This stretch of M22 , just south of Leland, always has a great show of fall color.

Unbelievably, this is possibly the largest cherry growing region in the country.  We have had a slower growing season due to our cool weather.   The cherries are finally ripe and the harvest has started.

This year, the fireworks in Leland will be on Friday, July 3, at Van’s Beach in Leland. It doesn’t get any better than sitting on the shore of Lake Michigan with family and friends to enjoy a small town fireworks display over our great Lake Michigan.  So for those of you who won’t be able to be here in person, I found this video online showing the 2008 fireworks on youtube. These are by Ken Scott Photography

Here we go again. Like I said, sunsets have been incredible this season. Looking out over Lake Michigan in Good Harbor Bay. This is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

I am constantly amazed when I hear comments about our sunset and seeing that people plan their evening around watching a Lake Michigan sunset  Living where we do, it is really easy to take some of the area beauty for granted.  This past spring season, and now into summer, we have  had some of the most spectacular sunsets that I remember.  I have been finding myself planning my evening around the sunset, too.  They really have been something you don’t want to miss.  I am so lucky – these are some of the sunset views I have had from my top deck, looking out over Lake Michigan.

It’s spring in northern Michigan…Trillium, daffodils, tulips and all of our spring flowers have been blooming, but this weekend is probably one of the prettiest times to be up here.  Cherry trees are in full bloom.   All of the orchards are full of the puffy white flowers.  It is so gorgeous.  I hate to go to work when all I want to do is drive around and see them everywhere.  Each view is better than the last.  Photo is compliments of Rick Lahmann.

One of the most common questions that is asked by summer visitors is “What do you do up here in the winter?”. Life doesn’t really stop after the last leaf falls off of the trees. Life does generally become much more relaxed – this is a good thing after going non-stop for months during the summer. After we stop and take a deep breath, we can get on with the winter activities. This week has been particularly busy. One night, a new friend invited some local girls to dinner at her new house in Glen Arbor. She brought up one of her friends from Grand Rapids and we had a great evening – finding out just how small the world is – discovering how many people we all knew in common, despite almost 200 miles between our homes.

The next day I spent over near Lewiston, MI at the Rally America Sno-drift auto race. Believe me, I would have never done this except my son was racing a car that he and a friend had spent the last year putting together for this race. Unbelievably, I had a great time. It was cold, to say the least, but exciting and fun to watch. We only stayed for one of the runs, watching cars bounce off the snowbanks. In spite of their efforts, they finished last…

Sunday, I did something else that I have not done in quite a few years. That was to attend a chamber music concert sponsored by Chamber Music North at the Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City. This non-profit group has been started through the tremendous effort of Debbie Fayroian, a former longtime cello player with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, only one of the many musical accomplishments in her career. Her goal has been to bring world class chamber music to northern Michigan and she is doing a great job. The next concert in the Sundays at Three series will be February 22nd, featuring the Euclid Quartet, one of hottest groups in chamber music right now. Ticket and other information can be found at the Chamber Music North website.

Just when you thought life in the north couldn’t be any fuller. I have to tell you that I also attended a much different concert last night at Sleder’s Tavern in Traverse City. The Irish musical group, Chulrua, was here playing traditional Irish music. They conducted workshops for musicians prior to the concert. My husband and son both attended the guitar workshop and thought it well worth it. The concert was great with their selections of traditional jigs, reels, and ballads.

So between all of these types of events, then fitting in exercise classes, tennis, knitting, etc., life can be pretty full in the north country during the winter!

Leland is beautiful in the winter – in definite contrast to summer, it is very laid back and relaxing.
photo by Molly

Today was one of the few pretty, sunny days we have had this winter.  These guys must have been loving the sunshine to be out during the day, right between the house and the barn…

and back out to the orchard…

 

It’s getting closer to the re-lighting of the South Manitou Island lighthouse in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  After being dark for 50 years, the lighthouse will soon be lighting the way through the Manitou Passage again.  Thanks to the efforts and fundraising of several groups, an exact copy of the original Fresnel Lens that went out in 1958 has been installed.

The lighthouse was constructed in 1839 as it’s importance was recognized as marking a safe haven in the 300 miles from the Mackinaw Straits to Chicago.   For more information on this lighthouse and South Manitou Island check out Great Lakes Education , Grace Dickenson Johnson’s memories of life on the island, Lighthouse Friends,  Leelanau.com, and Terry Pepper for alot of historical info.

photo by David Hooper.  For more of his photos check out his photostream at Flickr .