After many miles under the tires, we are now in Charlevoix (pronounced sharlavoy) on Michigan’s lower peninsula. But let’s digress.
As we headed east from TR’s badlands, the seemingly endless great plains opened before us. Somewhere between Fargo ND (where we stopped to see a small museum dedicated to the great Yankee slugger Roger Maris), and Duluth MN, the great plains gave way to rolling terrain and green forests.
We then followed the south shore of Lake Superior to Marquette MI. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is lightly populated and filled with dense forests, gorgeous lake vistas, and endless hiking opportunities. Called Gitche Gumee in the Ojibwe nation’s language, Lake Superior is the world’s largest lake in area and contains 10% of the planet’s fresh water.
With a turn to the south, we set course for the Lower Peninsula. On one stretch of lightly traveled road a large black bear crossed our path, happily with no danger to him or us. We then crossed the gateway to the Lower Peninsula – the majestic Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Bridge, which marked the convergence of Lake Michigan on our right and Lake Huron on our left. Several cute towns greeted us as we followed the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, including Mackinaw City, Petoskey and Traverse City.
Mackinac Bridge
One of Charlevoix’s mushroom houses
Sunset on Lake Michigan