Charlevoix, MI

As we left Mackinaw City I got some really good photos of the bridge, as promised. It was a great cruising day down to Charlevoix, Michigan. What a beautiful little town!

Coming in from Lake Michigan, we entered a breakwater and cruised up a little channel through the bridge to Charlevoix. We arrived just in time for the bridge opening. Our marina was just inside Round Lake, which connects to Lake Charlevoix. After getting the boat all settled, we went out to explore. The weather was fabulous, but a little on the hot side for me. Our marina is part of a waterfront park, which includes a band shell and amphitheatre and two water features. The “Fountain of Youth” is a great place for kids to play – kids of all ages played for hours! The trout pond was a running water element that had falling water and two pools with lots of trout.  

Adjacent to the harbor park was the downtown area. There were some very interesting shops, galleries and restaurants. We did some grocery shopping and went back to the boat. Ryder and I went out to watch the kids in the fountain and then walked over to the band shell. There were some kids playing their cellos there – sort of a practice session I think, but it was quite nice. 

Charlevoix was the home of Earl Young, a prominent architect. His style was very fluid and used local organic materials like stone and cedar. Several of his houses and buildings remain in Charlevoix, and the marina park even reflects his style. The houses are affectionately called “mushroom houses” because of the rounded tops. They look like storybook dwellings. We had dinner at a place that was once a grist mill, later reworked by Earl Young. The main dining room features a fireplace that features a meteorite and a large rock that Young found locally. We didn’t get a chance to see all the houses, but here is a link if you are interested: mushroom houses

During our wanderings downtown we came across a gallery for Todd Warner. He does whimsical sculptures of all sizes. We were fascinated and entertained. I did not take photos in the gallery, so I am providing a link to his work: Todd Warner

The Mackinac Bridge

This is one big piece of concrete!

The bridge is beautiful and functional

These are actually large sand dunes

The approach to Charlevoix

This ferry was in a hurry to get there

In the channel

The first Earl Young building we saw. This is the restaurant where we had dinner.

Another Earl Young building - one of the larger homes

This one is a bit smaller

The waterfront park adjacent to the marina

The trout pool

Downtown Charlevoix

Even the new construction has Earl Young's influence

The marina office and the "Fountain of Youth"

The amphitheater and band shell

These kids were pretty good!

I think that's their teacher on the picnic table

More Earl Young influence

Parents, I presume

The opening in the distance leads to Lake Charlevoix

So many beautiful gardens!

The fireplace at the restaurant. Pretty cool - and the food was great!