Where
do you go for a day trip when you already live in a vacation destination? This time of year, head up north of Petoskey
to M119 and the Tunnel of Trees. From
Elk Rapids, this is about a six to seven hour round trip if you only stop a
couple of times to shop. This trip is fantastic
for experiencing the fall colors along the shore of Lake Michigan. Head north on 31 and then pick up M119 at
Petoskey as you go around Little Traverse Bay.
Starting at Harbor Springs drive the 20 miles of the Tunnel of Trees to
Cross Village. You will be on visual
overload before you finish this drive.
Along the way there are many farm markets to buy apples, cider, baked goods and whatever you would like to munch on while driving. Be sure to gas up at Harbor Springs if you didn’t start out with a full tank when you left home. Then be amazed at the myriad of colors that you will be surrounded with. For me, the trees that are the orangish, redish with a hint of yellow are the most spectacular because of their depth of color. Even Crayola can’t manufacture this color in all their repertoire of crayons.
The entire drive is not under a tunnel of trees, but rather opens up in places to sprawling orchards and farms. There is even a one-room school house surrounded by Nature’s brush of fall colors. Then of course, when you look to the west, Lake Michigan looms as blue as ever. The contrast between the sapphire of the ocean-like Lake with the yellows, reds and oranges of the trees is awesomely breath-taking.
Once you arrive in Cross Village, there isn’t much to see. This time of year, The Legs Inn, known for its good food and unique atmosphere is closed. The Old World Café was open, but we didn’t stop to eat. (We had packed a lunch and ate it in Charlevoix overlooking Lake Michigan.) We did stop at the “General Store” which is really a gas station and a convenience store. They had the usual along with a much needed bathroom – which by the way, was clean.
We opted to return home by going back through the Tunnel of Trees. This was a good decision as the sun had shifted and it was like looking at the sky through a sunlit stain glass window. It was a riot of colors. On the way home we also decided to treat ourselves to a little bit of Kilwin’s sweets---always delicious!
All in all, this is a great little day trip to take when the sun is out and the temperatures are mild. Go with the mindset of meandering along without a care in the world, and being bathed in Nature’s colors.
Along the way there are many farm markets to buy apples, cider, baked goods and whatever you would like to munch on while driving. Be sure to gas up at Harbor Springs if you didn’t start out with a full tank when you left home. Then be amazed at the myriad of colors that you will be surrounded with. For me, the trees that are the orangish, redish with a hint of yellow are the most spectacular because of their depth of color. Even Crayola can’t manufacture this color in all their repertoire of crayons.
The entire drive is not under a tunnel of trees, but rather opens up in places to sprawling orchards and farms. There is even a one-room school house surrounded by Nature’s brush of fall colors. Then of course, when you look to the west, Lake Michigan looms as blue as ever. The contrast between the sapphire of the ocean-like Lake with the yellows, reds and oranges of the trees is awesomely breath-taking.
Once you arrive in Cross Village, there isn’t much to see. This time of year, The Legs Inn, known for its good food and unique atmosphere is closed. The Old World Café was open, but we didn’t stop to eat. (We had packed a lunch and ate it in Charlevoix overlooking Lake Michigan.) We did stop at the “General Store” which is really a gas station and a convenience store. They had the usual along with a much needed bathroom – which by the way, was clean.
We opted to return home by going back through the Tunnel of Trees. This was a good decision as the sun had shifted and it was like looking at the sky through a sunlit stain glass window. It was a riot of colors. On the way home we also decided to treat ourselves to a little bit of Kilwin’s sweets---always delicious!
All in all, this is a great little day trip to take when the sun is out and the temperatures are mild. Go with the mindset of meandering along without a care in the world, and being bathed in Nature’s colors.
