Five, Pierce Stocking trail

Pierce Stocking was the name of an early 20th century lumberman who was eager to have others share his appreciation for the grandeur of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. So, he built this bicycle-friendly 7ish mile loop road that skirted the edges of the dunes. There were many places to stop and 'be at one' with the dramatic vistas.
Lake and Dune advance and retreat as if in an ancient Tango competition, accompanied by the undulating ryhthms of the wind .

We were treated to the kind of sky/sun/cloud dance that Hollywood can only dream of duplicating on a movie screen. Lake Michigan shimmered, lustrous under sinewey layers of clouds and a bleached lemon sun.

Four, The locals talked about this storm for days

Abundant wisteriaMetal sculptures

Once we conquered the Old Mission Peninsula, it was time to tackle the neighboring, much more expansive Leelanau Peninsula the next day. The scenery was yet-again top notch; more cozy vacation homes studding the shores of the glittering azure surface of Lake Leelanau. Many sported lush gardens, but this wisteria was a standout. This humble blue farmhouse made a neat backdrop for some home-made bling. A frustrated but romantic metal sculptor lived there, undoubtedly.



Did I mention that storms with heavy rainfall were forecast? Undaunted, we rode and found more Michigan mirth. "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, it's time to wash your hair!"



The skies darkened.
The skies opened finally and we rode through a frog-choker of a downpour. It got chilly. My gore-tex rain jacket and pants leaked. I had to do something to distract myself so I found temporary refuge under a post office awning and hammed it up for my camera.


Then this artfully ruined, time-and-weather ravaged barn helped oddly to lift my spirits. If it could withstand the elements and still look compelling, then dangit, so could I.

Next stop: dry-ISH tent at Leelanau State Park Campground at the very tip of the peninsula.

The rain stopped, but the waves crashed all night on the nearby beach.