I actually don’t know what to do today. Being a go,go,go person I don’t know how to handle not doing anything. I shouldn’t spend anymore money. The amount of money I spent on gas is outrageous. And ice. At least $30 in wood. And drinking water. In a way I am ready to go home but I am not ready to get back to everything I temporarily left behind. Work. I am not ready.

I traveled my way over to Young park. I made a pit stop at a mini park with 5 parking spots. I unloaded my kayak and Perused around Lake Charlevoix for a little bit while drinking my coffee and looking at all the beautiful homes that surrounded the shoreline. She was a hell of a lot calmer today than yesterday. Her beastly waves and being the third largest body of water in Michigan (not counting the Great Lakes) I was almost confident I would not touch her. But today was another story. Such beauty and grace as the waves traveled from edge to edge rocking my kayaking gently from side to side. But I really needed ice and water. So after an hour, I paddled my kayak back to my jeep, loaded up and headed back down the road. I stopped at a gas station and got what was needed. I realized I was smack in the middle of Downtown Boyne City. I found a place to park right across the street so I could walk around.

The town was small yet quaint. The one thing I liked most about this small little town was the available parking just about anywhere and no parking meters. It’s probably my favorite part of a small town. I was drawn to Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company. I love stopping into local coffee shops and buying a cup of coffee. Of course I found a cool t-shirt as well. Ha. So much for not liking tourist shirts, but they are inspiring to the work I am trying to create for my own business.

I love coffee shops way more than shopping, going out to eat or even a brewery. Although I love visiting local breweries, I don’t because I am alone and I am responsible for my own driving. Plus drinking in the middle of the day really is not my forte. If I want to try a pub or brewery it has to be a dinner thing with a damn good meal to go with.

Boyne city shops were nice because not one was much like the other. I really enjoyed the variety each store had to offer. Unlike Ludington where all 6 shops are exactly the same. After I finished walking Boyne city and exploring all the shops had to offer I decided I needed to get back on the water. I made my way to Young Park where I kayaked along the wilderness shoreline before I pulled to shore, caught some sun and did a little swimming and a little reading.

Kayaking, hiking, beaches and coffee. Just a few of my favorite things.

I was on Lake Charlevoix reading, swimming or floating around for the better half of my day. And let’s say, I forgot my aloe! And boy do I need it. I am fried.

I found a small hiking trail called Avalanche Park. A local ski hill. I climbed the 462 stairs to the overlook where you could see most of Lake Charlevoix. I could even see the area I was kayaking around. I then finished the 2.2 mike loop back to my car. That was my last hike as well as my last kayak of my Vacation.

Tomorrow I depart. I might stop into Traverse City for lunch at that one restaurant but other than that it’s back to my life. I am just about clean out of food. Some had to be tossed before finishing. I am almost out of propane and I am tired of washing dishes without a sink and buying gallons of water. And I probably have enough firewood to have a 40 minute fire. Haaa! I feel if I would have bought at least 2 or 3 more bundles of wood, my fires at night would have been a little bit more enjoyable but I tried to make due with what I had because I was too stubborn to keep buying more. I also burn as much of my trash that I can possibly burn to help with litter waste of our environment.

7/20/2021

I woke up to the most beautiful sunset on the lake. A view I looked forward to most. A view I thought I was receiving on Green Lake. Well, the Sunset from my tent.

As for last night, my campground not being like a normal campground felt weird to me. My neighbors are loud and I swear they never slept. But we are camping. People like to enjoy their moments. But this allowed for a peaceful morning for me because I am a morning person versus a night owl. Since they all were up past midnight, means they will all sleep well until noon. Leaving me with the peace and quiet I enjoy. I am not surrounded by wonderful old people that I like, so there are no conversations here and meeting new people. Yet.

So I am allowing myself to rest, because I have three trails to hike, if I get to them, great if not I have tomorrow; I think. I went through my phone and all my texts. Perplexed at the things that they felt needed to be said. Work. And a file? I sent an updated file to the Hudsonville chambers for the mailer and they still posted the old outdated one. How did this happen? Why? Among the list of other things I need to take care of when I get back, this one bothered me. And the one word, texts from my best friend. Okay. Like I know I didn’t leave on vacation on the best of terms but a little conversation would be nice. No. This is why I am here. To escape work. To escape friends. To escape my ever winding mind of why did I say this, think this, do this. Did I complete this? Complete that? Am I missing anything else! Who cares? In the end it will always be me against the world so what a conversation had gone sour. A work file went wrong and a ton of things needed changing. World I'm not there, it’s your turn. Otherwise wait until I get back like I patiently wait for others when they’re away.

I stare down at my awesome camping grill accessory kit I bought off Amazon and I enjoy it Thoroughly. My cast iron pans. I don’t know how to store them. They’re getting rust all over my car where they lay. This everything bagel seasoning- jalapeño style is an absolutely amazing add on to all my wonderful dishes. I can’t store my onions in a ziplock bag….why did I store them in a ziplock bag!?

This is honestly the first time I am actually thinking. About everything. I think it’s time to finish breakfast and hike. And I just saw a plane fly close to the water as it’s underbody brushed the tip of the water. I’m in awe.

I see clouds coming. Wind is picking up and it’s chill hugs my shoulders teasing the goosebumps to come out and play. I grab my hoodie and make my way.

I made my way to my first hike on the list. Fisherman’s point state park. After long detours and closed roads, what was supposed to be a 15 minute drive turned into 40. Passing through a little downtown of East Jordan, with the skies low and grey, empty on an early Tuesday morning; made the town seem almost ghost-like.

When it comes to entering into parks, I say having the state park pass, Recreational pass and a bunch of camping registrations in my dash have been useful into getting into just about anywhere with a friendly wave 👋🏼 from a ranger.

I drove along the road a bit before finding a perfect spot to park. I walked through a small path to find myself on Bells Bay of Lake Michigan and her waves stretched out far from the shore. The sound of her magnificent waves crashed onto her pebbled beach, with a roaring sound as she echoed through the sky dancing in her wild winds. The clouds were letting up and the sun struggled to make her appearance. I walked up along the edge of the water and it wrapped itself around my legs. Searching for rocks created in the water's beauty, I admired all I could see and hear. A deceivingly endless stretch of beach. In the woods behind me, campgrounds scattered about. To camp right on Lake Michigan, just tucked quietly behind a few trees and steps away from sandy ground must be an amazing experience. To hear Lake Michigan crash itself along the shoreline as you sleep is just as peaceful as sleeping to the loons songs under the stars.

I made my way to Susan’s Nature Preserve, but I wasn’t just ready. I saw something on the map so I decided to travel a touch further and found myself at Big Rock Point Roadside park. Another beautiful sight worth seeing. To sit out here on the rocky shoreline watching the waves crash with the winds is the most beautiful and tranquil feeling. I could stay here forever. But I must get back to my path of Susan Nature Preserve. No. I found something better in Petoskey. Only 20 minutes from here. A waterfall. I’ll hit Susan’s Preserve on my way back to camp or go tomorrow.

As I fixed myself lunch I realized I lost all my lettuce, most of my eggs are starting to crack. My tomatoes are going bad. And I lost half my cheese. I’m still melting it on my nachos tonight but it’s one big blob of goo. My fruit is also next to being deceased. Oh and I really don’t like Vegan mayonnaise. So making a tuna salad is out of the question. I’ve been using my hummus for my sandwiches.

I make my way to Petoskey. I visited yet another beautiful site to see. A little waterfall off a park of Lake Michigan at Little Traverse Bay, or what google calls it…Waterfall Area. But I can’t help but hear what appears to be thunder in the distance. I move closer to the sound, moved by its deep dark clashes. Giant grey rocks board the shoreline of the body of Michigan waters. Her waves are ever more fiercely crashing into the rocks making noises of the thunder Gods. Even though I am only 20mins north of where I was just at. Clouds are here again too.

I spent a good hour walking around Petoskey city. I found it felt and looked a lot like Holland, as Charlevoix resembled Saint Joseph. As far as the city goes, Holland and Petoskey are my favorite areas to walk around downtown aimlessly. I favored the coffee shops, dog stores and the unique gift shops and food stores where I could find unique dry rubs, bbq and seasoning. I bought my dog some treats as I cannot come home empty handed. And I enjoyed a cup of iced almond honey latte at Populace Coffee. It’s almost 3 and I think I’ll go hiking at Susan’s Nature’s Preserve and maybe tomorrow on my last day find local places to kayak one last time. Of course as I find places I enjoy and get settled in, that’s when my vacation comes to a close.

Petoskey also comes in second place for places of scenic value. Ludington - Petoskey - U.P - Holland.

Downtown shopping Petoskey - Holland - Saugatuck - Saint Joseph- Charlevoix

I passed by Susan’s Natural Preserve again! Almost as if I really didn’t want to go! I found myself over at North Point Natures Preserve where I hiked a trail that led me to the dunes. Climbed over those which led me straight to the wicked shoreline of Lake Michigan. A few were parasailing these wild waves as I watched them in amusement. I had a glimpse of cell service so I facebook video chatted with my mom. Talked to my dog, which confused her and took my mom along the beach shores allowing her to see the waves in all their glory and the pebble beach sand.

After an hour or so I decided to make my way back to camp where I made food and to hopefully do some more reading along the shoreline of Lake Charlevoix. I’ve Contemplated about kayaking her but her waves are just as wicked and wild as Lake Michigan. It’s not a lake to mess with. At least not in these conditions. So I shall read.

When I arrived back at camp, some very nice people left their leftover wood on my site. I was very pleased with their gesture. Now to get a fire lit in these windy conditions

And success. These winds are surprisingly very helpful in holding a fire. Best fire I’ve started yet.