Catching Up

Heading north along Michigan’s west side and into the Upper Peninsula which offers a stunning mix of shoreline, small towns, forests, and historic sites.

Hiking the shore trail in Hoffman State park where we are staying

Nice bike ride around Lake Muskegon.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore spans 35 miles (60 km) along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, offering a breathtaking mix of towering sand dunes, dense forests, pristine beaches, and striking remnants of ancient glaciers. This protected area also includes North and South Manitou Islands, and was established to preserve its remarkable natural beauty and unique geological features.

Nice art work in the visitor center

Collett playing with her dog

The gang is all here

Some visitors can’t resist the thrill of sliding down the massive 400-foot dune. But those unfamiliar with the area often face a grueling climb back up. Savvy adventurers, however, know to walk about half a mile down the beach to reach a convenient parking lot—and skip the steep uphill trek.

Amy

The dunes may appear to be all sand, but they actually conceal a rocky foundation. As glaciers advanced southward during the last Ice Age, they pushed rocks and debris ahead of them. When the glaciers eventually melted, these rocky piles—known as moraines—were left behind and later covered by windblown sand, forming the towering dunes we see today.

So cute

Opened in 1885, the Northern Michigan Asylum pioneered a progressive humanistic approach to mental health care. Led by Dr. James Decker Munson, the institution embraced the philosophies of “beauty is therapy” and “work is therapy,” rejecting the harsh restraints and confinement common in other asylums of the era. Instead, it sought to create a calming, dignified environment for healing. The grounds were beautifully landscaped with gardens, trees, and flowers, while the architecture prioritized natural light and scenic views. Inside, hallways featured uplifting messages and artwork, reinforcing the belief that beauty and purposeful activity could nurture mental well-being.

What a gorgeous building

The large turret structures acted like chimneys 

drawing fresh air up through the building

One of the patient cottages on the grounds.

We entered through the dark basement using our cell phones

There have been break-ins

A common area where patients gathered 

Every patient room had a window

Electricity was generated on site and distributed 

through our knob and tube wiring.

An underground fire suppression system 

Next we went into one of the old service tunnels 

All of the buildings on site were heated with steam. 

Originally there were 5 steam pipes in the tunnel. 

Greenfield Village

Greenfield Village was founded by Henry Ford in 1929 to preserve and showcase American history through authentic buildings, artifacts, and stories. Spread across 80 acres, the village is home to nearly 100 historic buildings that have been relocated from around the country and meticulously restored. As you walk through the village, you’re transported back in time, with costumed interpreters demonstrating everything from glassblowing and printing to farming and blacksmithing. There are horse-drawn carriages, Model T rides, and a historic steam train that loops the property.

Edward Loranger built his gristmill in 1830 and operated until he was 91 year old. Farmers traveled miles by wagon to have their corn and wheat ground. By the 1890’s farmers began to send their grain by railroad to larger mills, resulting in local mills closing. 

Early powered loom

An early computer. Punch cards directed the weaving

The pottery shop

The print shop

The glass shop

That is a lot of dials, levers and gauges to understand and keep track of.

H. J. Heinz products were first developed in this house. They became a recognizable brand and appealed to customers because of Heinz’s promise of good quality and freedom from tedious work in the kitchen. 

The sign says it all.

Front of their store

The hand crank wind tunnel that the Wright brothers used to design there airplane.

In the back were the power machines used to construct the components of their aircraft.

The Wright brother's home

You can take a train ride around the perimeter of the village.

or you can take a ride in a classic.

Sir John Bennett’s jewelry shop was once a beloved landmark in London, England. A man of flair and imagination, Bennett was especially fond of the mythological tale of Gog and Magog—the ancient giants said to be the legendary guardians of Britain. To honor them, he commissioned towering figures of the two giants to be recreated and displayed on the front of his shop. The building itself rose five stories high and became a striking fixture in the cityscape at its original London location.

Thomas Edison’s machinists took the ideas of Edison and his workers and made them into working models. Many were later made into actual products.

Many of Edison’s most famous experiments were created in this laboratory. 

By 1880, Edison was selling telephones that incorporated his several patented improvements. In this room, the telephones were assembled and packed for shipping.

What a fascinating two days at the Henry Ford Museum.