Pure Michigan

You know those terrible Michigan tourist ads? The one with the man with the deep voice who waxes poetically about the perfection that is Michigan?  If you haven't seen them, here is a link (the one called "A Perfect Summer" is a great example):

http://www.michigan.org/pure-michigan-ads

Well, we now know what that guy has been on about all this time.  Northern Michigan is stunningly beautiful.  From Mackinaw we headed to Beaver Island, Charlevoix, Leland, and Frankfort.  Photos below but first a neat story about the history of Beaver Island.In 1847 a character by the name of James Strang founded a Mormon community on the Island.  He appointed himself King of the Island but his reign was fairly short as he was assassinated 9 years later by two of his followers.  The two were tried for murder, convicted, and fined $1.25 each as punishment.  I guess King James wasn't too liked by the courts of the day!

Back to the beauty of Pure Michigan:

Crystal clear water. Who needs the Bahamas?

Beach huts on Lake Charlevoix.  Just like an English seaside.

Fishtown in Leland.  Still a working port and preserved as it was 150 years ago.

More Fishtown

Sand dunes on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan

One of Lake Michigan's many lighthouses