Dunes, dunes, and more dunes with a cherry on top!

From reading other RVers travel blogs, I knew that Michigan was a pretty state but I had no idea how beautiful until we visited. I am so glad that we decided to spend a month touring through this state. Since we are eventually heading back to Pennsylvania, we decided that we didn’t have time to visit the Upper Peninsula so we will have to come back at some point to see that area. For this trip, we planned a week in Empire, MI near Sleeping Bear Dunes and then three weeks in St. Clair, MI at a Thousand Trails park. With those two stops, we are able to visit both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

Our first week in Empire, MI was fantastic. This was the first time that we stayed at a true RV Resort. Indigo Bluffs RV Park has a campground side and a resort side. Initially we were planning to book the campground side but since our stay would be in early June, it was considered pre-season and the price was less expensive. So we decided to splurge and take advantage of the pre-season price and stay on the resort side. It was beautiful with large sites, situated in a way that you didn’t really see much of your neighbors RV. Each site was paved with a patio area, nice fire pit and chairs. The clubhouse was really nice but we didn’t really use it. The only issue was very little shade. When we walked the dog, we headed over to the campground side since it had lots of trees and shade. We were expecting cooler temperatures being early June, but most of the week was pretty warm with a couple of days in the low 90’s. It cooled off to more seasonable temperatures over the weekend before we left. We found so much to do in the area that we didn’t try out the pool but it looked very nice.

This gives you a better idea of the size and layout of our site.

This water feature was near the resort entrance.

Another view of the water feature and wildflowers

The area was very beautiful and we enjoyed drives around the countryside filled with cherry orchards, vineyards, and forests. The best drive was through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, part of the National Park System. We spent a few mornings visiting the various areas of the park and then stopped for lunches at some of the local restaurants. The food was great at all of the places we visited and both Empire and Glen Arbor were very quaint little towns. I didn’t realize this area was known for cherries and every restaurant had menu items made with the cherries. There were cherry sauces, cherry salsa’s, cherry wine, etc. I tried something at each place made with the cherries. The best was the cherry pie that we picked up at Cherry Republic although I really like the cherry burger that I had at the food truck in the campground. The cherry wines were a bit sweet for me but I found a blend that was 98% pinot noir with only 2% cherry that both Tim and I enjoyed.

Tim tried the jalepeno bloody mary at Art’s Tavern

The Cherry Public House had some interesting decorations and lots of seating areas outside. They sold everything cherry, from cherry chicken salad, ice cream, pie, beer and wine.

I like their logo.

I highly recommend Sleeping Bear Dunes. It is absolutely beautiful, especially the overlooks along Pierce Stocking Drive which was the first part of the park that we visited. These dunes were very impressive. I took so many pictures at each stop so I think the best way to show you the area is through pictures.

The covered bridge is near the beginning of the drive.

Glen Lake overlook

Dunes overlook

More dunes

The hike up the dunes to the Lake Michigan overlook.

Lake Michigan overlook

Sleeping Bear Point

In addition to the lookouts and dunes, we stopped and toured through Glen Haven one morning. It is an historic town within the national park. Unfortunately, few buildings were open yet, but we were able to see a demonstration at the blacksmith shop and look in the old cannery that is now a boat museum. A little further down the road, we stopped at the Maritime museum that was once the Sleeping Bear Point US Life-Saving Service Station. The ranger explained how they would save men from ships that had wrecked in the shoals and sandbars during storms. I thought they took boats out for the rescue’s but he said most of the rescue’s were from the shore. The equipment they used was pretty interesting.

The inn at Glen Haven. This was a company town started by David Henry Day who pioneered sustainable forestry, helped introduce fruit orchards and brought tourism to the area. The town was a stop for ships to take on fuel wood, and provided food, lodging and service to travelers along Lake Michigan.

The blacksmith shop

This showed how they rescued the men from ship wrecks.

Some of the life saving equipment.

On Sunday, Tim and I went to Mass then out for brunch at Joe’s Friendly Tavern in Empire, MI. It was Tim’s first time attending in person in over a year. We felt like life was back to normal being able to to that. After brunch, we walked through the little town and then down to the beach. A perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Empire lumber company

The park in Empire; a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the lake.

Empire Beach

We both liked this sign at house near the beach.

Monday was our last full day in the area so we took another trip too see the views in the park. We decided to go to Empire Bluff and take the hike up to the top for the view. The trail from the parking lot is 3/4 mile up and it wasn’t too steep or strenuous. Definitely worth the climb as the view was fantastic. It think it was better than the views from the Pierce Stocking Drive. I will end with a few photos of our last look at the dunes and lakes.