"Our Ride Continued......."

On our way back from Acme, where the trail ended, Don "just had" to stop and get a Dairy Queen. Unfortunately, he twisted my arm so hard that I HAD to say "YES!" to a vanilla cone. ;) I am not a fan of miniature golf, but the miniature golf course next to the Dairy Queen was really very nice. It was part of a recreational complex that sported go carts and a couple of other activities that support the tourist trade. All very nicely done and pleasing to the eye, I must say.........


As we got back into Traverse City, it was near to the time that Sean's culinary classes would be ending, so we rode over to see if we would be able to see him before he left for home. He'd probably have stopped by our house, so we'd have seen him anyway, but there was also a chance that we could have missed him, too. The Maritime, a State of Michigan Coast Guard ship, is moored behind the school. The Coast guard also has classes in the same building. Part of the school is seen in this photo.


I'd stayed up in front of the building, searching for Sean's bike. Unfortunately, I didn't know what his bike looked like, but did know that he wore riding shoes that lock onto his pedals, and was able to find only one bike that fit that description, so hoped it was his and that he hadn't left yet. For some reason, he'd looked out the window of his class at just the right time and saw me riding around out front, so came down to let me know he'd seen me, and that he be back down after he'd changed from his "chef's uniform". I was then able to ride out to where Don had disappeared......he was answering "The Call of the Bay", and had ridden out onto the pier/breakwater (?). Clinch Park is in the background of this photo, with a little of downtown Traverse City as well. :)


Don with a full view of the school building.


While using the "facilities", Don took this photo of inside the school's lobby. Don grew up on Long Island in New York, and was involved with sailing all of his childhood, and it still draws him like "a moth to a flame".......


Tomorrow.....Sean, Becky, and Beer! ;)

"A Photo From Jill and Another Day of Riding....."

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, we went out to dinner with my cousins, Joe and Jill. Joe had asked our waiter to take a photo of us, which Jill just sent to me, so I thought I would add it.



Don and I went bike riding again on Tuesday and took the TART Trail east, to it's end/beginning in Acme (there was a sign which showed the next proposed part of the trail, after the needed funds are raised). It took us along East Bay, which you see here in the background.


The trail goes behind numerous retail shops, one of which we turned into because they afforded some "photo opts". :)

Me with the bears.......


Don with the bears......


And then with a "Mossy Moose".


More to follow.......

"TART Trail along Boardman Lake....."

This photo was taken up near the north end of Boardman Lake, which is in the city limits of Traverse City.


Julie and me, bringing up the rear. I think we talk too much....... :)


Another couple of photos for the reception tables........



Some of the fowl we disturbed in Medalie Park when taking photos at the south end of Boardman Lake.

"Electric Cars......"

Our ride with Patrick and Julie continued along the TART Trail after seeing Sean and Becky at Clinch Park. Instead of taking the route along the shores of West and East Bays, we took the turn that would allow us to ride along the shore of Boardman Lake.

Before reaching that part of the trail, we stopped to look at the electric cars/mopeds that are for rent (they also sell them). The old train station depot is where the office of E-Company, LLC, is located. (http://traversecitybusinessnews.com/newsflash_detail.php?recordID=316&edit=true)

There is the 2 passenger vehicle.......


.......and the 4 passenger vehicle. This one comes as a convertible with removable doors/sun roof, or the solid door model.


As you can see, their mopeds (both electric and gas models) come in a variety of bright colors.....as do bicyclists. :)


There is also a nursery next to the train depot, so it was photo opt time. At their wedding reception, Patrick and Julie are planning on having small framed photos of themselves biking, skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, etc. It didn't take any arm twisting at all for "Photographer Don" to happily contribute to their stock of photos. ;)


Another one for consideration on the platform of the old Traverse City Train Depot.


Of course, we too, must have visual memories...... :)


More to come from our Traverse City visit.......

"Traverse City Continued....."

We finished up our bike ride on Sunday with sitting on the deck in back of the house we rented. There happened to be a party store "just around the corner" which we had to pass on the way home from our ride, where we stopped and bought some beer and pre-mixed margarita's. It was quite enjoyable.......


Another view from the deck area. The owners construction office is at the back of the house, shown in the photo, but it was rare to see them, and when we did, they parked out on the street, leaving the parking area in back totally for us.


My cousin Jill, and her husband, Joe, joined us that night for a margarita. We corresponded earlier in the week and hoped to connect while they were up north for the Labor Day weekend, although they stayed in Empire, which is about 24 miles away from Traverse City. After our impromptu "happy hour", we all went to dinner at The Blue Tractor. (http://www.bluetractorcookshop.com/)


The next day, Labor Day, Patrick and Julie came over, bringing their bikes, so the 4 of us could go for a ride. We made it about 2 blocks before seeing Sean and Becky, who'd brought Becky's dog, Avie, and Morgan, Patrick's dog, who was staying with them for the weekend, to the beach at Clinch Park.
In the photo: me, Becky, Patrick, Sean, Julie, with Morgan in front (West Bay behind us).


As I mentioned in an earlier blog entry, there "was" a zoo at one end of Clinch Park. I "think" that the animals are now all gone, but the small steam locomotive is still up and running. The conductor gave a whistle when he saw Don taking this photo. It must have been a test run, because normally, numerous adults/children would be riding in the cars.

To be continued........

"Our First Day's Ride Continued......"

Continuing along the TART Trail, we took one branch which led down to where the Boardman River enters West Bay. I included another photo just because it shows more of the bay. :) As you can see from both photos, it is a water sport wonderland..........



We also rode around the west end of town, through neighborhoods, around the hospital area, and stopped at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons (http://www.thevillagetc.com/), the old state mental institution that is now being renovated into a multi-use community. The entire project covers 54 acres (I think), and includes dozens of buildings, some of which are already completed, and others that are slated to have work begin. Don and I had an appointment with the realtor who is involved in its renovation, to tour the condos. We've been interested in the project since we had learned about it a few years ago, and Don has been following it's progress since.

The following photos are of Building 50, which has been partially restored/renovated at one end. The building is HUGE! (Wing after wing, after wing.....) These photos show the areas soon to be started.

One thing that we'd learned about Building 50 was that the entire building had been re-roofed initially, in order to stop any more deterioration from weather. The renovation then began on the south end of the building, where it was in the worst condition, and which is now completed and filled with retail shops, offices, and condos.




More photos of The Village in a later post. These photos were taken on our 2nd day in Traverse City, with more taken later in the week, showing areas that are completed and in full use. So much has changed since we had last been there 2 years ago, with work to continue for a few years more........

"Our Week Away....."

Don and I spent last week in Traverse City, MI. As many of you may know, I have a son, Sean, who is in his last semester at The Great Lakes Culinary Institute of Northwestern Michigan College. His girlfriend, Becky, is also in her last semester there as well. Becky's parents, Steve and Diane, were also up in Traverse City for the Labor day weekend. We met all of them, along with Patrick, my oldest son, for dinner on Saturday, soon after we'd arrived in TC. The following morning we met Steve, Diane, Becky, and Sean for breakfast. It seems we, too, were eating our way through Traverse City. (This expression.... compliments of my cousin Jill...photo to follow later.) ;)


We were extremely fortunate with the weather. It was hot, sunny, with low humidity the entire holiday weekend and most of the following days of our visit. We had only 1 day of rain, Thursday, and we'd had plans for that day which didn't allow us biking time anyway, so it worked out perfect.

Below is a photo with Don in front of West Bay. Sean and Becky actually live along the shore behind him, approximately mid photo. Photos at their house to follow later. :)


West bay near the marina......


I believe this is area of the park is still considered Clinch Park. The park runs along the bay for quite a distance. This is near the former zoo area, where a small locomotive still gives rides through the old zoo and near the marina.


Don couldn't resist this shot. The dog dove time and time again, fetching a tennis ball, swimming back, climbing up the rocks, only to beg for the ball to be thrown again. It was quite a sight.


Our Traverse City vacation to be continued..... :)