Frankfurt, Mich., is famous for many classic Victorian homes.

By Loren Shaum
Guest Columnist

When it was nearing prime color time in Lake Country, we decided on a road trip to take advantage of this beautiful time of the year. The route decided was through lower Michigan, over the top, then through Wisconsin to Waukesha. Our final quest was to see an old friend from our days in the Milwaukee area. He fell and has been struggling to recover.

Our first stop was Zimmy’s Bar on Baldwin Lake for lunch with our 1960 classmates. The colors were spectacular in Southern Michigan, and continued as we drove further north to Muskegon.

We stayed near Muskegon Lake, and had dinner at the Lake House Waterfront Grill, which was phenomenal — and the sunset beyond awesome!

Going Over The Bridge

We followed a route along Lake Michigan to the historic waterfront town of Frankfurt. Then on to Lake Leelanau for a quick stop at Northen Latitudes Distillery. Besides craft whiskey, they distill a potent horseradish flavored vodka. That vodka makes your bloody Mary explode.

Next stop is Suttons Bay on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, where we stopped at the oldest continually operating restaurant in the area, V. I. Grill. This happening joint has been serving-up major grub since 1871.

Along the way, the trees were gorgeous, but interestingly, the many vineyards that this part of Michigan is known for had yet to show any color.

After a quick stop in Traverse City, where the traffic was overwhelming, we headed to the bridge and an overnight stay in St, Ignace, Mich., — enjoying the fall foliage along the way.

St. Ignace

After establishing a mission in Saulte Ste Marie, Father Jaques Marquette founded another mission in 1671 at the closest point to the northern-most land mass that is now Michigan’s lower peninsula. He named the mission after Ignatius de Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. It would become a major fur trading center.

Today, the old mission is called Marquette Mission Park, and St. Ignace is the center of the Ojibwa Nation. The Museum of Ojibwe Culture is a must stop.

Hillside vineyards surround Suttons.

After cruising across the magnificent Mackinac Bridge, which opened on Nov. 1, 1957, we found that our reservation was on the wrong dates. The town was packed because of prime-time foliage, but we finally found a room after visiting three other hotels.

Then, we decided to check-out a waterfront joint, called Mackinac Grille and Patio Bar. Parking at the bar, you immediately notice the historic Wawatam Light House with Mackinac Island in the background. The place quickly filled, and as we perused the menu, a gent next to us told us he was from Elkhart. Then other folks spoke-up.

One couple was from Auburn and another from Austin (down south). Then, Sarah, the bar tender, told us her daughter was living in LaGrange. So, we had a “Hoosier home-coming” at the Mackinac Grille bar!

Over the Top

As we cruised westward “across the top,” the colors became increasingly less bold as the peak color period had passed. However, by the time we reached the Wisconsin state line at Marietta full color had returned.

Lambeau Field

Since our days living in Wisconsin when Vince Lombardi roamed the sidelines of the “frozen tundra” that is Lambeau field, we have been avid Packers fans. Whenever we make this trip (usually through Wisconsin first), we stop at Lambeau for lunch at 1919 Kitchen & Tap. The significance of 1919 is that was the year the Packers were founded.

This was a Friday before a Packer home game and the place was in overflow. After a long wait, we quaffed a Table Top pale ale, one of 19 craft brews on tap, and a brat. Gayle’s mac & cheese side was over-the-top. Then we waddled to the Packers Pro Shop to buy Packer paraphernalia that we don’t need.

Appleton

About a half hour south of Green Bay is this robust city on the Fox River. Because hotels in Green Bay were mostly full, we decided to “get out of dodge.” On the way, color intensity increased with every passing mile.

After arriving, the Lombardi Steakhouse had to be on the agenda, so we stopped for a cocktail and to observe the museum-like ambiance. Indeed, there is everything Packer including Lombardi’s diplomas from Fordham and St. Francis High School in New York City.

After taking-in as much Packer memorabilia as possible, including a replica of the Super Bowl I trophy (Original is kept at Lambeau museum.), we headed to a fabulous restaurant in an old renovated power station adjacent the Fox River dam.

Holy Hill

The twin towers of the Holy Hill Basilica can be seen for miles.

When we lived in the Milwaukee area, one of our favorite haunts was this scenic, sacred ground located at the top of one of the highest hills in the glacially carved Kettle Moraine region. Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians dates to the 1600s when French Jesuits explored the region. An early French diary notes a stone alter was built and the hill was dedicated to Mother Mary. That legend remained in place for centuries and brought pilgrims from afar. In 1906, the shrine was placed in custody of the Discalced Carmelites that came over from Bavaria. The present church was consecrated in 1931.

The line to get to a parking lot was about a mile long. Once we got through the entrance, the lots were packed. There could have been a thousand vehicles. Regardless, we were able to take-in the sights and sounds of this sacred hill in the middle of nowhere.

Heading back to reality, we discovered one of our favorite restaurants during our time in Wisconsin, The Fox & Hounds Restaurant and Tavern, was open for lunch. We once had a wonderful anniversary dinner at this remote outpost (It was once an equestrian farm and sponsored fox hunts.), so when we settled at the bar, the rustic ambience brought back fond memories.

Now we are off to see our ailing friend and back to Indiana, all the while, enjoying the wonderful fall foliage.

Glorious colors await as you drive across the Leelanau Penisula.