Day 4: Traverse City, Beachin' and Cherry Pie

Good Morning Traverse City!

Monday: July 29th: We enjoyed a leisurely boat morning, with zucchini bread (thanks mom!) and cherry coffee for breakfast, followed by a scenic 4 mile run/walk on the TART trail along the lakefront and through downtown Traverse City. Early in the afternoon we decided to take a stroll downtown, and check out some shops and bookstores.

Creepin' on Ben in the bookstore

Studying up on bears in preparation for the North Channel

Dana serving up 2 slices of cherry pie

Cherry crumb pie ala mode from Grand Traverse Pie Company

 We really enjoyed the downtown area of Traverse City, with it's eclectic restaurants and shops. We stopped in most of the touristy places and picked up some tshirts and more cherry-related items. And of course, no trip to Traverse City would be complete without a slice (or two) of cherry pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company! We decided the cherry crumb ala mode was the best. 

View from Dana's beach towel

Traverse City beach

After we were tired of doing the tourist thing, we spent a few hours soaking up the sun at the beach right next to the marina. For such a beautiful day, we had the beach pretty much to ourselves. We walked the shore searching for seaglass and just enjoying the fact that it was Monday and we were not at work. :-)

Walking to dinner at North Peak Brewery

North Peak Brewery, just outside downtown Traverse City

North Peak Brewery - our favorite dinner of the trip

Dennis & Christa, and the first time we tried mussels (pretty good!)

After our relaxing afternoon at the beach, we finally mustered up the energy to walk a few blocks to dinner (rough life)! We were really excited to go back to North Peak Brewery, where we had a great dinner on our last visit to Traverse City. There was a bit of a wait, so we had a few beers at the bar. Ben tried (and loved) the Diabolical IPA, and I opted for a riesling for some unknown reason (who gets wine at a brewery?) For dinner Ben and I split the Blue Cheese dip appetizer (good), Cheddar Ale soup (awesome), and the Honey Porter Hanger Steak with Gouda Mashed Potatoes (AMAZING - I'm getting hungry as I type this).

Screen set up outside the marina for the Traverse City Film Festival

Walking back to the marina at sunset

 After dinner we walked back just in time for sunset, and watched a bit of a movie on the huge, inflatable screen set up for the Traverse City Film Festival. A nightcap on Wet Ink (Rumchata) rounded out the night, and we were soon ready for bed (after showing off our cool blue lights). Tomorrow we head to Charlevoix!

Side by side Four Winns showing off with blue lights