A Cabin Vacation in Michigan Autumn
Friends own a cabin on a lake in Leelanau County, Michigan -- the "pinky" of the Michigan Mitt. For the past five years, they have graciously allowed us to spend 3-7 days there each fall. It has become the time we look forward to the rest of the 51 weeks of the year. A true time of R&R.
(This view is from their cabin deck.)
Clothing to take (for all kinds of weather and activities):
rain coat/ winter coat/ gloves/ winter hat/ light jacket/ vest/ Columbia hat/ winter boots/ long sleeved shirts/ nice T-shirts/ 2 pair jeans/ 1 pair relax-in pants/ hiking boots/ sneeks/ slippers/ underware/ nighty/ pretty dress & shoes (for eating out)
Cabin Clock Tells It All
Empire Bluffs Trail
One of the small towns in Leelanau County is Empire. The Visitor Center and Headquarters for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore is located here, and worth the time to stop in. A short drive away is the trailhead to Empire Bluffs Trail. This trail takes you about an hour's hike through a deciduous forest growing ontop of sand dunes.This shot is taken near the trail's end, overlooking Lake Michigan.
Fall Brilliance
Outdoors Lovers = Hiking
We hiked for over an hour through a spectacular display of colorful red maples and yellow elms and green pines to reach this deserted beach. How many people did we meet going in or coming out? None. We had the beach entirely to ourselves.Although the sun was out this day, the late October temperature up north was chilly, and the sand cold to sit upon. But then, there was calming sea, and the endless view...
Suppers:
Sun-- Subs
Mon-- Spaghetti
Tues-- Greek Chicken
Wed-- Pot Roast
Thurs-- Tacos
Fri-- Spicy Kung Pao
Sat-- Baked Salmon
Sun-- Veggie Pasta
Sandy Dune Roads -- for the brave
Things to do up north in the fall
- Sleep in -- lovely cool, fall weather sleeping
- Hike bountiful trails -- in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore & elsewhere
- Take tons of photos of colorful, peaceful Leelanau Peninsula
- Check out one (or more) of the 20+ wineries in the area
- Take an informational ranger-led hike
- Look for petosky stones on the beaches
- Take 2 hours for breakfast, watching out the full-wall windows at a "living video"
- Golf, boat, bike, kayak, canoe (but we mostly hike in late fall)
- Eat at one of the many local restaurants
- Drive about anywhere through hilly land with water views
- Read, play games, cards, watch special videos
- Star Gaze or Watch the Northern Lights Dance
- Listen in the night for a howling wolf pack
- Shop at any of the quaint artsy stores
- Hike the Dune Climb
- Watch the sun set over Lake Michigan
Breakfast Foods:
Granola
Cherrioes
Eggs/ Bacon/ Muffins
Ham/ Cheese
Oatmeal for energy
Canoeing
Lunch & Snacks (for hiking):
Gorp
Soups (eat in car at trail head)
Sandwiches/ meat, cheese
Fruit/ Veggies/ V-8
Pretzels
Granola Bars
Albacore & pita bread
Lake Michigan from Glenn Arbor
Drinks:
Milk
Pop
OJ
V-8
Local Wine
Leelanau Books
Hiking Alligator Hill
The journey getting to the top of this trail is nearly as spectacular as the view of Lake Michigan and the two little bear islands two miles off shore. During our three hour hike, on a lovely autumn day, we saw only 4 other hikers. As we passed, we nodded and smiled in acknowledgment, for the quiet of the woods kept us humans quiet as well. Artsy-Personal Stuff:
Camera/ Batteries/ SD card
Laptop/ Jump drives
Notebook/ Pens
Sketchbook/ Pencils
Watercolor paper
Paint/ Brushes/ etc.
Books to read
Telescope & Binoculars
Winery Tours
There are 20+ wineries in Leelanau Peninsula, more if you wander into neighboring counties. Weekday fall touring of any of these pretty much guarentees individual attention. Farms Hidden in the Hills
Farms dot the hills of Leelanau County. Hiking off of a main road to a hand-launch area, one can find farm outbuildings secluded from any others. Kitchen/Bathroom Extras to Pack:
dish towels/ dish cloth/ T.P./ bath towels/ hand towels/ washcloths/ can opener/ small crock pot/ nightlight/ flashlight
To help you get around Michigan
If you appreciate northern vacations, please leave a comment.
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BigGirlBlue
Dec 30, 2009 @ 3:09 pm | delete
- I can picture you sitting on the deck in the morning listening to the birds wake up the day.
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New Scientific American
by BiciParker
Born in Michigan. Lived in 6 other states. Now back in Michigan.
I like to read and write. I like to travel and take pictures. I love being out-of-...
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