I don’t know if every weekend is like this up north, but I’m thinking the first weekend in August on the Leelanau Peninsula is the one to put on my calendar for a return visit.  What a lot of fun happenings in this beautiful part of Michigan.

The Plein Air Festival sponsored by the Glen Arbor Arts Association drew 70 artists who spread out on Saturday all around the area, creating works of art in the fresh air. It was a beautiful day for painters to take their brushes and supplies to the fields and woods to create masterpieces.  No shortage of settings.

They returned at the end of the day and entered their work into the sale and reception attended by several hundred people.  The work was sold with the revenue being shared by the Arts Center and the artists.

We also attended the Conservancy Picnic near Suttons Bay with over 800 folks, bidding on a wide selection of items.   I’m dying to hear what the dinner in New York with celebrity chef, Mario Batali, went for.  It was quite the topic of conversation. Unfortunately we had to leave before the auction ended but had a great time mixing and mingling with up north folk.

Also in Suttons Bay, creative artists and crafts people gathered by the waterside to sell their wares at the annual Art Show.  High end and well done, this juried show attracts artists from all over the country.  I made purchases from people who came from Connecticut and Colorado.

Only downer for me was that dogs weren’t allowed.  I had to find a youngster to walk Izzy around while I browsed the show.  Fortunately near by a café allowed me to bring my 13-pound Yorki-Poo to the patio while I had a cup of coffee.

The natural beauty of this area is amazing.  Impossible to describe the Caribbean blue of the lakes, the astounding sand dues and forests and fields. Gorgeous sunsets are every day affairs.   Old barns mix with new construction and frankly some downright tacky stuff like the funny bottle tree.

Cute shops, windows and displays abound.  The restaurants were packed.  The wait for a burger at Arts was an hour and a half on Saturday and the patio of Cherry Republic filled with folks enjoying the fare.  We loved a casual dinner on the deck of the Cabbage Shed in Frankfort and had no trouble choosing great Italian food at Funestrata.  A burger at a diner in Traverse City took me back in time.

Meandering the Farmer’s Markets is part of life up here.  I particularly like the one in Glen Arbor because it’s nestled in the trees.  Fun to buy knitted caps for the grand daughters at home and yummy things to eat while enjoying the beautiful farm bounty.

And if that didn’t provide enough excitement, Northwoods Hardware, the emporium of all things useful and attractive on M22 in Glen Arbor, announced the naming of the historic Hardware Moose.  In case you missed the announcement made at noon on Saturday, also Customer Appreciation Day, he is now officially Glenwinkle.  I think he likes his name and his spot, overseeing the activities of this active retail part of  town.