Petoskey and Harbor Springs

After a good night’s sleep, John, Rosie, Frank, and I were ready for the drive north to Petoskey and Harbor Springs…another day of sightseeing. We were not only interested in seeing the town of Petoskey and having lunch, but to also check out some of the other RV resorts being built in the area. We always need to know about other options as to where to park the rigs!

After taking a scenic drive around the lake and park area of Petoskey, we decided it was lunch time. The Park City Grill was our restaurant of choice...not just a restaurant known for its fine cuisine, but also for its celebrity notoriety. Supposedly, Ernest Hemingway spent time at this establishment’s bar. However, after reading a bit of history, he only spent the first 18 years of his life visiting Petoskey in the summers with his family, so he would have had to start drinking at an early age; more than likely, he did! Maybe he returned many years later and "bellied" up to that bar! Of course, Frank wasn’t that impressed with Hemingway stories, but only that there was French Onion Soup on the menu! Last year we had to try every Clam Chowder down the Oregon Coast…this year the French Onion. Again, he found another winning recipe and gave it a thumb’s up! Another fine choice of restaurants by our tour guides, John and Rosie!

A BIT OF PETOSKEY HISTORY

Ignatius Petoskey, who lived from 1787 to 1885, was the son of a French fur trader and an Ottawa woman. He was named Biidassige, or Pe-to-se-ga, Ottawa for "Light Shines Through" or "One Who Brings the Light." Jesuit missionaries gave him the first name Ignatius, and his last name was recorded as Petoskey.

When the government threatened to take away his children, he put them in a canoe, crossed Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay and settled on its south shore.He obtained 440 acres from the U.S. government and became a successful merchant.

After lunch we shopped the quaint little gift and clothing stores until the men said “time out”! It was fun looking, but it was time to continue on our sightseeing tour to Harbor Springs. Along the way, we were taken through the Methodist Association of beautiful Victorian homes. These grounds were just like the Monteagle Assembly back home in Tennessee. Grand homes... beautiful and so well kept… homes with large porches, rocking chairs, and intricate millwork. Something different about this Association is that the homes are closed up from November through April. A beautiful pricey vacation home that can only be used six months of the year!

Harbor Springs, another village also on Lake Michigan, is noted as being a very tight knit moneyed community…you weren’t born and raised here…you didn’t belong! In other words, old money gave one privilege here! We strolled through the marina noting the large yachts that reflected the wealth of the town. The neighborhoods along the picturesque lakefront boasted huge homes and even the “token” celebrity home was to be found occasionally. Even though old money resides here, the town greatly appreciates any dollar amounts the tourists care to leave behind while shopping and visiting in their quiet little village. Today, we didn’t leave any behind!

On the way back to Traverse City we took a route that led us to a small ferry boat that crossed a portion of Lake Charlevoix. The road ran out and there was the Ironton Ferry. By small, I mean a four car ferry that only crossed about 300 to 400 yards of the lake. It cost $3.25 to ride the Ironton Ferry. What fun!! Something unexpected to end our day!



It was great having John and Rosie visit with us and taking the time to escort us around to see the sights of Charlevoix and Petoskey…two of their favorite places to visit and now ours, also. We hated to see them leave, but the best part is we get to see them again over the Labor Day holiday. They have invited us to park our coach in their driveway and stay with them for a few days! We look forward to visiting their home in Brighton, Michigan!! So Until We Meet Again…See You Soon!!