For many years now, it has been a cherished tradition of the decendants of Nat and Dorothy Rosnberg to meet for one glorious week in July at Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan,in various cottages. Over the years, couzins and friends have joined the yearly pilgrimage. Known among themselves as the "Beach Bums", members of this group can be found each morning hanging out at the Phoenix cafe in Beaulah.  Later, they may  be found at Beaulah Beach where the little ones play in the water while the young adults have been known to entertain with guitars.  Still later, they may gather at the rented cottage of one of the others  to watch the sunset and enjoy a pot luck dinner and a fire on the beach.

Michigan: for a Family Vacation

   I have lived my entire life in the state of Michigan, but I have also traveled to many beautiful parts of the world, from the east coast of the U.S. to California and the west;from  the Fjords of Norway,to the English Lake District and the Amalfi coast.  Each area has it's special beauty.  Yet each time I return to this area of Michigan, I feel the same wonder I experienced the first time I saw it as   a young girl.

  The pictures shown here have all been taken in Benzie County in the northern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan. The western boundary of Benzie County is the magnificient  shore of Lake Michigan.  Like all of Michigan,the county is peppered with smaller lakes, like Crystal Lake. it has it's small towns, like Frankfort, Beaulah and Glen Lake. Each town has it's unique history,it's restaurants, hotels and rental cottages.

  

  

Farmers markets, Piers and Beaches, The Betsie River Bike Trail

The pier at Frankfort.with Grain elevator.  A great place to grab an ice cream cone and watch the sunset.

Views  of the Betsie River from the parking lot of the Elberta Farmer's market on the Betsie River Bike trail..

Walks in the Woods

Click on any image on this page to enlarge it.

Pointe Betsie  Lighthouse

As the day wanes, people come down to the beach. Fires are lit in the dunes and food is shared as the sun begins it's long, slow descent into Lake Michigan.

Pierce Stocking Drive of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

These pictures were taken on a day when early morning mist hung like a delicate veil between the sky and the dunes. This an overlook on Pierce Stocking Drive south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes,outside of Glen Arbor. Wheechair access.

A Walk on the Dunes

My visit to Crystal Lake is never complete without a trip to the Sleeping Bear National Lake Shore. The dunes are accessible by  several means but certainlly the most popular with children and younger adults is the "Dune Climb".My choice is the  Dune Walk, accessable from The Pierce Stocking drive. I chose a slightly overcast cool day so I could take my dog with me. He loves it!

Midway on the dune walk loop. Little Glen and Big Glen Lakes can be seen in the distance.

Many plants flourish in the fragile dune environment.Here from left:"Bouncing Bet",beach plum, wild aster and clouds of wild babysbreath.

Crystal Lake

Sunrise,early morning and twilight.

A short walk through the woods brings you to the top of a lookout over Lake Michigan.

The Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lake Shore features many trails and several wonderful beaches which have remained .pristine.