fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

This is the time of year I like to set aside for daily foliage drives and hikes in the local countryside of Northern Michigan to take in the changing of the foliage guard as we leave the lazy days of Summer behind.

My wife and I decided to spend yesterday in the Boyne Falls, MI region to check out a new "attraction" that opened late last year called the Boyne Mountain Skybridge. Essentially, you get a chair lift ride up to one of our "fairly famous" ski hills and then transition by walking onto a 1,200 foot long suspended bridge that is stationed across one of the Winter ski runs. At times during the stroll across the bridge, you will end up being above the treetops below.

The leaf colors were at "peak", and by arriving early in the day we were able to take advantage of some briefly appearing blue skies and sharing the experience with a very small crowd of other "leaf peepers" like ourselves.

A handful of snapshots from the day....including some chinook salmon in the Boyne River to top off the day after leaving the ski resort! Last stop was the Friske cider mill South of Charlevoix, MI for fresh squeezed cider and donuts. Sorry...no donut/cider photos...they are long gone now!

Quick ride to the top of the ski hill via a six person chairlift. Panoramic views were splendid as the colors reached their peak in this area.


This is what we came for...beautiful Fall foliage to admire!


Looking down over the tree tops while crossing on the suspension Skybridge. They recently built one of these skybridges near Gatlinburg, TN as well.


Approximately a quarter mile long pedestrian suspension bridge. Even with just a few people on it you could get it swaying quite well! I felt like I was standing "vertical", but apparently not!


Of course there were a couple of "food trucks" at the top of the hill. They opened at 11 am sharp...and I was in line by 11:01 as the first customer of the day. Ah yes...fresh made Polish pierogies topped with sausage and onions!


A gas fired warming pit to help take the Fall chill off your hands and face from the hilltop breezes.


An alternate chair lift servicing an adjacent ski run. Too much shade down in the corridor for the trees to be turning brightly on both sides.


At this time of year almost every Great Lakes river, stream, creek or ditch has salmon in it looking for loose stones to spawn over. A pair of king salmon on afternoon gravel in the Boyne River

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Beautiful shots Yaker. That's a good way to make a little money in their off season. Thanks for sharing.

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

Definitely some beautiful pics. Thanks for the post.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Thank you Fredfish! Yes...this resort always seems to be in the process of enhancing the grounds for year round use. By the time we left there were several hundred people on their way up and standing in line at the bottom. I think their revenue stream was going to be running full steam...and will continue to do so over the next several weeks.

I'm hoping for a decent break in the weather so I can get back on the water for some late season fishing on the smallies and panfish before snow flies. We might get some flurries tomorrow...yikes!

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Thank you FourchonLa! We had very brief blue skies, and then it all turned blah from overcast skies. At least the tree colors still "popped" for the camera lens!

Stopped for lunch in Boyne City, MI (nearby) and had some deep fried whitefish along with a delicious waffle cone filled with toasted coconut ice cream. It was definitely all worth the short drive from where we live...about 45 minutes away.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

I hope you get a few more yak trips before the water hardens buddy.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 👍

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Great day and some beautiful pictures.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Beautiful pics fy, thanks!
We will see what NE WI has yet to offer later today. Not expecting the same, but hopeful!

Blackdog Loc: Round Rock, TX

Very Nice FY.
Brings back a lot of great memories.

Beautiful, beautiful, and more beautiful.
Thanks for sharing with us.

BD

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Thank you Fredfish...me too!

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Thank you NJ219! We awoke to rain again this morning...but will probably take a local drive anyways to view more color. When the leaves are wet the brilliance of the leaves is enhanced!

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Thank you Jer! We sure enjoy seeing the changes! Once the leaves drop it will be a long time until Spring arrives to replace them!

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Thank you OJdidit! I hope that your timing is perfect for your drive! It sounds like you might be headed towards the Door peninsula and Green Bay region.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Thank you Blackdog! Glad to trigger some old memories for you! I could sit in a chair and stare at the myriad of leaf colors all day long. Our neighborhood is bright with color right now as well, and throughout the day I just make trips to the back deck to enjoy the view.

Here are a few snapshots from a short hike I took out in the back woods yesterday afternoon. It started to rain as soon as I left the driveway, but I forged on anyways because most of the time I would be under a pretty heavy foliage canopy!