Don't Fence Me In

These sweet peas in Bayview don't like to be contained. I love the color of the bright pink sweet peas that bloom wildly in July and August. These just couldn't be contained any longer.

A Secret Trellis

This trellis is down a driveway, behind a house, and hugging the back of a yard. It makes me wonder what kind of people love to use this entrance to their home. Someday I wish for a trellis covering in something that climbs all over it and blooms.....dreams are good for the soul, don't you think?

You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for

Ice Cream!! We went out for ice cream in Bay Harbor after a bike ride the other evening. I had Honey Lavender (in the front), my son had vanilla bean (on the right), and my husband, brother, and daughter all had brownie chunk. It was a lot of fun! Galley Gourmet Express in Bay Harbor has some unique flavors you can't find anywhere else. They also have handmade chocolates that are so good--ever heard of honey lavender or chai chocolate? Yummy!

Mystery Solved!

Thanks, Jim for the guess on what these were. They are actually rose hips, the largest I have ever seen! Along the bike path, there are several areas where there are roses planted and the hips right now are just beautiful. I was just surprised at how large they really get.

3 Guesses

Can you identify this? I'll share tomorrow what it really is! :) Have a great day!

A Plethora or a Profusion?

What would you consider this lovely grouping of flowers to be? I love seeing all the red geraniums on the porch of the Perry Hotel in the summer, they do a nice job of keeping it really colorful. There are tables here and you can enjoy a cool (or hot) drink out on the porch and watch the world go by---or wait for someone who's shopping downtown! :)

Another Day, Another Sunset

Sunset over the Marina. A lovely place to spend the night if one has a boat!

Bear with Me

I do love watching the Bear River downtown. It is a very relaxing place to hang out and doesn't usually get too noisy except when the salmon are running and there are a lot of fisherman here. A quiet, green place with water is a great place to read a book. A century ago though, this was a very different place. There were at least 3 different mills on this section of the river and 3 different dams to create energy. It was a busy place with lots of workers and industry. In fact, if you walk the trail along the side of the river, you can still see remnants of walls and pipes coming out of the ground here and there. What a difference a century makes!

Bright Beauty

I love bright colors and these flowers are just beautiful. Another thing that makes me smile today! If you would like to see these for yourself, they are on the corner of Lewis and Rose Streets in Petoskey, right next to the Perry Hotel.

Sunset over the Marina

Does anything else really need to be said? It was a gorgeous night, though cool. The clouds really make a nice sunset, don't they?

A Touch of Green

Usually when one thinks of algae, it is not a pleasant thought. But in this instance, I think it is beautiful. I love the bright and vibrant green under the flowing water of the Bear River. It is determined to grow even though water is constantly sweeping over it. The algae has a good anchor on the rock and is seemingly very happy where it is. It made me happy to see it, and I hope it does you as well.

Wish Upon a Star

These people can wish upon whichever star they choose. I just loved these decorations on this porch and thought they were very creative. Besides, who doesn't like to have plenty of wishes?

U Gotta Regatta

This weekend is the annual Regatta Weekend in Little Traverse Bay. It is so pretty to see all the sailboats out on the water. Too bad it was a little rainy and gray on Saturday, hopefully the rest of the weekend will be nicer for the sailors. It is a nice place to be on a summer's day.

Shop Til Ya Drop!

This weekend is Petoskey's annual Sidewalk Sales. (Yay!) They close off the streets and the downtown merchants put out tables and tents and things are on sale--sometimes up to 90% off, but usually at least 50% off. I usually try to get there early on Friday morning when the sale starts and find things that I need at great prices. Or, I find things I don't really need at great prices! Either way, great prices! And it is also lots of fun as well. I think my favorite find of all time is my yellow chintz teapot--so bright and beautiful.

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!

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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.

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.

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....

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!

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!

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!

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.

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 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!

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!)

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!

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....

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!

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!

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.

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!

Dark Clouds

There's a storm comin'......

But we really need the rain, so that's a good thing.

City Photo Blog Day --- Where is Amir?

I know it is not the first of the month, but today the City Photo Blog community is posting a picture in support of Amir, blogger from Tehran. Today, CDP Bloggers from all over the world are coming together to hold a special 'blog day' to draw attention to recent protests in Iran. Our posts feature the color green, which is the color of Moussavi's reform movement. Why? Because Amir is missing and his blog sits idle and it has been reported that he has been imprisoned. This is a great reminder to all of the knowledge we gain when we view things from another perspective, whether that perspective is in Tehran, Sydney, London, Petoskey, or Buenos Aires. We can all learn from each other and be friends, even though we may not always agree on everything. It also reminds me personally that freedoms that I take wholly for granted are not enjoyed by all. A sobering reminder.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

A Glorious Day on the Bay

On such a day as this, one of the best places to be is on the bay in a sailboat. It is lovely and blue, the bay's waves are not whitecapped, and the breeze is strong enough to get you where you want to go. It is quiet and peaceful and wherever you're headed, it will take you a while to get there, so you have to slow down and just enjoy yourself.

Fit for a King

We were down at the water today, and found this "chair" looking out over the bay and ready and waiting to be sat upon. I haven't been in town of late, so I haven't been there to take my daily pictures! So sorry! I try to take pictures whenever I'm in town, but I've been doing some projects at home and haven't been in town this week. But the projects are done and things are back to normal, so we should be good to go! See you tomorrow!

A Fashion Statement

This model in the window at Monarch has a unique fashion look. Her dress is made entirely out of lavender and her scarf is made of hydrangeas. It is really a beautiful look, and very creative! I happen to absolutely LOVE lavender, so this one is right up my alley. Now if I could just figure out how to make it in my size......

Taking a Ride

The bike path around Petoskey is lovely this time of year, and with over 30 miles one just one trail, there is a lot to explore. You can ride along the waterfront, around the bay to Harbor Springs, or south to Charlevoix as well. Or, for the very adventurous, you can start in Charlevoix and bike to Harbor Springs, taking in all the beauty along the way!

Get all your Ducks (Or Geese) in a Row

These Canada geese looked like they were taking a break on the bay. They were on the beach area and swam our farther when they heard us coming. There were plenty of goslings in the group, so perhaps they can't stay as close to the beach as they normally would. They are quite pretty, but loud and when they are at a beach, you really should watch where you walk!

Simple Seaweed

Down along the bike path, there are places you can stop and walk down to the water's edge, and here we did just that. It was very beautiful and the seaweed was waving gracefully under the water. I wish I had video to show you its beauty, but you'll have to be content with a picture and use your imagination.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

It was a gorgeous day! And there was a breeze, the kites took off beautifully, and it was warm and sunny. ( I did forget the sunscreen, but it was worth the small sunburn to be out on today! The bottom picture is at the Open Space by the waterfront where there is plenty of room to fly kites. The top picture is a field a few miles out of town that is perfect--no kite-eating trees to be found anywhere!

Okay, I think this is it!

A gorgeous sunset on our difficulties, I believe! The sun was going down the other night and it was just beautiful. Thankfully, all of our technical difficulties have been addressed and we are back up and running once more. Welcome back! (Oh, it is finally feeling like summer around here--I wore something sleeveless yesterday!)

Unplanned Hiatus

Due to technical difficulties, (again), Petoskey Daily Photo will be on hiatus for a while. We have finally diagnosed the problem, but now have to find the fix! I hope to be back soon, but for now, thank you for visiting, and check back often to see if we're back in the loop! I'll be checking for comments and email if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks so much for being a part of this journey with me!

Michigan's State Flower

Is the Apple Blossom. These are a few apple blossoms from my front yard--the very first apple blossoms I've had on my trees! It is very exciting, as we've had them for 4 years with nary a blossom to be found before. They are beautiful, as you can see, with a dark pink bud that opens to a creamy white/pink blossom. Hope you're enjoying the day today. We're enjoying the rain which should bring the fire danger down considerably.

Flowers are Yummy

The Sweet Woodruff is blooming. The flowers are so good, especially on berries. I have a cookbook, actually several, on flowers that are edible, and this is one of the prettiest recipes that I've ever seen. And yes, I did enjoy them quite a bit!

A Famous Visitor

If anyone recognizes this car, you'll know what an exciting thing it was for my daughter--she loved seeing it. We were pulling in to the grocery store, and there it was in the parking lot! For those of you who don't know who this is: it is a replica of "Herbie", the Love Bug. There were 6 movies made about Herbie, all of which my children thoroughly enjoyed. It was such a momentous event!

Spring

Spring in Petoskey is one of the most glorious times of the year! After a long winter, seeing green again is wonderful, and this year was especially so since we had snow for almost 5 months! The waterfront is green and lovely, and the water is so beautiful and blue. (Can you tell I've been starved for color? White does get rather monotonous!) It is still on the cool side, but in the 60's, and one day we even had 85 degrees! So fun! I hope you enjoy the waterfront with me!

Tulip Time!

These red beauties are near the waterfall park. It was a gorgeous day yesterday, so we had a picnic. Since I was out of town a few days, it seems like everything started blooming and the trees burst into leaf in the 3 days I was gone! Petoskey is a beautiful place right now!

New Business...New Ideas!

Today, I met Josh, an enterprising gentleman in Petoskey. He drives the new Petoskey Pedicab--great for the environment, and I'm sure great exercise for him! He carries passengers from the downtown, the waterfront, and the Bay View area to each of the others. It looks like so much fun! I must say "Bravo" to him as Petoskey is built on a HILL! There is no where to go without riding up a hill either on the way there or the way back. Josh, good luck with your business and I hope it goes well!

A Unique Art Show

A quick visit to the Library, and a great surprise--an art show to visit. This art show is in the courtyard and are done by the students of Lakeview Academy. Pictures of the area, thoughts by the students, and their ideas in lots of color--and shoes! Each art piece has a pair of shoes (my son's favorite were the spray painted leopard slippers) each painted very brightly with quotes on each piece. It is quite fun to see and interesting to read. If you have a chance, check it out!!