But, it is a beautiful sight to see rows and rows of baskets of apples, the big orange pumpkins, onions, and mums of every color.

 As I was walking around the Traverse City Farmer’s Market this fall, I was amazed at the variety of apples gown right here in Michigan. Most vendors had listed what each variety was good for, eating, applesauce, baking etc. Many offered samples to help you make your selection.

 It worked for me. I left with a big bag of crunchy apples and, of course, a gallon of apple cider.

 Many Farmer’s Markets close the end of October, so make it a point to get to one soon!

 I wonder if George found work as a logger? Lumbering was big business in Michigan in the early 1900s, so he probably could have found work as a logger quite easily.

 I was a little surprised when I saw this postcard. I’d read before that because logs were big and heavy and difficult to move, loggers would pile them up on a sled and wait until winter to move them, but never knew that they piled them that high. I guess you couldn’t be afraid of heights if you were a logger!

 Even though logging is not big business in Michigan today, we still enjoy the beauty of our many, Michigan trees and October is a great time for a color tour. Enjoy Michigan now!

 I don’t know the story connected to this train, but I know that there is one. All of the cars are the same, silver color. The cars stand on the tracks, grass and weeds growing around them.

 The train stands right in front of  the Cherry Growers,  Inc. building.

 If anyone knows the story of this train, let me know. I would be interested to hear.

 This is probably the first time we have been there so late in the season and I was very surprised at how busy the place was. We arrived shortly after they opened and it wasn’t long before nearly every booth and table was filled. I guess when I was there in the summer I assumed most of the diners were vacationers, but that does not seem to be the case. That says a lot about a restaurant in resort town.

 As usual the food and service was great, but I noticed something fun that I had not paid much attention to on previous visits. The tables are covered with brown paper and each table has a box of crayons. The entry area of the restaurant is covered with the artistic (or not so artistic!) renderings of the restaurants diners. What a fun way to keep clients busy while waiting for their meal, and to get them to come back to see if their work is posted.  It just gives the place a nice, homey, personal feel.

 Hmm…maybe instead of covering our Thanksgiving table with the traditional tablecloth we will cover it with brown paper and let our guests decorate it!  It will keep them busy if the turkey is not quite done when they arrive.

 As we turned the corner and saw the bay,  the sun suddenly appeared between the clouds over the bay. It was a spectacular site, so I quickly turned the car around and looked for a place to park and snap some pictures. As is often the case, in the few minutes it took to find a spot to park and get out and walk around,  the clouds changed and the colors became a little more subdued.  But, despite that, it was a beautiful site and we had fun taking pictures.

 Two things that never cease to amaze me with their beauty are Michigan sunrises and sunsets over water.  Many times I have thought there would be too many clouds for a sunset or sunrise, only to find the sun poking through the clouds and providing a spectacular light display. The beauty of a sunrise or sunset over water is you get double the display, as all of  the pinks, purples and golds are  reflected in the water.

 There still is plenty of time to enjoy a sunrise or sunset over a Michigan lake!

On the other hand, they’re the only otter photos I’ve ever taken, because until now, I’ve never seen otters up close. In fact, until this spring, when I caught a momentary glimpse of one along the Coldwater River, I had never seen a river otter at all. For an animal with such a wide range in the United States, it seems to be pretty choosy about where it resides, at least here in Michigan. Or maybe I just don’t get to the right places—though with as much traipsing around as I do, it seems strange that, until just a couple weeks ago, I had spent fifty-three years on this planet without a single otter encounter.

Whatever the reason for that may be, it’s not because river otters are shy and reclusive. That they’re not, the little showmen. The personality type that has been dubbed the “otter” is playful, fun-loving, and loves a party, and those qualities describe its namesake down to the whisker.

But let me backpaddle a bit and tell you what brought Lisa and me to Fishtown harbor, where the otters play.

In last week’s post, “Sundown at Sleeping Bear,” I described our day trip through the Leelanau peninsula. But a single post can’t possibly do justice to such a journey, any more than a single day can offer anything more than a quick, tourist’s thumbnail of all that Leelanau and the Traverse City region have to offer. The area is breathtaking, and as the trees turn color, it is moving into its most glorious time of year—a season when the problem with owning a camera isn’t finding things to photograph, but finding time to photograph the nonstop possibilities that beckon from every angle.

On the beach by the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, at the very tip of the peninsula, a stately schooner sailed by in the distance, its white sails catching the pure light of a crisp, electric-blue September afternoon. Farther south down the North Manitou Trail, oak trees on a woods edge bordering the sandy strand of a northern lakeshore glowed like emerald lanterns, backlit by the sun. Between and beyond these views were countless others: broad fields that stretched toward the green-clad bulks of forested hills…a bright-red wayside church, beautifully maintained and as picturesque as anything New England could offer…rustic farms rambling across vast, tumbled acres of cropland…azure lakes dappled with cobalt blue and ruffled with patches of shivery wavelets…the eyes lack no good thing in Leelanau land.

At length, we arrived in the town of Leland, and a quaint little assortment of shops along the boardwalk of a channel to Lake Michigan. This, the road signs informed us, was “historic Fishtown.”

I was taking photos of some boats when Lisa called to me from farther down the walkway. As I joined her, she pointed toward the channel and said, “Look. Otters!”

And there were—three of them, frolicking in the water like puppies. Me being a male, I don’t normally include the word adorable as a part of my working vocabulary, but I have to say, these little guys were adorable. Graceful, too, and fast as torpedoes in the water, and not at all bothered by the small klatch of tourists standing there gawking at them. In fact, they seemed to enjoy the attention, even thrive on it.

With their friendly, fun-loving mannerisms, river otters seem like they’d make wonderful pets, provided you’ve got a really big bathtub that you keep stocked with fish. In Asia, otters are actually trained to fish for their owners. Here in Michigan, though, I’m glad to see them living wild—irresistible, bewhiskered, joyous clowns of the great outdoors.

Warren Dunes, Hoffmaster Silver Lake Nordhouse Dunes…such places are magnets for sight seers, hikers, and naturalists who love the austere beauty of the dunescape. But it is at Sleeping Bear that the dunes of Michigan attain their full grandeur.

Rising abruptly from the lake in mighty, 500-foot bluffs, the singing sands of Sleeping Bear penetrate far inland. Come here to have your breath taken away by a thousand different views. Desert-like sand flats rising into grass-tufted hills and tree-lined ridges. Vast curves of steep, barefaced shoreline arching for miles into the distance. Inland lakes and woods and farms and communities spread out far below to the north and east.

Many years ago, according to Indian legend, a tremendous forest fire engulfed Wisconsin. Among the forest animals fleeing for their lives were a mother bear and her two cubs. Forced by the flames to the shores of Lake Michigan, the threesome took to the waters for safety and began the long swim to the opposite shore. The mother bear made it all the way across, and, dragging herself up wearily onto the shore, waited for her little brood. But the cubs never arrived. Exhausted, they had drowned just miles from the Michigan shore.

Day after day, month after month, the mother bear waited devotedly for her children. Finally, touched by her faithfulness, the Great Spirit raised up two great islands of sand over the bodies of her cubs, and covered the mother bear with sand as she slept. There, at the top of a tall dune on the shoreline, beneath a tree-covered knoll, the mother bear sleeps yet today. As for the cubs, those are North and South Manitou Islands.

Sleeping Bear is the crowning glory of the Leelanau peninsula, a region abundantly blessed with natural beauty. Last weekend I played a jazz gig up there, and rather than make the long drive home that same night, I decided to take the opportunity to enjoy a weekend getaway with Lisa. We had no certain destination, no plan other than to follow our noses. The Leelanau is an excellent place to follow one’s nose.

After making our way through Suttons Bay and Northport to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, we headed back south along the lakeshore drive toward Sleeping Bear. Early autumn colors were licking across the forested hillsides, and goldenrods were burnishing the fields. We stopped to hike the shore of a northern lake, and to stroll the boardwalk at Fishtown, pausing to watch a trio of river otters frolic in the the channel.

At last we found our way to Sleeping Bear. At a lookout on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, perched at the edge of a great sand slide, we took in the magnificent sweep of the dunes wrapping around us to the north, south, and east. Four-hundred-fifty feet below us, the broad blue face of Lake Michigan presented a changing complexion only visible from a higher vantage point. In the failing light of evening, the bulk of the shoreline receded into the haze of distance. To our north, the Manitou Islands marked where the bear cubs reposed beneath the waters.

We watched as the westering sun descended, illuminating the waters like gold on mercury. Then, with the air turning chill and our stomachs demanding attention, we headed back to the car and began the long journey home

This tasty dressing is not available in many places down state, and just a few in the Grand Traverse area. This could be Northern Michigan’s best kept secret. This stuff is good. We have been using it for several years on our salads, hamburgers, and chicken breasts.

The grocery stores are full of the typical Thousand Island, Ranch, Italian and Blue Cheese dressings,  but none come close to the quality of this product. Mind you, you pay for quality.  An 8 ounce bottle will set you back a whopping $8.00 “Try it you’ll like it.”

No this is not a paid commercial for this product. I like it and it is worthy of mention. Most of all you may enjoy it as well. It’s a little bit of northern Michigan.

With the annual National Cherry Festival about to begin in Traverse City, I thought it would be fitting to feature a postcard picturing the cherry orchards in blossom. Since the festival began in 1926, it is very possible that the Cherry Festival was one of the reasons this postcard writer was “Having a ball”.

This year the festival runs July 4 – July 10 with something for everyone. There is an air show,  5K or 15K race, wine tasting, and of course, lots of good cherry eats.  And all of you aspiring singers, be sure to check out the “Cherry Idol” competition. You just may be discovered!

Just hearing about the good things to eat makes me hungry for one of my favorite treats, cherry salsa. M-m-m good!

I checked the 10 day forecast for Traverse City and the weather looks perfect. So, bring your family, your sunscreen and your appetite and head to Traverse City.

And when your feet are tired and you want a break from the crowds, be sure to check out a Michigan lake!

I find the lake front drives along the many scattered Michigan vineyards relaxing and enjoyable.  The rolling hills and the well kept grapevines make for a picturesque and scenic drive.

Michigan has a growing number of vineyards; most seem to be located relatively close to the coastline of Lake Michigan.   Every visit to the area seems to uncover a new vineyard.  With that, a store,  a tasting room, a bed and breakfast they join the growing list of Michigan tourist attractions.

Michigan is the fourth largest grape growing state in the United States.  Most of the Michigan grapes are used for making grape juice,  but a growing percentage are used to produce one of several types of Michigan Wine.

On my list of things to do this summer is to find a nice day and spend some time at a Michigan vineyard with my camera. I will share the results in another post.

There is something about the 45^th parallel and the big lake that grapes like. There is something about the 45^th parallel and Lake Michigan that I like too!

I have listed several of Michigan’s Vineyards and Wineries.  If you are not able to visit them in person, be sure to visit their website. There is a lot to be learned.

If you know of a vineyard or winery I missed , please let me know.

And, for your next dinner party, be sure to try a Michigan wine!

Leelanau County Wineries

 Bel Lago Winery   6530 South Lake Shore Dr., Cedar Mi. 49621

Black Star Farms 10844 East Revold Rd., Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

 Boskydel Vineyards 7501 E Otto, Lake Leelanau Mi. 49653

Chateau Fontaine 2290 South French Road, Lake Leelanau Mi. 49653

Chataeu Leelanau 5048 South West Bay Shore Dr., Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery   10343 East Hilltop Rd, Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Forty-Five North Vineyard & Wineries 8580 E Horn Rd., Lake Leelanau Mi. 49653

Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery 5620 N Manitou Trail, Northport Mi. 49670

Good Harbor Vineyards   34 S. Manitou Trail, Lake Leelanau Mi. 49653

Good Neighbor Organic Vineyard & Winery   9825 Engles Rd, Northport Mi. 49670

L Mawby Vineyards 4519 S Elm Valley, Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Leelanau Cellars 5019 North West Bay Shore Dr., Omena Mi.

Longview Winery 8697 Good Harbor Trail, Cedar Mi. 49621

Ratshol Vineyards   1865 North West Bay Shore Dr., Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Shady Lane Cellars  9580 Shady Lane, Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Silverleaf Vineyard & Winery 11087 E. Silver Leaf Farm Rd., Suttons Bay 49682

Tandem Cellars, Setterbo Road, Suttons Bay 49682

Willow Vineyards 10702 East Hilltop Rd., Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Old Mission Peninsula Wineries

Black Star Farms  360 E McKinley Rd., Traverse City

Bowers Harbor Vineyards 2896 Bowers Harbor Rd., Traverse City

 Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery 3309 Blue Water Rd., Traverse City

Chateau Chantal Winery  15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City

Chateau Grand Traverse 12239 Center Road, Traverse City

Left Foot Charley 806 Red Drive, Traverse City (located in urban T/C)

Peninsula Cellars 11480 Center Road, Traverse City

Two Lads Winery  16985 Smokey Hollow Road, Traverse City

South Western Michigan Wineries

Contessa Wine Cellars   3235 Friday Rd., Coloma, MI 49038

Domaine Berrian Cellars   398 East Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Fruitful Vine Winery    5601 Saint Joseph Street, Stevensville, MI 49127

 Hickory Creek Winery   750 Browntown Road, Buchanan, MI 49101

Karma Vista Vineyards    6991 Ryno Rd., Coloma, MI 49038

Lawton Ridge Winery  8456 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Lemon Creek Winery 533 East Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Peterson & Sons Winery   9375 East P Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Round Barn Winery   10983 Hills Road, Baroda, MI 49101

St Julian Winery   716 S. Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Tarten Hill Winery   4937 South 52nd Avenue, New Era, MI 49446

Warner Vineyards   706 S. Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Further North Michigan Wineries

Nicholas Black River Winery    5670 Black River Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721

Pleasantview Vineyards    6769 Pleasantview Rd., Harbor Springs, MI 49740

 Rose Valley Winery   3039 Beechwood Rd, Rose City, MI 48654