Visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City

In September, I went on a road trip to Michigan with 2 others. We drove from Minnesota through Wisconsin, and into the upper peninsula of Michigan the first night. Then, driving over the Mackinac bridge, we entered lower Michigan. While we didn't spend much time in the U.P., it was a scenic drive, and I may make a trip of just going there sometime ( See http://jonsconquests.blogspot.com/2010/10/timms-hill-and-mount-arvon-highpoints-2.html, for the last time I was in that neck of the woods, well that is unless you're talking about Isle Royale, which is Michigan, but not exactly the same as going to the U.P. ).

So we began our adventure in lower Michigan by getting some fudge in Mackinaw city as soon as we crossed the bridge. Then we made our way to Traverse city, first having lunch at a restaurant on the beautiful (and choppy that day) Torch Lake. Once we arrived in Traverse city, we visited the downtown, which has plenty of touristy shops and restaurants. We then made our way back to the hotel and called it an early night so we could make the most of the next day.

We made our way to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which was a very beautiful place. We hiked for a couple of miles along a large dune, and we were there early enough that there were no other footprints in the sand as we walked along. It was really cool to be the first people out on the trail, especially as we made our way back from the lake (the trail is an out and back from Lake Michigan), we saw several people.

One of the best views can be found from walking a very short distance from the road, where a large lookout is built. It is from near there that the picture was taken.

After leaving the park, we went back to Traverse city and headed to the Old Mission Peninsula, where we drove to a winery, Chateau Chantal. We enjoyed their wine almost as much as the views. The winery has views of both the east and west side of the peninsula (east and west bay) from their large patio, so pictures were taken once again (see below). Eventually we had dinner at a restaurant on the peninsula as well. It made for a great end to a really fun day.

I would definitely go back to Traverse city and the surrounding area. When we went it was a bit cool, so I think I would probably go in July or August if it was an option, mostly so I could go swimming or lay on the beach in comfort (Not usually my thing, but when you're on a beautiful beach, you can't resist!). We went when we did to attend a wedding, which was a couple hours south of Traverse city. This was also a great time in a beautiful place!