It is currently 5 degrees (-28 degree windchill), the wind is howling, it’s snowing and we are both not feeling well. A post about our fun summer is just what I need right now. It also fills a huge time gap in this blog.
After returning from our winter trip, we decided to take a break from traveling and to have a more relaxing summer and fall. We split our time between our “sticks and bricks” in SE Michigan and our “Northern Outpost” in Frankfort, MI. While at home, we took care of the house and other responsibilities and met up with family and friends.
I am posting a lot of photos from the outpost, where we spent 47 nights, this year, camping off-grid in the RV. Highlights were meeting up with many friends we haven’t seen in a long time, hiking, paddling, cycling, mountain biking, bald eagles, sunsets, great weather, and just enjoying nature.
View of lake Michigan from a favorite local hiking trail. This is one of the trails, where we regularly see bald eagles. We usually see them, on average, every 2 or 3 days. One day, we saw four – two while paddling, another on our way home from paddling and a fourth while hiking on this trail. That was an amazing day! For me, it is always a reminder of freedom, on many levels.Checking out the weekly live concert in downtown Beulah (photo by Ron S. J.)Hanging out at the weekly live concert in downtown Beulah. Ron, Johnny, Mary, Dave, Lisa (photo by Ron S. J.)Watching the sun setting over Crystal Lake, from Beulah Beach (photo by Ron S. J.)The sun setting over Crystal Lake, from Beulah Beach (photo by Ron S. J.)View of Frankfort from across Betsie BayBoat dock at Beulah BeachThe end of one of our favorite hiking trails, Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreWild strawberries growing along our driveway. There aren’t many and they are very small, but tasty.After a bonfire with friends, Mark and Suzi, we began to make s’mores on a regular basis. Hanging out with them was really fun, and the new s’more habit was a bonus.Sunset at the end of our drivewayBonfireSunset at Frankfort BeachMountain biking in Thompsonville, MIWe came across a field of sunflowers while mountain biking in Thompsonville, MIFrankfort Lighthouse at sunsetDave, cooling off in the shade on our deck, aka ‘observation platform’The full moon rising over the observation platform at the outpostSunset at Frankfort BeachSunset at Frankfort BeachPoint Betsie LighthousePoint Betsie LighthouseDave and Mary, getting ready for a downwinder from Point Betsie to Frankfort Beach.Ron, Dave and Mary, heading out for a downwinder from Point Betsie to Frankfort Beach.Johnny, Ron and Lisa, eating fresh rasberries on Frankfort BeachStopping at the beach at Glen Haven, during a bike rideView of Betsie Bay from the distilleryWe have red and black raspberries growing wild at the outpostAn abondoned Indigo Bunting nest. This is one of our favorite birds on our property. It’s definitely the most beautiful. We also have, Eastern Towhees, Cedar waxwings, Black Capped chickadees, Robins, Hawks and more.Tiny, somewhat secret beach on Crystal LakeThe end of another favorite hiking trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreSlushie, chillin’ at camp (he’s always chilling, even when it’s above 80 degrees)A favorite hiking trail, with views of Lake Michigan and, on a calm day, a ship wreck.Fourth of July firworks over the Frankfort LighthouseDave’s new water supply system, The Water Buffalo. We are really happy with it.Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreChecking out the Betsie RiverView of Lake Michigan from a local hiking trailBeulah Beach
