Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, Tunnel of Trees & Traverse City Bicycle Tour 2023

• Internet
• Fitness room
• Business Center
• Hair Dryer

Dinner:

 

 

North Peak Brewing Company

Traverse City, Michigan

 

Entrée choices include:

• The Peak Burger - Grilled Natural Angus beef raised with no steroids, hormones or antibiotics with any of the following toppings: Gorgonzola, provolone, smoked bacon, curried haystack onions, white Cheddar, Basil Pesto, Sautéed Mushrooms, Swiss, Muenster, smoked cheddar.
• Atlantic Salmon - choice of Cherry Porter BBQ sauce or basil pesto crust, brewhouse barley, fresh vegetables.
• Hanger Steak - Honey Porter marinade, white cheddar mashers, curried haystack onions, fresh vegetables.
• Grilled Fish Tacos - Chili-charred mahi-mahi, ultragrain flour tortillas, smoked cheddar, pickled red onions, sweet chili lime sauce, fresh cilantro, pico de gallo, jalapeño crisps, tricolored corn chips. 
• Pecan Crusted Walleye - Pan-seared Great Lakes fillet, pecan panko crust, brewhouse barley, cherry balsamic reduction, fresh vegetables.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tunnel of Trees + Little Traverse Wheelway Paved Bike Path

 

Sunday, we SAG Van to Cross Village Township and then bicycle through the Tunnel of Trees to Petoskey, Michigan. You must take in The Tunnel of Trees. It is beautiful any time of year, but especially in June. We start in Cross Village, Michigan. Like many of the area’s small towns was once a thriving center for lumber, because of its location on the lakeshore, it was also a popular fishing community and is now the starting point for The Tunnel of Trees. Petoskey, a charming resort community, is nestled along the shores of Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. Petoskey has much history with Victorian architecture and breathtaking views. We will ride on the scenic drive, viewing the beauty of Lake Michigan. We then join the Little Traverse Wheelway paved dedicated bike path riding next to Lake Michigan and Little Traverse Bay all the way to Charlevoix, known for its arts, architecture and educational attractions. There is plenty to see and do in Charlevoix. After taking in some culture or more importantly getting a bite to eat in Ernest Hemmingway’s old stomping ground, we will proceed back to the starting hotel. 

 

Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning

 

Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 29 miles, riding through the Tunnel of Trees and Petoskey; or 49 miles riding through the Tunnel of Trees, Petoskey and Charlevoix. [The route is a combination of flat areas and rolling hills.]

 

Dinner:

 

 

Red Mesa Grill

1544 US 31 N, Traverse City, MI 49686; (231) 941-7325

Entrée Choices:

• Chicken & Black Bean Burrito – Ancho roasted chicken, stewed black beans & chihuahua cheese rolled in a flour tortilla and baked with roasted tomato chipotle sauce.  
•  Chicken & Chorizo Stuffed Poblano – A fire roasted poblano stuffed with roasted chicken, chorizo, chihuahua cheese, Panama red rice, onion & roasted corn. Oven baked & served with tomato chipotle sauce, gringo rice & black beans.     
• Brazilian Steak – Garlic marinated hanger steak chargrilled. Served with guajillo sauce, garlic green chile & mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables & crisp fried onions.  
• Mango Cashew Chicken Salad – Sauteed chicken breast, warm mango vinaigrette, mixed greens, diced mango, salted cashews, dried cherries & rancherito cheese

 

Day 3, Monday - June 12, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.

Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 20 miles riding on the dedicated bike paths; or 28 miles, riding the dedicated bike paths and the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive option. [The bike path route has some rolling hills. The optional Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is hilly.]

Dinner:

• If you have an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass (Annual / Senior / Military / Access / Volunteer Pass) with valid ID, entrance fees are waived for the pass-holder and up to 3 additional adults, provided they are on a bicycle and simultaneously enter Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore; otherwise there is an additional $15 entry fee per person. Please note: the National Park Service currently is evaluating all entrance fees into National Parks so the fee system is changing for 2020.