Michigan -- Charlevoix

Charlevoix is a northern Michigan city located on Round Lake, connected to Lake Michigan by a canal.  It is a very protected spot, which turned out to be quite beneficial as a planned one-day stay turned into five days because Lake Michigan developed high waves. Charlevoix was a wonderfully entertaining place to be stuck. The marina is located on Round Lake along a park and the main downtown avenue.  A number of Loopers (people cruising the Great Loop) were also stuck in Charlevoix, providing an opportunity for sampling restaurants together and building friendships.


The park has large grassy areas and an amphitheater.  During our stay, a Canadian-country-folk group played at the theater.  

Mushroom Houses

Earl Young (1889-1975) was a realtor and insurance agent in Charlevoix.  He attended college to study architecture but dropped out after a year because he did not like the styles of architecture being taught. Young decided to build homes that fit the land, with the first stories being made of rocks.  His homes are known as gnome or mushroom houses.  The great depression and other factors limited the number of houses he built. They are a celebrated part of Charlevoix history.

From 1955 to 1959, Young constructed a restaurant and inn on the canal that leads to Round Lake.  It is still operating as such and is a popular spot.  After sampling the restaurant with Bob and Kemba DeGroot, from Spirit Dancer, we found that the food contributes to the success along with the architecture and location.

Charlevoix Library

One would not think that the local library would be one of the most interesting places to visit.  Charlevoix has converted the old school into an amazing library and park.  The library is in a beautifully renovated building with striking and functional spaces inside.

Shovel Bird

A sculpture garden graces the library grounds.

A Kaleidoscope using plants and flowers for the color source

Some of the sculptures had practical uses

Butterfly Garden

In a separate section of the grounds, a large butterfly sculpture anchors a butterfly garden.  Beautiful flowers fill the garden, attracting real butterflies.  The nectar does not discriminate, drawing bumblebees as well as butterflies.