We camped a couple of nights in the Hankinson Hills Recreation Area which is part of the Sheyenne NG. Certainly not dramatic scenery but we enjoyed significant solitude with the exception of the occasional horseback rider or atv enthusiast. The night sky on the other hand was quite spectacular with the Milky Way galaxy clearly visible as it crossed the sky each night.
Heading next to the Sheyenne River Valley for some kayaking and hiking along the Sheyenne River. 0025,0026
Cool weather in Minnesota making for great biking and lots of firewood!
From Traverse City we traveled north on M31 and over the Mackinac Bridge onto the Upper Peninsula. Several coffe recommendations from Erik at Planetary Coffee paid off handsomely. Dripworks in Petoskey and Veladrome in Marquette featured below were outstanding! We also stopped in at Superior Coffee Roasters in Sault Ste. Marie while in town to watch lake freighters move through the locks.
We have been able to take full advantage of the Hiawatha NF camping along small lakes each night.
Additional highlights on the UP included visiting the Whitefish Point Light on Lake Suprior, a 4WD drive out to the beach at Vermillion Point and hiking to the falls at Tahqueamenon Falls.Â
Arriving in Traverse City marks our completion of the 117 mile long M22 which follows the Lake Michigan shoreline of the Leelanau Peninsula. The M22 is a beautiful scenic drive offering great vistas of Lake Michigan and the Grand Traverse Bay. 0014,0015
Traverse City Coffee Scene: Higher Grounds + Planetary Coffee. We have been disappointed with a number of the coffee roasters/shops in Western Michigan. Arriving in TC has brought us a couple of notables with Higher Ground Coffee Roasters and Planetary Coffee (serves Half Wit beans). Erik Harms owner and barista (pictured below) at Planetary is a long time roaster having previously roasted at Higher Grounds and the well regarded Dogwood Coffee in Minneapolis. Erik has provided us with several recommendations for the UP which we are excited to try over the next week. 0015,0016
Biking the Leelanau Rail Trail TC-Sutton Bay-TC. 0015
Hiking the dunes at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Camping at Leelanau SP. 0014
Kayaking on the Pere Marquette near Lake Michigan. 0013
Biking on the Pere Marquette State Trail. 0012
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Deep Lake in Yankee Springs Recreation Area near Hastings Michigan. Enjoying the peace and solitude of nature. 0009
ON THE ROAD with Maria + Stephen 