Featured Blog Posts – June 2010 Archive (28)

I was born in Sault Ste. Marie of the Upper Peninsula, so technically I’m only a “troll” by naturalization. My family left the land of “aboot” and “eh” when I was eight; however I’ve never lost my Yooper influences. The Upper Peninsula stays with you long after the shore of Superior can no longer be seen in the

rear view mirror.

The U.P. was an adventure that became a lifelong love. The cold, turbulent waters

of Lake Superior…

Ha! After an afternoon of hiking the woods of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in search of Showy Lady's Slippers without success,I got some additional direction and found my reward.

In fact, this little-used unofficial trail near Good Harbor Bay was like walking through a garden. Not only did I find a big patch of these orchids, but also some Tufted Loosestrife and several other unusual…

The Glen Arbor Art Association sponsored a concert by Three Men and a Tenor at the historic Thoreson Farm in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District of Sleeping Bear Dunes tonight. The farm was a terrific place for families and friends to enjoy the beautiful setting under clear skies with…

Summer’s here, and when we’re lucky, the days unwind lazily. Cool lake breezes provide the air conditioning. Glorious shades of blue, where Lake Michigan gets lost in crystal clear skies, are most appreciated when toasted with a taste of local wine.



In this little slice of heaven, wine tasting rooms dot Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula. July also brings the National Cherry Festival, and for wine and food lovers, a must-attend is…

The TC Coop Loop was a blast! My daughter and I biked the tour following the chalk chicken footprints along the way.

At each stop we…

Kayaking on Bower's Harbor, on the way to Power Island for a gourmet picnic with Michael Gray, kayak guide. (Yes, actually, this is as good as it gets.)

Sunday morning started gray but calm and soon brightened on our way to Power Island, in West Grand Traverse Bay. Michael Gray, of Uncommon…

Piping plover, an endangered bird species that makes it’s home in the Great Lakes, nests in a few places in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Each year volunteers and park staff monitor the birds and put up enclosures to protect the nests from predators. I know a lot of people are…

Beware the Bears! Are there bears in Sleeping Bear Dunes? Yes – and not just the Mother Bear Dune or the baby bear Manitou Islands. Real bears roam the wilderness at Sleeping Bear Dunes. This past week, there have been several reports of bear sightings in the southern part of the park around the Platte River or Otter Creek areas!…

My new used bike.

I have biking on my brain, here's why.

I'm editing a piece about Traverse City's Susan Vigland, (written by Kandace Chapple) who is currently the No. 1 road bike racer in the state despite being (hope she doesn't mind this) 41 -- that is some super…