Beach in February..................

I did it, I got them out of the house. I really wanted to get out, it had been so sunny for a couple of days. I needed daylight and sunshine. It happened to be Gerry's birthday so I tempted him with promise of supper at the Hayloft after. They have great Burrito's and Margarita's. So we headed out to Suttons Bay looking for good pictures. We passed the docks on Grand Traverse Bay where the boats were resting for Winter and the promise of Spring.

With as cold as it has been this Winter I can not believe the Bay has not frozen over. The Lakes are pretty much frozen but not the Bay. This day was 17F and sunny so was balmy. This the the river at The Narrows going through Lake Leelanau

We didn't stop in Suttons Bay, I looked for wild fowl but nothing hanging around so off we went to Leland. We were hunting for coffee but Trish's dishes was just closing, it was 3pm. We headed for Fishtown instead and took some pictures there. I think of my friend Susan each time we go there. It was lovely with no people around. The Dam was icy and partly frozen. Beautiful in the sun.

The dang camera was wrong way around, so here is me. I could not see into the lense and took this before I could see what I was pointed at. I never wear a hat or scarf or gloves usually, I also had on my one and only pair of socks. I am wearing a hat I made for Tristen long ago. It was all I could find and we were going down to the beach later.





In Summer months this place is jam packed with tourists. I love this time of year, it is more beautiful and we have it to ourselves. I love that. Yes the nice hustle and bustle of people in the little gift shops is fun and the smoked fish and specialty cheese is awesome. The prices are high. Carlson Fisheries are the main supplier of local fish and smoke fish here on site.


The wind was biting cold on my face and next we were heading for the beach across the Harbor wall. We went to my usual place where we collect Blue Stones. It was so pretty with the sun shining bright on the snow. Snow fences are up and summer homes are empty so once again, we have it all to ourselves. Gabby has never been to the beach in Winter. There is so much more to exploring the beaches than to just go in summer days. The ice had made some of the sand freeze into slabs that broke and stood at an angle.

There were many shapes, frozen snow balls and stalagmites rising from the floor of the beach. The piles of snow drifted into swirls like ice cream cones.



I was hoping to get some pictures of the snowballs that have been seen the last couple of years. The water and waves whip the snow into round balls bobbing in the water. The only ones left were frozen on the beach. I could not believe it, Gerry actually got out or the car and came with us. Hard to get him on the beach in summer let alone in February.
Here is Gabby

.....and Gerry dressed for the Arctic. I admit, I knew enough to find a pair of socks to go in my boots. the only pair I own.

We left the beach to head for Empire via Glen Arbor. I had hoped to see some deer in town and was not disappointed.

Heading into Glen Arbor I took a few shots of local curiosities. The old Red School House looks lovely in Winter and the old barn that was decorated for the anniversary of 1776 BiCentennial, the year my parents were here 1996.


We had taken a detour down to the beach right there by the barn...........and look at what we found. The ice pancakes.

After going through Glen Arbor and scouting out the Port Oneida road, and seeing no wildlife we headed past the Dunes.

Again, no one there and Cooper declined our offer of allowing him to climb them. Not today.............sigh, where is the sense of adventure?
Another deer crossed the road as we were waiting for her so that I could get a picture. She obliged in no hurry.

Off into Empire and the beach there was empty, the light was so pretty and I had forgotten that it would soon be sundown


Leaving the beach we met this lovely lady



Not at all worried about us talking to her and posing for some pictures. This was in the village of Empire so obviously used to people and probably well fed.

About that time we were getting hungry so headed home. We stopped at the Hayloft and ate very good Burrito's Gabby and I saved half ours for today, a nice lunch. Gerry ate all his.





By the time we were done it was getting dark, and starting to snow, home for coffee and warm up the toes.