Best Picnic Spots in the Frankfort Area
As many of you know, the CDC stated earlier this summer that the rate of transmission for COVID-19 is much lower when in the outdoors as opposed to spaces indoors. Because of this, I’ve made a habit of taking food to-go for a picnic, to help lower my exposure to the virus. This week, I will share with you my favorite picnic spots around Frankfort, and the views you’ll see at each spot!
- Elberta Lookout
The picnic table just off Bye Street is my favorite view of Betsie Bay. To get there, you drive like you are going to Elberta lookout (right behind the old Trick Dog cafe), and pull off to the right. The picnic spot is a hidden gem, and I rarely have to wait for the picnic table to be available. From there, you can see all of Downtown Frankfort, and you will see all the different boats coming in and leaving Betsie Bay.
2. CSA’s Crystal Knoll
The lookout point just behind the Assembly has my favorite view of Crystal Lake. I have been coming to this spot for as long as I can remember. Last summer, the CSA groundskeepers did a great job of power-washing the Knoll, and there is a lovely stone ground where moss used to be. There are several benches to relax on, and if you’re lucky, you can even see a bird’s eye view of a tennis match on the CSA’s Crystal beach courts.
3. The Public Tables on Betsie Bay in Downtown Frankfort
Behind the Frankfort shops along Betsie Bay, is a series of outdoor public tables. These tables sit along a row of boats and make for a great view of the different ships docked there. My friends and I often frequent this spot and bring breakfast sandwiches from L’Chayim or Crescent Bakery to enjoy and sit there.
Frankfort and its surrounding areas have so many great views to offer, and a picnic is a great way to enjoy a meal out, while limiting exposure to COVID-19. I hope that if you try out these picnic spots, you enjoy the views as much as I do!
Rainy Day Traditions
This week began my second full week at the CSA this summer. The week started with three rainy days. Rainy days up here can quite literally lead to cabin fever. It can be frustrating not being able to do your favorite activities and enjoy the beauty around us. However, rainy days have led to some fun traditions that my friends and I have started. One of our favorite things that we’ve done in summers past, is gotten together on rainy days and collectively worked on our summer reading for school together. It was so hard to get ourselves to focus on warm days when we could be out playing on the field, or swimming out to the second raft. This forced us to hunker down together and get our work done.
Another rainy-day tradition I cherish up here is “drive-in movies” at the Frankfort A&W. When I was younger, my mom drove a gold Chevy minivan that had a VCR player TV. During days where it rained, we would go get lunch at A&W and watch a movie. Even though we were still cooped up looking at a screen, it was nice to get a change of scenery and cozy up with blankets in the car.
Although it sometimes takes some creativity to have fun up here when it rains, rainy days Up North allow for us to hunker down and spend time with those that we love. Afterall, for every rainy day up here, there are often several days of sunshine, swimming, and beach days to follow.