Northern Michigan Landscapes

View from Bill's Farm Market Toward Lake Michigan

Walsh Farm

Field of Sunflowers on Levering Road

Petoskey State Park Dunes

Haying at Bill's Farm Market

Summer Dreams Along Lake Michigan

FOURTH UP NORTH

There is nothing better than the FOURTH UP NORTH - 

Come early and feast your eyes on Northern style, "Art in the Park," in Harbor Springs. Stand in line to grab a "Guerney's" sandwich, stacked with piles of fresh roasted turkey, deli sauce, and homemade bread. The homegrown, INGENIOUS Harbor Springs parade begins at 1:00 so set your chair up early along Main Street. 

Then jump in the cool clear waters of the Harbor Beach to chill out from the summer heat. Afterwards, head back south 20 minutes to Petoskey to watch another parade, led by the award-winning PHS band. Catch a 4^th of July party along Mitchell Street for a bird's-eye-view - from Bill's Farm market veggie truck to fire engine soakers (relished by the audience in the melting 100 degree heat). Enjoy brats and dogs roasted by hosts in back-yard patios accompanied by neighbor's and friends' potluck surprises. Sparkle in the comraderie of friends and new acquaintances. 

As the warm evening fades, gather along Little Traverse Bay with the crowds that stretch for miles on the waterfront greens to watch the sunset and await man’s attempt to match nature’s fireworks. Outside the Perry Hotel, the Petoskey Steel Band fills the night air with drumming. Above, candled balloons float up from the pier like winged chariots of fire. 

A black sky suddenly ignites with fire. First, Harbor Springs explodes casting deep red, white, blue and green reflections across the blackened Bay illuminating flotillas of yachts and boats of every kind and their reveling gazers. Then spectacular booms from Petoskey's fireworks draws a chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs” from the hoards of people who silently gathered in the darkness like a flash mob erupting without warning or sign.

Then the grand finale illuminates minds with the cost of freedom and our obligation to protect our liberties. Independence Day, a day of light, laughter and an awakening to America that freedoms must be defended despite the cost.

Grand Finale