Traverse City is a beautiful city wrapped around the base of Grand Traverse Bay. We checked into the first hotel we saw because it had an amazing view of the bay and sunset. The hot tub in the room was a bonus. We headed out to the Apache Trout Grill for dinner. The wait was appreciated because it allowed us to sit by the water with a drink and enjoy the view. The food was delicious, particularly my taste of the crab and lobster bisque. I kept my meal simple with Grilled Ahi Tuna Continue reading
20 September 2011 
Old Mission Peninsula – Summer Roadtrip
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Old Mission Peninsula is a long jut of land that divides Grand Traverse Bay in half, giving it the shape - with creative license - of a molar and its roots. It was an easy 17 mile drive to the Old Mission Point Lighthouse, at end of the road. While there I discovered I was near the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. I knew I had to record the momentous occasion. Instead of building a cairn, I checked in on Foursquare. It was while checking in I discovered Continue reading
15 September 2011 
Let Sleeping Bears Lie – Summer Roadtrip
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Legend tells of a mother bear and her two cubs taking to the water to escape a raging fire in what is now, Wisconsin. They swam for miles and after tiring the cubs lagged behind. When the mother bear reached the opposite shore, she climbed atop a hill to watch for her babies, but the cubs drowned and became what is now the two Manitou Islands. "Sleeping Bear" is the single dune near the point that marks the spot where mother bear waited. It is slowly eroding and changing with water, wind and Continue reading
14 September 2011 
Roadside Views – Summer Roadtrip
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We headed north from Ludington after the hike, counted our blessings when we discovered The Bungalow Inn still serving dinner at 10 pm. After checking several Manistee hotels late into the night, we finally found one that was not booked full with fishermen hoping to win the local derby. I awoke to another beautiful blue sky, fluffy cloud day and began the drive towards Sleeping Bear Dunes. The first awe inspiring roadside stop was the Arcadia Scenic Lookout which is also aptly named Continue reading
12 September 2011 
Ludington, Michigan – Summer Roadtrip
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Two years ago traveled to Shanty Creek and did a drive by tour through Charlevois & Petoskey on my way to Mackinac Island. I liked what I saw and wanted to tour the little finger portion of the Michigan mitten. The first Lake Michigan view was supposed to happen around Saugatuck, but a missed sign resulted in a tour of Holland instead. I hit the highway and didn't stop again until I reached Ludington. We drove out to the Ludington State Park to have a look around. After investigating the Continue reading
2 February 2011 
10 Famous Films Made in Michigan
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The local film industry seems to be picking up steam or perhaps I've just found where to get the information. I've faithfully been watching Detroit 1-8-7 on Tuesdays or on Hulu if I miss it (which is more often than not). UK's The Telegraph recently ran an article titled Ten famous films shot in Michigan. They are as follows: Up in the Air: George Clooney 2009 American Beauty: Kevin Spacey 1999 Gran Torino: Clint Eastwood 2008 Die Hard 2: Bruce Willis 1990 Beverly Hills Cop: Continue reading
2 December 2010 
Times Like These: Kid Rock and Michigan
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I caught part of Kid Rock's performance on the American Music Awards and was hoping to find it online. I know in the past Kid Rock hasn't been too accepting of his content on the internet. I hope he's coming around because this video reminded me I need to go buy his new disc TODAY. "Even though it's bittersweet and brings us to our knees, it makes us who we are in times like these." Hard times in our lives allows us to recognize and be grateful the good days. Challenges build our strength Continue reading
7 August 2009 
The Way Too Friendly Flies
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While visiting friends in northern Michigan this summer, my son and I decided to take a hike through a quiet part of a forest near Torch Lake. We got about a mile in and had to turn around and leave because the flies were making us crazy! Felt like hundreds were landing in our hair and buzzing around. I tried to capture it on video but it doesn't truly do the numbers justice. The area has had a huge influx on tent caterpillars and according to the New York Department of Environmental Continue reading
