Day #11
The day caught us sleeping late, having an easy breakfast, then setting out to explore the local areas of Stony Lake, Benona Township, Pentwater, Mears, Shelby, New Era, Ludington and Hart, plus all the areas in between.
Today was a fact finding and "get-our-bearings" kind of day.
Stony Lake is located in the Benona Township and reminds me of Lake Lure, but only the section of the beach on the lake. The entire area is very small with maybe three businesses - Stony Lake Inn, a house restoration business and a tube rental business. A public park was along the channel that came into the lake.
The main road - "Scenic Drive" runs along the west end of the lake, where homes sit on one side of the road and the boat docks on the other. The road ziggys west away from the lake where the businesses are located. Where the road curves away from the lake, a public access dock sit in front of private homes. Today being Thursday, the lake was not very busy, but when we drove by on Friday, it was definitely Lake Lure Traffic.
Continuing along the Scenic Drive, we arrive in Silver Lake, the "Pigeon Forge" area. Whippy Dip Ice Cream, Mac Wood's Dune Rides, Silver Lake Chicken Shack and amusement rides. This was the place to be for anything to do. It also had several campgrounds, including the State Park Campground and day use area.
Of course we had to find out if the water was cold or not, so what better place than the State Park at Silver Lake. Doug is walking down to the beach to check out the water.
Huge sand dunes could be seen across the lake.
This is a close up of the sand dunes across the lake.
Another agricultural region greeted us, except now it was cherry and apple tree orchards, along with corn.
South of Silver Lake was a cherry orchard and store. We bought cherry puff pastries that was delicious. The store was decorated with red petunias and located on the county road of 16th Avenue out in the middle of nowhere.
Several Lavender farms were in the region. This one was at the Cherry Farm where we stopped.
Adventuring into the New Era township, we discovered the
Country Dairy Farm Store. The parking lot was packed, we stopped anyway. A playground including the "Moo School" and calf barn. The Farm Store was just that - a small cafe, ice cream shoppe, butcher shoppe and general store - all of which sell their goods from the farm. Brats, sausage, chuck roasts, hamburger patties, steaks, milk, cheese, beef bacon and their own brand of ice cream. Ice cream like - Blue Moo, A Blue's Mint, Mooey Gooey Fudge, Udder Nutsense, Hayday, Peanut 'Udder' Bliss, Simply Cow-conut Cream, Raspberry Round-up and my favorite - Butter Churn Pecan.
Doug discovered that the Stony Lake Inn, built in 1935 served "lake perch". Lake perch was recommended by his friend from Ohio.
The Inn was a popular place, I'm guessing the only restaurant in Stony Lake, but it earned it's popularity with it's food. One side was a traditional bar and table seating, the other side was just tables. The Lake perch lived up to Gary's recommendation. It did not have a fishy smell like most fish. It didn't flake or fall apart. It was a white delicious tasting fish.
People were out on the beach enjoying the lake as the sun was going down and yes that little bump on the right of the picture is someone out in the lake.
Of course Doug had to climb to the highest point on the trail.
Now on to more adventures tomorrow.
