The
tunnel of trees
One
of Michigan’s most spectacular drives, Michigan Highway 119 leaves
the exclusive resort town of Harbor Springs, whisks you through an
area once largely inhabited by the Odawa, or Ottawa Indians, and
ventures north 20 miles to the town of Cross Village. This narrow
road becomes engulfed in the over-story of a mixed forest, dominated
by mature broadleaf and pine trees.
Known as the “tunnel of trees,” the scenic beauty of this drive
is splendid in the spring or summer, but offers special majesty
during peak autumn color.
Spirit World? - Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is half way along
the drive. The land in this preserve is also home to an elusive
water spirit. Native legend has it the water spirit enters and exits
through the cedar swamp.
Just past Middle Village, there is a U-shaped curve named
Devil's Elbow. The name stemmed from a series of strange,
unexplained occurrences in the area, but it's a bit of a
misinterpretation--the original name means "where the spirits
reside." perhaps that's still true today.
For lodging options visit
www.backroadslodging.com