Charlevoix

Tuesday we awoke to DENSE fog!  With the help of radar, chart plotters and a fog horn,  we ventured off to Charlevoix.   The sun was shining but apparently not enough to clear the fog.  Every now and then it would clear enough to see the shoreline, but soon it blanketed the boat and we were again at the mercy of radar. Just before we arrived at the Charlevoix harbor entrance, the fog lifted.

Entering Charlevoix harbor

Leaving Leland

Charlevoix is a beautiful town that has been summer host to many wealthy families since the late 1800's.  After a quick harbor tour including a turn around inner Lake Charlevoix boasting many gorgeous homes and the Belvedere and Chicago Associations,  we tied up at the municipal marina on Round Lake.  By now the sun was shining brightly and it was a fine day to take a walk.  So we headed off in search of the "mushroom houses", whimsical houses built in the early 1900's by Earl Young.  The houses look like something out of a fairy tale with wavy roof-lines, irregular stonework and "snowy" chimneys.             (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Alice with chart covered bear at Charlevoix Library

Mushroom house as viewed from Round Lake

Check out the chimney on this one.

Loved the windows here.  Kept expecting Snow White to appear.

 

Not sure this was a mushroom house, but it was
definitely something out of a fairy tale.  Seen from Round Lake.

This little guy was one of the smallest mushroom houses.

The guys quickly tired of mushroom houses and went off to our chosen dinner spot by the channel.  Alice and I kept walking and found a path to the beach which naturally lead to more rock hunting.  We arrived at dinner late and with bulging pockets.   Along the way we viewed lovely gardens and wildflowers.

Smooth and colorful rocks on the shore.

Beautiful blue and white wildflowers

Tree peony bloom

Judy Sheets, now I understand

why you wanted one of these!

The Charlevoix Municipal Marina has very nice  accomodations both at  the pier and the boaters' lounge.  Just outside the office building is this fountain that during the day is a playground for children and overheated boaters and at night entertains with sprays of colored water synced to music.