What do you do when you already live in a paradise and fall arrives? A multitude of local beaches, seemingly endless trails thru dunes and woods still beckon. Restaurants, brewhouses, vineyards, meaderies, cider mills and eclectic stores within less than an hour’s drive… most still unexplored. So do you stay close? Nope. Here, we head north. Dead and dying leaves just look better up there. I prefer spring, with the new shades of green. My wife prefers autumn with the bursts of yellows and reds. So, welcome to the dead leaves tour… a week early.
They have a saying in the Upper Peninsula that you aren’t north until you cross the bridge. But here, this time of year, if you head to the Traverse City area, you have gone far enough north. Can’t miss the Tunnel of Trees, Deadman’s Hill and many, many other spots.
Just one minor problem. Our timing was slightly off. Unseasonably warm weather. Most of the leaves had yet to give up this week. Still beautiful.
And then there are the little shops to visit, where you can pay two bucks a cookie, or $20 for a dozen. (They are very good cookies).
Yes, and of course, an opportunity to visit more beaches and enjoy the sunset. And mushroom houses… can’t forget, or miss, the mushroom houses.
