The growth of many resorts around little Traverse Bay have been
wonderful since my coming to Harbor Point light-house. Bay View with its
summer schools of music, paintings and works of art, with its splendid
gospel teachings and quiet restful places where people come to rest the
tired brain from a busy city life. It is an ideal place for summer rest.
Petoskey is a beautiful little city built upon a hillside. It has many
advantages of pure air, beautiful views of the water on the bay and Lake
Michigan. With its boats and railroads nothing more is needed for
comfort.
Roaring Brook, a picturesque spot of nature which must be seen to be
appreciated. One must listen to the roaring of the brook to understand
the meaning of the gurgling sound. One never tires in rambling about
through the quiet, shady, green mossy nooks where the birds sing sweetly
among the cedar trees.
Wequetonsing, how fair to look upon. With its handsome cottages, green
lawns, flowing water clear as crystal. Surely no drink can be sweeter
than this pure water! It has a beautiful view of the bay, with Petoskey
showing so prettily across the waters, and the light-house point with
its green trees making delightful scenery for the eyes to rest upon.
Then the pretty town of Harbor Springs nestling so near the high bluff
with its many pretty buildings on the heights from which the view is
perfect. On clear days Fox Islands and Beaver Island can be plainly
seen.
And beautiful Charlevoix. Her natural beauties with works of man have
made her fair to look upon. I love to remember the beautiful scenery as
I saw it when a child, with its lovely forest trees growing down to the
water's edge, wild birds warbling in the branches, wild ducks swimming
upon the quiet, calm waters of little Round Lake. There are many other
resorts scattered all about the bays and shores where people find rest
and strength.
Last, but not least, is beautiful Harbor Point. A narrow point of land
which helps to form the harbor with water on both sides and a heavy
growth of trees of many different kinds making lovely, natural, shady
parks, with many fine summer homes and beautiful drives. On the end of
the Point stands the lighthouse with its red light flashing out at night
over the waters, looking like a great red ruby set with diamonds as the
electric lights are shining around the bay and harbor. What more is
needed of nature's beauty to make the picture complete?
The sun has sunk in the west, leaving the sky all purple and pink. The
moon, just risen, sheds her soft, mellow light over the earth; all
nature is resting. The birds are in their nests, the whip-poor-will has
ceased her plaintive notes, the sea gulls are soaring away to their
nightly rest. No sound is heard save the soft, low murmurings of the
waves upon the shore.
[Illustration: _FINIS._]
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