Friday, July 31, 2009

The Suite Life

There are some who visit Petoskey from another angle, the water. There have been sailboats anchored in the bay for several weeks this summer and it is a relaxing way to spend a vacation I imagine, if a little small. Quarters on a boat may be small, but you can sleep, eat, and relax all in the same place! I hope these visitors had a wonderful time, I know they had a wonderful view!

t

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Ivy League

I love ivy growing up the sides of buildings! I know it's not really good for the building unless they've taken precautions and all that, but it looks SO COOL! This is the side of City Hall, right next to the entrance to the waterfront area. I rode my bike here today and it was really nice out. A little cool for my summer tastes, but nice.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

How Sweet!

Right on the bike path, there is a cooler set out with water for anyone who needs some. Dentist Dr. Scott Eaton and his team are so kind! Thank you for your thoughtfulness! It is really nice to have around on a hot day.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Another Day, Another Bench


Here is another bench I've found in town, ready for the auction to benefit the Red Cross. This one is decorated with scenes of the Beatles and their songs. Interesting look for someone's garden....

Monday, July 27, 2009

Oh, Sweet Pea, Won't you Dance with Me

A field of sweet peas, can anything be more enchanting? I love sweet peas and this field in the middle of West Park (a nice long bike ride from Petoskey -- about 7 or 8 miles) was full of them. It was a lovely sight. West Park is the counterpart of East Park, and both are well maintained. West Park is a little more rugged and there is a 5-10 minute walk through woods and fields to get to the beach. But, there is a pavilion near the beach and a place for picnics. If you would like a quiet place to enjoy the sweet peas, this would be it!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

On the Waterfront

This is a place that we used to spend hours and hours at--the playground with the best view ever! It is right on the water next to the pier and usually crowded with kids having a great time. A few years ago, the city finally put in this larger version with another area for smaller children to the right. My kids and I have spent many happy hours here playing and meeting friends. It is a great place to come and hang out.

Sorry I've been away--I had the flu for several days and neglected pretty much everything! But all is well now and I'm back!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

View from East Park

The newly reopened East Park has a beautiful view of Bay Harbor and Little Traverse Bay. There is a pavilion and a parking area behind me, and another parking area closer to the water seen here. It is a very nice place to come and watch the sunset, and there is almost always a nice breeze here. It is on the bike path from Petoskey to Charlevoix and a great place to rest. Enjoy the view!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Bench for Sale

For the last several years, the American Red Cross has been having a unique fundraiser. It started with fish, then sailboats and bears, and now benches. These benches have been decorated by local artists and are placed around Northern Michigan before the auction. The auction proceeds will benefit the Red Cross and the work they do here. One of my favorites was a fish that had been painted to look like Monet's "Water Lilies". Every artist does it own design, all that is the same is the base that they have to work with. It will be fun to try and find more of these in the coming weeks before the auction.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

A bit of hurly-Burly

This is the largest burl I've ever seen on a tree! It is at least 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide near the bottom of a full grown tree. Whenever I see one, I always wonder what caused it, but to have one this large, it must have had a large reason! There are usually 2 main causes of burls, mold, or insect infestation. The tree compensates by growing around and enveloping such a problem and continuing with growth. But it leaves a lot of interesting information behind. This one is located in the Bay View Hiking Trails, a great spot for hiking if you're looking for one. There are maps at each entrance showing you the different trails and all are very well marked. Happy trails to you today!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wednesday Special--Two for 1 (posts)


In our modest and informal survey of the best tomato soups in Petoskey, we (my husband and I, at least) declare this soup from Julienne Tomatoes the winner! It is their Tomato Gorgonzola, a vegetarian selection that is one of the two Wednesday soups. It is a light creamy tomato soup with chunks of gorgonzola. I have never liked tomato soup in my life, but this one has changed my mind. Lovely!

Julienne Tomatoes also has great sandwiches--my favorites are the Grilled Ham and Brie with cranberry (*YUM*), the Cornwell's Roast Beef with creamy horseradish and provolone, and the Robyn's Reuben with coleslaw instead of saurkraut. If you have a chance, try them all! They use local ingredients whenever possible and have one of the best reputations in town. It is a great place -- go check it out!

Bike Night

We were walking around Monday evening and found out that Mondays are Bike Nights downtown. There is a bike parade and they all meet at Papa Lou's Pub and Pizzaria. It looks like fun if you like to ride motorcycles, and seeing all of them lined up was very interesting--each bike very unique, colorful, and bright. If you're in Petoskey on a Monday night, check out Lake Street to see all the bikes!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Glorious Gazebo


I do love a good gazebo, and this one in East Park is really beautiful. It is on a detour of the bike and walking path, overlooking the bay and it quite a wonderful view. A quiet and peaceful stop for the foot-weary (and a great place to walk down to the bay as well!)

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Waving Hello

I love listening to the waves down by the waterfront, and this place is just beautiful. It is near the newly-reopened East Park. East Park has been closed for cleanup for more than 2 years and cleanup has been completed. Now it is a beautiful stopping point along the bike path between Bay Harbor and Petoskey. Enjoy your day!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Are you a Fun Guy?

We went for a short hike the other day and found these beautiful specimens growing on a tree. The largest is about 8 inches across, so they aren't small at all. They were very colorful as well. I always wondered who the "fun guy" was who decided that fungi were good to eat! I would have to thank him, as I do love mushrooms--especially morels which grow wild around here in May. So yummy! Don't think I'll be eating this one though....

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Surprise!

Today I went for a bike ride down by the waterfront, and to my surprise, there were ships in the harbor! (My first thought was pirates, but I was mistaken. :) It actually turned out to be a replica of the Nina and the Pinta, 2 of the ships in Colombus' entourage. One (possibly both) of these ships was rebuilt over a period of 3 years and used in the movie "1492". It was an interesting thing today, neat to see, even if we didn't take the onboard tour, which was available. If you have a chance, the ships will be here for the rest of the weekend--head down to the waterfront to take a closer look!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Maybe this should be the Weekly Photo!

This is one of my favorite pictures I've ever taken, I think. I absolutely love white picket fences with gates and climbing roses. To me, this is GORGEOUS! I'm sorry I have been remiss about getting pictures up--I'm just not in town very often these days. On average, about 2 days a week I'm in town during the summer. Great for me--but hard to take pictures of Petoskey when I'm not there! :) Thanks for being patient with me!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Have you ever heard that song? I know the first line, which is, "Lo, how a rose e'er blooming, from tender stem hath sprung,". This picture taken near a bike and walking path has sprung up beautifully this year with soft pink roses and is just lovely.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Don't Forget Me!

Just a little bunch of forget-me-nots down by the water. I love their daintiness and the color of blue--so pretty! I hope you remember something pretty today!