Torch Lake and Old Bathing Beach
Torch Lake Sandbar, Torch Lake, MI Tuesday 7/22 12pm 76 degrees
I knew getting to the Torch Lake sandbar was going to be awkward. but not this awkward!
Even though Eddie only got a few hours of sleep, he still made it a priority to make it out to a beach today with me because he knows soon I'll be starting grad school and won't know a day without homework for the next 2 years (but I'm really so excited!). We started off our beach trip with a visit to Edson's Farms, one of our favorite local health food stores and a great place to get healthy beach snacks. He got a breakfast burrito and I got a peanut butter protein shake. We then left for Torch Lake. It only took us 38 minutes to drive there. I noticed immediately that there weren't any signs for "Beach- This Way" or anything like that. Actually, the address that google maps took me to, which was labeled as Torch Lake public access, was just parking lot and a small strip of grass leading up to the water. All shade, no sun, and no beach. No worries, I'm sure it's just down the road! So we kept driving along the lake to the next address which was labeled as Torch Lake Sandbar Public Access. I passed it twice! It was so small! There were only like 5 parking spots. We pulled around to a big parking lot where people were putting their boats in. We had to stop and gather our thoughts. After hearing so much about this place for years, I was surprised that there truly was no way to access the famous sandbar without a boat! So your telling me that everyone that comes here gets here by boat? I was determined to make my way there. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I've seen pictures of literally hundreds of people partying here on fourth of July weekend and it's even mentioned in a Kid Rock song. Let's find a way to get out there!
We drove back to the sandbar public access "beach" and I parked across the street. I say beach lightly because there wasn't even any room to really layout your towels and suntan. This was going to be a swim only excursion. I saw lots of people getting into the water here with their paddleboards and I once again put getting a paddleboard on my summertime wish list. We put our stuff down, awkwardly not knowing what to do next. So I decided right then and there that I was going to swim out to the sandbar where all the boats were parked. For a Tuesday, this place was busy! Their were tons of boats gathered. Kids and dogs playing in the water. There are even boats acting as food trucks! I got into the water which I normally don't do until I've been in the sun for a while and nice and hot. but I was relieved to realize the water was nice and warm. Because it was shallow! The whole time! Eddie and I actually got to walk out to the sandbar. The water only ever got to the tops of our legs. It was nice and warm and the soft sand below was comforting. I'm sure if we had a boat and more people to hang with, we would love to stand around out here all day like so many other people seem to do. But we have a beach bucket list to get through!
Once we walked back to the shore, we noticed our little "beach" (it's barely a beach) was getting quite full. Every time we have gone to a beach so far this summer, I see little kids eating sandwiches that their parents made them and it makes me ache for a childhood experience I'm not sure I ever had. We packed up our stuff and decided to head 15 minutes north to the next beach on my list.
Old Bathing Beach, Ell Rapids, MI 1-3pm 82 degrees
I have to say that the drives out to and home from these beaches this summer has been such a treat. From the iconic M22 to old byways passed barns and fields we've never been on before, the drives have been part of the experience. After 15 short minutes we made it to Elk Rapids. Now, I've been to the Elk Rapids sandbar a few times and love it but it's usually quite busy and I know how beautiful Elk Rapids bay views are so I had to try out the next one on my list: Old Bathing Beach on Grand Traverse Bay. We parked right next to an opening between two beach grass covered dunes and walked out onto the hot, soft sand and staked our claim. I can finally spread out and lay like a star fish in the sun! I lathered on my SPF and soaked it in. The quite. The heat. The sound of people swimming and boats in the distance. Then after getting sufficiently sweaty it was time to head into the water. This beach's water was much cooler than Torch Lake! I was immediately getting goose bumps but it was refreshing and cooled me off enough to lay out some more. While we laid there, we were having the potential new property measured for flooring. We found out the realtor didn't arrive to let the carpenter inside so we had to give the passcode to the door. Our beach time was spared! Earlier at Edson Farms, we got a bag of sea salt and vinegar chips and dipping them into cottage cheese is the perfect beach snack. That and ice cold water from my tumbler.
I was so happy that this day turned out to be exactly what I needed it to be! Although I was hoping to spend much more time at Torch Lake, I was glad I finally had the experience and will definitely come another time by boat or paddleboard. And the quiet serenity and perfection of Old Bathing Beach gave me the ultimate daytime beach experience I was truly looking for today. Beaches #5 and #6 out of 13 are complete and so we are about half way through! I can't wait to share my list with you guys when this is all said and done. For now, I like to keep my list a secret so that I am as surprised as possible by each experience. Thanks for coming along and I'll see you next time!
I don't belong in the world, that's what it isSomething separates me from other people
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