Along Lake Huron to Standish, Michigan
I set out around 10:30 for what was a pleasant about five hour drive. down along the east coast road, route 23, hugging the Lake Huron shoreline. about 220 miles this way. It was a lovely day, with some lovely views.
It had rained all night, but by the time I was on the road it had become warm, in the upper 60s and as high as 71 for a while, although a fine rain started again later, leading to some moderate mist, soon after I started my drive early drive started out. The mist was great to see, and almost like my Healing Journey book covers, but not so great for driving, but didn’t last too long.
The roads are forested here as well, although these forest are not as dense or thick or endless as those in the upper peninsula. Nevertheless, they’re still impressive. Unlike the northern forests, which are continuous and never ending, these are frequently interrupted by homes, businesses, farms, and communities along the road, and not far from the shore. The area isn’t remote, as was the case in far northern Michigan.
For a good part of the time, the forest-lined road obscured the shoreline, but when it appeared it was so nice.
Not too much to say. A nice and scenic drive, sometimes along the forested road and sometimes running along Lake Huron to my left. I passed though quite a few lovely towns, each nice in their own right, but none especially touristy. Just local towns along the shore. Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, Hubbard Lake, Harrisville, Au Sable, Tawas City, and finally Standish. Nice drive.
The landscape wasn’t dramatic, like the west or the northern upper peninsular, but it is nevertheless beautiful, serene, rustic, and classic. It has the look and feel of New England, although perhaps a little wilder and more remote. Again, this would be a good location to shoot a film about New England, and especially at this time of year, with the autumn foliage and gold leaves on the ground.
I must say, I’m repeatedly struck by the beauty of America, as I have been in the past. If it wasn’t for the people, what a great country this would be.
I got to Standish around 4, maybe a bit later, and drove for a bit – there’s not too much to do here, a small town of around 1.600. I had something to eat at a local joint before settling in and hanging out for the rest of the evening at the hotel.
Canada tomorrow, cutting across on my way to Vermont.
