PURE MICHIGAN DAY 4

       It was Monday June 8, 2015 and we were ready to head up north from Traverse City to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area still in the Leelanau Peninsula. Our first stop was the village of  Glen Arbor. This area is of higher elevation and had a feel of being in Colorado. The town had a tight fit and was nestled in pine trees. We feel in love with it. Not a lot of traffic nor tourists this time of year. The whole area's season doesn't really begin until the Fourth of July and with the beginning of the Cherry Festival.

        The one place that was recommended to try for lunch was Art's Tavern. It sat in the center of the town and it did not disappoint. It was  furnished in light knotty pine and with college pennants galore covering the ceiling throughout. The food was five star and yet simple. It was our favorite dinning experience on this extended week-end. 

     From here we heading back down and over to the Sleeping Bear Dunes along Lake Michigan. Entering the National Park, one can take this scenic drive and stop along the way and see some of the most magnificent views in the central states. There are two stops of  absolute must sees. First, the Dune Overlook where you are in the middle of about a four mile square area called the Sleeping Bear Dunes Complex. It is absolutely breathtaking. Next is the Lake Michigan Overlook where you are standing on a platform that is 450 feet above the lake. The dunes drop at a very dangerous almost vertical decline.

      One last stop of sheer pleasure was in the lake side town of Frankfort and, a tip from a lady at a convenience store, that led us to Kilwin's which was a premium chocolate and hard ice-cream shop. What a way to say good-bye to a super week-end and a wake up call that the next day it was back on the diet trail.

From there it was back on highway 31 heading south and our eight plus hour journey back to the Burg. All I can say is "What a Beautiful Country!"