Pure Michigan Travel - Deals Highlights

Dogsledding in the U.P.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:32:02 GMT

For Christmas last year, I bought my partner Brad “experiences”. One of the experiences was an overnight winter camping dog sledding adventure from Nature’s Kennel in the U.P. We made our reservations for 3/3/08. We arrived at Nature’s Kennel on Tuesday at 9:00 and met Tasha (the owner), Bouie & Joe (our guides) and Art & Pat, fellow-mushers from Chicago. Bouie & Joe served us breakfast (banana pancakes, sausage, fruit & juice). We then bundled up in our gear and headed out to meet the dogs. Bouie, our 24-year old wild-eyed Southern guide, introduced us to our dogs and taught us the basics. My favorite dog was Honeycomb, a golden female who loved to shake and give warm, wet kisses. This was Bouie’s last tour for the season before heading to Texas to be with his girlfriend. He spends his summers as a tour guide on Caribbean sailing ships. He has a great respect and connection to Mother Nature, the dogs and the art of dog sledding. He said “I can’t even call this a job – with the great outdoors as my office and the dogs as my co-workers, it doesn’t get any better.” My motto for the adventure was “Be like Bouie”. After we spent time learning to harness the dogs, getting advice and taking a 2-mile trial run, we went back in for lunch (soup, sandwiches & warm cookies). We then made our “Hobo Packets” to take with us for dinner. These were meatballs, veggies, spices and sauces wrapped in aluminum foil. I found my hiking boots were not going to be warm enough, so Bouie found a pair of size 8 boots rated for -40 degrees. Bouie made the dog team lists and included Honeycomb as one of my leaders. We then bundled up, hitched the dogs and we were off. With Bouie leading the way, Brad and I set off for our 20 mile, three hour dog sledding adventure. With the sun streaming through the trees, we followed the trails through the woods to our camp. Even though it is very exhilarating, the sights and sounds of the trip were also very peaceful at the same time -- the gentle thuds of paws in the snow, the wisps of frozen dog breath wafting through the air and the crisp sound of the sleds gliding the trails. This was twice interrupted early on when I fell off the sled (sharp turns and bumpy moguls). But after learning to lower my sense of gravity, lean into the turns and heed Bouie’s encouraging advice, I could comfortably navigate the twists and turns of the trail. In no time we arrived at camp, bedded and fed the dogs, enjoyed a hot chocolate “Cuddler” and heated our “Hobo Packets” over the campfire. After eating, Tasha came out to the camp and joined us at the fire. We shared stories and laughs. At about 9:30 we found a bunk in the warmed tent and settled into our sleeping bags for the night. The next morning we had breakfast (hot oatmeal, corned beef hash, hot chocolate and coffee). We packed up camp, harnessed the dogs and made our trip back to base to more warm cookies.

‘Tis the Season for a Deal

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:58:22 GMT

There's no place like Michigan for great getaways and no place better for great deals. Our michigan.org deals will provide you details about the latest attraction, resort and hotel deals and discounts in Michigan year round. Are you looking for that last-minute Michigan weekend escape? You’ll find it at michigan.org. This winter, check us out for bargains on dining discounts, snowsports deals, spa packages and sporting getaways. Find the perfect package to save money for the day or to help extend your stay at a Pure Michigan destination.

Our deals and discounts page has seasonal packages for everything from casinos to theater, and from romantic getaways for twosomes to ski packages for the whole family. Be sure to click on our monthly e-specials for the most up-to-date deals available.

Pure Michigan Thanksgiving Traditions

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:27:04 GMT

The joyful holiday season kicks off the weekend before Thanksgiving with lively parades, colorful lighting displays, sales and bargains to launch the gift shopping season, and a month-long series of festive events in big cities and picturesque small towns across the state.

Everyone Loves a Parade

Santa will be busy making Thanksgiving weekend appearances across Michigan. Make sure to find out where and when to join in the holiday festivities. >more

Gift Wrapped Fun

Head out early to snag bargains and revel in the holiday spirit. Shoppers will enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays throughout the remainder of the season. >more

Seasonal Glow

The season sparkles with entertainment and enjoyment. Check out these lightshows and displays. >more

Festive Events

Many of Michigan’s museums also participate in the festivities as they host holiday related exhibits and events. >more

Take Off for Turkey Time

Many restaurants and hotels offer special rates and packages to make it easy to treat yourself to a holiday getaway in Michigan. >more

Deer Widows Weekend

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:34:53 GMT

Weekend Deals

Grab the girlfriends and get pampered. Enjoy spa treatments or an evening out, at a reasonable price with these deals. >more

For Scrapbooking and Shopping Divas

Engage in a hunt of your own, with a target of money-saving bargains. Or plan for a weekend of memory saving as you enjoy the scrapbooking weekend. >more

Plenty to See and Do

From shows to wine tastings and art exhibits there is something for everyone. >more

Michigan in the Fall

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:31:24 GMT

I was driving my daughter up North this past weekend and she said something that I thought was a great observation. She said "Dad, Michigan in the Fall is like nature's tie-die." I thought that was a great line and it made me think of all the great advertisements you have created to promote Michigan. Keep up the good work! Michigan is truly a great state to live, work and raise a family.

Fall in love, Michigan

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:01:34 GMT

This is my new blog where my husband and I are exploring Michigan and it's beauty as newlyweds. Tuesday October 20, 2009, I got to share in my husband's 23rd birthday with him this past weekend. Being high school sweethearts we have spent previous birthdays together celebrating. This year was special because I got to celebrate with my HUSBAND! We celebrated by going back to beautiful northern Michigan where Steve proposed to me the same weekend, a year prior. So take some tips away guys...: ) Steve had borrowed a GPS and insisted that I could not know where we were going for our weekend road trip, I was advised to dress warm though! I assumed we would of course stay close, in Michigan, but there are so many great places I had considered that we might be headed to! Where do you think he took me when we left from Grand Rapids??? The drive was especially beautiful because the fall colors were in peak last October! After a few hours we were near Traverse City. Once I realized where we were, he took me to a nature trail on a small lake outside of Traverse City. We unpacked our picnic blanket under a thick woods of tall trees with beautiful rays of light shining down on us. Next, we headed up to the Leelanau Peninsula where he took me to an amazing wine trail ( we were both 21 and excited to be able to partake!) Not only were most of them free to taste (being cheap college students) but the views of vineyards and the surrounding water was gorgeous. There were so many to visit we didn't even see them all! Our favorite winery became Leelanau Cellars which allowed us to try as many tastings as we wanted as we overlooked the beautiful bay in Omena, MI. Needless to say we bought a bottle of Baco Noir to celebrate next year. It's already been a year and again we traveled North this year to celebrate my husband's birthday and one year since his proposal! Oh right, how he proposed!! ... After being bundled up for beautiful Michigan fall weather, wine tasting, and picnics (with our special picnic backpack- an essential for travel!), we hiked along a trail in Northport, MI ( I'm not a hiker, so these were short trails fortunately) to a beautiful overlook where he bent down on one knee! He was brave because he had never been to that sight before but in northern Michigan EVERYTHING is so pretty! Following his proposal just before the sun was about to set we headed to a nearby lighthouse in the state park down the road where we continued to celebrate his proposal with a gorgeous sunset! The only complaint would be the terrible phone service up north, although by then everyone had already known that I would have a fiance when I arrived home I think ( Steve got excited) ! Next, off to Grandma's house in Northport to stay for the night... Traveling is even better when you have family and friends to visit and adventure through life with. More to come on our most recent adventure Up North in celebration of hubby's 23rd birthday! I love road trips in Michigan, the spectacular views are enough to make for cheap entertainment!!

Fabulous Mackinac Island Fall Weekend!

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:28:02 GMT

It was mid-October and my wife's birthday. So our friends (Beth & Roger) and I treated ourselves to a wonderful weekend on Mackinac Island--and a stay at the fabulous Grand Hotel. My wife had been to the island before, but never stayed at The Grand. Certainly, we worried about what the weather would be like, but it turned out to be a terrific Fall weekend on the island--temperatures in the high 50's and no rain. We got to the Shepler Ferry docks in Mackinaw City about 11 am on Friday and bought our tickets for the 11:30 am ferry to the island. Of course, we used Shepler's valet parking, which is well-worth the slight extra charge (note: the Welcome Center in Mackinaw gave me a $3 off coupon, which helped, too). The 15-17 minute ferry ride across the straits was smooth and fast (and no we didn't venture up on the top open deck--though some younger riders did). On the island, the Grand picked up our luggage and we decided to sign up for the 1-1/2-hr Mackinac Island Carriage Tour of the island--it was a great ride around the island and our carriage driver was very knowledgeable about all of the sights that we came across. Don't miss taking a carriage tour, it's well-worth the $24 cost. After the tour, we strolled up the hill to The Grand Hotel to check in. The Grand is definitely an inspiring site as you approach. Check in went smoothly and we were in rooms 196E and 198E, each with little balconies overlooking the Jewel golf course and the wide street leading up to the Grand. As is the Grand's tradition, dinner and breakfast is included in every room rate. Everyone dresses for dinner and this weekend was extra special because it was Big Band weekend. After our wonderful dinner, we went to the ballroom to listen to the band and watch some of the "professional" ballroom dancers. None of the "Dancing with the Stars" performers had anything on some of the couples at the Grand--which was a little intimidating to my wife and I (we promised ourselves to take lessons in the coming year). Oh well, I could go on and on about the Island and the Grand, I'll just summarize by saying that the ladies went shopping (big discounts at end of season) and the guys played 9 holes of golf on the beautiful Jewel golf course. Absolutely, a terrific Fall getaway weekend -- except that both MSU and UM lost their football games that Saturday--which we watched on big plasma screens at the Grand's Gatehouse restaurant. WOW...I impressed my wife with this weekend gift--I impressed Beth & Roger with the whole idea--and I got to see beautiful scenery, eat delicious meals, take great Fall photos--and play golf on top of everything. My only regret...I didn't sign up for the next weekend, which was the Grand's "Somewhere in Time" weekend and my fantasy date, Jane Seymore, was scheduled to make an appearance :>}