Guest Blogger

A Family Camping Trip to Black Lake

April 17, 2013

Regardless of what type of experience you’re looking for, Michigan has no shortage of lakes and campgrounds to explore year-round. Today, guest blogger Philip Rudy tells us about his favorite family camping destination – Blake Lake State Forest Campground.

For a full listing of campgrounds across the state, visit michigan.org.

In my opinion, there are two types of camping in Michigan: There are the people that go to Higgins Lake with their RV and their TV and then there are people that pitch a tent out basically in the woods.

Not that there is anything wrong with the first type of camping – believe me, I have had my fair share of fun at Higgins Lake and it was a great time indeed. It is a great place to bring all of your friends for a fun, memorable weekend. There are a lot of people that come here from all over Michigan and you can meet tons of people from all over the state and make long lasting relationships.

Black Lake is located in Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties right at the top of the Lower Peninsula, and most people will find themselves driving through it if they chance to go to the Upper Peninsula. At this 9-mile long lake, you will find one of the most enjoyable places there is to go camping on the face of this earth (at least, in my opinion). There are tons of great things about this campsite, but here are the top three reasons that I think make this campground one of the best to go to in Michigan.

The Perfect Family Vacation

This place is somewhat secluded in the woods and for this reason there is a little bit more seclusion and more privacy – allowing you to have the perfect time with your family. It feels like you are a little bit more in the woods and you just get the “roughing it” feel.

This allows you to have large campfires, have the family dog around, cook whatever it was that you caught fishing that day, mess around with slingshots in the background and basically all sorts of things you wouldn’t be able to do at your typical campground in Michigan. It’s a great time to just sit around the campfire, come up with different recipes that make absolutely no sense until you eat them and talk about stories until the late hours of the night.

The Lake

The lake is absolutely gorgeous. It goes out for about 100 yards or more of crystal clear, waist deep water. And for how north this lake is, it really never gets too cold in the winter time. The beach is nice and sandy and it isn’t one of those lakes where you are walking on rocks 90% of the time. It is gentle on the feet, and once again a great place for lots of family fun.

The Fishing

If you are an angler, or if you are interested in going fishing in Michigan for the first time, then Black Lake offers the perfect spot to go fishing. The lake is filled with all different types of bass, pan fish, pike, walleye, and even sturgeon. There are boat rental docks all over the place up and down the shore, and you can get on a boat at a decent price any time of the week during the summer months.

There are also great fishing areas all around the Black Lake Area like Kleber Pond, which is great for fishing off the shoreline over lily pads.

I went to Black Lake many summers of my life in my childhood because my father would take my brother and I out there with our friends for a fun family vacation. I encourage others who enjoy camping and are looking for a more “roughing it” feel to go out and try it as well.

Philip Rudy is the owner of Michigan Wine Trail. He also helps run and maintain Spartan Hall of Fame Café as part of his day job. In his spare time he enjoys blogging and owns a plethora of online websites.

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Discover Holland During the 2013 Tulip Time Festival

April 11, 2013

in Cultural & Heritage,Events,Guest Blogger

More than 500,000 people from 40 countries travel to the Holland Tulip Time Festival each year. This year’s festival is happening May 4-11, 2013 and there will be plenty to experience – from parades and traditional Dutch Dance performances to concerts, theatre, food and more. And outside of the festival, there’s no shortage of sights to see and things to explore around the Holland area. If you’re looking for things to do while you’re in town, see our Q&A with Sally Laukitis of the Holland CVB below for inspiration.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your position at the Holland Convention and Visitors Bureau
A: I grew up in Holland, went away to college, and lived out of state for a few years…I’ve always loved Holland and wanted to get “back home”, so when the opportunity to move back presented itself, I jumped on it! I’ve been with the Holland CVB for 20 years, serving as Executive Director for 18. I truly feel like I have the best job in the world! (I also currently serve on the Michigan Travel Commission.)

Credit: Wei Xue Yuan

Q: What do you think makes Holland the perfect place to host the Tulip Time Festival?
A: Holland is a natural for Tulip Time! For starters we have over five million tulips; a 250 year-old authentic Dutch windmill that was brought over from the Netherlands, a Dutch-certified master miller working the mill; and a city that was founded by Dutch settlers in 1847. Our Dutch heritage runs deep, including many residents with ties to the Netherlands and visits by Dutch royalty nearly every decade since World War II. We have the only production blue-and-white Delftware factory in the US, and a community that loves to throw a party! Tulip Time boasts over 800 volunteers community-wide!

Q: What other fun events are happening in Holland this spring?
A: In addition to Tulip Time, we host a “GrooveWalk” April 20 with thirteen bands performing live in thirteen different restaurants, pubs, and other establishments throughout Downtown; Fiesta! – a celebration of our Latino heritage is May 3 & 4 with a lowrider show, great Mexican food and ethnic music; the Holland Farmer’s Market opens May 13 with all sorts of fresh produce, flowers, yard art, artisan baked goods, and in the summer special kids’ activities Wednesday mornings at 10 and the Chef Series Saturday mornings at 10; the Critter Barn offers a delightful family experience where folks of all ages can get “up close and personal” with ducks, goats, cows, and even a pot-bellied pig; and of course our Dutch attractions – Windmill Island Gardens, DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory and Veldheer Gardens are fun for all.

Windmill Island Gardens. Credit: Sara Simmons

Q: Can visitors experience Holland’s Dutch culture year-round?
A: The Dutch experience is alive and well all year! At the Holland Museum you can immerse yourself in over 150 years of our Dutch history, including the devastating fire of 1871 that destroyed most of the town, as well as the history of Tulip Time; Dutch architecture is evident throughout our award-winning downtown and in our historic district, and in late November/early December folks can enjoy Dutch WinterFest and the Holidays in Downtown Holland, including a European open-air Christmas market and the appearance of Sinterklaas, the Dutch St Nicholas arriving in Holland on his white horse, accompanied by his Zwarte Piet helpers. For year-round treasures and Dutch chocolates, the import shops at Dutch Village are the place to be!

Q: What are some of your favorite restaurants in the area?
A: There are lots of wonderful locally-owned restaurants in Holland! If you’re craving authentic Dutch food, the 4^th generation DeBoer’s Dutch Brothers Café and Bakkerij is sure to please; for family fun, try Crazy Horse Steak House for the best beef in town; if you want a romantic dinner overlooking the water, Piper is an excellent choice; for outdoor waterfront dining, Boatwerks, with its spacious deck is a great choice. And don’t forget Pereddies for a cozy Italian dinner.

Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off in Holland?
A: No matter what the weather, nothing beats a walk on the beach! The two-mile walk along the water’s edge between Holland State Park and Tunnel Park is fabulous any time of year! In the fall, I particularly like to climb to the top of Mt. Pisgah, a 157 foot sand dune that towers above Lake Michigan. It’s 230 steps to the top, with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa that is second to none. Once you reach the top, there’s a boardwalk that connects to the State Park ridge trails. And of course there is nothing more magnificent than a Lake Michigan sunset!

Tunnel Park Sunset. Credit: Dennis Geppert

Q: Where can people go for more information about things to do in the Holland area?
A: If folks are in town, they can stop by the Holland Visitors Bureau at 78 East 8^th Street in downtown Holland. Our mascot, Lucy the Pug, will be waiting to greet them! Online they can find us at www.holland.org, also accessible via their mobile device, or they can call us toll-free at 800.506.1299. No matter how people contact us, a warm Dutch “Welkom” awaits!

Will you be at Tulip Time in Holland? Let us know what you’re looking forward to seeing while in town!

Sally Laukitis is Executive Director of the Holland Area Visitors Bureau. She loves “everything Holland”, especially hanging out at the beach on a hot summer day.

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Explore Michigan’s Golf Courses This Summer

April 10, 2013

in Golf,Guest Blogger,Outdoors

Michigan offers a wide variety of golf courses with something for everyone. Offering over 800 public golf courses (plus the natural beauty of the state and the Great Lakes), Michigan is the perfect summer golf destination. With golf being one of the activities featured in the Pure Michigan summer video series, we spoke with Janina Parrott Jacobs to learn more about the sport.

See her in the video below and read more from Janina in the questions that follow. For more information on golfing in Michigan or to plan your summer vacation, visit michigan.org.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: I’m a lucky girl whose parents exposed me to everything, including golf. My amateur competitive ‘career’ began at age 9 and has taken me all over the world. In addition to my work as an international golf/travel/health writer, I own Capers Steakhouse in Detroit, am a professional musician, performer, and motivational speaker. I hosted ‘Michigan Golf Weekly’ TV show on CBS-Detroit, ‘GolfWrap’ on WJR, wrote golf columns for the Detroit Free Press, and have been a course ratings panelist for Golf Digest for 30 years. I’m an advocate for many organizations involved with mentoring youth, women’s golf, the U.S. Navy and other military, Sea Cadets, veterans’ affairs, and health and nutrition.

Q: What makes Michigan an ideal destination for golfing?

A: Michigan’s climate is perfect for growing golf courses so conditioning on almost anywhere is superb…..and great conditions are one of the main ‘must-haves’ when selecting places to play. With over 850 public and resort courses available, there is no state with a greater inventory to choose from, no matter what price point you seek. Due to Michigan’s varied topography, you can play links-style clubs, courses with major elevation changes, and layouts with lakeside vistas, even some with mountainous granite outcroppings. The golf season usually runs from March until November, but hardy souls play year-round – which some courses allow.

Q: What are some of your favorite courses around the state?

A: That’s a loaded question….there are so many! Here’s a partial list: Elk Ridge in Atlanta, Greywalls in Marquette, Forest Dunes in Roscommon, True North in Harbor Springs, The Bear near Traverse City, Tullymore and Bucks Run in Mt. Pleasant, Pilgrim’s Run in Pierson, Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, The Grande Golf Club in Jackson, Island Hills in Centerville, Shepherd’s Hollow in Clarkston, Pine Trace in Rochester Hills, and any course at Treetops (Gaylord), Shanty Creek (Mancelona), Gull Lake View (Augusta), Fox Hills (Plymouth), Lakewood Shores (Oscoda) or Boyne.

Q: Are there courses in Michigan that appeal to people of different ages and skill levels?

A: The Huron-Clinton Metroparks and most municipal and county courses are very family friendly, affordable, and welcoming for any age and skill level.

Q: When would you say is the best time of year to golf?

A: Fall golf in Michigan is unsurpassed. After Labor Day, the courses are in the best condition, the crowds have lessened and if you wait until October, the leaves are exploding with color. That, coupled with emerald green fairways, bright blue skies and bluer water on many courses along Great Lakes shores, makes for an artist’s palette sure to delight the eyes. I don’t know why play drops off so significantly at that time, though ‘back-to-school’ applies to parents as well as kids; still, golfers are missing the absolute best playing conditions and weather.

Q: The Masters is happening this month in Augusta, GA. Which golfers are you cheering for?

A: Defending champion Bubba Watson is a feel-good choice but probably won’t repeat. I’d love if he did because he’s simply an all-around nice guy with that go-for-broke style of Arnold Palmer and the late Seve Ballesteros. Rory McIlroy is due for a green jacket, but Tiger Woods has had an early taste of victory at Bay Hill so he’ll be hungering for another major after a ‘Major’ drought. Brandt ‘Sneds’ Snedeker, as winner of both the Tour Championship and Fed Ex Cup, is primed for a stellar 2013. Acclaimed as the best putter on tour, Augusta’s greens may prove to separate him from the pack. Nostalgic favorite Ernie Els, who has never won a Masters, and Phil Mickelson are popular with the patrons.

Q: Are there any tournaments coming up this year in Michigan?

A: Here’s where great golf can be seen around the state this year: the SYMETRA (LPGA preparatory Tour) 2013 Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass, June 28-30; Sweetgrass is both a Golf Digest and Golfweek top-rated course in the UP; the Michigan PGA Championship is at Katke-Cousins/R&S Sharf Courses at Oakland University August 19-21; the Michigan Amateur will be contested at Muskegon CC June 18-21; The Legends Tour (LPGA Senior Tour) ‘Wendy’s Charity Challenge’ on August 11-12 at CC of Jackson; the Women’s Amateur is at Walnut Hills CC in Lansing August 12-16; all are free to watch except at Sweetgrass, where affordable packages can be purchased at sweetgrassgolfclub.com.

Q: Where can people go to learn more about golf in Michigan?

A: Consider joining the Golf Association of Michigan at gam.org. Besides conducting amateur tournaments and events for both adults and juniors, GAM provides handicapping services, Swing-n-Save discounts, a ‘clearinghouse’ listing for charity golf events and associations, golf days with affordable access to private clubs, and much more.

Which Michigan golf course is your favorite? Share with us below!

Janina Parrott Jacobs is a lifelong Michigan resident but her passion as a multi-media golf and business specialist and international golf and travel writer takes her all over the world. Her website, www.janinajacobs.com, features many other entrepreneurial adventures as a motivational speaker, professional musician and performer, owning Capers Steakhouse in Detroit, and volunteer efforts with the U.S. Navy where she advocates for and mentors young people concerning health, nutrition, and fitness issues. Contact Janina at Jjacobs2456@gmail.com.

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The Ultimate List of Upper Peninsula Breweries

April 6, 2013

in Guest Blogger,Link Roundup

National Beer Day is Sunday, April 7! In celebration, we asked Jesse Land of the travel site “Things to do in the U.P.” to share a roundup of Upper Peninsula-based breweries. Let us know in the comments section below if you have a favorite U.P. brewery!

Did you know that the Upper Peninsula has thirteen breweries? From Brickside Brewery at the tip of the Keweenaw to Soo Brewing in the eastern U.P., breweries have been opening up (and sticking around) regularly over the past few years.

Following is a full list of all the fully operational breweries in the U.P., as well as one bonus location I don’t want you to miss.

Brickside Brewery
64 Gratiot St.
Copper Harbor, MI 49918
(906) 289-4772

Funded in part by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Brickside opened its doors in 2012 and makes a terrific addition to Michigan’s northernmost town.

Red Jacket Brewing Co.
300 Sixth St.
Calumet, MI 49913
(906) 337-1910

Part of the Michigan House Café, Red Jacket Brewing serves several beers at the Michigan House as well as a wide variety of other beer. Historic charm and excellent food make this a great stop for lunch or dinner.

The Library Brew Pub
62 Isle Royale St.
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 487-5882

Known for their killer pizza, the Library Brew Pub also boasts a nice selection of excellent beer and a great view of the Portage Canal waterway.

Keweenaw Brewing Company
408 Shelden Ave.
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 482-5596

The U.P.’s largest brewer by far, “KBC” beer is distributed across Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The KCBC tap room in downtown Houghton features two bars, a lounge area, fireplace, free wifi and outdoor seating.

Jasper Ridge Brewery
1075 Country Lane
Ishpeming, MI 49849
(906) 485-6017

Jasper Ridge in Ishpeming is a sports friendly brewpub and restaurant. I wouldn’t call it a sports bar, but their lounge area is definitely a good spot to have a burger and a craft beer while watching “the game.”

The Vierling
No. 119 South Front
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-3533

The Veirling is a fixture in Marquette. It’s known as much for its excellent food and cool, historic atmosphere as it is for is beer. And it’s also just two blocks away from the equally historic Landmark Inn.

Blackrocks Brewery
424 N 3rd St.
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 273-1333

Just a short walk away from The Vierling, Blackrocks is located in a converted house. The owners have done an excellent job with the space and it’s become one of Marquette’s most popular watering holes for good reason. Blackrocks also features live music Sunday through Thursday.

Ore Dock Brewing Co.
114 Spring St.
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-8888

Marquette’s newest brewery is another wonderful addition to the town. With a sharp focus on sustainable building materials, local community, and Belgian beers, Ore Dock is loved by locals and tourists alike. The Ore Dock is within easy walking distance of both Blackrocks and The Vierling.

Hereford & Hops
624 Ludington St.
Escanaba, MI 49829
(906) 789-1945

Hereford and Hops is “grill your own steak” type restaurant and brewery in Escanaba. They always have a variety of beer on tap and feature seasonal favorites throughout the year.

Shooters Firehouse Restaurant & Lounge
408 Mill St.
Munising, MI 49862
(906) 387-3540

Shooters is an established restaurant and bar in Munising that just started serving their own craft beer a few weeks ago. They have five different types of beer on tap and many more varieties ready to serve.

Lake Superior Brewing Co.
N14283 Lake Ave.
Grand Marais, MI 49839
(906) 494-2337

Lake Superior Brewing in Grand Marais is an idyllic little place in an idyllic little town. With much talked about pizza and favorites like their garlic parmesan popcorn or scotch eggs, this establishment could get by just fine without it’s own beer. But add a nice selection of craft brews to the mix and this definitely becomes a must try brewery.

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery
Upper Tahquamenon Falls
Newberry, MI 49868
(906) 492-3300

Built to resemble an old logging camp, the food here is widely accepted as being better than average and the beer is some of the best I’ve had in the U.P. I’ve yet to hear anything other than great things about this brewery from anyone, and I’ve asked a lot of people! It’s located just off the parking area for upper Tahquamenon Falls.

Soo Brewing
223 W Portage Ave
Sault, MI 49783
(906) 632-4400

Another fairly recent addition to the list of Upper Peninsula breweries, Soo Brewing brought craft beer back to the Soo. I haven’t been here yet myself, but the feedback I’ve heard is that the beer is good and the space is comfortable.

The Fitz
5033 Front St.
Eagle River, MI 49950
(906) 337-0666

I’m giving The Fitz in Eagle River an honorable mention here, and if you visit the place I’m sure you’ll agree with me. With over 100 different beers available, most only found in bigger cities, The Fitz should be on any beer lover’s radar. These guys know their beer.

That’s it for now, folks. I hope to see an Upper Peninsula beer tour in your future!

A native Yooper, Jesse Land lives in Iron Mountain and enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and camping with his family. He runs the U.P. travel site “Things to do in the U.P.” (www.thingstodointheup.com).

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Hit the Michigan Slopes this Spring Break

March 27, 2013

in Guest Blogger,Outdoors,Snowsports

Photo courtesy of Crystal Mountain Resort

With most school spring breaks coming early this year, the recent cool temperatures and lake-effect snowfall, it turns out that Michigan is the ideal place for a spring break ski vacation.

Mickey MacWillliams, executive director of the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, fills us in on spring skiing in Pure Michigan.

Mother Nature was a little late this winter, but once she provided us with cold weather and snow, she just didn’t stop! What makes this ideal is that spring break for most schools is early this year and that means families can take advantage of unprecedented snow conditions right now, right here in Michigan.

Plus, to entice folks to ski instead of fleeing to warmer climates, our ski areas are offering great discounts and special events. I encourage skiers to check MSIA’s website at goskimichigan.com and click on the “News, Events, Specials & Discounts” button, which is updated almost daily. Here is a link to that page.

Many Michigan ski areas are still open, but it’s always best to check before heading out to be sure. The following ski areas are either open now, or will be open on the weekends:

Upper Peninsula

Big Powderhorn, Bessemer
Blackjack, Bessemer
Indianhead Mountain, Wakefield
Marquette Mountain, Marquette
Mont Ripley, Houghton
Mt. Bohemia, Lac La Belle
Pine Mountain, Iron Mountain
Porcupine Mountain, Ontonagon
Ski Brule, Iron River

Lower Peninsula

Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs (possibly April 6-7)
Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls
Caberfae Peaks, Cadillac
Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville
Cross-Country Ski Headquarters, Roscommon
Nubs Nob, Harbor Springs
Pando Winter Sports Park, Rockford
Pine Knob, Clarkston
Shanty Creek, Bellaire

Will you be hitting the slopes this spring?

Mickey MacWillliams is the executive director of the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association. To learn more about skiing in Michigan, visit goskimichigan.com or michigan.org.