UP NORTH 2010 – Monday, August 2nd

NOTE: The date setting on my camera was off by one day.


Monday -
By the time we were sick of lollygagging in the kitchen and on the deck, it didn't look like the cloud cover was going to burn off so we decided it was a day for shopping in Sutton's Bay. Even when it's cloudy or raining at Cathead Bay, it could be hot and sunny in Sutton's. And it was. It's a good thing we took that into consideration and wore cooler clothing.

I absolutely HATE to shop in chain stores at a mall. I absolutely LOVE to shop in small stores owned by independent proprietors featuring locally crafted goods. I could get lost forever on the main street in Sutton's Bay. We have our favorite stores. There's the Front Porch, offering kitchen gadgets, tablecloths, napkins, runners, etc. There are seasonal decorations, candles, and interesting odds and ends that I never see elsewhere. I controled myself, but am ruminating about a few things I might pick up later this week. Another favorite is Bay Wear offering T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats with clever sentiments printed on the front all touting the superiority of a Michigan vacation. The BEST, BEST, BEST, store in the whole world is located here and it is called Enerdyne. It offers high quality educational toys and activities for kids and some of us who just can't resist the newest Klutz invention. There are great puzzles and books, many of these featuring the natural discoveries of Michigan. Also available is locally crafted jewelry made from the abundance of Petoskey stones harvested on the shoreline. Fifty bucks later I had two children's song books with accompanying CD's and a pair of earrings for myself.

We made a couple of new discoveries before we even started the shopping. Korner Kottage is a relatively new Bed and Breakfast on the main strip, coming into the town. It caught our eye because of the lovely garden in the backyard and the meticulous window boxes all around the house. In an effort to obtain some information on the business, we met and were escorted through the lovely, lovely house by the owner. Just maybe we'll make use of this reasonably priced B&B if we ever come up this far, apart from the week we usually pick for vacation. I keep saying I'd like to hang out up here in autumn.

The second new discovery was North Country Grill and Pub. The menu is limited and therefore well prepared. It is here that I experienced the best thing since garlic. Michigan Buckwheat Honey. It was poured over an appetizer of Wisconsin blue cheese slices. Oh my! I asked where I could buy some, but apparently it's not available to the general public. You have to order it in barrels or something from some farmer. I'll take a barrel. No problem. It was heavenly and I can taste it already on morning oatmeal or homemade yogurt.