M22 LIFESTYLE
Northern Lake Michigan | M22 Lakeshore Trail
JOSH HARTMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
CAPTURES BOTH THE MOMENT
AND INCREDIBLE MOTHER NATURE
Recently, we had the distinct pleasure of re-living Elsa & Gabe's heartwarming celebration at Lake Bluff Preserve's gorgeous bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Josh Hartman, a local Traverse City photographer, who specializes in weddings and family events, captured the event just perfectly. Looking over his pictures, it seemed we were still there celebrating!
Elsa's enchanting dress and their fusion of traditions made this day truly unique. Including their favorite pet brought back the moments that made us all smile. Josh has featured the day on his own site, JoshHartmanPhotography.com if you would like to see more.
We are especially grateful for his work bringing the beauty of Mother Nature out for all to see. The Lake Bluff Preserve property is a little slice of what Northern Michigan is all about.
The Lake Bluff property is available for rental for all to enjoy, not just family events and larger occasions. Why not call to reserve a few days for your fall tour this year? We have several week days still available.
Weekends are filling up fast if you are considering our Lake Bluff property for a more extensive event. Please call soon to avoid disappointment! (231) 352-0101 lakebluffmgr@gmail.com
explore the manitou islands
in sleeping bear dunes
national lakeshore
The Manitou Islands in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are perched off the coast of Leelanau County. With their miles of undeveloped shoreline, towering dunes and thick forests, the Manitou Islands in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are an absolute must for any Northern Michigan vacation. The Manitou Island Transit Co. ferries passengers to both islands from Leland with twice-a-day runs to South Manitou and once-a-day runs to North Manitou. Which means, of course, that if you’re looking to do an island in a day, purchase your ticket for South Manitou. Under ideal conditions, the ferry ride from Leland to either North or South Manitou Island takes about 90 minutes; upper-deck or below-deck seating is available on the ferry, which can accommodate several dozen travelers. The ferries depart from Leland near Fishtown, a historic fishing district featuring dozens of 19th-century fishing shanties that now house small boutiques, galleries and shops. Day trips to South Manitou take about 7 hours total, so taking a packed lunch from Fishtown’s favorite sandwich shop, The Village Cheese Shanty, is an easy way to get a true taste of Fishtown while on the shores of a Manitou Island. For more information about ferries and to make reservations (which is highly recommended) contact Manitou Transit at ManitouTransit.com or call 231.256.9061
"ALL IN A DAY" ADVENTURE
NORTHERN MICHIGAN STYLE
Sand dunes are fun for everyone!
Destination
The enormous sand dunes that are Michigan’s most striking geological feature are best explored at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a scenic 40-minute drive from Traverse City. Wind from the lake pushes up the sand in a conveyor-belt effect, creating a series of perched dunes. Access them on foot via the challenging 3-hour Dune Climb trail or by car on Skyline Drive, which has 11 different vantage-points. The park opens at dawn.
Along the Way
Lunch can be casual-elegant or casual-casual. Mill Glen Arbor serves a fancy light lunch (try a tomato and stracciatella salad) in a meticulously restored 1879 grist mill. Or drive to Fishtown in Leland to the Village Cheese Shanty for a hearty sandwich on chewy pretzel bread.
Wind-Down
Comb the nascent shopping scene in Sutton Bay for finds, then chill by knocking back a tart, bright-red pint of cider made from fermented Montmorency cherries—the main local varietal—at Tandem Ciders, a wood-paneled tasting room right outside the town.
