Park! 

Coastal sand dunes stretch on for miles

We didn't go in the Lighthouse, though we admired the view of this historic structure.

Here I am in front of the Lighthouse

Here are Gerry and Steve

We ate lunch at the picnic tables inside the Ludington State Park Beach House after our hike. And then Gerry and I went into Lake Michigan up to our knees. Water was much too cold for us to take a plunge. 

The expansive beach below the Ludington State Park Beach House

Gerry's happy to be on the beach, even though we both chickened out on swimming

Our final evening in Manistee we ate dinner at the Wander In. It was fabulous. We sat at a table outdoors, with nice views. Gourmet food, and excellent company with Gladys and Steve.  Our farewell dinner.

Gerry took this photo of Gladys Steve me at the Wander In

Tuesday morning Steve and Gladys prepared a delicious farewell breakfast of scrambled eggs with smoked fish, cantaloupe and blueberries, scones, coffee etc.

Gery and I hit the road and drove north of Traverse City to the town of Elk Rapids. A cute town with a nice beach to walk upon. We took a dip in the East Arm Grand Traverse Bay.

Grand Traverse Bay - Gerry is about to go in

He took a plunge.  I did not, though I waded in up to my waist.

Gerry cooling down in Grand Traverse Bay

Onward to Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen in Elk Rapids for lunch. Pearl's  is Servin' up the soul of New Orleans in the heart of Northern Michigan. 

Gerry outside of Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen

Happily seated at Pearl's as we await our food

We share crawfish cakes and a blackened catfish po'boy

Then it was off to the airport and bon voyage.

 "Michigan seems like a dream to me now"  (as Simon & Garfunkel sang in 1968).... 

 

June 2026 - California Road Trip !

 Gerry and I went on a wonderful road trip to celebrate his 75th birthday!  

 We left LA on Wednesday, June 3, and returned home on Monday, June 15. He drove his Volvo EX-40 (100 % electric vehicle).  It was a very scenic drive up the coast.  Excellent weather, and fun to visit places and towns where we've never been.

The first scenic stop on Wednesday was at Montano de Oro State Park, a lovely coastal state park which we visited 16 years ago. Montana de Oro State Park is about 10 miles south of Morro Bay, where we were staying Wednesday evening at the Harbor House Inn. 

The park features rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and beautiful views of the ocean.  We took a scenic and easy 4.2 mile hike on the Bluff Trail in the afternoon. 

One of the first overlooks on the Bluff Trail

 

Turbulent waves crashing ashore

Moving inland for the final stretch of the hike, we loved the wild flowers below and the American kestrel falcons overhead.

A field of beautiful California Poppies

We ate dinner in Morro Bay at Taqueria El Guero, where we ordered delicious tacos; very flavorful and authentic, with handmade tortillas.  

A nice stroll after dinner, with a view of Morro Rock, a stunning 576-foot volcanic monolith rising from the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of Morro Bay, as the sun set directly behind it.

Morro Rock at the harbor

Thursday morning, June 4th, we drove down the narrow peninsula to take a daytime photo of this "Gibraltar of the Pacific" from a different angle before leaving town and heading north.

Morro Rock up close

Thirty minutes later we arrive at the town of Harmony,  (population 18, elevation 150 ft.) founded in 1869.

Gerry in sweet Harmony

 

Antiques and a sculpture outside the art gallery in Harmony

Onward, up the coast to Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve, about six miles north of San Simeon, where we stopped at the Elephant Seal Rookery and viewed thousands of massive northern elephant seals along the beaches.

Look at all them Elephant Seals hanging out!

Then, on to Limekiln State Park, where we hiked 1.8 miles along the Limekiln Creek Falls Trail.  It contains four lime kilns from an 1887–1890 lime-calcining operation.

Mary in front of an historic lime kiln

Second hike of the day was along Pfeiffer Falls Trail and the Nature Trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. We walked about 2.4 miles in the park. Scenic, and relaxing.

Gerry, on the Pfeiffer Falls Trail 

We continued the scenic drive up the coast, past Big Sur with very scenic overlooks, until we reached Pacific Grove, and checked into the Monarch  Resort Hotel where we stayed for two nights, Thursday and Friday, June 4 and 5.

It was sunny and pleasant in Pacific Grove on Friday. We left the Monarch on foot at 10:00 am and walked north along Asilomar Ave, and then along the scenic coast to Point Pinos. Next, we headed south through the Asilomar State Marine Reserve. 

A beautiful, rugged coastline 

Pretty pink Sea Thrift, a native coastal plant 

Walking along Asilomar Beach brings back many fond memories of visiting the area years ago.

We are two happy hikers! 

We stopped often to view the spectacular scenery, take pictures, and listen to the birds on this easy 6.2 mile hike / walk.

In the afternoon, we took a  short stroll down historic 16th Street in Pacific Grove to Lovers Point. Many lovely historic homes, which date back to the early 1900s (1910 - 1925).

Quaint, historic houses in PG on 16th Street

My dear friend Cathleen also happened to be in town! We made reservations for the three of us for dinner at Passion Fish Friday evening.  It's a classy restaurant, (opened in 1997) with delicious food.  An enjoyable final evening in PG.

Saturday June 6th was another scenic coastal drive, with many beautiful views. We drove through Santa Cruz, and Half Moon Bay. Then we drove through Presidio Park in San Francisco to the infamous Golden Gate Bridge. 

Driving under the Golden Gate Bridge in the early afternoon

We arrived at Mt. Tamalpais State Park before 2:00 pm. Original plan was to do a scenic hike to waterfalls. Little did we know that advanced reservations were required at the waterfalls parking lot.  The parking lot was fully booked until 5:00 pm. Darn! So we drove three miles down to Muir Beach and took a short walk there.

Muir Beach, in Mt Tamalpais State Park

 Onward to a place near Point Reyes National Seashore, called the Five Brooks Trailhead where we took a short 1.5 mile stroll.

California Buckeye along the Five Brooks Trailhead

We checked into the Lodge at Marconi in the evening, located 11 miles away from Point Reyes National Seashore which we planned to visit on Sunday, June 7th, Gerry's 75th birthday!

Excellent choice for a two-night stay. It's an elegant place with a rich history. The property was originally built in 1914 as a radio receiving station by Gugliemo Marconi, often credited as the "inventor of radio." 

Observing all of the antique radios on display at the Lodge!

We ate a delicious complimentary birthday breakfast at Mable's Restaurant, located on the Marconi Lodge premises.  

Gerry outside of Mable's after breakfast on a bright and sunny birthday morning!

We drove to Point Reyes Lighthouse trail parking lot and arrived there at 10:40 am. We walked to the Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center (.4 mile) and then took the "313 step" walk down to Point Reyes Lighthouse.

Spectacular views of the seemingly endless coastline on the walk to the visitor center!

The coast goes on and on. No end in sight...

Wonderful rock formations to view along the way to the visitor center.

A magnificent rock formation!

Quite colorful, and under sunny skies. We scored!

There is a CAUTION sign at the Lighthouse Visitor Center.

The CAUTION Sign of the "wicked hard" stairs

Gerry and I did not find the stairs to be "wicked hard". 75-year-old Gerry and I were fine.  A wonderful initial birthday hike.

Making my way down to the lighthouse

Gerry at the lighthouse

Definitely worth the visit to the lighthouse!

Second hike of the day was along the Estero Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore. It is a 3 1/4 mile hike, a peaceful way to experience the beauty of the rolling ranch lands, expansive coastal scrub, and views of the Pacific Ocean. Plenty of plants to see on this very easy hike.

Beautiful Yorkshire Fog far and wide

California Rose caught our eye

As did Twinberry honeysuckle!

Our third and final hike was a short one near the Bear Valley Visitor Center.  We hiked the one-mile Bear Valley / Woodpecker trail.  We saw a wild turkey in the meadows along with woodpeckers, (of course).

Wild turkey hanging out in the meadow

We had dinner reservations at Tony's Seafood Restaurant, located less than two miles away from the Lodge at Marconi. Tony's overlooks the scenic and tranquil waters of Tomales Bay, and it was an excellent restaurant choice. The fish tacos were gourmet (my selection) and also the fish and chips (Gerry's selection). We were seated side by side, with a view of Tomales Bay, as the sun went down. The perfect sunset ending of a fabulous day!

Monday, June 8, we headed further northward, to the town of Fort Bragg. It was mostly a coastal drive, though we did stop at Monte Rio Redwoods, a bit inland, for a moderate 2.4 mile scenic hike along the Monte Rio Redwoods Trail. 

One of many scenic overlooks on the drive to Fort Bragg

It started raining at 3:00 pm on Monday, and rained off and on the rest of the day.  We really lucked out weather-wise on this CA Road Trip.  Monday afternoon and night was the only time it rained this entire trip.

We stayed at the Beachcomber Motel for two nights, June 8 and June 9. The name of the motel is appropriate - we were right on the beach, with an ocean view from our room. 

We went on a fabulous, coastal hike on Tuesday, June 9. We left the Beachcomber shortly before 10:00am and walked north to MacKerricher State Park, and then headed south past the Beachcomber along the trail to the Wesley Chesbro Pudding Creek Trestle.  A glorious 6.3 mile nature hike with many stops along the way under mostly sunny skies.  At a botanist pace - slow and easy...

Colorful Sea Thrift

Black Oystercatchers caught our eye!

Gerry gazes out to the sea 

 We reach MacKerricher State Park around noon.

A scenic view in MacKerricher SP 

One final view before we turn around and head south back to the Beachcomber.
 

At the end of the trail where we view people catching some fish

Gerry used his large camera to zoom in 

We saw several colorful flowers on the return, and the temperature was ideal on this coastal walk - in the 60s most of the time. 

Prairie Mallow  along the path

A White-crowned sparrow welcomes us as we approach the Beachcomber

In the afternoon, we took our second hike of the day at the Jug Handle State Natural Reserve. It is an ecological staircase and preserve, located 3 1/2 miles south of Fort Bragg. 

It was an interesting, ecological two-mile afternoon hike.

A scenic wave-cut terrace

Another terrace along the way

We went out to dinner at the Sea Pal Cove, a casual restaurant on the wharf, a ten minute drive from the Beachcomber. The Sea Pal Cove is best know for their Fish and Chips and also their Cioppino.  The restaurant has only outside seating, so we dressed warmly.

At the Sea Pal Cove, after we place our order

Cold beer, and Warm Fish & Chips and Cioppino

We returned to the Beachcomber in time to watch the beautiful sunset at about 8:40 pm.

Gerry on the porch outside our room at the Beachcomber

Watching the magnificent sunset from our porch at 8:40 pm

We checked out of the Beachcomber at 9:20 am Wednesday morning and drove a mile or so to the parking lot near Glass Beach. Glass Beach is along the Noyo Headlands Park Coastal Trail. We took a short 1.5 mile stroll.

Colorful glass at Glass Beach 

Than it was onward to Humboldt Redwoods State Park. We arrived around 1:00 pm and did the very scenic 2.5 mile Drury Chaney trail, situated in the northern reaches of the State Park.

The healthy state of the towering trees and the verdant overgrowth that carpets the ground makes this grove exceptionally scenic. 

Along the impressive Drury Chaney trail

At the base of a towering tree

Our final hike was 3/4 mile on the Founders Grove Nature Trail. The Founders Tree is 346 feet tall, 1.7 feet in diameter, and 40 feet in circumference. A very nice bridge along the way to Founders Tree.

A well-built, sturdy wooden bridge

The towering tree is nearly 60 times the height of Gerry!

We had reservations for Weds & Thurs nights, (June 10 and June 11) at the Benbow Historic Inn. It is located in the town of Garberville, on the South Fork of the Eel River.

The “Hotel Benbow” opened to the public in July of 1926 and soon became a popular destination resort for motoring tourists traveling up the newly completed Redwood Highway. 

Thursday was another wonderful day. We left the Benbow at 8:30 am and drove to the "Big Trees" parking lot in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, about a 40-minute drive.

We started our hike at 9:10 am. It was the Bull Creek Flats Trail; a very scenic loop tail. The total hike was 8 3/4 miles. It was not at all difficult and the weather was ideal. 

Gerry, amongst the trees on the Bull Creek Flats Trail

I'm a happy hiker on this trail, (which we pretty much had to ourselves)

We saw plenty of ferns along the trail, especially the Western Maidenhair Fern.

The bright and beautiful Western Maidenhair Fern

 Similar to yesterday, we were amazed and overwhelmed by the enormous Humboldt Redwoods!

I'm a very tiny dot in this photo

We also saw some fallen trees, which added another scope to the dimension of these trees. I wonder how long ago these trees fell? 

Beautiful wood....

After the hike, we stopped off at the Humboldt State Park Visitor Center en route back to the Benbow. It is a key stop on the Avenue of the Giants, offering educational exhibits and information on the park's redwoods, history and trails. 

 Tce yac is a life-sized mosaic sculpture of an otter located at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. "Tce yac" means otter in the Wailaki language. The piece was created by mosaic artist Jennifer a'Midi.

Tce yac aka otter

Back to the Benbow by 3:15 pm, in time for the complimentary afternoon tea and scones, served daily between 3:00 and 4:00 pm.  They were warm, small, heart-shaped scones with currants. A nice treat.

After the scones, we changed into our bathing suits and walked five minutes to the KOA Campgrounds with a small outdoor pool, free for Benbow guests to use. We took a short swim.

Dinner reservations for 7:00 pm at the Benbow. A warm, sunny evening and we sat at a table on the outdoor patio, similar to the previous night.

At our dinner table, with a lovely view

Friday morning we checked out of the Benbow before 9:00 am and drove to the town of Trinidad, with many stops along the way. We had reservations to stay at the Trinidad Inn Friday and Saturday nights.

We arrived at Russ Park, on the outskirts of the historic town of Ferndale about an hour later to do a moderate 2.3 mile hike. We heard plenty variety of birds and the trail was loaded with ferns and spectacular views. Weather was ideal-sunny, and in the mid-sixties.

A panoramic overlook on the trail

The historic Ferndale is a hidden oasis of small town charm and spectacular architecture. Many Victorian and Tudor buildings, galleries, shops, and restaurants. A real gem of a town!
 

Taking a stroll in Ferndale

Several historic buildings like this one 

We ate sandwiches for lunch at the Ferndale Meat Company. It was originally called the Ferndale Meat Market, and was established in 1875 by rancher and businessman John Russ.

 Onward to Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located about 12 miles south of Eureka. We did an easy nature hike, the Shorebird Loop Trail. We saw plenty of shore birds and butterflies.

A healthy looking Great Egret

Western Tiger Swallowtail 

We checked into the Trinidad Inn at 5:00 pm, and went to the Lighthouse Grill for dinner, a short ten minute drive away. Trinidad is a tiny town. It spans just 0.48 square miles of land and has a population of approximately 300 to 350 year-round residents. Probably less than ten restaurants and cafes in this quaint town.

Weather cooperated as usual on Saturday. We took two wonderful scenic hikes under bright, sunny skies. The first hike was at Sue-Meg State Park, located a 15 minute drive north.  We hiked the Rim Trail, and added on some extra mileage which included the loop around the Ceremonial Rock and made it into a 4.35 mile hike with several scenic overlooks including the popular Wedding Rock.

One of many scenic overlooks on the Rim Trail

The Wedding Rock, an 80-foot promontory

Ceremonial Rock 

Early homesteaders named it the Ceremonial Rock in the 1800s because it sits "ceremoniously" in the meadows. 

We walked around Sumeg Village. The Sumeg village is a recreation of a Yurok village. The site features traditional style family houses, a sweat house, changing houses, a redwood canoe, and a dance house. The village was built by Yurok people using the traditional materials, but with modern tools.

At this historic landmark, Sumeg Village

Our second hike was at Trinidad State Beach, located a 20-minute drive south of Sue-Meg State Park. The hike was a little less than two miles, and we made many stops at numerous overlooks once again. 

We had sunny skies above and turquoise-colored ocean below. It was especially interesting to see two dozen elephant seals at the base of a massive rock out in the ocean.

The rock with the pack of seals

We heard many birds, though only spotted a few, including a colorful American Goldfinch and a Song Sparrow.

American Goldfinch

Song Sparrow tells us goodbye at the end of the hike

Next, we drove to Arcata. It was fun to walk around the Arcata Plaza where the 36th annual Arcata Bay Oyster Festival was taking place. It was very crowded with live music, and 60 booths selling oysters, beer, and all sorts of arts and crafts.  Arcata is widely known as a "hippie haven". The place sure had the hippie-vibe! 

Saturday evening we had a delicious dinner at the Trinidad Bay Eatery and Gallery.  It was an excellent choice for our final dinner on this drive up the CA coast. We shared a beet salad and fish & chips.

The Last Supper

It would be a long, 670 mile trip back to Los Angeles. No way would we do this all in one day. We left the Trinidad Inn at around 8:30 am and drove to Livermore (a city close to San Francisco) arriving at 4:00 pm, where we stayed Sunday night.  On Monday, we drove from Livermore to our home sweet home in Los Angeles, arriving here before 4:00pm. 

Many fond memories of this road trip!