A magnificent beach along a stretch of Good Harbor Bay. This beach offers clear views out to the islands and has a long sandy beach. Just a few seconds walk south is a stream running from the woods into Lake Michigan. The stream is great for kids to play in, fun to follow into the woods, and nice to just stand in the warmer waters of the stream after a cold dip in Lake Michigan.
Cool things to do: Bring a soccer ball, football, or frisbee to have a rowdy game on the beach, on a windy day bring boogieboards, surfboards, or skimboards and play in the waves, and after all the hard play make sure to stick around to watch the sunset - there is nothing better than watching a sunset over Lake Michigan (don't blink - if you look hard enough you might be able to see the Green Flash when the sun sets).
Between getting my first surfboard (Jamie says make that OUR surfboard) and the fall weather patterns here that seem to pile up the big waves, I've been spending a lot of time in or near the water.
Yesterday, a few brave souls (of which I was not one) took to the raging waters of Lake Michigan. You can also check out this brief video from yesterday at YouTube and this feature on surfing in Michigan and the Great Lakes from Absolute Michigan.
Photo credit: Pyramid Break II by Andy McFarlane (wallpaper sized version)
Our area has a lot of great photographers, and one of these is Gary Howe. You've seen his work in all kinds of regional and national publications (including a recent photo feature on Mario Batali in the New York Times). Gary also provides photographic services for a number of area nonprofit organizations including the Chiapas Water Project, Traverse City Film Festival and the Great Lakes Bioneers.
Gary also has a photo blog called Life on Earth where you can see his photos of everything from surfing off Van’s Beach in Leland in late August to polar bear dipping in Empire in February, and closeup looks at caterpillars on North Manitou and the 2007 Traverse City Film Festival.
You can view & purchase some of Gary Howe's work at Digital Railroad and get information about his photographic services at glhowe.com.
