by Colleen Stout | Aug 24, 2022 | Travel
Tucked between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, the town of Charlevoix is a prime spot for a Northern Michigan summer vacation. Here are five must-see spots you don’t want to miss when you visit.
Earl Young Mushroom Houses
The Mushroom Houses, as they’re affectionately called, were designed and built by artist Earl Young. Made of stone with unusual rooflines and wavy eaves, the houses have a storybook feel to them. A nature lover, Young designed the houses to blend with the landscape and sourced the stone from the beaches of Northern Michigan. The 26 homes are private residences. While they’re not open for inside tours, you can view the Mushroom Houses from the outside. Mushroom House Tours offers a guided tour. You can also take a self-guided walking or driving tour through the neighborhood. Please be considerate of the homeowners and don’t trespass on private property.
Castle Farms
As the name suggests, there is a castle in Northern Michigan! The castle was built in 1918 by the president of Sears and Roebuck, modeled after the stone barns and castles found in France. Today the grounds of Castle Farms are open to the public. You can view the incredible architecture of the castle and outbuildings and the beautiful botanical garden. You’ll also find the world’s largest outdoor model train in the garden. The building that once housed the farm’s blacksmith shop is now a WWI museum filled with memorabilia from the era. You can also see the owner’s private collection of antiques. Stop by the castle’s 1918 Cellars Tasting Room and Bistro to sample the farm’s Northern Michigan-produced wines and grab a bite to eat.
Fisherman’s Island State Park
Fisherman’s Island State Park has six miles of pristine, undeveloped beach along Lake Michigan. With that much sand, it’s easy to find a quiet spot along the water. It’s named for a small island off-shore. When lake levels are low the island can be reached by wading out to it. Currently, the lake is too high for that. A 2.5-mile hiking trail takes you through rolling sand dunes, forests, and bogs. It’s a great spot to take in the natural beauty of Northern Michigan.
Charlevoix South Pier Light Station and Michigan Beach Park
The Charlevoix South Pier Light Station is an iconic symbol of Northern Michigan. It’s one of the most photographed landmarks in the state. The bright red tower makes a striking contrast against the backdrop of Lake Michigan’s blue water. It’s located in Michigan Beach Park where you’ll find a large, white sand beach. There is also a playground and walking trails at the park. The restaurants and shops in downtown Charlevoix are within walking distance from the beach.
Lake Charlevoix
Lake Charlevoix is just inland from Lake Michigan, connected to the big lake by the Pine River Channel. The lake is a favorite spot for water sports, fishing, and swimming. With over 60 miles of shoreline, kayaking is also a popular activity on the lake. Ferry Beach Park, a public beach on Lake Charlevoix, has a playground and a boat launch. For a unique experience ride the Ironton Ferry, a cable-operated car ferry, across the south arm of the lake.
by Colleen Stout | Jul 25, 2022 | Eyewear
If outdoor sports and recreation are high on your list of favorite activities, you should consider wearing polarized sunglasses. They’ll help you see more clearly and make your time outside more enjoyable.
Traditional sunglasses work by making the sun appear less bright. Wearing them is like using a dimmer switch. On sunny days they reduce the intensity of sunlight. They also protect your eyes from UV rays. What they don’t do is reduce glare or block specific types of light.
Polarized sunglasses block horizontal reflected light. This is the light that reflects off of white snow or water on a bright, sunny day. The reflected light creates the dazzling glare that makes it so you can’t see through the water or that blinds you on the ski slope. Polarized sunglasses have a special coating that is applied in a vertical pattern. It blocks the horizontal rays that cause glare while allowing vertical rays through. LIke traditional sunglasses, polarized lenses also provide UV protection.
The glare from horizontal rays when you’re wearing traditional sunglasses changes the way colors appear. You won’t see the full impact of a beautiful blue sky or an emerald green forest. Colors appear muted. With polarized sunglasses colors are more true, shadows and highlights have more contrast, and clarity is improved.
The glare from the sun can also be dangerous during activities that require a clear view of your surroundings so you can react quickly. When skiing or mountain biking, glare may disrupt your sightline. That could cause a serious accident.
Polarized sunglasses can also reduce eye strain and prevent headaches. However, it’s important to remember you still can’t stare directly at the sun when wearing them. Also, if you’re using an electronic device that has an anti-glare screen, polarized sunglasses may make it hard to view.
Polarized sunglasses are especially popular with fishermen. They shade their eyes from the sun out on the water, and they also eliminate the sun’s glare off the water. If you look at the water on a sunny day wearing traditional sunglasses, you’ll only see the surface of the water because of the sun’s reflection. If you’re wearing polarized sunglasses, that glare is blocked. You’ll be able to see down into the water. In clear water, you can see the fish swimming below the surface. That’s a big advantage for a fisherman!
Polarized sunglasses aren’t just for outdoorsmen, however. They’re also good for blocking glare when driving, particularly when the sun is rising or setting. Have you ever been driving west at sunset when suddenly the glare on your windshield makes it so you can’t see anything but the blinding light? Polarized sunglasses help prevent that, too.
If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you aren’t left out. Polarized prescription sunglasses are also available.
The Sunglass Shoppe has a variety of unique and designer frames that can be fitted with polarized lenses, both prescription and non-prescription. Visit one of our four locations in Petoskey, Charlevoix, Traverse City, and Saugatuck. We’ll help you find the right sunglasses to fit your lifestyle and your unique personality.
by Colleen Stout | Jun 13, 2022 | Eyewear
You shop with reusable bags, buy locally grown produce, and drink fair-trade coffee. But have you ever thought about wearing ethical sunglasses from an eyewear company that cares?
Sunglasses aren’t just for summer. You should wear them all year round on sunny days when you’re outside or driving. They protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Too much exposure to these rays can potentially cause eye damage, leading to vision loss. If you wear prescription eyeglasses you can buy sunglasses with prescription lenses. If you don’t need glasses for vision you can purchase sunglasses with lenses that just offer protection from the sun.
Of course, sunglasses also make a fashion statement. As an accessory, sunglasses instantly add an element of cool to any outfit. A unique pair of sunglasses make a statement as well and tell others something about your personality.
When you choose ethical sunglasses you protect your eyes, look great, and feel good about your purchase. Here are three ethical sunglass brands you can find at The Sunglass Shoppe:
Zeal Optics Sunglasses
Zeal Optics makes plant-based polarized sunglasses that protect your eyes and the earth. Their eco-friendly sunglass frames and lenses are made with Z-Resin, a plant-based material derived from the castor plant. This makes Zeal Optics eyewear sustainable and good for the environment by being petroleum-free. They also have a smaller carbon footprint. But plant-based doesn’t mean lower quality. The Z-Resin actually allows them to produce a polarized lens with greater clarity for crisp, clear vision.
State Optical Sunglasses
State Optical is the only luxury eyewear brand manufactured completely in the United States. State’s eyewear is handcrafted at their manufacturing facility in Chicago by a select group of skilled craftsmen. They’re committed to producing only the best quality eyewear. State Optical is also committed to changing the world for the better. They proudly contribute to the Vision Council’s Opening Your Eyes Scholarship which provides full tuition, an internship, and mentorship to high school seniors from black and brown communities who aspire to become opticians.
Costa Sunglasses
Costa sunglasses are made for people who love to be on the water. It’s only natural that the company would help protect what they and their customers love – the beach and the water. Costa does this through several different programs. Their Kick Plastic campaign sponsors beach clean-ups and encourages less use of plastics that make their way into the world’s oceans. Their partnership with Ocearch helps fund the protection of sharks. Through #OneCoast, Costa provides funds to coastal communities affected by natural disasters. Costa also helps reduce ocean waste with its Untangled eyewear collection. Frames in this collection are made from recycled fishing nets. As many as 640,000 tons of fishing materials are discarded in the ocean each year.
If you’re interested in purchasing ethical sunglasses, visit The Sunglass Shoppe to learn more about these brands and to try on a pair. They’ll help you find the right pair of sunglasses for your individual needs and personality. They provide services for both standard and prescription sunglasses. The Sunglass Shoppe has four locations in Michigan: Petoskey, Charlevoix, Traverse City, and Saugatuck.
