Traverse City

While walking the downtown of Traverse City with Michelle, she suggested on the spur of the moment, to take advantage of the “Dinner and a Movie” program that is offered locally.  We had a late lunch at Mama Lu’s taco shop downtown,  before heading to the theater, which was located a short walk away, near the harbor. I tried the “street corn”, made with lime mayonnaise and chile cojita cheese, and it was great, we have to figure out how to make it ourselves.

The movie we chose was “Won’t You Be My Neighbor”, a documentary about the life and legacy of Fred Rodgers, host of the Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood children’s show.  The Bijou By the Bay is a small, non-profit, 150 seat theater that is operated by volunteers.  It occupies the original Con Foster Museum building, built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the 1930s and is used by movie maker Michael Moore to preview some of his documentaries.

That is Cathy’s and my legs, up on the chairs at the start of the movie.  Not very classy, but no one sat in front of us.  The theater was relatively small and quaint in that the restrooms are located in the hall behind the movie screen.  No hiding where you were going once the movies started!

We drove up the Leelanau Peninsula, through Suttons Bay to the small town of Northport.  After spending some time walking the shops and the yacht harbor we continued on to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, at the very tip of the peninsula between Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. This lighthouse was erected in 1858 by the U.S. Lighthouse Service and was modernized and electrified in 1952 before being replaced by an automated facility in 1972.

This is the Fog Signal Building, erected in 1899.  it is being currently being used as an educational display.

We walked a short path beyond the fog house and came to the Lake.  Being crystal clear but rocky, Michelle and I decided to try the water.  Luckily I had my running shoes on so I went in with them, Michelle had to deal with the rounded pebbles.  The water was very clear and almost warm.  I would assume that as you got further out, the temperature would drop.  If you could see land at the other side of this lake, it would be the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, about 50 miles due north.

Here are Cathy and Michelle in the sand and rocks near the shoreline.

This was one of several very old cyprus trees.  The bottom branches were large and low hanging, and would provide great seating if the “Please do not climb on the trees” signs were not there.

We stopped at L. mawby Winery, Michigan’s oldest (and only) sparkling winery on the way back to town and Eric met us for some “bubbly” tasting.   They produce more than 20 different types of sparkling wines, to fit almost every budget and taste preference. Again, I was the DD. (lmawby.com)

Michelle has proved to be a great tour guide.  In the morning, we traveled up the east side of Grand Traverse Bay to the village of Elk Rapids, situated between Elk Lake and Lake Michigan.  We visited a few antique shops and I spotted a 60s era RCA stereo console.  If ony it would fit in the motor home!  It was solid wood and in excellent shape. A quick update to modern components and speakers and it would have been a neat addition to our home.  We went to the marina to look at the water, boats and fish.  The water was very clear and the fish were easy to see.  I believe they were baby lake trout.

Cathy wanted me to pose as I don’t get in many pictures and this way I can prove I was there!

We also got pretty close to this fella.  There were three but the others flew the coup as we approached.

 

We enjoyed a seven course dinner at the Cooks’ House, a small, very exclusive restaurant that is co-owned by Eric Patterson and Jen Blakeslee.  Eric is also a Michelin star chef, the only one in the area!

The sun was setting when we arrived.

I snuck in the kitchen and surprised Eric, who was busy preparing the meals

He looked a little different when he realized I was there!

Here is Michelle enjoying her cold tomato soup, garnished with a sorbet in the center.

Cathy is talking about how wonderful her creme brulee was.  I tried this for my first time and it was great.  It was topped with chick peas and different types of of squash, all cooked impeccably, of course!

The main course was Walleye.  This fish was incredible, crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Our “dessert”, a cheese selection featuring several Michigan cheeses, Michigan honey, a raspberry spread, pears, and more.  We had to skip our dessert as we were too full.  This was my dessert though as I really enjoy cheese!