We left Traverse Bay and headed up to the Hearthside Grove Motorcoach Resort in Petoskey, MI. We have stayed there a few times before and obviously we like the place, but not enough to purchase a lot because we still want to travel throughout the summer. Here is the lot we rented:
Beautiful!
We had to run into town because we needed to wire money at Chase to buy another 1/4 of our townhouse in Winter Park, CO. It will really come in handy now that Ari, Matt and Rylan are close by (well less than two hour drive). If anyone wants to spend some time skiing out there, let us know because we do rent it out!
When we got back to Hearthside Grove, Newmar and Midway RV were hosting an event and they had multiple 2026 coaches on display, had a happy hour, and provided dinner for everyone. We viewed the new Dutch Star and we are happy with our current one as not much has changed except the price!
It was a bit rainy and chilly which really dampened our outside activities, but we made the most of it. We traveled down to Charlevoix for lunch at the Happy Troll. The food
was great and we did a little shopping in the quaint lakeside town. Local artists were peddling their goods and we were able to browse and the weathered cleared and warmed. Even bought a couple of things! We got back up to Hearthside with enough time to ride bikes over to Harbor Springs (16 miles round trip) to split a wonderful Tom’s Moms cookie.
The next day started out rainy but turned into a nice afternoon. Katrina had signed up for Poker Pickleball for a number of reasons: 1. test out the new knee, 2. learn what Poker Pickleball is to possible bring the game back to the Myakka River Motorcoach Resort, and 3. to win (she cannot help herself). They played six games with random partners and if you win you get two playing cards, if you lose you get one card. At the end of the six rounds, Katrina had four wins and two loses for a total of ten cards. Her best poker hand was two pairs. Obviously, she didn’t win poker!
While she was pickleballing I decided to ride my bike down to the Elks Lodge #2856 in Charlevoix.
22 miles each way but mostly on a bike path. When I pulled into the lodge I decided to lock my bike up as there were two shady people seated nearby and I needed to ride back. The lodge was very typical Elks; dated but with good people making nice conversion. Lee, a brother Elk, sat down next to me and we stared talking. He asked if I was there for the chicken wings. He talked me into trying some and they were the best wings I’ve ever had! As we were eating, the two shady looking dudes sat down on Lee’s other side and he introduced me to their chaplain! Moral to the story is “Don’t judge a book by its cover”! I rode back with enough time to catch Katrina finishing up pickleball.
We ran out to Mi Tequila for a great mexican dinner with John and Maria Rugarber. We had met them on a previous visit and it was very nice getting to know them better.
The next day we decided to head up to Cross Village and have lunch at Legs Inn, a Polish place. The lunch was good and the Inn was spectacular. Check out this place:
The inside was wild:
We sat outside on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan:
Afterwards we drove down the Tunnel of Trees on M-119.
Bear enjoyed it as well!
Then we stopped at the Pond Hill Farm.
It’s a market, winery, cider place, petting zoo, pizza joint, ice cream shop, music venue, flower store, raw wood seller, gun range, and kitchen sink type of place.
Obviously a little of everything.
We let Bear “play” with the mini-mules before getting some ice cream.
Back to the coach for a wonderful fish dinner and some TV.
The next day we played some pickleball in the morning, Katrina playing more than me, as I went back to the coach to clean my downspouts, wash and wax the roof. It’s a tedious job, but necessary to keep the roof from chalking due to the sun.
That evening we went up to the clubhouse for a “Pop Up” party complete with a DJ. Everyone that attended brought some food and drinks up. It was very nice talking with different folks and listening to the good DJ. Some folks went up and danced the night away. Fun evening!
The following day I finished waxing the roof. A big shoot out to Mr. Miyagi for teaching me to wax on and wax off! That evening John and Maria had six couples over to their place for appetizers and drinks. Got to meet some more nice folks! The next door neighbors, Kevin and Samie Burns, had a branch down way up in their tree and I told them that I could climb up there and get it down for them on Saturday. Very nice evening!
I rode my bike up to Mackinaw City the next morning on the North Western State Trail.
Got to see “The” bridge!
I stopped for a Chicago style hot dog at Weinerlicious, I mean how could I not? Really, the building had a huge hot dog on top of it!
The Trail was nice and in one section done up for Independence Day.
34 miles and one battery to get up there. Good thing I brought Katrina’s battery with me for the ride home.
Happy Independence Day!
Hearthside Grove had a golf cart parade and we sat along the street with Kevin and Samie to watch it go by.
Just a couple of pictures of two of the golf carts. Our friends, Dave and Diane Hamilton got first place complete with an trophy to prove it!
And then at the clubhouse they hosted a BBQ. Hot dogs and hamburgers provided and everyone else brought sides and drinks. It was a little hot so we ate inside. Afterwards we had a drink with the first place winners.
We got invited to their house for a campfire. It was very nice sitting around chatting with people.
Katrina and I decided to ride our bikes down to the Petoskey State Park to view the fireworks. We were hoping to be able to see both Harbor Springs and Petoskey’s displays. We perched up on a sand dune with blanket and saw both of them.
Wonderful display!
Because we are on the west end of the Eastern time zone, the fireworks didn’t start until 10:30pm which made our peddle home late. On the ride back I must have run over some glass as my rear tire popped! Katrina rode back to get the truck and we were able to get back to Hearthside by midnight.
Saturday morning found me up a tree cutting the downed branch out. Talk about feeling old, but I got it down in about 45 minutes. Kevin and Samie were very grateful.
Katrina and I then headed up to Harbor Springs for the Farmer’s Market and we brought Bear with us. Picked up some meat and vegetables before trying Gurney’s Liquor Store for a deli lunch. The place had a huge line waiting so we thought it must be good.
The line even weaved through the liquor store.
On the drive back we stopped at the dog beach to let Bear play.
He did so good just playing with his toy and not bothering any other dog or human. He’s such a good boy!
When we got back we cooked up some of the steak and asparagus that we had purchased. So good have very fresh vegetables. Crisp and yummy!
Got all packed up and ready to go before the overnight rains were supposed to occur. We had enough time left to say our goodbyes to our old and new friends at Hearthside Grove.
Out the next morning heading back to Traverse Bay to attend a couple of interesting events. Stay tuned!
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