Maroon’d in Harbor Springs, Mich.

Molly Ames '91 Baker

Molly Ames Baker ’91 lives in Harbor Springs, Mich., with her husband, Josh, and three kids. She misses the Chenango Valley — she and Josh co-directed Colgate’s Outdoor Education program for 12 years — but continues her work of connecting people to place through their store, The Outfitter of Harbor Springs. Here are some of her favorite everyday adventures for exploring Lake Michigan:

In town: Get a Gurney’s legendary deli sandwich or Yummies choice ice cream and stroll the city docks. Then head up Spring Street to walk the boardwalk loop: up to the bluff for an incredible view of Little Traverse Bay, past the high school, and down the steps to the waterfront. Be sure to stop in the public library (est. 1908) for a historic respite.

Up the shoreline: Drive (or bike!) north on M119 through the renowned Tunnel of Trees that takes you to Good Hart, Cross Village, and Sturgeon Bay. Along the way, visit Thorne Swift Nature Preserve and Pond Hill Farm (don’t miss the squash rocket!). In Good Hart, pick up a chicken pot pie at the General Store and enjoy the public beach at St. Ignatius Church (an early Odawa settlement). During the winter, it’s fun to explore the other-worldly caves along the shoreline. In Cross Village, stop by Legs Inn, a Polish restaurant that is an architectural marvel of driftwood and stone. Sturgeon Bay dunes offer an incredible view of the “big lake” and trailheads into Wilderness State Park.

On the water: Rent kayaks or paddleboards (from The Outfitter!) and paddle around the harbor to the Point, where you can beach your boat and plunge into the crystal-clear freshwater. At City Beach, swimming out to the raft is a rite of passage. Another must-do is Petoskey State Park, where you can climb the dunes (and sled down!), walk the shoreline, and bike or ski the trails.


 

Have tips for people who might be maroon’d in your area? Write us at scene@colgate.edu and put Maroon’d in the subject line.