Month: August 2023

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HIKING DUNE OVERLOOK TRAIL SBD National Lakeshore, Empire, Michigan

Hiking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Nick Kelly, Jacque Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly

Date: August 22, 2023

Driving the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we entered a scenic covered bridge. Stopping at the backside of the Dune Climb, we hiked a short trail that showed the summit of the large dune and the 1.5 additional miles of dunes and hills needed for hikers to reach the lake. Later at the Lake Michigan Overlook, a park worker sat under an umbrella with the sign saying $3,000 to rescue you if you descend the mammoth sand dune and need help or rescue coming back up.  I wanted to descend to Lake Michigan and then climb back up this 450-foot dune, but we had granddaughter Elizabeth with us. The climb would take at least two hours. I did see at least five Amish people, both male and female, in full pants and long sleeve shirts, or dresses completing the last leg of their ascent on this hot day. Very impressive.

After hiking and touring the Boat Rescue Museum, we had a great dinner at Cherry Republic where I inhaled delicious chowder soup, fish tacos, a cherry beer and fresh chocolate covered cherries. We stopped by a fishing village that had a unique weathervane shaped like a northern pike. That night another outstanding sunset which Nick & Jacque enjoyed in a paddleboat.

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HIKED EMPIRE BLUFF TRAIL SBD National Lakeshore, Empire, Michigan

Hiking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Nick Kelly, Jacque Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly

Date: August 21, 2023

Within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we ascended this 1.7-mile wooded, hilly trail that occasionally had mushrooms just off the trail in the beech and maple tree forest. Nick carried Elizabeth at times and sometimes she walked. Near the summit it opened into a bright, sunny sky with periodic boardwalks along the bluff to an incredible overlook. Lake Michigan was 400 feet below. Looking north, we could see Pyramid Point, the sandy lakeshore, and South Bar Lake in the distance. Lots of beachgrass mixed with the sand along the bluff to thwart erosion.

After hiking we drove to Suttons Bay Ciders and bought a tasting flight of eight different ciders. All had different tastes especially the Spanish style cider Sidra-Lapeno that had quite the kick. That night another outstanding sunset over Lake Michigan. The water looked like it was ablaze.

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KAYAKING LAKE MICHIGAN Lake Leelanau, Michigan

Kayak Team: Dave Miller, Jacque Kelly, Nick Kelly

Date: August 22, 2023

The surf was a little choppy, but we kayaked north about a mile down and back observing occasional beach houses among the trees. The Lake Michigan lakeshore had either sand or thousands of smooth rocks. Looking over the side of the kayak, the water was often very clear, and I could see rocks, seaweed, or occasional small fish about ten feet down. The water was somewhat cold, and I was not wearing my wetsuit, but it was an enjoyable kayak trip. After kayaking we enjoyed making smores over the firepit.

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HIKED PYRAMID POINT TRAIL SBD National Lakeshore, Michigan

Hiking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Nick Kelly, Jacque Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly

Date: August 22, 2023

Within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this 2.4-mile trail began in the open grassland with beautiful wildflowers on each side. The trail became wooded and shady and ascended over a hundred feet until opening upon a beautiful bluff overlook. A sign warned hikers not to risk injury and rescue fees going down or the two hours to climb back up the several hundred-foot sandy cliffs. Still a few hikers disobeyed and headed down to the cool Lake Michigan waters far below. From the bluff overlook we had the best view of North & South Manitou Islands plus the lighthouse and lighted buoy in the middle channel.

I walked by myself a quarter mile south from Pyramid Point along Empire Bluff. The sandy trail was tight with tall grass, ferns and other green growth touching me on both sides.  One slip and I would fall 50 to 70 feet down. Great views of the lake shore. 

Outstanding sunset that night at the Jolli Lodge where we were staying.

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BIKING SIMON KENTON TRAIL Yellow Springs, Ohio

Biking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller

Date: August 27, 2023

It was a beautiful day as we jumped onto the bike trail at Yellow Springs across from HaHa Pizza and bicycled north to Springfield. The first five or six miles the trail was shady thanks to the growth of trees on both sides and overhead. We passed corn fields and cow pastures while dodging many chipmunks that darted across the path. As we approached town, Rosie posed by a beautiful mural of the bike path heading into Springfield. Downtown we biked past Clark State University, old churches, historic buildings, and a large mural of the Gish Sisters who performed there back in the 1930’s. We turned around at 10 miles.  On the way back south, I stopped at Beatty Station Park and sat in a small replica railroad. Biking through Yellow Springs the streets were crowded with a few food trucks, vendors selling tie die t-shirts, and other local hippie clothing. Overall, we bicycled about 22 miles and had a fun day.

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AMERICA’S ONLY Y BRIDGE Zanesville, Ohio

Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller

Date: August 13, 2023

We drove over this unique bridge that spans over where the Muskegon and the Licking Rivers intersect. We were driving on National Road (Route 40) and it was strange stopping at the traffic light in the middle of the bridge and seeing two roads branch off. Ripley’s Believe It or Not claims that this is the only bridge in the world that you can cross and still be on the same side of the river. Aviatrix Amelia Earhart once said that the Y bridge made Zanesville “the most recognizable city in the country”.

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CONTRILL’S SIDEWALK OF SCULPTURES Zanesville, Ohio

Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller

Date: August 13, 2023

An incredible collection of bronze figures adorns the sidewalks outside of artist Alan Contrill’s studio in downtown Zanesville. Everything from astronaut John Glenn, athletes, presidents, animals, and soldiers. On the funny side is the sheep wearing ice skates and the sheep with a penguin riding on its back.

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OLYMPIC SIZE PIT SPITTING ARENA Glen Arbor, Michigan

Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Jacque Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly, Nick Kelly, Rosie Miller

Date: August 21, 2023

At Cherry Republic is North America’s Official Pit Spitting Arena. Spitting the pits of cherries is popular in this part of the country. Official spitting rules are posted, and many are very funny. The wood posts on each side are marked every three feet to make it easy to measure your distance. I went back inside the gift store and ate two free sample chocolate covered cherries. I carried the pits outside to the arena, leaned against the rope and gave it a spit. One cherry pit went about 12 feet. Nearby was a challenging game. A nail was hammered into the wall, and you stood ten feet away and swung a metal ring attached to thin rope towards the nail trying to attach the ring to the nail. I thought this was impossible, but Nick and Jacque achieved it in a short time. I finally got it after about 50 tosses. The food here was fantastic as I had delicious chowder, fish tacos and a cherry beer.

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BEE BIKE RACK Glen Arbor, Michigan

Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller

Date: August 21, 2023

The town is proud of this roadside attraction – a yellow metal bee/yellow jacket that has tennis rackets as wings and doubles as a bicycle rack. Nearby were hilarious signs.