März 2015 - airberlin magazin - Abu Dhabi entdecken

82 Michigan
airberlin magazin 3 / 2015
climbing back up though the soft sand is a challenge
even for hardy types. Our ranger tells us that a number of
people have collapsed with exhaustion when attempting
this feat and have had to be carted off by ambulance.
Climbing the steps of the steep boardwalks that lead
through the sandy paradise between the distinctive
vantage points and the water is strenuous enough, as far
as we’re concerned. Visitors without much time or energy
to spare can gain an impression of the national park on
the seven-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, with its
wonderful views of the romantic shoreline.
We aren’t in any hurry, though – and thus end up
trudging through the sand after all as we embark on the
Dune Climb. The dunes here aren’t as high and steep as
on the shoreline, and John assures us that “nobody has
failed to conquer them yet.” Despite this, it’s certainly
pretty hard going.
The Dune Climb is at Glen Lake, which is separated from
Lake Michigan by a sand bar and surrounded by forests.
The National Lakeshore is much more than just dunes and
beach, however: it is also a 288-square-metre recreational
area featuring lightly wooded areas and romantic villages
such as Glen Haven, a restored former logging village with
ancient farms, an historic blacksmith shop and old boats.
On South Manitou Island there’s an ancient lighthouse that
is also well worth a visit. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
connects Empire with Glen Arbor, passing a wealth of local
flora and fauna en route. The area is home to white-tailed
deer, foxes, raccoons and numerous species of bird, while
on the shoreline the roots of the dune grass grow down
into the water. Crystal River and Platte River are perfect
locations for leisurely kayak trips. This is a recreational
paradise, even outside the high season.
In nearby Traverse City our route takes us along
the crescent-shaped bay of Lake Michigan, where
comfortable hotels and motels rub shoulders with
attractive beachside restaurants and marinas. It’s a sunny
day, and the lake is filled with the brightly coloured sails
of bobbing yachts, above which the rigging of an ancient
Pittoreske Fischerdörfer säumen
das Ufer des Lake Michigan.
Picturesque fishing villages dot
the banks of Lake Michigan.
sailing ship towers, its skull and crossbones fluttering
in the breeze. We breathe in the heady air on the beach
and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that is somewhat
reminiscent of New England. Time seems to pass more
slowly in Traverse City than elsewhere: there’s no great
hustle and bustle, just plenty of small-town charm in a
romantic location.
Outside the centre of town, hidden bays provide
delightful settings for fishing or relaxation, while solitary
log cabins and sparse forests stand high above the rugged
shoreline of Lake Michigan. The villas of the first affluent
settlers and tradesmen can be admired on Sixth Street,
and numerous buildings in the Old Town hark back to
the prosperous 19th century period. Built in 1891, the
splendid City Opera House has been restored to its
former glory in an extensive renovation project, and now
stands just as proudly as in the golden age of the early
20th century, when it was the first commercial building
in town to use electric light.
Michigan has a further surprise in store on nearby
Old Mission Peninsula. A narrow country road passes
numerous farms and plantations, quite atypical for this
state which is known mainly for its wooded areas and
harbour towns. Roadside stalls sell fresh apples, pears
and cherries which gleam so enticingly in the sunshine
that it’s hard to resist stopping off to buy a small basket
of their produce. The apples and pears are juicy and the
cherries deliciously sweet; what’s more, we have a bottle
of wine on the back seat for this
evening, purchased from one of the
peninsula’s wine-growing estates.
The drive ends at Old
Mission, the former mission of
Reverend Dougherty, where an
ancient lighthouse stands at the
northernmost point of the road. Its
Aktive Erholung: Beim Paddeln ergeben
sich ganz neue Perspektiven auf die
herrliche Landschaft.
Active recreation: the delightful scenery
can be admired from an entirely new
angle on the water.
Weitere Photos: mauritius images/Alamy, Getty Images/Rudy Malmquist/Panoramic Images