I don't know why, but I absolutely cannot remember seeing this kind of beauty in Michigan before. I have been up to the NW a few times when I was younger....but wow! I am totally in love with these small little towns and the natural hidden treasure troves they contain.
A few days ago I felt like my time in Pentwater was coming to close. So, getting the itch to move on, I headed north. First stop was Ludington. I don't know why, but I always felt like Ludington was supposed to be nicer than Pentwater. Maybe it was just the place I came into, but it felt somewhat downtrodden and depressing. I do really like their library though. I spent one night there and, after resting along the Ludington state park shore, got out fairly quickly.
The hard thing about traveling, as I am sure many of you know, is trying to weed through the many places to stop. ALL of it seems so exciting and liberating to discover and explore. I tried many times to stop in certain places that would catch my eye. however, listening to my gut, I simply could not stop and rest in these places.
So on and on I drove! Through Manistee, up to Onekama, and resting for awhile in Arcadia. I stopped there because the name reminded me of the craft brewing company (I have no idea where the actual company is located.) There was a tiny little beach that I walked up and down for awhile. This beach had the perfect medicine for my emotional turbulence from the last day or two of Pentwater. It was calm, gentle, inviting. I walked up and down the beach for a little while until I decided to write. So I sat on a bench swing and was instantly taken back to my younger years.
When I was a littl'un, my grandma Garland used to take me out into the back of her yard where we would pick tomatoes and cucumbers (I am sure my brother and all of my cousins know of this.) Then, once we were done, we would sit on her wooden bench swing and just be there. We would talk, dream, eat, and even sit silently. It is one of my most cherished memories of her.
Once done, I had the inkling to keep moving on. I suppose one just has to listen to this urge. I am sure glad I did. Next I came to Elberta.
If you look at google maps I can guide you towards seeing exactly where I stayed (I know my dad will be interested in this.) Unfortunately, this map doesn't allow you to see the actual contours of the land. you can see that beyond the city lies a...peninsula? I am not sure what to call it. Basically, the land ends and there is no bridge to cross to get to the other side. When you look at the map you see two streets, furnace and bye, with a big building right near it. The driveway to that building actually goes until the sandy little part (satellite version.) I parked my car in that secluded sandy spot and hitched my gear up an extremely steep sand dune. Walking through the brush until I found a spot that worked.
I was literally camping on the edge of a cliff that faced Lake MI. It was very beautiful. This secluded spot gave me an opportunity to do some shamanic work out in the land. I sang and drummed for a long time overlooking the setting sun. Eventually, I met with a few spirits of that land. This time the work was more potent since I was able to invest more time in working with them.
Since I was secluded enough, I decided to ask the spirits to stay on the land throughout the time I was there. That night I was greeted by a deer and, in the morning, greeted by my first ever natural sighting of an owl. As soon as I looked up out of my tent it perched itself on the tree not 25 feet ahead and stayed until I began to rustle about.
Since I didn't have anywhere to be, I made my way on up to Empire, where I currently rest. When I arrived I stopped at a small chocolate shop. This shop, called Grocer's daughter, is actually opening up a store in Grand Rapids pretty soon. So I have been dividing my time between hitting up the beach on Esch road, and coming into town to use the library. This town seems to have a lot more kids my age...though I am still a little bit travel-shy when it comes to just walking up to people and talking to them.
I'll have some more updates pretty soon on the work, so stay tuned!
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