Jan 2020 (1) CHARLEVOIX, MICHIGAN - Bro's New Hideaway

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Last summer bro Kev and wife Stevie bought a new home just outside of Charlevoix, Michigan. We hadn't visited there yet and thought we would check it out with an Up North winter trip. We followed our normal route up Highway 131 to Highway 31. I was not going to mention our favorite quirky rest stop again, but loved the comment of the dad with 3 sons... "This is the best rest stop I've ever seen." Christmas and winter decorations all around. Hand cream felt good on my dry hands.

Lunch at Maggie's in Cadillac as usual--fried clams for Mike and a burrito for me, with complimentary popcorn to start and complimentary chocolate chip cookies at the end. Not much snow til Kalkaska. Arrived about 4pm to Charlevoix.

It is a quaint little town (population 2,500) nestled between Lake Michigan to the west and Lake Charlevoix (Round Lake) to the east. The Pine River Channel connects them. Two-lane highway 31 runs through downtown with about 3-1/2 blocks of interesting stops and eateries facing Lake Charlevoix. A harbor is situated on the Lake Charlevoix side. No boats in the water at this time of year though.

There is a river walk on each side of the channel from the harbor to the Charlevoix South Pier lighthouse on Lake Michigan. We didn't attempt it today. Just too cold and probably slippery!

We stayed at the Charlevoix Inn just north of town. So-so. Dated. Nothing special. With all that water around, no lake view. Nice indoor pool and hot tub. Lots of bed pillows. Interesting shower (pod-like). A mile from downtown, so not really walkable to stores, etc. in winter. Next time we'll try the Weathervane Terrace Inn located right next to the channel.


Both Kevin and Stevie had worked that day, so they arrived later. That evening we opted to meet for dinner and drinks, and save the house visit til the next day. We met at JAX Northside Food & Spirits. Excellent salad bar, fish and chips, and fancy grilled cheese sandwiches. It was so good, we almost returned the next day.

Next morning we toured and admired their new place. Lovely snowy, wooded setting. HUGE master suite. High ceilings with loft. Open kitchen. Lots of unique detailed woodwork. Big yard. Craft shed. We immediately felt at home. An added attraction was a rare visit with our nephew Cory.

Stevie feeding the birds.

Lake Michigan is a short walk either way down the road fronting their house. A little gray today, but still beautiful.

They've been finding lots of Petoskey stones, big and small along the shore. This Michigan "native" specimen (the dottie one) was a two-pounder. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petoskey_stone

After touring and admiring the house, we five returned to town for lunch at Bridge Street Brewery. It has a wonderful view overlooking the harbor. In summer it must be spectacular with boats streaming in and out. Good bar food and beer, too!


Then we took a drive around town. K&S pointed out some faves on Main Street. Then we saw a bunny hill ski park right in downtown. Cory mentioned it is lit at night for night skiing. Great for the kids!

Next we saw a few of Charlevoix's famous mushroom houses. This is one of the bigger ones. Google "mushroom houses of Charlevoix," then "Images" to see some other examples or learn about the architect at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Young_(architect).

Our last stop on this tour was at Bier's Inwood Brewery to get Mike a red and black plaid lumber jack hat, ear-flaps and all. He had seen these on several people in town. Many years ago his grandfather was a cook in a lumber camp near this area, so Mike had to have one. Let's see if he actually wears it.

They also have a Monk Club here. You buy a mug with a "mug" of your face on it made from a photo you supply. With membership you get this personalized mug stored here to fill when you come in, discounts, etc. What a clever idea and each mug is a one-of-a-kind work of art. Some of them are hysterical.

At the point, we were food & drink full and ready for a little lay back time. Started off reading which naturally slid into a nap.

For dinner we had planned a side trip to Elk Rapids, but the weather turned bad fast. Roads were quite slick and the intended restaurant was about 30 miles south. Instead K&S picked us up and we ventured only as far as downtown to The Cantina for Mexican. It was a little place down a little alley (first building on the left). We weren't very hunger, so ordered chips and guacamole and tacos. A hit was the wonderful Margaritas. That was my birthday dinner!