Michigan-upper peninsular

[pgchin]

OK OK,
So "technically" NOT part of the upper peninsula, I decided to post one last time about our last stop in Michigan before we headed home. Dennis pictures inspired me to AND I have a friend on the board who lives on the right coast and LOVES California wine country as much as I do but alas, time constraints prohibit him from visiting as often as he would like. This last stop is a real good alternative for right coast wine lovers who are short on time!!!! We were in Empire, MI sight seeing at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National park and doing wine tastings here in the area where there are almost 50 vineyards, some brand new, some decades old growing some of the most complex specialty grapes in the US! Some varieties are only grown here! Every vineyard does daily tastings! So if you love wine, you can have a blast and go broke!!!!!!!
We stayed here at an RV resort
http://www.indigobluffs.com/visitus/
It is a bit pricey during season but they run specials for 40 bucks a night starting 9/8 through October so if you can time it right, you can "leaf peep" in the National Park and taste wine right here on the good ole right coast!!!!!!! Yes, the leaves were already staring to turn last week!
Pics:
1)1st covered bridge built in the US in the park on it's scenic drive
2)view from the parks "scenic drive" tour overlooking wine country
3,4)Sand dunes at the park, yes shot 2 people were going down to the lake! Not me, I'm too old!
5)Glen Haven Light House in the Glen Haven Historic Village
6,7) Point Betsy Lighthouse, the most photographed lighthouse in Michigan on a rainy rough seas day

Tip: If you love to tour lighthouses like we do as a hobby, then try it when the weather is really crummy..raining and rough seas......you'll get some of the most dramatic shots of the waves splashing up against the lighthouse and beaches! Yes, you and your camera will get wet also, do NOT ask me how I know that but it is so cool to do it!

PS We did not know this until we got there and read the brochure about the National Park ,but last year on Good Morning America, This park was voted most beautiful place in the US!!!! Needless to say, the locals told us, since that show aired, tourism to the area is up 20%!!!!!