Larry Bell was born and raised in Chicago, and while he still maintains a presence there (and is a diehard Cubs fan), he has an obvious sweet spot in his heart for Pure Michigan.
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When I was invited back in October 2014 to cover the Bell’s Bayview to Mackinac Yacht Race, it was an honor to accept. Having minimal experience with sailing or sailboat racing (even as a spectator), I thought it was an exciting opportunity to learn about something new that has a long-standing history in Michigan.
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One of the things on my 2015 “Bucket List” was to make beer at Saugatuck Brewing Company! Back in March and April, I had the opportunity to do just that—along with my daughter, Mollie; her friend, Kailey; the notable musician Delilah DeWylde and her friend Natalie Biddle.
Our finished product: Borealis Blonde (named because I now am finally able to see the Northern Lights where I live and, well…I’m blonde!).
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The year was 1915. World War I was underway; Henry Ford was rolling Tin Lizzies off the assembly line; prohibition had yet to be put into law; the Detroit Tigers won a then club-record 100 games, yet narrowly lost the American League pennant to the Boston Red Sox; and five Detroit men each slapped down $14 on a table to launch the Bayview Yacht Club.
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One evening last fall I was invited to have dinner at the quaint Glen Lake summer cottage of two dear friends (and fellow lovers of Michigan travel and tourism memorabilia), Chris Byron and Tom Wilson, award-winning authors of the Vintage Views series of books.
I’ve written about them before and consider them to be among the most inspiring mentors in my life.
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It is outdoor dining season and you’re invited to gather with family and friends on the patio outside Winston’s Pub at Schuler’s Restaurant in historic Marshall.
The 700-square-foot patio features a generous outdoor grilling space, along with 34 seats for guests stretching out along Eagle Street.
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Six years after Jeffries’ coveted beers inspired both Jolly Pumpkin Café and Brewery in Ann Arbor and Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales brewery in Traverse City, Detroit will welcome a new concept centered around the widely-known brand.
The location will feature 5,000 square feet dedicated to artisanal concept that fuels Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales.
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After moving to the “country” last March, I began paying closer attention to the birds that were flying around the yard visiting the feeders and eating off the trees and other plants. I was googling birds (looking for not only photos, but also sounds).
Not being able to identify many birds beyond the robin, cardinal (male and female) and bluejay, I quickly invested in “Birds of Michigan” field guide by Stan Tekiela, and began marking pages with post-it notes as I observed and identified different species.
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Have you heard? Michigan is The Great Beer State, and with good reason! Currently, the Michigan Brewers Guild represents 150 member breweries (and counting) throughout the state’s two peninsulas (and ranking Michigan #5 nationally for the overall number of breweries per state).
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Michigan is home to more lighthouses than any other state, at nearly 120. Dating back to the early 1800s, these towering beacons protected the often dangerous shorelines and aided ships of all shapes and sizes as they made their way through the freshwaters of the Great Lakes. Those who were charged with staffi ng these lights played a pivotal role in the state’s maritime history and their stories linger on for generations interested in the romance of life by the inland seas.
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The east shore of Lake Michigan, which stretches from Berrien County north to the Straits of Mackinac, is the largest freshwater dune system in the world. With towering sands that rise several hundred feet above the lake, there are countless locales to soak up the sun during the day and then watch it set across the western horizon as night falls.
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Boone’s is synonymous with BIG. Big food portions…big open dining spaces…big outdoor deck with live entertainment on weekends…and a dedicated, long-time-serving staff big on hospitality!
This legendary restaurant serves up the finest seafood, steaks and prime rib, earning them the distinction as one of northern Michigan’s landmark destination eateries.
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In the land of Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey Stones, Ernest Hemingway and the Underwater Crucifix. Last March, I made a long-time dream of moving to Northern Michigan a reality when I relocated to Traverse City (just north of Lake Ann). On March 28, I made the move further north to the charming community of Petoskey, about five miles north of town on the 333-acre Round Lake…to The Write House on Round Lake, to be more specific.
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