The Beauty Around Us

We opted to spend the morning and afternoon of Saturday, August 10th, on our own.  We rode to Leland, Michigan, which was about an hour’s drive from our cabin.

We ate breakfast at the Early Bird, located Downtown alongside Route M-22.  We hadn’t planned on where to eat breakfast.  We decided to play it by ear, choosing a restaurant based on its popularity.  Early Bird is popular.  I didn’t think there was a table available, when we arrived.  Lucky for Bob and me a couple of tables were being vacated, as we arrived.  The family ahead of us was seated first.  Then we got a table.  The service was prompt; breakfast was filling and scrumptious.

After breakfast, we explored Fishtown.  A photographer friend, who grew up in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, in the area in which we were vacationing, suggested that we visit Fishtown.  He said that there was lots to photograph in Fishtown, which is a historic fishing settlement.  Fishtown is home to a working fishery and a thriving charter fishing business. The riverfront is lined by a boardwalk and quaint shacks that have been converted into tourist shops.

Two Fish Gallery

Two Fish Gallery is up the hill from Fishtown.  Two Fish Gallery is one of many shopping opportunities in Downtown Leland.  We spent only a couple hours in Leland, including the time we spent eating breakfast.  I was most interested in photographing Fishtown.  We plan to return to this part of Michigan next year.  I hope to spend at least a full day in Leland during that trip!  There is so much to see and do there.

Fishtown

Leland River Waterfall

Bob and I walked on the footbridge that is above the waterfall.  I will share photographs from the footbridge later in this post.

Janice Sue fish tugboat docked at Leland River

Leland Harbor on Lake Michigan

Fishing Net

Footbridge to Falling Waters Lodge

Bob and I on the footbridge
Behind us is the Leland River, Fishtown and Lake Michigan.

View from Falling Waters Lodge footbridge

As I edited the photographs of Fishtown, I thought how nice it would be to stay for a couple nights at Falling Waters Lodge (connected to the left side of the footbridge). The stay would allow for more immersion in the Fishtown scene than an hour’s visit, or even a day’s visit. I checked the room rates. The lowest rate for a standard room is $69/night OFF SEASON. At the time we visited earlier this month, the lowest price was $232/night! I guess I’ll settle for a day stay, unless we can visit right after Labor Day when the price falls to $99/night.

We returned to our cabin via Beulah, where we stopped for cherry pie and ice cream at The Cherry Hut.  Our Vulcan Riders and Owners Club (VROC) friends told us to be sure to get a piece of pie at The Cherry Hut.  We were waiting to be seated when in walked nine of our VROC friends.  Our table for 2 became a table for 11!  The cherry pie was worth raving about.  The pie and ice cream were delicious!

Bob and I returned to our cabin, where we relaxed for several hours.  We went back to the Cycle-Moore Campground in time for dinner.  We went to nearby Rico’s Cafe and Pizzeria with Jim and Sandy R., Ray and Lisa R. and John.  Everyone, except for Bob and me ordered pizza.  Bob and I ordered taco salads.  I wish I had taken a picture of the taco salads.  They were HUGE!

After dinner, we returned to the campground.

Art B.

I took only one picture that evening at the campground.  Art B.’s happy, relaxed smile shows how much fun it is for those in VROC to get together.  We are one happy family, and it seems the next get together however close in time is too far in the future!

Bob and I didn’t stay for long that night.  We wanted to have an early night, as we would be leaving for home early the next day.  We said our goodbyes to everyone, and I was in bed by 10:15 PM.