Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs is a small town on Little Traverse Bay. It's quaint and charming.
You don't visit Harbor without going to American Spoon Foods, even if it's just to sample!
The park on the water always hase people who have stopped for a little break from shopping to enjoy the view.
Beautiful boats! What's not to love?
I was there in early July -- it was still decked for the Fourth.
Lots of flowers -- in hanging baskets, in pots and in small street gardens.
And lots of fun shops!
And when you leave? Follow the road along the water and enjoy some beautiful homes.
This is where the "old money" summers -- a quick hop across the street to the water.
And beautiful, old trees shading the way.
Definitely a spot worth stopping!
Petoskey
I won't go into all of Petoskey here -- too big! Just a couple of views from my favorite store (which you saw in an earlier postcard, Joie de Vie!
Definitely French themed!
It's an antique shop but they also have new home decorator items. No deals here. But lots of eye candy!
Vive la France!
Horton Bay
Horton Bay really has only two shops. But both are connected with Ernest Hemingway's time in Michigan.
The General Store was closed when I visited, but it was decked out for political season!
Next door is the Red Fox Inn. Now a bookstore (with a bit of museum character), it is still the home of the descendants of the Fox Family. The shop started as a restaurant for summer resorters and hosted Clarance Darrow along with a young Ernest Hemingway, who was taught to fish by Vollie Fox. The site is mentioned in the 1923 Paris version of "Up In Michigan."
I was most captivated by the wonderful signs.
And the old books. If this stack is for sale, I suspect you have to ask!
They had many Hemingway-related books and memorabilia but unfortunately, no "Moveable Feast" which I had hoped would replace my missing copy of this favorite book.
To be honest, I'm not a huge Hemingway fan but "A Moveable Feast" is a favorite.
Around Torch Lake/Alden
I had to drive around the very-long Torch Lake while at Minisa. And that included a stop at King's Orchards. They had cherries without end during the season, but other tasty things, too.
And outside? Cute as could be!
In Elk Rapids I fell in love with a wonderful antique shop -- and ended up with a bit of Delft!
And in Alden, the Mill House kitchen store had my heart, both inside and out with its wonderful and whimsical garden!
So there you have several of my road trips! All recommended! Bring your VISA card!
Oh gosh what gorgeous pics. Your vacay sounds like it was perfect. I want to go!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun you have up in Northern Michigan! I've always been confused by Hemingway's geography -- I guess the name "Big Two-Hearted River" was so good that he relocated it to suit. The memorabilia all sounds fascinating, and as always, I love your photos.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
This was going to be the summer I explored northern Michigan. But, I'm exploring Florida instead. Maybe next summer. As always, great photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun road trip or two. I would love visiting all of these places. I once had a friend that owned a tearoom in upper Michigan, now I must try and remember what town it was in. I always wanted to visit there, but never made it.
ReplyDeleteHad to do a search and it is still there in Houghton, MI. The Four Seasons Tearoom, Andrea Schultz is the owner. If you ever get there please greet her from me.
ReplyDeleteOoooo, those orange flowers are sooooo pretty. Loved your pictures today, Jeanie. They were fun and interesting and different. Isn't that yellow house charming, and also the one with the pink flower beds. I am a "sign" person too, so right away that caught my eye. Harbor Springs is, indeed, a lovely place to visit.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Jeanie, that looks like such an idyllic fun place to visit! I love all of your pictures. This is my kind of little village.
ReplyDeleteLoved your "postcards" . . .
ReplyDeleteVisiting with you in some of my favorite places . . .
Blue sky days too . .
Oh my . . .
You write beautifully . . .
Tell a fine story . . .
with pictures . . .
What a beautiful are with lots of pretty houses and shops, Jeanie! Thank you for taking us with you. I enjoyed the tour. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, you have visited some great places, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteTHAT SKELETON TAKES THE CAKE!!!!! HAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHA
ReplyDeleteOh that was such a sweet tour, Jeanie! Very charming indeed. Wow, this reminds me of a few places here, and back east in Marblehead, Mass. What great places we have here in the USA, huh?
Looks like you had a beautiful trip ♥
ReplyDeletesummerdaisy.net
Oh Jeanie, My kind of town!!!! I would love to visit this charming town, the water, the food, houses, and shops! I love the pic of "waiting" and I'm saving your pic and sending to my husband, he will relate!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place, looks like you are having a blast. Love your Delft………Safe travels.
I just love road trips! Thanks so much for taking us along on yours, Jeanie! I'm so fascinated to get a glimpse of northern Michigan. My paternal grandmother, who died long before I was born and never told my father or aunt much about her younger life, was from northern Michigan and I found myself looking at your pictures of the houses and the towns and wondering if she had lived there or somewhere in the vicinity. I loved the skeleton at the end! So funny!!
ReplyDeleteThat is fun that there are charming towns that you can visit in the area if you feel like a change of scenery! I didn't know Hemingway had a connection to Michigan. I also do not care for his writing besides A Moveable Feast!
ReplyDeleteWow, what beautiful places! The sky, the water, the clear and clean looking air. It must be a joy to be there!
ReplyDeleteGood Evening!
ReplyDeleteWow, these are some glorious photos and I sure would like to vacation here! Everything looks so pristine and colorful:)
Jemma
I had no idea Hemingway made it to Michigan. That's really interesting. As for American Spoon? Well! They're just the best. Jeanie, I'm starting to think that I need to take on some more work, and put away some money for a real roadie. The only problem is leaving Dixie. She's sixteen, now (that's 81 in people years!) and in a year she'll be seventeen, and...well... you know what that kind of calculation is like. But if I'm going to come, I need to come before I'm 81!
ReplyDeleteI love your pics so much! Thanks for taking us along on your road trip! Looks like lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteOh, my gosh!! I just want to walk into those photos and visit for awhile. So beautiful. Loved the sign in the General Store, "Don't act stupid. We have politicians for that." Made me laugh, and we can all use that.
ReplyDeleteWow Jeanie--loved these pictures! Would sure love to visit sometime. Wow----what a charming place. The flowers are beautiful and I could seriously spend some time in shops and bookstores like that. Those "summer homes"---can you even imagine??---LOL---they are so pretty and the flowers in bloom in front are amazing. The skeleton is funny! Oh, and those hot pink hollyhocks are my favorites and I grew some like that a couple years ago....mine this year didn't even do anything. oh well......I'll try again next year.
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to "travel" with you Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteLovely pics ♥
Those pink pompom hollyhocks make me swoon among other things.
Happy August oxo
Oh this looks like my kind of place! That last image is a hoot. Have a wonderful week my friend!
ReplyDeleteWow- what beautiful little towns. I think I need to visit Northern Michigan. Actually I've only been at the Detroit airport which is probably a bad representation of the state. Great photos! Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I got so far behind, but these photos and the towns you visited are superb. You have certainly put that new camera to good use. I really enjoyed reading your comments and seeing the "old money" homes. I loved the homes, but also the landscaping, too.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a better way to spend the 4th of July, so I was thrilled you shared these with us.