We both agree, the stories about our stay at Traverse City will be told over and over and over again for years to come.
We had time on Saturday morning before checkout in Ludington, so we went to the North Breakwall Lighthouse to take some pictures. Lake Michigan was very rough and the wind was really strong. In fact, the waves kept breaking against the walkway keeping it wet and maybe even wetting your shoes as you walked by. In spite of it all, our intrepid photographer got his pictures and I think they are really good.
North Brakewater Lighthouse – Ludington, MI
The drive to Traverse City was just a few hours and we were very pleased what we saw as we drove into the park, down a long winding driveway flanked on both sides by ponds with fountains and beautiful landscaping. Jim said, “You are going to be living like a Queen this week.” This park is rated one of the best in the country and only takes Class A & C motor homes and fifth wheels over 29 feet long. No travel trailers, no pop-ups and no tents.
We registered and for the first time in all the trips we taken, the hostess asked for my first name as well as Jim’s. It took her about 1/2 hour to tell us about all the things to see and do and I was sure we would never get it all done. After getting settled on our lot, we took off for our first sightseeing trip because after all, it stays light until 9:30 p.m. and we had a lot to do.
Traverse City has an East Grand Traverse Bay and a West Grand Traverse Bay separated by the Old Mission Peninsula and at the end is the Old Mission Lighthouse. We stopped along the way for an early dinner at the Peninsula Grill and ate outside in perfect weather.
Early dinner Saturday 8-1 near Traverse City
We saw an interesting appetizer on the menu and, of course, had to try it; Quinoa cakes with guacamole.
Quinoa cake – appetizer at Peninsula Grill
They were made with a mixture of quinoa, roasted corn and black beans and very delicious. In fact, they looked so good, we each ate one before we remembered to take the picture for you. Jim’s main meal was a cherry chicken salad and I had tuna nicoise made with fresh ahi tuna.
Ahi Tuna Salad at Peninsula Grill
On to the lighthouse for some pictures but it was too late to get into the lighthouse.
Old Mission Lighthouse
They closed at 5 p.m. so we came back down the peninsula and pulled off to take this picture
Scenic view of Lake Michigan and grape vineyards in foreground
then tracked down a church for the next morning and a restaurant for lunch. The weather was predicting rain for Sunday afternoon so we decided to just stay at the park and do laundry and read and relax.
By 5 p.m. we were in the middle of the most severe storm I ever remember that was not called a hurricane. The wind blew with 70-75 mph gusts and shook the RV. We heard hail on the roof and hitting against the windows while the trees were being bent like paper. It was extremely frightening and then the electricity went off. In case you didn’t know this, in an RV park (no matter how beautiful) when the electricity goes off, you have no water because the pump does not work, no air or heat, no lights and only your battery power which you need to conserve and some water in your tank. It was not a good situation. The worst part of the storm passed by so we decided we needed to get something to eat and left for downtown Traverse City. Unfortunately, the RV park was not the only place with no electricity. As we drove into the city, we noticed tree tops snapped off, and large trees blown over. All the traffic lights were out making traffic very slow at all the intersections. There was a lot of damage sustained in the area between the park and downtown.
We decided to turn back and I remembered there was a casino in the opposite direction from Traverse City so we headed there, thinking they might be in better shape. We were right, but everyone else in he area thought the same thing and they were not prepared for the onslaught of people. We actually shared a table with a 17 year long resident who said he has never experienced a storm like this in Traverse City. Needless to say, the food was not good and the service was worse.
We learned that night that our past lives came in handy because we could relax without all the electronic games and conveniences. We actually played an old fashioned game of Uno by the light of a battery lantern and had fun.
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