Welcome to the farmhouse

The flowing waters of time change everything, much like a river over generations can turn mountains into valleys and sculpt plains into canyons.

But that´s enough waxing poetical for now. DeYoung Natural Area shows how time can turn a farming homestead into a hiking spot. Gone are the crops and livestock and family. Now, you can skulk by the empty home and peer through the windows like a ghost. Marvel also at the ingenuity behind tapping the creek for its power to turn a generator to electrify this homestead.

Our house is a very, very, very fine house...

DeYoung is a Leelanau Conservancy property just northeast of Traverse City, split by Cherry Bend Road and TART's Leelanau Trail. On one side is a bit of shoreline on Cedar Lake, and a deck to go out and enjoy this pretty water body.

Cedar Lake. Come sit for a spell.

On the other is the farmhouse, the former DeYoung workshop and dozens of acres of land criss-crossed by trails. It's a short but satisfying hike, especially in the fall when the drying plants give the air a spicy smell and the changing leaves make for a beautiful sight.

Hilltop view

Overall, DeYoung offers a nice little escape from the city, and it's close enough for an afternoon of hiking followed by an evening of fun on the town. The terrain isn't challenging and there's an interesting variety of scenery.

This is another in my "six hikes in six days" series. Stay tuned for my entry on Platte Plains.