With Tahquamenon Falls and Paradise behind us, we headed south for the bridge back to the lower peninsula.  It was late afternoon when we crossed over the Straights of Mackinac.

And many miles to go before I sleep

We made a right turn and took US-31 down the west side of the state.  After we stopped for gas, I slipped behind the wheel.  Some time later, it was dark and we were hungry.  We had had a late lunch, so we hadn’t stopped earlier.  We pulled into the town of Elk Rapids.  Eagle-eyed Sylvia saw the pizza place, and I stopped in front of it.  Their pizza was good!

After we had eaten, Sylvia took the wheel for the final leg of our drive to Glen Lake.  It was about 10 PM when we arrived.  While I unloaded the car, Sylvia built a fire in the fireplace.  We had some popcorn and hot tea before calling it a day.

It was chilly when I awoke on Friday morning.  Sylvia had been up for some time.  She was in the kitchen reading and enjoying some hot tea in front of the stove.  Once again, she had started a fire in the fireplace.  We sat in front of that fire for a while reading.  She drank tea.  I enjoyed a cup of coffee.  As we sat there, she suddenly popped up and said, “I’ve got to get a picture of this.”

Arthritic old man reads in front of fire

Fifty years earlier, Sylvia and I had spent our two-day honeymoon here at Crosby Cottage.  The weather was very warm in 1961.  This time it would be an overnight stay.  It was very chilly and we decided not to make it a long visit.

That morning, we drove to Glen Arbor with three destinations in mind.  The first was Cherry Republic, a store that sells food stuff with cherries.  They specializes in mixes with cherries, nuts, dried fruits and chocolate.  Plenty of free samples.  And it is all so good!  We made some purchases, which we are still enjoying.

Next stop, the Synchronicity Art Gallery.  Michael Crosby, a relative, has some of his sculptures on display (and for sale) at the gallery.  We spent over an hour there enjoying the many works of art.

Our final stop was at the Crystal River.  This time of year, the coho salmon have come into the river.

Coho salmon swimming in the Crystal River

This school seemed content just to circle around in endless circles playing a game of follow-the-leader.  It was relaxing and fun to watch the fish.  We also checked at the dam a way upstream from this scene.  The salmon had not progressed that far upstream.  They should be there in another week or two.

We returned to the cottage, where we enjoyed a modest lunch while sitting under the trees.  We enjoyed the view of beautiful Glen Lake as we remembered the many times we had been there before.

Crosby Cottage has a great view of Glen Lake

We watched a pair of swans gliding across the lake.  A pair of sailboats added more interest to the scene.  One of the sailors was adept the other was an obvious novice.  Eventually it was time to load the car, close up the cottage and head for home.

We made a couple of stops to stretch and change drivers.  About four miles from home we would drive pass our nearest pizza and sandwich shop.  We stopped there for a sandwich before continuing home where a warm house, cat and bed all waited for our return.  We were tired, but felt very good.  It had been a lot of fun.  The trip meter indicated 902 miles driven in three days.  It sure was good to be home.