March winds..................

Saturday came sunny but cold and windy. We wanted to go out anyway. First I needed to pick up a prescription and some snacks for the road. I asked the lady at Right Aid if they had the New Shingles vaccine in. They did...........owwwww. I said make sure you tell Dr Weber because he keeps nagging me. Well I got that out of the way and we set off. The plan was to go back roads and come out near Esch Road. That didn't go as planned and we somehow took a wrong turn that brought us out further down M22 than we had planned. No matter we will do that later in the week. So the first stop was the Platte River beach.




This beach is wonderful for kids. The river Platte runs into the lake and there is a large sand bar, it means the kids can play and swim in shallow water. The problem is that in summer the campground ensures that the beach is always full of people. Well it was cold and windy this day and so I didn't linger. I wanted to walk further but Gerry had already gone back to the car. Talked to a lady who came along and she said that her and her husband had been walking in the woods (with a GPS haha) and had seen a lot of deer, Bobcat tracks and coyote tracks. We agreed this is the perfect time of year to enjoy this particular beach. We went on to Point Betsy but going past Crystal Lake I wanted to take some pictures of the ice. There were ice pancakes and they are so pretty. Well I froze my nose off but got a few pictures. I had seen an Eagle overhead but it had gone, but then it came back flying lower. With the sun in my eyes I could not get a good shot of it. I did see now there were 3, and then a 4th eagle. Two seemed to be sparring, legs locked in combat, or mating maybe? Anyway there were 4 now. Then a couple of Hawks joined the fray, then another Eagle had a Crow dive bombing.




A lady stopped and asked if I had seen the eagles and what way did they go, we chatted for a bit then we moved on waving bye to her. We saw her again at Point Betsy. I ventured down onto the beach, but brrrrrrrr I put a hat on and gloves this time. Some guy was out there in shorts.







Gerry takes his pictures from inside the van haha.......Can you see under all the debri on the beach there is a bench buried under the sand and tree trunks?
So next to frankfort. Still very windy but a little warmer here. Para sailors out in force I would think it was freezing even in wet suits.




We took a detour down to Loon Lake. In summer it's full of canoes and swimmers who park boats and Kayaks, They party out in the middle of the lake. Its shallow and the ones who rent canoes and things to go down the Platte and fill the lovely quiet spot with music and shouting, a shame really. Still, I can enjoy the off season.





I have really enjoyed this Winter, Gerry prefers warmer weather. With that comes people. Then tourists who are there for the duration. I like off seasons when if you go during the work week it's generally free of all but a few who like me enjoy the quiet.We went home along River Road. The Llama's were not out staying warm inside. Well maybe later we will catch up with them. On our way out and about I took pictures of a couple of barns, we didn't see any animals. This is where I used to get hay when I had my horses.

Maybe later on this week, when it's supposed to get up to 50 we will go again. Maybe the Platte again and Esch Rd and Empire so we see some deer. Not sure yet...............but where ever we decide it will be great. It always is, but better when we see the wild things.

March comes in like a Lamb.................

Monday came all sunshine and pretty clouds. So, why stay home as all we have to do is housework. I am learning.....it can wait. No one but me cares so why bother right. Today is Tuesday and the Poodles are at the cleaners hahahaha......they have an appointment with Auntie Brenda at Brenda's Pet Parlour. They are not happy but we got our shopping done and I vacuumed and tidied up. That's enough for today or at least for now. So on Monday we headed in the usual direction. Back road to Suttons Bay and on to Lake Leelanau. We stopped at The Peddling Beans for a snack and I got a cherry mocha. I didn't like it but Gerry drank it. I have to say that from now on I won't give Gerry his snack until we stop somewhere. With food on his mind he doesn't watch for "stuff". We missed some Turkey's and a Pilliated woodpecker.............he's banned from eating while driving.
We first went to North Beach in Leland. The ice is pretty much off the beach, that surprised me.
On the way we saw pretty clouds and I love this old cow/bull




North Beach Leland. Funny thing, the Whaleback looks much closer from here, yet on the other side of the Harbour where we go at Van's Beach it looks so much further away.




I just about killed myself, I walked to the far end to get pictures of ice, but picked up so many Petoskey stones it felt like an added 10 pounds walking back. Yes I needed the exercise for sure.



After that ordeal, we headed towards Glen Arbor but saw some wind sailors on Lake Leelanau. It was hard to get a picture

We had no luck this day until we reached Port Oneida. We stopped to see what the Beavers had been up to. Lots of new stuff on their lodge. Pretty soon there wont be any trees left, but thats what they do. There were deer up in the field but I didn't get a clear shot. Then at the end getting back onto M22 I did get some shots of deer up on the back hills, frolicking and eating last years bits and bobs.



I also remembered to stop to get a picture of this stone we have passed so many times.

We hang out around this area a lot and I have come to know some of the history. So many small original towns are all gone now. We saw these girls closer to the road and eating just above the snow line. I must say the deer all look so healthy. I can't wait to see babies.



We didn't see much else on our travels having missed a few things. Ahem!.......Gerry.......we did go down to get a shot from Glen Arbor of the beach but I was too whupped to walk far. Had enough for one day. North Beach wore me out. People on the Dune climb but Glen Lake empty.




On to Empire through the back roads. Hoped to see more deer and found these few, and surprisingly the only ones around this day.




We drove down to the beach. Calmer this day. The ice looked for all the world like Meringue.



We headed home quite early but still we stopped at the Hay Loft for a burrito. It was only around 3pm so it was lunch menu, the burrito was a bit smaller than usual for some reason, so we ate the whole thing and it was good............