It's Raining Leaves - Michigan's Fall Color

“It’s raining leaves,” my hubby chuckles as he reaches out his right palm to catch a falling leaf.   It’s October in Ludington State Park. 

 

We like the Skyline Trail because there are lots of stairs (185+/-) offering us a good workout and rewarding scenic views. 

Ludington State Park

Skyline Trail View

As we leave the park, we start to cross a bridge where the river empties into Lake Michigan.  I look out my car window and see a photo opportunity.   The sky is ablaze from a fiery orange sunset reflecting in Lake Michigan.  This photograph is one of my favorite Michigan images.

Ludington State Park



We spend the night in Manistee.  The next morning, we drive around town.  I love history and architecture.  The Guardian Angels Church (1888) combines both of these interests.  There is something about this church that speaks to me on a personal level … the Gothic architecture, the 170’ high steeple and twin towers, beautiful angel statues?  I don’t know … maybe I find comfort in thinking there are angels watching over me.  

 Guardian Angels Church

Another Manistee building that is historic and architecturally interesting is their Fire Station.   While we are walking around the building, we meet a friendly firefighter who offers to give us a tour.  It is a Romanesque Revival-style building constructed of brick with a copper-covered dome.  Our tour guide explains how “in the olden days” a fire alarm was sounded, how the alarm was received at the station, and where they hooked up the horses.  The hall opened in June of 1889 with Manistee’s first “fire truck” -  a horse-drawn steam engine. 



Manistee's Historic Fire Station

After lunch, we take a stroll down Manistee’s 1.4 mile Riverwalk.  It follows the shore of the Manistee River from downtown to Lake Michigan.

Manistee's Riverwalk



By the time we leave Manistee, the sky is cloudy and threatening to rain on us … and this time it’s not with leaves.   We drive south to West Forest Road - it takes us to the northern boundary of Nordhouse Dunes.  At the dead-end of West Forest Road, we park the car and climb the 167+/- steps to an observation deck for a 360 degree view of Lake Michigan and the fall colors of the forest.

Nordhouse Dunes



Nordhouse Dunes Lake Michigan Overlook

Nordhouse Dunes Forest Trail

We walk the short beach trail to Lake Michigan to watch the hypnotic motion of the endless waves rolling to the sandy shore.  We have time for another short hike through the colorful forest to the wilderness boundary line.  We return to the car just before a light but steady rain begins to fall.  As we leave the area, a deer bounds across the road ahead of us.  He is one of five or six deer in the herd.

Ludington has many dining choices from family restaurants to fast food restaurants.  Lodging options range from quaint and historic Bed &Breakfasts to national chain hotels ... and campgrounds are available too.  We like staying at the B&B’s – the Cartier Mansion is the grandest of them (in my opinion).  . 

 

Manistee offers just as many dining option as Ludington.  There are a variety of lodgings to choose from – like the historic Ramsdell Inn (no elevator) located downtown or the casino located north of town and, of course, the national chain hotels as well. 

 

Get out there and enjoy Michigan's beautiful fall scenery!

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