Evening stroll in Mackinaw City by myself & our little fight?

Collie has a web meeting on Zoom. In the meantime, I will walk to Downtown Mackinaw City, browse, and take a picture while walking around.  Dear everyone who visited this blog, join me♪

A quiet residential area where locals live.

It has a simple cuteness.

I reached Main Street of Downtown Mackinaw City. DIXIE SALOON is a beer restaurant and a memorable place for me. If you know why it is, you are my long time blog reader, perhaps from the Japanese version.

I like this spot best among Downtown Mackinaw City.

ZACHARIAH'S(Mackinaw Breakfast Sandwiches) is a pretty coffee shop where you can enjoy coffee, cakes, sandwiches and more. I have not a chance so far, but I'd love to try it someday.

Looks like an opulent villa. Guess what? It's a B&B! : Brigadoon of Mackinaw City Bed & Breakfast 

A cute house in the vicinity of the Main Street. What the inside is like?

A gift shop with a wide variety of goods as well as fudge, across Langlade St from DIXIE SALOON.

Walking across E Central Ave, the entrance of Mackinaw Crossings Mall is on the S Huron Ave. 

The sky is turning red in the twilight. 

For a closer one, please take a look at my short video!→ https://www.instagram.com/p/C9Tdc8eyj1y/

It got already past 9 p.m. Having tried to get good shots, I was a little late. I'm returning to the hotel by a different route than the one to see another row of houses in Mackinaw City.

Then we went to DIXIE SALOON for a light supper. It was a bit bustling with live music, so we asked for a quiet window seat. I ordered chicken salad for myself as scheduled since it looked very good when Collie had it here years ago. However, my salad with chicken topping was served without chicken. When I pointed out, small pieces of chicken were added soon on my salad. Disappointing... I remember chicken slices were voluminous and juicy on salad before, on that memorable night. The quality has throughly changed after covid-19 pandemic. But draft beer brought from the next bar was tasty as ever. Every cloud has a silver lining.

While discussing where to stop on the way home, it seems I've made him feel bad. He asked me if I was interested in experiencing a tea ceremony in Saginaw, but I playfully told him that he was interested in. "Collie, be honest with me."  He ended up saying, like, "OK, we don't go!". I didn't mean to make him in the bad mood...😢

Mackinac  Bridge  at  night

Later, I realized that I forgot to let him use a coupon available at DIXE SALOON. Thrifty Rose totally forgot it since I was upset with him. It must have happened because he thought people should feel it's not suitable that an American guy like him got interested in Japanese culture. The definition of an American guy "like him" is different between him & me. He is a humble person who is not aware of his greatness. I'd say it's fantastic that he's interested in Japanese culture. I appreciate that he knows unique and wonderful things about Japanese culture and Japanese people. He is absolutely cute. Collie is mine. (- -)fufufufufu※...  　　※a Japanese onomatopoeia for a sly or sexy laugh, almost always used for women.

Collie, let's go to Japanese Culture Center in Saginaw for the tea ceremony together next time. 

You are a cool real man and people feel honored that a great man like you respects Japanese quality. 

Charming exterior of AMERICAN SPOON in Petoskey, Michigan and more*

American Spoon!!! For the first time in years! This shop is an icon of Petoskey for me. I definitely want to stop by when I visit Petoskey in Northern Michigan.

Grown and made in Northern Michigan since 1982

I was exited about having lunch here, but unfortunately, we found that the cafe had become a Gelato specialty store. There is still a specious eat-in space inside, though. It's a shame...

AMERICAN SPOON ・Cafe & Gelato

411 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770, United States

Petoskey shop is the original American Spoon where all started, located on East Lake Street right next to Pennsylvania Park.

Other locations except Petoskey is Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Traverse City, and Saugatuck. These are all located in Michigan's beautiful and beloved resort towns along the Lake Michigan Shoreline. Every exterior of the shop is cute❤︎  You can see each shop's appearance in an illustration at https://spoon.com/pages/stores. 

Apart from the cafe, there is a market space in the same Petoskey building. All products are from independent family farmers along Lake Michigan's northern coast. You can find handmade fruit preserves & condiments made in here in Petoskey, Michigan. A lot of homemade options to choose. 

 Charming shops that line the street. 

You really can find adorable places in downtown Petoskey.

And just a little walk towards the coast from the street . . .

Fred Friedli Playground 

We reached Fred Friendli Playground within Bayfront Park. We sat for a while and admired the sky that was gradually getting dark. The sun is setting.

He is like, there is a secret spot he discovered. It's not on article nor website, but he think the place has the most beautiful sunset he ever knows. From now, he'll drive me there.     See you around, Rose   

Small meals for supper at picnic tables in Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey

We checked in at the hotel in Petoskey. We'd found out the restaurant we were going to was not available, so we looked for a good place where we could eat small meals outside, preferably a quiet and scenic place with benches. 

Petoskey is one of my favorite town in Michigan. I especially like the ambience of shops and restaurants around Pennsylvania Park. How about eating our meals in that park? Look! There is a perfect wooden table there!

＊Take 1＊

Ah, Collie's hand photobombed in 👀  I'll shoot another one.

＊Take 2＊

He's still appearing in the camera's field of view as the photo is taken...😆  Not a prank nor practical joke, but he is eagerly preparing for our meals. Disinfection is also essential. Thank you, Collie. :3

I brought coffee that I got in the hotel lobby. Sandwiches Collie made at his home this morning, nuts, cut cabbage... I am happy to be able to eat at such a wonderful place surrounded by pretty buildings and nature.

Pennsylvania Park is the heart of downtown Petoskey, located in northern Michigan.

It is a relaxing place for citizens with plenty of trees, some picnic tables, and some park benches. (You can see a small gazebo in the image above.)  Also, this park features a decommissioned old rail road tracks from the earlier days. Petoskey was the northern terminus of the Chicago and West Michigan Railway. 

There are two girls chilling together at the table over there. It's pleasant to see. The vibe of Pennsylvania Park, and pretty buildings alongside it has a charming feel. Petoskey is a soothing city.

SkyBridge Michigan & the scenic view of Boyne Mountain Resort

Continued driving north, we stopped by a hot spot. Collie showed me another new tourist destination I should know in Michigan. It was evening, but still bright enough as it's June.

It says that SkyBridge Michigan is Michigan's second bridge.

Driving further north from Saginaw where we dropped in to see Japanese Tea House and Garden, we are already close to Petoskey. 

Collie is buying tickets for both of us. Though we can't stay that long, the ticket includes all-day access to the chairlift and SkyBridge Michigan.

We took a scenic two-person chairlift ride right away♪  It will take us to the mountaintop.  It's fun! 

The next adventure is SkyBridge Michigan! We venture along 1,200-foot-long, 118-foot-high pedestrian bridge between McLouth and Disciples Ridge peaks. The bridge sways when walking, and I need to hold on to the paved loop if I want to overlook the Boyne Valley down below...😓

I managed to cross the bridge with trepidation.（ I don't lay it on thick😅 ）

SkyBridge Michigan is world's longest timber-towered suspension bridge!

Then we walked to Eagle's Nest, iconic mountaintop restaurant located at the top of Hemlock - Boyne Mountain, Michigan. We didn't go in, but took a picture from there.

Overlooking the Boyne Valley at Boyne Mountain Resort

It was a stunning image.

We took the two-person chairlift ride again for going down, this time. What a refreshing landscape! Castle-like buildings at Boyne Mountain Resort are gradually approaching.

Taking a stroll in the premises. These resort lodgings could accommodate a large number of guests.

You must find beauties in every season at Boyne Mountain Resort. I imagine that the winter season covered with snow is romantic here. 

I took a video too😀  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8RNqyCRt-w/

If there is an opportunity, please experience SkyBridge Michigan and admire the scenic view of Boyne Mountain Resort, and of course the chairlift ride that gives you childlike joy.　+ Rose +

Double cherry blossoms in Gotanda 2024

One week or so after single cherry blossoms have finished blooming, double cherry blossoms start to bloom. Compared to single cherry blossoms that fall right away, double cherry blossoms keep on blooming for about 3 weeks. If single cherry blossoms were fleeing and beautiful, double cherry blossoms would be...

Cute, sweet, lovely! I am enamored with them this year too. Let me post various kinds of double cherry blossoms adjacent to where I live. 

How did you like it? These were all photographed along Meguro River. 

I really like double cherry blossoms. I feel joy when I see them. Those pretty ones give me hope, and keep me going forward. 

Joy, Peace, Happiness and Love, Rose

Single cherry blossoms in Gotanda 2024

Hi there. Though I'm still in the middle of writing about my stay in Michigan, let me upload this year's cherry blossoms in my town.

The cherry trees all over Japan burst into boom. We got lucky with great weather to admire them in full bloom on the weekend. I'm walking towards Osaki area from Gotanda area.

Those pale pink blossoms bloom all at once and fall all at once quickly, which is making them even more aesthetically impressive in our heart. Delicate...fleeting... The beauty is transient.  

Rows of cherry trees as if covering Meguro River. Cherry trees are luxuriously alongside Meguro River that runs through a number of wards. Pale petals are scattering in the wind, on the river... They create a dreamy scene.

Osaki is a primarily commercial district in the northern part of Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It has already completed several urban renewal projects.

Then, let me show you a road along the river. It is one side of the road between Osaki and Gotanda.

Petals in elegant subtle shades of pink are beautiful both in the way of blooming, and in the way of fluttering in the air to the ground. I think cherry blossoms are hearts of Japanese people.

+ + +

The following pictures are taken another day.

This spot of Meguro River is between Gotanda and Nakameguro. Skyscraper condominiums in the middle over there are in Osaki. The massive building on the left side is HOTEL GAJOEN TOKYO.

Every year, the weather tends to be unfortunate during cherry blossom season. It rains hard, or a strong wind blows while it's gonna bloom soon and until cherry petals start dropping almost as soon as they've opened. 

When I thought "I wish I could share this best time to look at cherry blossoms in my town with Collie." while walking, a Border Collie turned up. He's quite handsome. |o| 

Cherry blossoms are regarded as an iconic flower of Japan. I hope you enjoyed my post!

May cherry blossom petals fall gently on you...  Rose