Charlevoix the Beautiful..........................

Today was a cool and sunny day perfect for me. We headed north for a change. I wanted to take the trip up to Charlevoix and find the river walk. On the way up, it takes about an hour, there are two art galleries I wanted to stop at. The first one is "The Cycling Salamander" we have not stopped in years but was happy to find it still open. The lady who owns it has been there 27 years. She closed the outside art walk this year. She was telling me that she wants to move to the UP. We had a nice long chat. She said it was OK to take some pictures and so I did. This one I loved is by Jerry Douglas

I love the deer in the mists......There is a wide array of art pieces and paintings, sculptures etc.

I bought two small mushrooms for my collection.


It was a joy to talk with the lady. She did not give me her name but she gave me the card above so you can visit her web site.
Next stop was the Beir Gallary. I always have to stop there.

I had read on Facebook that they had some new "froggies" so I knew I would have to get one. This is who came home with me.


I have several in my collection and it occurs to me I could put them on "English Spirits Pretty Things" blog
Anyway, again I asked if I could take pictures and was OKd

I went into the studio to see the lady who makes the froggies and she was making the ones on Maple leaves. She said she is trying some on Oak leaves so that would be something to get next time. The owners son has opened a beer garden up at the back of the gallery and studio so we went up there to visit. I had a hard cider and Gerry tried one of the many varieties of his beer. Very good, I had a taste. No worry, we got small ones.


There is also an art studio right next to it and I went in there, could not sit that long haha. I had to take a picture of this, take a good look at the horse in the middle. I am sorry I can't credit the artist, I didn't notice the name

So we left there and continued into Charlevoix. Not as busy as in mid summer woo hoo.


I wanted to find the river walk and we did. Some of the critters along the way.







I took this picture of the roof oh this hotel/restaurant because it was designed by Earl Young an eccentric architect who did the famous mushroom houses in Charlevoix


From Charlevoix we turned towards home and stopped at Fishermans Island State Park.
You drive in about two miles on the main track, there are camp sites along the way well hidden in the woods or on the beach. Quite private they seem. We were interested in the beach at the end.

I swear, if there is a rock there is a Seagull on it. Just seems to have to be.

A very short walk through the woods to this beautiful beach.


Do you see a little birdie in this picture?

I had taken pictures of him already going the other way up the beach. I could not resist taking more so have dozens of pictures of this one little bird. He was very busy. Was not at all shy. I got quite close, in fact he got tired and took a nap not at all afraid. I wish him a long healthy life.



Nap time

We headed home, saw these girls on the way out of the park.

We didn't make any more stops, getting towards supper time and I had spent my money already on my treasures. The sky was so pretty I had to take a few more shots of farms on the way back


It was a longer drive initially than going out into Leelanau county but when we go there we go all around and about so really the driving is not a lot more. The benefit was less people. The park and beach were wonderful, I found beach glass and a few Petoskey stones but was really just enjoying the walk. The sand was easy to walk on so I did get my exercise in. A beautiful day. With my vision getting worse I appreciate every day I can do this. Not sure Gerry enjoys the driving so much but he will get used to it haha. I am introducing him into relaxing places to go and sit and enjoy the small things like the beer or a nice coffee, things he never got to do before.