Yesterday we drove across the UP at its narrowest point, mostly through the Hiawatha National Forest.  We drove to a peninsula that juts from the north shore of Lake Michigan, to a town called Fayette.  In the state park are the remnants of a bustling smelting town taken over by the state in 1959.  Many building still stand, foundations of others, some with displays recreating period use, others showing the process of how they can discover original paint colors for example.  The great thing was, since it was off season, there were probably no more than 10 people there, even though it was only the second park we had to pay to enter.  And so, defying the 6 foot leash ban posted almost everywhere, I was let off to run loose, through the doctors house, up and down the stairs at the big house.  Here is a picture of the hotel which at one time had  a two story outhouse!   And a picture of the doctors house.  Although it was another beautiful day, and the setting was quite pristine, I thought I smelled the toxic sludge of smelting days gone by.  Still, a fabulous outing.

                                                                   

This is a cat made from hay bales!  I knew it wasn't real but was happy to bark at it anyways! 

There is a strong Native American presence all throughout Michigan, and I mean more than just casinos!

                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

On we drove, stopping at a beach just in time to catch a fabulous sunset, to have a good run, and do a little swimming back in the home lake.  It was a little wavy but I am getting used to it, although I don’t have that body surfing down just yet.  Stayed the night in Petoskey. 

When we got up today we did a little backtracking and drove a 20 mile stretch called the tunnel of trees, a narrow road that winds through hills and is mostly like driving through a tunnel of trees.  Foliage good.  A lot of houses for sale.



At the end of the road was a town with a bit of harbor, really just a beach with boat launch, but we took another long walk with some swimming and digging, and a lot of rock collecting.  Well, Beth collected, Clare photographed.  Back through the tunnel we went, enjoying it every bit as much on the return journey, pressing on to Charlevoix and a great quilt shop, finally stopping in Taverse City for the night.  Somewhere midday I heard talk of extending the trip an extra day so we don’t have to rush.  So much to do, so little time.