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June 30, 2015 K-Zoo to Leelanau State Park

After about ten hours of sleep (with a 2 hour wake up period from 2-4) I woke up kind of refreshed.  Had another long leg of the trip ahead of us this day.  After looking at the map, I figured instead of stopping at all the coastal two lane highways and towns for 3:30 hours in the car, we could drive north through the valley/National forest area of Michigan, and, of course stop the brewers of one of my favorite beers, Founders Brewery!

I really wanted the family to ride some of the KalHaven trail though, even if just for a little bit as all of us needed some exercise and a little bit of wind down time, and although walking was nice, we all like riding rail trails!  The KalHaven trail is 31 miles and ranges from South Haven to Kalamazoo, with multiple linking trails all the way across the lower peninsula of Michigan to be completed.  It was a beautiful quick six miles. It was a slow moderate climb (the route we took and ended up at the trailhead) to learn about the old rail line that ran through the area.  Then it was off to Founders for lunch and a snack. It was a quick trip there as only about 45 miles separate Kzoo and Grand Rapids.  From what we got to see it was a cool downtown area bustling with art galleries and brick streets. The long leg of the trip to Leelanau State Park was still a two lane highway, but with added log and large baffle type trucks hauling stuff to the northern peninsula.  Ugh.  Luckily we caught a break and finally got to pass a slow driver utilizing the highest RPM's on the little engine that could.  

After being in the car for a little over two and a half hours, we were ready for a break.  We were counting miles to Traverse City, which was located on the shores of Traverse Bay.  I was told by a co-worker that the city is one of the largest cherry distributors in the world and it was the cherry capital for sure.  They have a cherry festival every year, but alas, we were going to miss it by 3 days as it didn't start until the weekend.  The 1000 places to see before you die book told us to visit Grand Traverse Pie company so we figured that was a great place to stop for a break.  Little did we know, but the winds were from the north and they were COLD.  This is June 30, for cryin out loud!  When we got out of the car it was 58 degrees and the winds made it even chillier.  Being from the south we weren't prepared for that.  Needless to say, Jen and I had a nice slice each of warm cherry pie a la mode and it was absolutely delicious.  As badly as we wanted to check out Traverse City, there was a lot of construction, and, dressed in shorts on the bay and considering the wind chill, we decided to get to our campsite before it started to 'get dark'.  

We arrived at Leelanau after a BEAUTIFUL drive up Michigan State Route 22 north.  Little cities like Sutton Bay and Northport were both visited on the way. Grand Traverse bay is absolutely beautiful as the drive is on a bluff with drops and rises to the bay below.  Jen luckily saw a laundromat sign in Sutton Bay with a wifi connection--I'm sitting here now waiting for our laundry to dry and catching up this post as they're shopping.  We stopped in Northport for some coffee and to grab a little bit of groceries for the next few days.  Lighter fluid is hard to find round these parts and the wood is moist "Yangtzee river variety" for those who roll on the annual s24o with me--ha, so that will be a priority before we get to sleeping bear later today. 

The weather dropped yes to 49 degrees. Garrett asked this morning simply: "Why. is. it. cold?"  Thought that was pretty funny and so simple. It was a cold night but the Grand Traverse lighthouse is a beautiful part of Leelanau history as we learned about the Coast Guard exhibits and the ships and lighthouses that dot the great lakes. I wouldn't recommend the '40 degree bag' that Walmart sells which packs small.  It might be a 60 degree bag at the most!  Luckily we brought extra blankets just in case....Avery and GT liked the inside of the lighthouse where it was warm!

 Avery's attitude (and all of the Lutz attitude toward this weather!)

Family pic with the lighthouse in the background.

Old Glory flying proudly with a view of Manitou island in the Background from the top of the lighthouse. 

Garrett was able to unwind on the playground before we left.

 Although cold, there were some nice views when we went inside and climbed the lighthouse.  There was even a lego aircraft carrier exhibit consisting of 12000 legos that a 16 year old made for his eagle scout badge.  Very cool stuff.  A small primitive campground made us hope the future of this trip even further north with bring at least warmer, sunnier weather!!  Hoping we'll find a thrift store between here and Sleeping Bear dunes so I can find a flannel and a couple of sweatshirts for the northern portion of this trip, anyway.