The ride north to the point of Leelanau peninsula was water, sunshine, and tailwind. Once we were out of Traverse City, we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.
The two villages between Travers City and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse are Sutton Bay and Northpoint. Both villages are picturebook replicas of old storybook villages: old, quaint, talkative people, good bakeries. It's not quite the season here, schools are still in session, and locals say the cool weather is keeping away what little tourism there would be. So the towns are mostly quiet. In July and August, they'll be bustling. But now, like a beach on a rainy day, these lake towns are sleepy along Lake Michigan.
Spring seemed to be in full blossom in Traverse City and further up the peninsula, too. The air has that smell of the first green grass mowing in spring, mixed with lilac, and swirling with the windfall of cottonwood blossoms.
Today was the last jog north of the BALM. Starting tomorrow morning, for the remainder of the tour, we'll be moving south, except for a final turn west back to Chicago and the Amtrak to St. Louis. But the turn is still a week away. Right now, there's a storm flashing over Lake Michigan, and the distant thunder is rumbling this way. I suppose it'll pour later tonight.
Follow the BALM |
| Safe haven from the fright of HWY 31 in Traverse City |
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| West arm of Grand Traverse Bay |
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| Coffee in Sutton's Bay |
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| Ottawa Nation Tribal Court |
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| Rest in Northport |
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| Camp at the northern tip of Leelanau peninsula |
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| Lake Michigan off the northern tip of Leelanau peninsula |
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| Shore plants |
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| Grand Traverse Bay Lighthouse |
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| Sunset over Lake Michigan |
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