Just as the last of the autumn leaves blow away and the snow begins to fall, life on Walloon Lake slows to a comforting pace as the new season settles in. Winter in northern Michigan is something magical to experience, a charming wonderland retreat reminiscent of a storybook romance come to life.
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Much like the waves that roll in upon the Great Lakes shoreline, the port town of Lexington has seen a rise and fall of population and industry over the years. Settlers first arrived here in the 1830s and by mid-century this was a bustling port town built upon lumbering and later oil prospecting in Michigan’s thumb region.
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On a busy summer day, visitors fill the tiny Jampot shop in Eagle Harbor waiting patiently to purchase wild berry jams, hearty fruitcakes, savory baked goods and confections handmade by the monks of the Holy Transfiguration Skete, Society of Saint John.
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There are as many tall tales and legends tied to American gangster Al Capone as there are presumed bodies ordered by his deadly hits. However, there is little question that he often escaped the heat of Chicago (both the temperature and the law) by sneaking off to Michigan, as far north as the Upper Peninsula.
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As early as the 1820s, Michigan lighthouses have been protecting the Great Lakes shorelines. Today, one of the rarest experiences is to spend the night in one of these historic and often romantic beacons. Nationally, only a dozen or so lights have been converted into bed-and-breakfast inns with a handful of them found right here in Michigan.
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Fueled by thriving automotive and tourism industries in 1919, Michigan residents (nearly 3.9 million) and visitors were anxious to get outside to explore the woods, waters and abundant natural resources that surrounded them. It became important to not only provide spaces for such outdoor activities, but also to set policies to preserve and protect them. And with the passage of Public Act 218 signed by Gov. Albert Sleeper on May 12 of that year, the Michigan State Park Commission was officially organized.
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A lot has changed at 185 Mount Tabor Road in Buchanan since the first grapevines were planted there in 1968. Incorporated as Tabor Hill Winery in 1972 and housing an award-winning restaurant since 1982, one of Michigan’s oldest wineries has now begun its next phase of life under new ownership, while celebrating a direct line to its historic past.
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A veil of fog rises above amber-colored fields on a chilly fall morning in the Pigeon River Country State Forest 20 miles north of Gaylord. Beams of sun cut through the towering trees, casting dancing shadows below. In the distance, a distinctive bugling sound permeates the air, first from one direction and then another.
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As fall colors begin to transform the treetops around Michigan, it becomes an invitation to wander off the beaten path and explore the rustic trails that wind through the state’s nearly 18.6 million acres of forests—on horseback.
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Over the past few years, a growing number of Michigan breweries have begun to distribute their products in cans instead of or in addition to bottles and draft. Nearly three dozen Michigan breweries now offer canned beer, with more than 150 different products in the marketplace. This is great news for Michigan golf course owners looking to support the local craft beer industry.
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Before they even opened the doors to Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids in 2015, owners Jon O’Connor and Kyle VanStrien knew they wanted to create a unique gin that would be a purely Michigan product.
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Traverse City has long been known as a recreational destination, with its 100-plus mile TART Trail system, the scenic Boardman River and the east and west arms of Grand Traverse Bay. In recent years, the region has also become a mecca for craft beverages like wine, beer, cider and spirits. It only makes sense that blending such activities would deliver a unique and exciting experience for locals and visitors alike.
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Just like his customers, Jason Thelen’s hand-crafted stand-up paddle boards are one-of-a-kind. Utilizing years of experience as a furniture maker, he launched Little Bay Boards in 2014 to introduce others to artistically-designed hollow wooden boards that are stronger, lighter and last longer than traditional foam boards.
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