Family

Do You Know The Way To Grand Marais?

June 23, 2010

Thanks to Jennifer Rees for sharing the story of her U.P adventure!

Every year, my husband rides his bike from Cedar Springs to Mackinaw City. Every year my sister, kids, and I take a trip ‘Up North’ to pick him up. This year, the group my husband rides with decided that 285 miles just wasn’t quite enough. They got to Mackinaw and kept right on going. In fact, they went all the way to Grand Marais.

Meanwhile, we had an adventure of our own.

We headed up to Leland, where the first order of business was a stop at Carlson’s for A.P.’s favorite food – smoked fish. When we asked him how it was, he couldn’t even stop eating long enough to use words.

We hung out on the waterfront for a while then strolled around town. After a fun afternoon, we headed to Petoskey for the night, where my husband was. In the morning we went to the Oden fish hatchery. We couldn’t believe there was no charge! There was, however, a gift shop. The kids came away with patches, a book about animal ‘scat and tracks’, and “I’m A Michigan Kid Passports” which, really, should be issued to every child born in our state.

There hatchery has walking trails, an interpretive museum in an old box car, and an underground stream viewing area. The highlight was the trout feeding. For a dime, we got a handful of Trout Chow and I don’t mean to bruise any fish egos but it’s time for these guys to be finding their own dinner. They were fat. Still, my kids scrounged up about $2.00 in dimes and contributed to the Trout Obesity problem.

Back in the car, we headed up to the Soo. I have to say that although I completely appreciate having a bridge to the Upper Peninsula; I hate actually driving across it. But, the U.P. is worth the white knuckles. We headed straight for the Locks and hopped on a boat tour. It was fun to watch the kids try and grasp where the water went, where it came from, and how it all came worked.

The next morning we headed to Munising for the Pictured Rocks boat tour. It was stunning. And windy, but mostly stunning.

From there we drove back to Grand Marais, where we met up with my husband and his biker buddies. We’d all had an incredible journey were happy to be reunited in such a special place. We ate dinner with friends, then went to Lake Superior Brewing Company for a beer. We went to the beach and watched the sun set over Lake Superior. The next morning, we checked out the Gitchee Gumee Agate and History Museum, and headed to Taqhamenon Falls.

We ate lunch at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery where, naturally, we had pasties.

We cannot wait to get back and re-visit these places, and also to discover new ones. We’re proud to be raising Michigan Kids, and thankful that a vacation like this is so close to home.

Jennifer Rees is a stay at home mom of two young children in Grand Rapids. Jennifer writes at TheBigBinder.com, a blog about raising kids in Grand Rapids who are active, involved, and culturally aware.

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Southwest Michigan Offers Great Parks

May 12, 2010

in Beaches,Outdoors

Last summer, contributing writer Tina Lassen scouted lesser-known state and federal preserves for the 2010 Michigan Travel Ideas feature, Wild Discoveries. Tina shares a handful of her favorites from the state’s southwest region. What’s your favorite Michigan park?

Towering Dunes
It’s impossible to miss the centerpiece of Duck Lake State Park north of Muskegon: an immense dune of golden sand that sweeps from the shores of Lake Michigan. The 728-acre park extends from the soft sand beach at the base of the dune inland to its namesake lake, plentiful with panfish. A day-use area includes a swimming beach, picnic tables, grills, and a shelter. A channel links the two lakes, paralleled by a boardwalk frequented by scurrying sandy feet.

Lazy Days
A simple inner tube is the best way to explore Pines Point Recreation Area, five miles northeast of Montague. Plop into the South Branch of the White River at one end of the campground and float lazily downstream through pines and oak savannah. The river’s horseshoe of a route returns almost back to the start, just beyond the grassy point at the other end of the campground. The river’s mellow current, sandy bottom and warm waters makes it a great family destination.

Quiet Beach
While beach lovers flock like seagulls to the many popular state parks that dot Lake Michigan’s sandy eastern shore, far fewer make their way to the surf line at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, a 900-acre park three miles north of Saugatuck. Nearly 14 miles of peaceful trails knit through the forested peaks and valleys of sand. The paths eventually emerge onto barren dunes—and miles of sand beach I shared with only the shorebirds.

Undeveloped Forests
Just a few miles south of St. Joseph and a few miles north of popular Warren Dunes State Park, Grand Mere State Park fronts Lake Michigan with an entirely different feel. This 1,000-acre park preserves an increasingly rare habitat of three interdunal lakes, unique enough to earn it status as a National Natural Landmark. It’s another half-mile hike across the open dunes to two miles of beach, and a distant view of the Lake Michigan shore as it curves west toward the state line.

Pedal Through the Park
The Kal-Haven Trail ranks as one of Michigan’s narrowest state parks, a 10-foot-wide path that follows a former railroad corridor from South Haven 43 miles east to Kalamazoo. Wide-tire hybrid or mountain bikes work best on the crushed gravel trail, which meanders across a patchwork of farm and field, and through towns like Gobles and Bloomingdale. Stop for photos at wooden trestle bridges—and wherever local businesses tempt riders with signs for ice cream and fresh apple cider.

Freelance writer Tina Lassen has spent more than 25 years exploring and writing about Michigan’s outdoor adventures. She is a frequent contributor to Midwest Living Magazine, and has written extensively about Michigan in guidebooks like National Geographic’s Guide to America’s Outdoors: Great Lakes.

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Pure Michigan Events – May 2010

May 3, 2010

in Fairs & Festivals,Outdoors,What's Happening This Month

Tulip Time Festival, Holland, May, 1-8, 2010

This springtime celebration of the area’s Dutch heritage and culture is more than 80 years old, and features over six million blooming tulips and multiple parades, concerts, Dutch Marktplaats, wooden-shoed dancers, traditional street scrubbers, food and crafts, entertainment, carnival rides and kiddie activities.

Jackson Storyfest, May 7-8, 2010

Who doesn’t enjoy a good story? The 23^rd Annual Jackson Storyfest is an opportunity to appreciate this oral tradition and enjoy listening to performers gifted in the ancient art of storytelling.

51^st Mesick Mushroom Festival, May 7-9, 2010

The “Mushroom Capital of the U.S.” celebrates the morel mushroom with a carnival, sports competitions, entertainment, and Grand Parade.

Morel Mushroom Festival, Lewiston, May 8, 2010

Search for the elusive morel on a guided mushroom hunt, sample the delicacy at a mushroom tasting, browse the arts & crafts show, and enjoy the Mother’s Day Poetry Contest.

50^th National Morel Mushroom Festival, Boyne City, May 13-16, 2010

This festival includes the Morelfest Wine & Dine, cooking demo and seminars, outdoor expo, entertainment, and the delicious Taste of Morels event.

Tawas Point Birding Festival, East Tawas, May 14-16, 2010

The Chimney Swift is the featured bird of this year’s gathering of birders who come for the digital photo workshop, trip to the Kirtland’s Warbler Pine River Habitat, wildflower and wildlife tours, and seminars.

West Michigan Birding Festival, Ludington, May 14-16, 2010

The 2^nd annual event wings its way into Ludington State Park with programs about waterfowl, bald eagles, and the piping Plover, which nests along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Downtown Hoedown, Detroit, May 14-16, 2010

For the 28^th year WYCD radio brings “Country music’s largest free concert” to the stage at the Detroit Riverfront Hart Plaza with headliners and up and coming talent.

Durand Railroad Days, May 14-16, 2010

The 35^th annual festival recognizes the history and importance of the rail industry in an active railroad center with a beautiful station that houses the Michigan Railroad History Museum.

Empire Asparagus Festival, May 14-16, 2010

The 7^th annual event welcomes asparagus season with a parade, tasting dinner, 5K Kick Ass-paragus Fun Run/Walk, and Ode to Asparagus poetry competition.

Blossom Days, Traverse City, May 15-16, 2010

Welcome spring as the cherry blossoms bloom on a self-guided tour to sample unreleased wines at the 7 Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula.

World Expo of Beer, Frankenmuth, May 21-22, 2010

Enjoy beers from Michigan and around the world, plus live music and food at Heritage Park.

Great Lakes Kite Festival, Grand Haven, May 22-23, 2010

Giant kites, graceful kite ballets, fighter kite competition and a lighted kite Night Fly are highlights of the annual event along Lake Michigan at Grand Haven State Park. There’s even an indoor kite fly plus family-friendly crafts and games.

Fruitport Old Fashioned Days, May 26-31, 2010

The Memorial Day Parade steps off at noon Monday, capping a full calendar of good fun for the whole family in Michigan’s Fruit Belt, including a pig roast, fireworks, entertainment, carnival rides and petting zoo.

43^rd Alma Highland Festival & Games, May 29-30, 2010

A bit of Scotland comes to Alma College each year with traditional dancing, piping, drumming and band competitions and performances, athletic events, a parade, exhibitors, and massed bands performances of some 1,000 pipers and drummers. Celebrate at a Ceilidh (party) on Saturday night.

Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Race, Mackinaw City, May 29, 2010

For the 7^th year runners are allowed to cross the Mackinac Bridge over the Straits of Mackinac. The 5-mile span connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas is usually open only to motorized vehicles.

Movement: Detroit Electronic Music Festival, Detroit, May 29-31, 2010

Each year since 2000 the birthplace of techno music has filled the riverfront Hart Plaza with the sounds of established and new artists and celebrated the city’s contributions to the electronic music scene.

If you’re the organizer of an event that you don’t see listed, please use our submission form to let us know.

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April 2010 Events Roundup

March 30, 2010

in East Central,Fairs & Festivals,Monthly Event Roundup,Northeast,Northwest,Posts by Region,Southeast,Southwest,Upper Peninsula,West Central

Quiet Water Symposium, East Lansing, March 6, 2010

Outdoor Michigan’s Favorite Indoor Show brings together non-motorized outdoor recreation and Great Lakes environmental interests in this annual showcase featuring handcrafted canoes and kayaks, nature photography, bicycling, sailing, nature centers and more.

Festifools, Ann Arbor, April 11, 2010

Fun and frivolous street festival and parade greets spring with giant papier-mâché characters and “random acts of April foolishness.”

Read more…

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Downhill Skiing in the Western UP

February 24, 2010

in Outdoors,Snowsports

The rugged hills and reliable snows of the Western Upper Peninsula make it a favorite destination for skiers. Tina Lassen, a longtime Michigan Travel Ideas freelance writer and avid skier, writes about a recent getaway to Ironwood-area ski resorts.

As if on cue, the snow begins falling in earnest when I cross the border into the Western Upper Peninsula’s “snow belt.” As I drive along US-2 near Wakefield, it floats down fluffy and thick, piling up to the windowsills of farmhouses and draping across broad hemlock boughs.

Excellent timing, since I’m meeting up with three Yooper friends (UP locals, that is). We’ve planned a day each at Big Powderhorn Mountain and Indianhead Mountain Resort neighboring destinations northeast of Ironwood.

Big Powderhorn

On day one we opt for Big Powderhorn with meticulously groomed runs winding through the pines. Powderhorn is great for beginners, families, or anyone with rusty ski legs. I particularly like starting out on runs such as Alpen and Little Horn, bathed in morning sun.

We spend much of the day carving up the corduroy on long, mellow cruisers, then cap off the afternoon with a stop at one of Powderhorn’s slopeside wine huts. New this year, you can call ahead to reserve one of the three wine huts for a private lunch spot. The ski area provides the grill and charcoal, and will transport food to your hut.

Indianhead

The next day, I’m primed to tackle the steeper terrain of Indianhead. We charge down the headwall on West Winnebago and careen through the bumps on Crazy Horse. I even steel my nerves to try a few of the smallest jumps in the Big Chief terrain park. I quickly decide it’s probably better for my middle-age knees to watch others get air.

Indianhead does a great job with this park, building jumps and rails for all ability levels. By the time we call it a day, a lively après scene is taking shape in the Sky Bar, where old chairlifts get a second life as booth seats.

Around the ski areas

Plenty of restaurants, lodgings and gear shops scatter between Indianhead and Powderhorn, creating a fun, mountain-town atmosphere. The Caribou Lodge (906/932-4714) at Big Powderhorn Mountain is one of my favorites, for its great from-scratch soups, huge salad bar and hearty specialties like bacon-wrapped pork loin. You can find great Italian food around here, too—Tacconelli’s in Ironwood is a sure bet.

After a social day of skiing, I love the solitude of the Black River Lodge. Although it’s just a short drive from the slopes, it feels like a wilderness outpost thanks to its 65-acre spread along the Black River. It’s also pretty sweet to kick back in the lodge’s wood-fired hot tub and 54-foot-long swimming pool.

Freelance writer Tina Lassen has spent more than 25 years exploring and writing about Michigan’s outdoor adventures. She is a frequent contributor to Midwest Living magazine and has written extensively about Michigan in guidebooks like National Geographic’s Guide to America’s Outdoors: Great Lakes.