The Lake in Winter
by Jerry Dennis

(January, Cathead Point, near the tip of Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula)

It changes every day, every hour. It is a thousand lakes, changing faces with every shift in wind and light - flurried by offshore wind, whitecapped in squalls, colored flannel gray or pearl-white or stormy black beneath the winter clouds, a dozen blues when the sky is blue.

There’s a contemporary Japanese poet who writes a diary on a slab of stone instead of paper, with water instead of ink. He writes a word, and a moment later it evaporates. This, he suggests, is the true record of a life.

We go to the shore in search of elemental things. Probably it is just coincidence that the elemental things we find there - sand, sun, wind, and waves - correspond exactly to the four elements of the ancient Greeks and Hindus: earth, fire, air, and water. More to the point is that we need elemental things to help us restore our primitive senses to working condition. We need periodically to look, listen, scent, taste, and feel our way through the world, if only for the relief of not having to think our way through. Everyone understands that eliminating superfluities can help us discover what is important in our lives.

That’s not an easy task. Time coats us in natural increase, accruing layers as if we were snowballs rolling down a hill. Jobs, families, friends, houses, cars, dogs, our health – just maintaining it all is full-time work. Add the bulging files of information, the gunnysacks of mistakes and the duffels of misjudgments and the barrow-loads of memories, habits, regrets, opinions, prejudices, principles, laws, and codes collected in a lifetime and you can see the problem. We carry as much as we can, and the rest we stack around us until all our routes to the outside are blocked. Even when we find our way out we’re wearing too many layers of tuxedoes and zoot suits and cardigans, Icelandic woolens, parkas, longjohns, thermal socks, etc. We’re strong but we grow weary of lugging that Collyer-brothers’ accumulation everywhere we go. We bend beneath the load, our backs about to break, groaning as we push our heaped-up grocery carts through the streets.

It’s too much. Now and then we need to strip down to the naked flame at our core. Most of what we carry is baggage anyway - just adornment and vanity, ballast and deadweight. It’s the crap the pioneers threw out along the Oregon Trail.

After lunch I walked to the crest of the dune and looked out at the lake. Even from that small elevation, maybe fifty feet, the water’s clarity was startling. From a boat, on a day like this, with the sun overhead, you can lean over the side and see boulders on the bottom thirty feet down. The pale shallows stepped into blue depths. The offshore sandbars were there, a hundred yards apart, each deeper than the one before, with bands of increasingly darker blue between them. Beyond the last bar a steep drop-off into very deep water turned the lake midnight blue.

Lake Michigan. My lake, I often think, because I grew up near it and because many in my family settled along its shores. So much water, in a body so large they say that the Netherlands could fit inside, with enough room left over for several New England states. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes in volume, and third, after Superior and Huron, in surface area. It is the only one of the five to be contained entirely within the United States.

Most of the 1,640 miles of shore is sandy. Some of that shore, especially around the southern end, through Indiana and Illinois, is lined with industry. Around the top of the lake in Wisconsin and Michigan are scattered limestone bluffs and rocky strands. But most of the rest is blond sand beaches that are among the loveliest in North America. Wind, waves, and ice have shoved that sand into the most extensive network of freshwater dunes on the planet. They reach their apogee about thirty miles south of Cathead Point at Sleeping Bear Dunes, the crowning feature of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, but they extend nearly unbroken for 300 miles along the eastern and southern shores of the lake, from northern Michigan nearly to Chicago. A few scattered dunes are found also along the Wisconsin shore and at the top of the lake, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but they lack the dimensions of those that face the prevailing winds.

A friend who lives part of every year in the West once told me that Lake Michigan plays the same role in the Midwest that the mountains do in Montana. That’s true for all five lakes. Like the Rockies, you can see them from miles away, forming a backdrop that is also a felt presence, always there, looming in our lives. They are depositories of geological and historical power that shape the land and the culture to themselves. We orient to them and are drawn to them and take for granted that their presence and the weather they create will affect our travels and alter our daily plans.

The lakes have always been the most prominent shaper of the character or “spirit” of the Great Lakes region. The stronger the spirit of a place, the farther it resonates beyond its borders. Alaska, Texas, Vermont, and Maine all have it in abundance. So do large geographical regions such as Appalachia, the Canadian Maritimes, and the Cajun country of Louisiana. A mythological portrait of a place needs to be only approximately accurate to give outsiders an idea of what it is like, or enough of an idea, at least, to inspire them to take some interest in it. That might explain in part why people who have never visited the Everglades or the Arctic Wildlife Refuge are willing to write letters to congressmen and donate money to protect them.

The Great Lakes have not had that advantage. Their mythology is not clearly defined. It was once very clear, a living mythology, inhabited by people, wolf, moose, and bear, but the stories that passed around campfires for thousands of years were drowned out by European invaders wielding their own stories of Jesuit martyrs, French voyageurs, Paul Bunyans of the logging camps, mariners of the inland seas, and up-by-the-bootstraps giants of industry. Most of those stories have now, in turn, lost their power and have not been replaced. Enduring mythologies tend to accrue to dominate features of a landscape. Louisiana has swamps; New England, hardscrabble hills; Montana, big sky. But the Great Lakes are too varied. No representative image fits. The water and dunes and rocks and cities on the shore are lost in a haze of homogeneity. Surely that is why those who have never stood beside the big lakes find it so difficult to imagine them.

Excerpted from The Windward Shore: A Winter on the Great Lakes, by Jerry Dennis. Used with permission of the author and The University of Michigan Press. Visit Jerry’s website at www.jerrydennis.net. Here's a cool trailer for the book that Jerry's son videographer Aaron Dennis made that you will enjoy as well!

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Collectively Falling - Bond Falls by Aaron C. Jors

The Department of Natural Resources announced today that Michigan state parks and recreation areas have won the 2011 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Gold Medal for the top state park system in the nation. The DNR was notified today by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and NRPA.

Michigan was named one of four finalists in May, and beat North Carolina, Florida and Missouri for the top honor.

"This award is a credit to the people of Michigan," said Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who recently appointed a blue-ribbon panel to guide the parks system into the future. "For more than 90 years, Michiganders have realized that these unique areas are an integral part of the cultural enhancement, economic enrichment and overall quality of life that we value. Our parks are what we make of them and the people of this state clearly prize these treasures. I commend the DNR for its outstanding stewardship of these resources and look forward to working with all stakeholders so that we have a parks system that serves our state and its visitors for generations to come."

The Gold Medal Award honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and agency recognition. Each agency is judged on its ability to address the needs of those it serves through the collective energies of citizens, staff, and elected officials.

"We are very proud to receive this award, and I want to recognize the employees of the Parks and Recreation Division who have worked hard to make sure our 99 state parks and recreation areas remain excellent places for our citizens and visitors to experience Michigan's abundant and amazing natural resources," said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. "This is the result of teamwork, talent and vision that is aimed at protecting our special places, and also making sure that visitors have an enjoyable, high quality experience."

In its winning application, the DNR focused on innovation, such as the Recreation Passport, which is the new funding model for state parks and outdoor recreation in Michigan. The $10 optional fee that Michigan residents can pay when renewing their vehicle registration at the Secretary of State gives them annual access to all Michigan state parks and boating access sites and also supports state forest recreation programs. A portion of the funding also supports a grant program for local parks.

"This achievement is indicative of the tremendous staff who works in the Parks and Recreation Division, who strive for excellent customer service every day to provide a positive experience for our customers," said DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson.

Michigan is home to 99 state parks and recreation areas, offering visitors more than 13,000 campsites, trails, access to inland lakes, rivers and the Great Lakes.

For more information on state parks in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/stateparks.

And for even more, check out the Absolute Michigan Parks section!

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october day by PepOmint

A sampling of Michigan festivals & events for the month of October. As usual, there's no way we'll get them all, so please add links and information about those we've missed (or reviews of ones we have here) in the comments below. Don't forget that one of Michigan's big attractions is fall color touring - click that link for tours and photos from Absolute Michigan!

Quotes

"How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days."
- John Burroughs

"October's poplars are flaming torches
lighting the way to winter."
- Nova Bair

"On the motionless branches of some trees, autumn berries hung like clusters of coral beads,
as in those fabled orchards where the fruits were jewels . . ."
- Charles Dickens

"I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand, shadowless like Silence, listening
To Silence."
- Thomas Hood

Fast Facts - Wikipedia

• October's birthstone is the opal. The opal is thought to have the power to predict illness. This is because the opal responds to heat. If you are sick your temperature increases before signs of illness appear. The increased body heat causes the opal to loose its shine, leaving it dull and lacking color. It is also said that the opal will crack if it is worn by someone who was not born in October.
• Its birth flower is the calendula.

Things to Do and Places to Go

Be sure to also check out the Absolute Michigan Calendar for even more Michigan events, October Events from the Pure Michigan blog, and the Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events from the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association.

through October 9
ArtPrize - Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids' radically open art competition awards the world's largest art prize and transforms the city into an amazing canvas for creation. Part arts festival, part social experiment - this international art contest is decided solely on a public vote. Art is the focus of the competition, but the main event is community. Artists take over the city, visitors explore and new relationships form. This event has Absolute Michigan's highest rating and is not to be missed!

Thru October 30
Chrysanthemums & More - Grand Rapids
This annual celebration of autumn at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park highlights thousands of flowering chrysanthemums in both interior and exterior venues. New this year, a spectacular display in the Seasonal Display Greenhouse features vertical columns four to six feet high. The redesigned and renamed Chrysanthemums and More! exhibition (formerly called ColorFall) is the largest display of its kind in Michigan.

Saturdays and Sundays in October
The Famous Pumpkin Train - Coopersville & Marne Railway
Saturdays and Sundays in October passengers are entertained with music, jokes, songs and dance written especially for the youngest riders and performed by The Great Pumpkin, Scarecrow and Little Crow.

September 30 - October 1
The Red Flannel Festival - Cedar Springs
The Red Flannel Festival is held the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October, attracting between 30 and 40 thousand visitors. The first “RED FLANNEL DAY” was held in the fall of 1939. The love, pride and support of the community has kept the rich tradition alive! It has continued to be an annual event for 71 YEARS, making it the 15th oldest festival in the State of Michigan!

September 30 - October 2
Scarecrow Festival - Trenton
The Trenton Scarecrow Festival is one of the best of its kind in the Southeast Michigan area. It is a family fall festival for all ages featuring a Scarecrow Contest, Dog Costume contest, children's area with games/rides, a carnival, local and national musical acts, a karaoke Scarecrow Idol contest, and many other events.

October 2
Oktoberfest - Douglas
Beery Field in Douglas, while it's not Germany, it does have a festive atmosphere with beer, brats, prizes galore, parade, 35 piece German Band, Strudel Meisters 12 piece band, Kinderplatz kids games, games for grownups, and Best Dressed Herr & Fraulein Competition and lots more from noon to 8 PM.

October 1-2 & 8-9
Benzie County Fallfest - Benzie
Enjoy a scenic chair lift ride, taste the great soups in the Fall Soup Contest, get your "once a year chance" to get a piece of Cherry Hut's apple cinnamon pie, watch the pumpkin carving of Ed Moody and Pat Harrison the "Lord of Gourd" Carvings, all kinds of kids & family fun, pumpkin launching abd giant pumpkin weigh off and car drop! Enjoy the parade, or canoe or kayak while enjoying the beautiful colors of Fall!

October 2 - 8
Blue Water Film Festival - Port Huron
Each year the Blue Water Film Festival selects films from the State of Michigan and the Sarnia/Lambton area that represent the best in quality and performance, are visually stunning, thought-provoking and compelling to an audience.

October 6
Marquette Art Stroll - Marquette
Downtown Marquette & the Third Street Village offer an evening of art, entertainment, and exploration. Shops, restaurants, and galleries feature local artists, complimentary hors d oeuvres, and beverages.

October 6-9
Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival - Alpena
The four day event provides activities for the young and old including lighthouse tours (aerial, boat or personal vehicle), entertainment, and vendors. The 2011 festival features tours, talks from noted Great Lakes lighthouse experts including noted author & photographer Terry Pepper and boasts over 100 maritime related vendors including lighthouse preservation groups, artists, authors and more.

October 6 - 8
Pumpkinfest - Zeeland
The Zeeland Pumpkinfes is a family festival featuring very cost-effective and FREE activities, games and events to be enjoyed by all ages including a chili cook off, 5k and fun run, pet contest, costume contest, pumpkin hunt and the Pumpkinfest bake-off.

October 7 - 9
Color Cruise & Island Festival - Grand Ledge
See the fall colors and 60 foot sandstone ledges on the Grand River from the Princess Laura riverboat or rent a canoe. You can also take a trip back in time with an old-fashioned covered wagon ride, demonstrations of black kettle caramel corn, apple cider pressing, blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, wood carving and other old time activities. Visit a fur trader encampment, enjoy good food and live entertainment and take a covered wagon or boat ride. Children can visit the petting zoo, paint a pumpkin or dip a candle for a small fee.

October 7 - 9
Sandhill Crane & Art Festival - Baker Sanctuary
More than 6,000 cranes are expected to greet more than 5,000 CraneFest visitors again this year. With autumn color predicted to be near its peak the same weekend, everyone should consider making CraneFest 2010 part of their fall color tour.

October 8
New Buffalo Harvest and Wine Fest - New Buffalo
Join your favorite local wineries and microbrews at New Buffalo's Lions Park for some harvest time fun. Celebrate the season's harvest with a Farmers Market, wine tasting, cuisine, and live music. Bring the kids for hayrides through town and pumpkin painting. $5 suggested donation benefits local charities.

October 8
Leif Erikson Viking Days Fall Festival - Norway
An annual fall festival on Columbus Day weekend featuring a Viking themed parade, crafts, variety of ethnic food booths. Enjoy the Taste of Norway, music, business specials, lots of activities for children and other special events.

October 14 - 16
Applefest - Charlevoix
Experience the magic of Autumn in northern Michigan at Charlevoix's Apple Fesitval. Northern Michigan’s cool temperatures are said to produce tastier and more colorful fruit than those grown in warmer climates, and the festival honors local orchards who bring the fall harvest to you. Enjoy over 30 varieties of apples, hot food, and fresh cider. A fine art & craft show takes place in East Park too, along with a petting zoo and pony rides for the kids!

October 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30
Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village - Dearborn
Step back in time to a turn-of-the-20th century Hallowe'en. Follow an endless path of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and meet colorful characters along the way. Feel the whoosh as the headless horseman rides by, banter with a clever witch, and make stops at several treat stations spread throughout Greenfield Village. It's frightfully fun for the whole family!

Saturday October 15th
Hoptoberfest - Grand Rapids
An amazing party that you definitely shouldn't miss. From 2PM-11PM Hopcat will be serving up beers from in an around Grand Rapids in two beer tents along with some smokin' hot blues from headliner Lonnie Brooks.

October 16
Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon - Detroit
Get down to Motown for the 2010 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon! They're celebrating their 33rd anniversary with an exhilarating, world-class, international marathon. With a unique course crossing the U.S./Canadian border twice and great musical entertainment along the way, there's no end to the excitement of running this race!

October 17 - 18
Ann Arbor Art Walk - Ann Arbor
The annual Art Walk gives visitors a chance to walk through galleries, artists' studios, and exhibition spaces in the greater Ann Arbor area including the Ann Arbor Art Center, the U-M Museum of Art, and the U-M School of Art and Design.

October 21 - 22
Made-in-Michigan Film Festival - Lapeer
The 4th annual festival will be held at the Pix Theatre, in historical downtown Lapeer, and MiMFF is accepting films in every category & genre – short, feature, academic, documentary, narrative, comedy, drama, horror, experimental, whatever – just as long as there's a material connection to the State of Michigan.

October 21 - November 21
Northern Michigan C.S. Lewis Festival -
An award-winning, month-long celebration of the man who created the celebrated children?s series, The Chronicles of Narnia. This annual nonprofit collaboration between local arts organizations, area schools, and faith-based groups offers children's programs, theater performances, literary discussion and world-renowned speakers.

October 28
Food, Wine and All That Jazz - Grand Rapids
Join WGVU and D&W for more than 300 domestic wine and beer selections from throughout North America. In addition, tempt your tastes with over 25 tables of select gourmet foods and live jazz.

Also be sure to check out Absolute Michigan keywords "haunted", "maze", "apple" and "harvest"!

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Tannery Falls by trumansnare

One of the regular guests on the Michigan in Pictures photo blog are waterfalls. Go Waterfalling is the go-to site for Michigan waterfall information, and they say that Michigan has over 200 named waterfalls.

The Michigan waterfalls category on Michigan in Pictures has over 60 posts from the big ones like Spray Falls, Bond Falls and Tahquamenon Falls to small and less well-known cascades like Gabbro Falls, Rock River Falls, Black River Falls and one that has (in my opinion) the coolest story associated with it, O Kun De Kun Falls. There's also a writeup (today) of this waterfall, Tannery Falls.

Speaking of waterfalls, here's a cool little video of some waterfalls around Marquette that you might enjoy...

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Flying Hagerty by corremadrid

Detroit hosts the inaugural CRITERIUM DETROIT CITY event on July 9th, 2011. A criterium bicycle race is a closed circuit race course where cyclists hurtle around at speeds approaching 40 MPH, offering the opportunity to view the whole fast-paced and exciting race from inches away from the competitors. CRITERIUM DETROIT CITY is a USACycling sanctioned bike race that will feature a variety of race categories, including beginner, professional, children’s and relay races. (click map below to see the course)

In addition to the racing, area businesses will be getting into the spirit and there will be a marketplace showcasing Detroit's creative talent will be set up in the Opera House parking lot. Visit their web site for all the details!

Here's a video from Marquette's Twilight Criterium (sadly cancelled for 2011) to give you a taste of the fast-paced action that crits offer. The photo above is from the Cherry Roubaix Criterium in Traverse City (returning August 13, 2011). You can see some more fast-paced action with a crash in this video.

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With the EcoTrek Fitness motto in mind, "integrating your workouts with nature", we combed our closet for workout outfits and met Cari and Georg on the trails behind at the Grand Traverse Commons. Cari & Georg handed us our resistance bands and we were off into the trees for a session on a beautiful spring day.

As we trotted down a tree-lined path, Cari explained, "When most people think of outdoor exercise, they think of jogging. And that can turn a lot of people off. EcoTrek uses nature and man-made 'props' to get in a great workout."

Right after explaining this, she stopped us on a wooden bridge above a picturesque creek. We wrapped our resistance bands around the handrails and used them for exercises that worked the arms and legs. The exercises were low- intensity but worked a surprising amount of muscles in our arms, legs and core.

Each session lasts for 75 minutes and take place at a variety of days and times to help fit into all kinds of schedules. They even have single-session drop-in rates so you can try it out with no committment.

Cari, who is an ACE certified fitness trainer with an additional outdoor certification in a Nike training program, is excited to be expanding her program to Northern Michigan but has been careful not too expand too fast despite its popularity. Her website boasts that if you're in West Michigan, you're never more than 15 minutes from an EcoTrek Fitness workout.

With EcoTrek Fitness series available throughout western Michigan in places like Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo and Muskegon (and many more), Cari has been careful to keep the same elements in every session no matter where you are. The sessions run year-round in the sun, rain, sleet and snow.

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." Cari says before we stop to stretch on a picnic table. "Being out in bad weather can make for a surprisingly fun experience. On rainy days, I usually find myself jumping in puddles. There's really nothing better than using the outdoors as your gym."

Once our session ended, we were hooked on the EcoTrek workout. As people who would much rather cycle, hike or hit the basketball court then step into a hot, stinky gym, Absolute Michigan had a blast using our backyard as a gym and Cari and Georg were great. In fact, they did what this writer thought was nearly impossible, made an organized workout with a professional fitness instructor fun.

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The Elusive Black Morel
by cedarkayak

1. Morechella, true morels, are a honeycomb-like mushroom that  are prized by chefs the world over. The Great Morel Homepage can take you a lot deeper with links about the science of  these woodland delicacies. If you're looking for information about hunting morels this feature on Leelanau.com has some great tips to help you hunt and to be a good citizen of Morel Nation. Ed Vielmetti in Ann Arbor has a bunch more thoughts on the hunt.  MichiganMorels.com has tons of information as well about where to look, saying: Black morel habitats includes Ash, Fruit and Aspen trees (also known as: Popple or Poplar) or even lawns and fields.White (yellow) morels especially like Elm, Fruit trees, and Maple. And in southern Michigan, the Tulip Poplar tree is a good host.

2. When you find morels, you're going to want to cook them. The easiest tip is to soak them and rinse very well - they do have a lot of "grit" - and then fry them in butter. You can of course do a lot more with them. Check that Leelanau.com article and the recipes page at The Great Morel (one suggests a Michigan Dry Riesling pairing - we couldn't agree more!). Even if you don't find morels, you can buy them from Michigan-based Earthy Delights. On their recipes page they offer several ideas including Spring Wild Harvest Ragout With Fiddlehead Greens & Morels!

My favorite part of Spring by Apocaplops

3. Michigan loves its morels and we have two great morel celebrations. The first happens this weekend: the annual Mesick Morel Festival (May 6-8, 2011). The second is the National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City which takes place May 12-15, 2011. When you click that link you'll hear the strains of the Mushroomers Waltz, and when you visit the festival, you'll have a chance to taste an incredible array of morel dishes and enjoy an experience much like  Absolute Michigan did a couple of years ago.

4. Finding morels means knowing what they look like, and being able to distinguish them from poisonous false morels. You can see a whole bunch in the Michigan Morel Slideshow from the  Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr, including one from Sunday posted by the Honor Motel.  Michigan in Pictures has a bagful of photos and articles about morels as well. If you want to share YOUR photos with us, add them to the .Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr or post them to the Absolute Michigan Facebook!

5. There's a bunch of great videos out there on morels including a sweet time lapse of a morel growing over 8 days by Ken Scott, a nice tour of the Michigan woods in morel season, one with Zachary Trost and morel expert Tom Nauman and a very nice primer to morel hunting from Country Living. I have to go with my buddy Tony Williams and the Boyne City Morel Fest - enjoy and good hunting!!

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ABSOLUTE MICHIGAN: What prompted you to do this?

LOREEN NIEWENHUIS: I've always felt connected to Lake Michigan.   It has always been the place where I relax, walk, and recenter myself.   When I turned 45, I wanted to take on something large, something that would challenge me on many levels.   So, I pulled out my maps of Lake Michigan and plotted a 1000-mile route around it.

ABSOLUTE MICHIGAN: What was your favorite stretch of Michigan beach?

LOREEN NIEWENHUIS: I fell in love with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Leelanau Peninsula all over again.   The natural beauty is amazing, the towns are very connected to the lake along this stretch, and there are several excellent independent bookstores along the way.

You can read what Loreen has to say about the Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore on her blog, and here's a brief excerpt from the book.

Bobcat, dead deer, and cougars, OH MY!

North of Portage Lake, it soon gets rather remote and the shoreline becomes rugged with high, wooded dunes flanking me to my right, with the expanse of calm lake to my left. There are miles without any signs of civilization, and I pass curious tracks along a small stream that look like a bobcat made them. Not a mile from the stream, a severed foreleg of a deer rests, bloody, on the shore.

A bobcat couldn't take down a full-sized deer. To forestall the obvious conclusion that something even larger had killed it, I think up a "Clumsy Deer Scenario" where the deer trips, conks its head on a rock, and is eaten by the bobcat.

Oh, clumsy, clumsy deer!

Then I think about all the times that I have stumbled on the trek so far, over icy rocks, through roots grabbing at my feet, over piles of driftwood. I begin to feel little ravenous cat eyes on me, waiting for me to blunder, stumble, and conk my head. At home, I have a 15-pound housecat who has some rather feral moments, so I am sure I can fend off a bobcat – as long as I have my walking stick and my wits about me.

To allay my fears, though, I yell, "Venison is DELICIOUS!"

There are wild cats bigger than bobcats in Michigan: cougars. And I don't mean the Demi Moore type. These big carnivores – over 100 pounds – have been seen all over the state. Cougars are genetically programmed to jump on the back of their prey and clamp their jaws on the neck, working their incisors between the vertebrae to sever the spinal cord so their prey will stop struggling. Then: dinnertime.

My main consolation was that I'd probably not see a cougar come at me. It would be over before I had time to say, "Venison is DELICIOUS!" I hope that my larger pack would protect me, or somehow make me seem less of an option for a cougar dinner.

Or, maybe, the cougar would knock me over, pack and all, but I'd have time to pull out my pepper spray and spray the cat and not myself. And I wished for a big cat that did not think pepper spray would make me taste even more delicious.

Visit Loreen's website A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach for more including photos, excerpts, book signings and ordering information.

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I really enjoy the first two months of winter. The dropping temperatures are refreshing. There's the anticipation of the holidays and the over-indulgences that come with them. And I love the snow. The first, fat flakes of pretty white snow. What's not to love?

High Rollaways winter hike by Happyhiker4

But our recent spat of spring-like weather, though painfully short, has reminded me that I'm over winter. It has outstayed its welcome and we are smack dab in the middle of the long, claustrophobic and  cold doldrums when winter is just greedily clinging to its existence like some awful drunk who won't leave your party.  When the temperature recently hit 50 º and the sun came, and stayed, out, winter officially ended for me. My daydreams are now filled with trilliums, birdsong and shouldering a pack and hitting the trail. This is the time of year when guidebooks are bought and the kitchen table becomes an ops center, strewn with maps detailing the promise of upcoming adventures.

With these thoughts in mind, I headed over to Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City to talk hiking with two of Michigan's experts. John Heiam, president of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club (GTHC), and Dick Naperala, field trails coordinator with the GTHC. They both generously took time to talk to me about some great spring hikes, the North Country Trail and ways to get involved with the outdoors in the Grand Traverse Region. The  GTHC helps to oversee a 100-mile stretch of the North Country Trail, a 4,600-mile trail that stretches from New York to North Dakota and runs through some of America's most beautiful country.

Valley of the Giants by North Country Trail

John Heiam: Let's start with sections of the North Country Trail and close to Traverse City. One of my favorites is the north branch of the Boardman River. Starting at the N. Broomhead Road Trailhead, the southern trail takes you down right next to a trout stream and next to cedar trees that deer have browsed to about seven feet high. The trail then climbs and you get views down into the river valley. It's absolutely gorgeous and right in our backyard. Take the trail north to Sand Lakes Quiet Area to see the brilliant blue pit lakes. You can easily spend two hours, if not more, hiking here.

Another great place to hike in the Traverse City area is a place called the Valley of the Giants. This is a very steep-sided valley that has never been logged and is a patch of old growth forest. It was so steep nobody bothered to log it and it is very wet so it never burned in the wild fires that swept through Michigan in the late 1800's and 1900's. You'll find white and red pines and huge oak trees right next to a creek. The trailhead for this hike is either the Mayfield Road Trail Access or near Scheck's Place Campground.

High Rollaways by Happyhiker4

Dick Neperala: The Highbanks Rollway is one of the best places to hike in the state of Michigan. It is on the North Country Trail and can be accessed at Harvey Bridge over the Manistee River. Once you gain elevation, you can see for miles.

The Hodenpyl Dam and Pond area are some of the most popular places in Michigan to hike especially for backpackers. There is a 20 mile loop around Hodenpyl Pond that is perfect for a weekend trip. From the Hodenpyl Dam Parking area you can walk along the lake to the Northern Exposure Campground. And the trail that is right along the river is easy. It is flat and great for kids.

John and Dick shared some more of their knowledge for great outdoor spots in our area this spring.

Wildflowers: If you are looking for wildflowers, and those aforementioned trilliums, mid-April and May are generally the best times to hit the trail. And head to North and South Manitou Island for the most diverse and unique wildflowers in our region. Ferries depart to the island from the town of Leland on the Leelanau Peninsula. South Manitou is more scenic with a lighthouse, shipwrecks and dunes while North Manitou provides better opportunities for backpacking and multi-day trips.

Sleeping Bear Sandunes by Happyhiker4

Most overlooked hike: The Dune Climb and walk to Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. John says that the hike is deceptively difficult and once you climb the main dune, you'll have a few more smaller ones to get up and down before you finish. He also says the wildflowers; lilies in particular, are spectacular here in the spring.

Why early spring is a great time to hike: No bugs! Both John and Dick say that this time of year is among their favorites for hitting the trail. And, the forests of the Sleeping Bear Dunes are carpeted with trilliums this time of year.

About the GTHC and the North Country Trail: The GTHC is a chapter of the North Country Trail. The club maintains a 100-mile stretch of trail, 35 to 40 of which run along the Manistee River, from south of Mesick to north of Kalkaska. People come from all over Michigan to hike one of the most beautiful sections of the NCT. John calls the 60- mile section from Red Bridge to Kalkaska the prettiest trail in Lower Michigan.  In addition to planned day hikes, the club also has ongoing work sessions on the trail including maintenance, bridge building and rerouting.

Visit  northcountrytrail.org/gtr/ for information on volunteering, local outfitters, membership, trail maps and contact details. The club is currently fundraising by selling “clean seats” through the club or at Backcountry North in Traverse City for $6 /$5 for club members. The seats are a paper-like material that you can put on the ground, wet grass, mud, anything to keep you dry when you need a rest in the outdoors. The seats are made from tough material that won't rip or deteriorate, definitely a great addition for your pack on day and multi-day hikes!

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Camping by Joe Gall Photography

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment wants to remind users of Michigan state parks, recreation areas and harbors that reservations are now being accepted for the 2011 summer camping season. Reservations for harbor slips, campsites, cabins, teepees and yurts are now available online or through the reservation call center for dates including Memorial Day weekend through late June.

"Campsites become available for arrival dates six months in advance of the date a reservation is made, so we are already booking reservations for early summer," said Ron Olson, chief of the DNRE Recreation Division. "We encourage Michigan citizens and visitors to plan ahead for their summer of fun at a state park or recreation area by booking as early as possible. Camping in Michigan state parks is a very affordable family activity."

Reservations can be made online at www.midnrreservations.com, or by contacting the reservation call center at 800-447-2757. Reservation call center staff start taking phone calls at 8 a.m. on weekdays and at 9 a.m. on weekends. New site availability dates roll into the database at those times to be fair to all users.

For more information about a specific state park or recreation areas harbors, winter camping opportunities and events, visit www.michigan.gov/stateparks, or contact the Lansing Office at 517-373-9900.

Effective Oct. 1, 2010, the Recreation Passport replaced the resident motor vehicle permit (MVP). All resident motor vehicles must display the new Recreation Passport when their vehicle registration is renewed, for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and permit required boating access sites. Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "Yes" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area.

Non-resident motor vehicles must still display a valid non-resident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access site. Non-resident Recreation Passports are available at any state park entrance or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.

A new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities, the Recreation Passport also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.

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He also sent this sweet video our way from Michigan's reigning bike video king, mattmtb1. Toggle the 720p HD, click full screen and be prepared to get a first-hand experience of Uncle Jimmi and his crew tearing it up!

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heinrick05 (heinrick ingenson) writes:

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In the Michigan Immense Public Park by farlane

Nearly 2400 photographers have shared over 100,000 photos with Absolute Michigan and Michigan in Pictures in the Absolute Michigan pool. We are ready to go with the next photo contest in Absolute Michigan's Summer Photo Celebration, and we have decided to feature what nearly 8,000 photos in the pool feature, water.

Absolute Michigan's Celebrating Michigan's Water Photo Contest begins today (June 23, 2010) and entries end in a month (July 23, 2010).

Prizes

2 nights for 2 people, any season, subject to availability at The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor, Michigan. The Homestead is located on the shore of Lake Michigan's Manitou Passage, right across the bay from the largest shifting sand dunes in the world, the Sleeping Bear Dunes. In any season, you'll find rich woods criss-crossed with hiking trails, bike-friendly country roads dotted with barns and farms, wilderness streams & backwoods lakes and miles and miles of secluded, sandy beaches that you can walk for hours. (note: room may not be as pictured)

Crystal River eco-tour for up to 6 people from The River in Glen Arbor. Bald eagles, otters, herons, several species of ducks and geese, deer, possibly a bear or even the elusive cougar may be witnessed along the river and the guide will also fill you in on the local flora and fauna, ecological facts, and even a narrative history of Glen Arbor for the last couple hundred years.

Other prizes as we get them! We are working on more prizes to help you enjoy Michigan's water - if you have a prize to offer, send us an email!

Contest Rules

To enter, all you need to do is add 1-3 photos to our Michigan Water photo group on Flickr.

1. Limit 3 photos per person - you may change photos until July 23.
2. The photos must be of a Michigan lake, river, waterfall, pond or wetland
3. You must own the rights to the photo and have it at a resolution of 1026x768 or greater (the photo doesn 't have to be on Flickr at that size though)
4. Entrants grant Absolute Michigan & Michigan in Pictures rights to publish their photo online with credit and link.
5. Winner grants Absolute Michigan, contest sponsors and online and print media rights to publish photo and their name in articles and features referencing the contest.

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Nina posted this video from Upper Falls Tahquamenon Falls State Park - check out her full slideshow. Read all about it on her blog, Black Coffee at Sunrise.

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Grand River - Bike Girl
by Andy Tanguay

In Weekly Chatter: Google gets biking, mile-taxing, People for Bikes, Gary writes: The big news for bicycling this week: Google celebrates the Bicycle route

And, Traverse City is one of the first 150 cities to be included. My first attempt with Google bicycle routes was a little disappointing–it took me several blocks out of my way, similar to the cynical bicyclists perspective. Yet, improvements are coming, and in typical Google fashion they rolled it out in Beta (for more tweaking) and they launched it at the 2010 Bike Summit in Washington, D.C.

I'll break in here with a link to a Google ride from the Mackinac Bridge to Detroit. I tried starting in Copper Harbor but anything north of the Bridge they route to the car ferry in Manitowac (though actually, it looks like a great trip!)

But, let's remember. It's all for fun. Even when you're trying to get somewhere. This week People for Bikes was launched in hopes to cover the full gamut of the experience as this PSA expresses…

“If I ride…I will grow a heart so strong, that hospitals will take Tuesdays off…”

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Power: Lake Huron

Langell Boys, frozen in the ice on Saginaw Bay. A series of photos from otisourcat showing the efforts to free her from the ice. Ice has long been a power on the Great Lakes that has locked ships in their harbors (or worse) and even come after those on shore.

Silence: Lake Erie

Daryl's photo of the ice on Lake Erie and demonstrates how winter turns our vibrant lakes to beautiful deserts. See more in his winter slideshow. In addition to quieting the waves, ice can provide an opportunity for animals (and crazy people) to get across to places they wouldn't normally be able to. While this guy walked to Canada on purpose, these fishermen went on an impromptu ice ride.

Motion: Lake Michigan

Photographer/videographer Ken Scott assembled some timelapse clips of winter from the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The movement of the water creates some amazing formations like ice bergs, ice volcanoes and things that you can't quite name ... and you haven't really seen a lighthouse until you've seen what ice can do to a Great Lakes Light.

Breakup: Lake Superior

Jim Sisko, a photographer from the Absolute Michigan pool, does an amazing job of chronicling the ice on Lake Superior. After looking at these, it's a little surprising to see in this NOAA satellite image that the hold of winter is even starting to loosen on Lake Superior.

I hope that the fact you can see the Apostle Islands in that satellite photo is justification enough to send you over to check out the sights and sounds from Marlin Ledin's ride to the Apostle Islands across 150 miles of Lake Superior.

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t p mann would like you to Ride the Breezeway along Country Rd C48 from US 31 in Atwood through Ellsworth & East Jordan and ending in Boyne Falls. With scenic overlooks, farms, orchards, restaurants, galleries and shops, it's a great motorcycle or bicycle ride.

Check out this photo of a farm near Boyne City bigger and see more in his sets including Favorites, Sunsets and Sites Along the Breezeway (slideshow).

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Autumn Pathways by pentax hammer (gary syrba)

The crowds and traffic have subsided, the harvests are bountiful and the mosquitoes are few and far between. What we're trying to say is that autumn is perfect time to get out and enjoy a color tour, take in a late season festival or event, go camping or hit some of Michigan's numerous wineries and pick up a few bottles for holiday gifts or get-togethers.

MyNorth.com produced a great video a while back that takes you on a tour of Northern Michigan's wine country and we think it is worth a watch and will entice you to plan a visit. On that note we should point out that Absolute Michigan is giving away a pair of tickets for the Toast the Season wine trail event which takes place on the Leelanau Peninsula on November 14 & 15.

MyNorth.com Video: Sit Back and Tour Northern Michigan's Wine Country

Hoping to get one more wine tour in this summer? Or maybe you're envisioning those glorious fall days when wine is an excellent excuse to drive through our wine country. Sit back and get some ideas as we visit Chateau Grand Traverse (cgtwines.com) on the Old Mission Peninsula; Traverse City's urban wineries, Left Foot Charley (leftfootcharley.com) at The Village in Grand Traverse Commons (old state hospital grounds) and Black Star Farms (blackstarfarms.com) in the Mercato, also in the Commons (Black Star also has its winery just south of Suttons Bay); and Shady Lane Cellars (shadylanecellars.com) near Suttons Bay.

Enjoy watching the lush landscape as the vintners each tell us what makes them unique and what it is like growing and selling wine in Northern Michigan.

Also be sure to check out our monthly calendars on Absolute Michigan's home page as well as keywords Halloween, maze, pumpkin, cider and more!

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Luminous Light Huntress (Tamara Jacobs) says that she loves landscape photography, especially waterfalls. Also that she's a tree hugger* in a major way and aims to merge her passion for the environment with her love of landscape photography.

Judging by the photo above, she seems to be well on her way. You can see this photo bigger in her incredible Waterfalls set (slideshow). Her other sets include Natural Landscapes, Man Made Scenics, My Favorites and Porcupine Mountains.

Dive into her Flickriver.

*I know that "tree hugger" has become some sort of dirty word or smear, but what in the heck is really wrong with having a deep love and respect for the natural world?

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Mackinac Bridge Walk by carolynne marie

Since1882 the first Monday of September has been recognized as a time to salute Americas workers with festivals, cookouts and parades on "a day off for the working man." With school starting after the Monday, September 7 holiday, the long Labor Day Weekend is an ideal time to squeeze in some last-minute summertime fun. An estimated 1.4 million Michiganians will travel during the 2009 Labor Day holiday, according to a recent AAA survey. Michigan, the Great Lake State, offers ample opportunities to celebrate the end of summer.

Labor Day via Wikipedia

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the US military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. Cleveland was also concerned that aligning a US labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Stuff to Do, Places to Go

August 28 - September 7
Michigan State Fair Detroit
The Nation's Oldest State Fair was officially first held in 1849, only twelve years after Michigan attained statehood. At the onset it was customary, in fact, for the fair to be held one year in one city, the next year in another, and there was always a hot contest to be the city selected. The Michigan State Fair settled down at the present fairgrounds in 1905. The 2009 Michigan State Fair will be held August 28th - September 7th.

Popular attractions include the FREE Concerts under the stars in the Band Shell, daily parades, competitions, horse shows, agricultural displays, arts & crafts, racing pigs, rabbits & poultry, dairy exhibits, carnival midway rides & games and the world's largest stove.

August 22 - October 4
Michigan Renaissance Festival Holly
Festival is held on weekends and Labor Day, rain or shine. "visitors may also partake in games of skill or enjoy non-stop entertainment where belly dancers, sword swallowers, musicians, comedians and sword fighters provide merriment for all ages. The Festival is best known for it's awe-inspiring full-contact armored jousting tournaments where gallant knights defend their honor until the last man is standing!"

September 3 - 7
Michigan Peach Festival Romeo
If you are looking for something fun for the whole family, there is no better place to be on Labor Day Weekend! Bring your family & friends to the Michigan Peach Festival in the beautiful Village of Romeo. There's something fun for everyone!

September 4 - 7
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival Hamtramck
Hamtramck Festival has more than 500,000 annual visitors, live music on two stages, carnival rides, Polish Day Parade, samplings of ethnic food, cultural dancers, children's activities, more.

September 4 - 7
Detroit International Jazz Fest Detroit
For 30 years, the Detroit International Jazz Festival (DJF) has attracted visitors and locals to an end-of-summer ritual on Labor Day Weekend that celebrates one of America's most important art forms. The festival boasts five stages and 100 acts over four days in a city with a rich musical legacy. Sprawling over several city blocks in downtown Detroit – from Hart Plaza to Campus Martius – the festival also offers educational activities, giant puppets, fireworks, rare opportunities to meet the artists and much more. And it's all FREE!

September 4 - 7
Arts, Beats & Eats Pontiac
Arts, Beats & Eats is excited to add to its name, mission and purpose in 2009. We are now Arts, Beats & Eats - Festival of Hope and we are excited to announce new changes and partners for the 2009 festival.

Arts, Beats & Eats will still feature The HealthPlus Art Fair, one of the top art shows in the US, incredible food, more than 125 bands on six stages, and dynamic and interactive fun for the kids.

September 4 - 6
Logging Fest Newaygo
The Logging Fest takes place over Labor Day Weekend. Newaygo was built around the logging industry, and we are celebrating our logging heritage. Highlights of the Logging Fest include the Chainsaw Sculpture Competition and Auction, Lumberjack's Competition and Fireman's Water Battle. The Arts & Crafts Show in Brooks Park is host to exhibitors from all over the country displaying their arts and crafts. The local merchants have sidewalk sales. The event also includes kids activities and games, and on Sunday a parade route goes through downtown Newaygo.

September 5 - 6
Marquette Area Blues Fest Marquette
The Marquette Area Blues Society has announced the headline performers for the 2009 Marquette Area Blues Fest. The festival, now in it's 6th year, will once again be held at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in downtown Marquette over Labor Day Weekend. The dates are Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2009. Featured performers on Saturday include Blue Bass entertainment recording artists Biscuit Miller & the Mix, VizzTone recording artist Gina Sicilia and Chikan Howse Records recording artist James "SUPER CHIKAN" Johnson.

On Sunday, the featured performers are Michigan's very own "The King of the Party Blues" Maurice Davis, Shanachie Entertainment recording artist Curtis Salgado and Blind Pig recording artists Smokin' Joe Kubek and B'nois King. Also on the bill for the weekend will be the finest in local and regional blues performers. The music will begin both days at 1-pm with gates opening at noon. Be sure to take in the food and merchandise vendors as well as the workshops offered during the weekend to make it a complete blues experience!

September 7
Labor Day Bridge Walk Mackinaw City
The Labor Day Bridge walk, recognized as "the world's greatest walking event", brings over 70,000 people to the area. Buses are available for transportation to the north end of the bridge. Participants walk from the north side to the south. At the finish line you are awarded a certificate of completion.

More Labor Day Getaway Resources

Stretch Your Labor Day Holiday with Michigan Fairs and Festivals from PureMichigan.org

Labor Day Getaways from the West Michigan Tourist Association

MDOT Halts Most Work for the Labor Day Weekend from MDOT (54 work zones will be active so check it out to plan your route)

Michigan's Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events - All the happenings are listed here

Thinking of doing some camping then check out this cool 'Campground Search' from the DNR

If you are not hitting the road then take a virtual Labor Day tour of Michigan courtesy of our Absolute Michigan Flickr pool

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"We've extended our efforts to stay connected with travelers. Social media allows us to get the Pure Michigan message out to potential visitors on other platforms," commented George Zimmermann, Vice President of Travel Michigan, a business unit of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "It opens another line of communication with travelers."

In addition to the most popular state tourism Web site, michigan.org, visitors now have other means to stay up-to-date on Michigan tourism deals, discounts and events.

Connect and get the inside scoop on where the fish are biting, what greens are running fast and how you can make your visit Pure Michigan at the newly launched blog, Pure Michigan Connect. Read about bloggers' experiences along the nation's longest fresh water coastline or experience at a small town celebration. Take a minute to comment on the blog posts, or submit one of your own.

Follow @PureMichigan on Twitter for the latest events and breaking news, along with some fun behind-the-scenes information on all the things going on with Michigan tourism. Search hashtags #puremichigan, #MIevents, #MIdine, #MIgolf, #MIfish, and #MIwine, for all the latest.

Join the Pure Michigan Fan Page on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest events in Michigan and talk to others with the same love for Michigan. The fan page is another great resource for planning a trip.

In addition, visitors can now enjoy all the photos from the Pure Michigan Photo Contest on Flickr, or watch all of the Pure Michigan commercials on YouTube.

Michigan.org continues to be a source for Michigan travel information, featuring more than 12,000 attractions, events, hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.

Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan's official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state's tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services.

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Edward Vielmetti tipped us off to the Miner's Revenge bicycle race in Greenland (Michigan) which takes place July 11 & 12. He writes:

Here's a novel reuse of an old copper mine - the Miner's Revenge bicycle race is using a 1/3 mile long section of the mine no longer in active use as a part of the race course. Bring your own lights - it's dark in there.

The race is July 11-12, 2009, with free on-site camping for racers and a bonfire the night before. Greenland is near Ontonagon; the mine is owned by the Adventure Mining Company which also does walking tours as well as other more extreme mining adventures that involve rappelling down a mine shaft.

You can learn more about the Adventure Copper Mine and get details on the Miner's Revenge bike race.

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by Bill Herd

Camping is as American as apple pie—oops, I mean cherry pie. It's part of our pioneer heritage. Not too many generations back, we were all outdoor folks, hunters in the forest, shepherds on the hillsides, herders on the plains, farmer tilling the soil, fishing folk and sailors at sea. For many of us, being outdoors is part of our genetic makeup. When the weather turns fair we long to be out of the city and back in the countryside. A tent and a campfire are two of our favorite companions.

Except for recreational vehicle campers that require full hook ups, camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes has something for everyone, so you really can “have it your way.” From vehicle camping with modern restrooms and electric to backpacking on a remote wilderness island, you will find opportunities for the type of camping you seek for your next trip. Best of all, camping is inexpensive. A site with electric and a Lakeshore pass will cost just $150 for seven nights, a small fraction of what a modest cottage on an inland lake would cost for a week. In these tough economic times, camping may be just what we need.

I did not realize just how important camping might be this year until I read two articles in the same newspaper. The first article talked about the stress the current economic crisis is having on individuals and families. The article recommended that families think about alternative vacations, and have fun simply spending time together. The second article reported that a large numbers of families would not be taking a vacation this summer because of the economy. So, just when families need a vacation for their mental health, they will not be taking one. But a camping vacation to Sleeping Bear Dunes can provide an enjoyable, fun-filled vacation and still save a large amount of money, not to mention a number of activities that are available at little or no expense.

The Platte River Campground is the park's premier campground. Campers who have camped at many different National Parks often remark that is the nicest campground in the entire system. The campground has paved roads, which keeps dust from smothering you, your campsite and the nearby vegetation. Campsites are generous and spaced well apart and take full advantage of the terrain with abundant vegetationbetween sites. Campground staff keep the modern restrooms immaculate and “These are the cleanest restrooms I've ever seen” is often heard by Park staff. The ultimate luxury for a camper is a hot shower, which is available for a small fee. (They are a $1 for six minutes—let your teenagers use their own money for any additional time they feel they need) Some of the Platte River Campground sites have electric hook-ups and some can be reserved ahead. From the back of the campground there is a half-mile trail that leads to Lake Michigan and a nice sandy beach. One of the big advantages of the Platte River Campground is that poison ivy is not common and most years mosquitoes are few because of the well drained sandy soil, which are actually ancient dunes.

The campground also features 25 walk-in sites, which give campers a rare opportunity to get away from vehicles and traffic and get closer to nature with a short hike that's not farther than a city block. Once set up, life at your walk-in site takes on a relaxed pace and atmosphere. Parents of young children do not have to constantly watch to be sure the kids are not in the campground road. They can also enjoy themselves as the young ones amuse themselves in nature's playground. Campers are often reluctant to use these sites fearing the extra work required to carry their gear to the campsite. Usually, however, they are pleasantly surprised to find that the close-to-nature experience is worth the extra effort. Here is a hint: it is not necessary to carry all your gear to the campsite. Rangers suggest that campers store food in their vehicle at night, so just take the food you need for the next meal. Likewise, you will be returning to the parking area to use the rest rooms and showers so just leave your clean clothes and towels in the vehicle. I cannot think of any other place where you can camp away from traffic and still have easy access to modern restrooms and hot showers. You get the best of both worlds. If that's not enough, at the back of the restroom is a kitchen sink with hot water where you can wash dishes. I encourage you to consider the walk-in sites. However, full disclosure requires me to inform you that the walk-in sites were my idea when we were developing the design plans for the reconstruction of the campground.

The D.H. Day Campground on Lake Michigan near the Sleeping Bear Dunes provides traditional rustic campsites—no electric, no flush toilets, no showers. It has been a favorite campground for Michigan families for generations. Highlights of the campground are its simple, widely spaced campsites, airy pine and oak forest and its close proximity to the Lakeshore's main attractions. D.H. Day Campground is named for local lumber and shipping entrepreneur David Henry Day, who owned most of the adjacent forest, and donated 32 acres of land along the shore of Lake Michigan to the state for Michigan's first state park in 1920. You can visit his company town of Glen Haven, which is now a historic village, just a short walk from the campground. One disadvantage of this campground is the large amount of poison ivy. Just about every plant that is not a tree is poison ivy, so beware and stay on the campsite, paths and roads. Since the early part of the last century the National Park Service has provided high quality ranger programs in its campgrounds. Both campgrounds continue this National Park tradition with evening amphitheater programs or hikes.

For those who wish for a more adventurous camping experience, the Lakeshore has two hike-in campgrounds on the mainland and two on South Manitou Island. Hiking distance is about a mile to a mile and a half depending on the one you choose. On the mainland the White Pine Backcountry Campground is the most popular since its sites are near Lake Michigan. The six sites are in the pines just back of the dunes at the middle of Platte Plains, close to the lake but not so close that you will have sand in your sleeping bag and food. The Valley View Campground on the edge of the Port Oneida Historic District seldom gets used since its sites are not on a body of water. They are located in a sunny meadow surrounded by mature hardwood forest, and if you want to camp in solitude, this is your place. The hike-in campgrounds on South Manitou Island are the Bay and Weather Station; both are close to Lake Michigan. A normally overlooked hike-in campground is on North Manitou Island not far from the dock. Since most campers to the north island are backpackers who want to put some miles on their boots, you can usually have the campground to yourself. Set up camp and enjoy the beach, forest and historic village. If your family is not up to backpacking because of age, this may be the best place in the park. On one of our family camping trips to this campground, campers ranged in age from one year to 80. All campers on North Manitou need to be prepared to purify their drinking water, including those camped in the campground.

Backpackers who want to hike farther have two choices: Popple Campground on the north side of South Manitou and North Manitou Island. The Popple Campground is slightly over three miles from the dock. On North Manitou backpackers can select their own camping spot on the 15000 acre island, an opportunity not allowed on most other public lands. However, there are some important restrictions the ranger on North will tell you about when you register for a backcountry permit. Campers on either Manitou Island need to remember to take everything they need. There are no stores on the islands so if you forget batteries for your camera or insect repellant you will have to do without. On the other hand, the islands are about as safe as backcountry camping venue as you will fine anywhere. There are no dangerous animals, you can not get lost for too long before you find a known landmark, rangers are nearby if someone gets hurt or sick and, if needed, for emergency evacuation the Coast Guard helicopter is just a few minutes away in Traverse City.

For detailed information about camping fees, reservations and rules check the camping pages on the official Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore web site and also the camping fees & reservations page. Group sites are also available at both main campgrounds and on both islands.

Photos

• Platte River National Campground by rharlow
• Untitled by cyoas55
• Untitled by cyoas55
• Tent Crescent City by Arace

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The Mighty Morel by Pine Photography

It's springtime once again in Michigan, and not only have daffodils broken through, confirmations of morel mushrooms are arriving daily. For a few short weeks, folks flock to the woods in search of this elusive, edible mushroom.

Morel mushroom taste delicious, this is no secret, but the season itself is a sort of cultural absurdity. The "hunters" protect the whereabouts of their source as if it were the location of the Holy Grail. If you have ever wondered who your true friends are or just how well you have transferred your status from "down-stater" to "local" you find out pretty quickly during morel season.

Unfortunately, the toughest part about morel season is not deciding how to prepare this earthy delicious fungi; nor is the greatest challenge identifying them from other common mushrooms. The most difficult part of morel hunting is locating and claiming your own special spot, relatively secure from open-mouthed paper sacks and the hungry claws of hunters. Once you find one and finally sink your teeth in, you won't regret a single moment spent in pursuit of this earthly goodness--morels are divine!

Hunt Michigan Morels !!!!! by cedarkayak

As eager as you may be to fry up a fresh pick, consider a few pointers from avid hunters in our region:

1. KNOW YOUR SHROOMS. Learn to identify the "true morel" before you head in to the woods, or at least make certain you have the real deal before you serve them for dinner.

2. PROPER COLLECTING RECEPTACLE. Avid hunters insist on using a potato or orange bag--something netted, with holes--for collecting. A paper bag is fashionable, too, but purist prefer that pickers leave a trail of spores falling through the holes in the bag. (I recently read that the mushrooms begin to decompose almost immediately if they cannot "breathe," so collecting them in a plastic bag is poor practice, but would suffice in pinch.)

3. LEARN THE LOCATIONS. An oak forest will probably never produce a morel, so say the experts; be sure to look for ash, maple, elm, poplar, and apple trees, commonly referred to as "host trees." Morels may be found in surprisingly varied soil conditions, near sandy dune or swamp. Returning to the exact location year after year may or may not produce satisfying results. Generally a successful location one year will breed abundance the next, but one never knows. That is why they call this little bugger--elusive--one just never knows exactly where to look.

4. GET PERSONAL. One of the most successful hunters I know spends a significant amount of time on bent knee. Once you discover one morel, there are bound to be others, so staying calm and surveying the surroundings often proves the most productive tactic. When a morel is spotted, hunt around, but tread lightly. Many morel have been overlooked, or worse yet--squashed--in hasty anticipation of potential finds.

5. LEAVE A TRACE. Besides stealing someone's favorite spot, the greatest mushrooming faux pas one can commit is to pick the mushroom--root and all--from the ground. Instead of this method, break the mushrooms stem and leave the remaining stem and root in the ground. The idea, I think, is to leave a few spores for the next year, but other hunters gauge the abundance of the area by what remains, and there is still a strange satisfaction in knowing that you missed them by only a moment or two. (Do not leave garbage in the woods, however.)

6. BE SAFE! This applies to ALL aspects of the hunt: searching, finding, identifying and eating. Use a compass in the woods if you have no sense of direction (or even if you do.) Take friends or tell someone your plans. Have a snack and water handy, and a jacket never hurt.

7. BE CONSIDERATE.

8. HAVE FUN! Most important facet of all.

Salmon Fillets With Morel Mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 5 shallots, minced
• 18 ounces morels, trimmed, cleaned and sliced
• 3/4 cup bottled clam juice
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 3 Tbsp. whipped cream
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon or 1/2 tsp. dried
• 6 8-ounce salmon fillets
• fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. butter, melted

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add Morels; sauté until beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add clam juice and wine; boil until liquids have almost evaporated, about 20 minutes.

Add cream to mushrooms; boil until thickened, about 1 minute. Mix in chopped tarragon. Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat broiler. Arrange salmon skin side down on broiler pan. Brush with lemon juice, then butter. Broil until just cooked through, without turning, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer to plates. Spoon Morels over.

Serves 6

Explore many more Michigan morel features and links from Absolute Michigan!

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morel mushroom by Latitude 45

The Boyne City National Morel Mushroom Festival takes place May 14-17, 2009. This year is the 49th annual*, and the 4 day celebration of the morel mushroom includes a morel seminar and guided mushroom hunt on Friday and of course the Boyne Valley Lions National Mushroom Hunt on on Saturday (be sure to display your finds on the Mushroom Pole too!). In addition to the Taste of Morel event where you get to try all manner of morel dishes, there is a seminar on foraging & cooking with wild food guru John Sheets and another on hunting with local expert Tony Williams, concerts with Michigan Blues legend Larry McCray and others, there's a carnival, euchre & poker tournaments, zany car race and plenty of fun for kids.

One of the highlights of the weekend is the "Morel Taste of Boyne" featuring a Chef's Challenge along with the area's finest restaurants in the big tent on Saturday afternoon serving different morel dishes and also presenting morel cooking demonstrations. This is the largest morel cooking (and eating) event in the world!

You can grab your sweetie and get warmed up with The Mushroomers Waltz and if you're hungry,Lake Magazine has a recipe for morel & hazelnut soup that looks very simple but very tasty! Chef Eric Villegas of the TV show Fork in the Road offers a recipe for midwestern risotto of carnaroli and minnesota wild rice, morel mushrooms and white truffle oil that looks more complex but every bit as tasty.

MichiganMorels.com reminds you that you can eat any mushroom ... once. They offer tips to help keep you safe, but the biggest tip is to hunt with someone who knows what they're doing! Speaking of hunting, here's a video interview of morel expert Tom Nauman that gives you a couple useful tips for morel hunting.

If you can't attend the Mushroom Festival and can't get to any morel-filled woods, you can still get morels (and leeks and other tasty treasures) courtesy of Michigan-based Earthy Delights.

Visitors will want to visit the Boyne City Chamber of Commerce and/or try Absolute Michigan keyword "Boyne" for lodging and other information. I thought it was pretty funny that the best article online about the Boyne City Mushroom Festival is from a Pittsburgh, PA newspaper. It's from May of 2003 but has great background on the festival with a focus on the National Mushroom Hunting Championship. Check out Boyne City mushroom championship has no lack of morels.

* Next year the 50th annual takes place May 13 - 16, 2010 - they are seeking recipes for a commemorative cookbook, so send them if you have them!

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In cooperation with ShowSpan, Absolute Michigan is giving away 10 pair of tickets to the Ultimate Sport Show on March 19-22, 2009 at Devos Place in Grand Rapids, MI. Check out all of the Features & Attractions and Speakers & Events that await you!

About the Ultimate Sport Show
Michigan's finest tradition for the avid fisherman, hunter or outdoor loving family! Over 350 exhibitors will be at the show with the latest outdoor gear, travel information and fishing boats.

The Features are Famous
World Class Taxidermy, Antique Lures, Trout Pond, Woodcarvers, Pellet Range, Fishing Simulator, Rock Wall and Fly Casting Instruction. Nearly 100 fishing and hunting seminars will be held on 4 stages, including "Lake Ultimate," the 110,000 gallon indoor lake. Michigan sportsmen never miss it!

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I'm told that sculptor Jim Gavril of East Lansing deserves the credit for the chart! Click the photos to view them bigger!

@ +70 degrees

Texans turn on the heat and unpack the thermal underwear.
People in Michigan go swimming in the rivers.

@ +60 degrees

North Carolinians try to turn on the heat.
People in Michigan plant gardens.

@ +50 degrees

Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Michigan sunbathe.

@ +40 degrees

Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Michigan drive with the windows down.

@ +32 degrees

Distilled water freezes.
Lake Michigan water gets thicker.

@ +20 degrees

Floridians put on coats, thermal underwear, gloves and woolly hats.
People in Michigan throw on a flannel shirt.

@ +15 degrees

Philadelphia landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Michigan have the last cookout before it gets cold.

@ +10 degrees

People in Miami all die.
People in Michigan lick the flagpole.

@ 0 degrees

Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in Michigan get out their winter coats.

@ -10 degrees

Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Michigan are selling cookies door to door.

@ -25 degrees

Polar bears begin to evacuate the Arctic.
Michigan Boy Scouts postpone "Winter Survival" classes until it gets cold enough.

@ -30 degrees

Mount St. Helen's freezes.
People in Michigan rent some videos.

@ -40 degrees

Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Spartans get frustrated because they can't thaw the keg.

@ -45 degrees

Microbial life no longer survives on dairy products.
Cows in Michigan complain about farmers with cold hands.

@ -60 degrees

ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero in the Kelvin scale).
People in Michigan start saying, "Cold 'nuff for ya?"

@ -100 degrees

Hell freezes over.
The Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl!

Photo Links...

• Blindfold 2X by sterk1
• Muddy River I by Summerfrost Photography (Nick & Kourt)
• Future Garden by Heart Windows Art
• Dwarfed by the giant crane by StormchaserMike Photography
• Fly By by Jamie Brokus
• Fozen Odyssey ... Lake Michigan January 2007 color version by *ojoyous1*
• Brothers in Arms by docksidepress
• Not Gonna Grill No More by sunliner500
• N. State St. by william couch
• winter morning ritual by pizzo
• Zero degree windchill by StormchaserMike Photography
• Walk in the Woods by Rudy Malmquist
• No Better Artist than Mother Nature by Ed Roth
• Drunken Fools by Kristina_5
• Curious cows by buckshot.jones
• Jake Klein by Jesse Speelman
• Hell Froze Over!!! by Kathy~

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Snowshoeing by nasunto

Billed as a blog about camping, hiking, nature and Michigan with occasional sarcasm and embellishment, Black Coffee At Sunrise was recently recognized at Backpacker Magazine in their Daily Dirt section online. We think the recognition is well deserved.

Blogger Nina describes her blog:

Despite the unstable times we are facing, there is a lot to love about Michigan. Those of us who enjoy the outdoors and are fortunate enough to live in the Great Lakes State have beautiful landscapes, fascinating natural history, and four wonderful seasons to enjoy. My blog, Black Coffee At Sunrise, is an attempt to acknowledge my experiences and show appreciation for my home state and the things I love about Michigan outdoors.

As dog lovers we also dig her blog 'Crooked Ear Chronicles'. Check out her blogs and then get on out and enjoy what the 'Great Lakes State' has to offer. No matter what time of year it is Michigan is a 'one stop funspot' for it's residents and visitors!

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The photo is tahquamenon falls by postpurchase.

You can get 1000% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of fall color and learn all about the Tahquamenon Falls at Michigan in Pictures

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Benzie County Coastal Color by John Clement Howe

The annual Fall Festival offers two weeks of fun in Frankfort, Beulah, Benzonia and the surrounding area. The Benzie County Visitor's Bureau has a page of information on the festival and for more details visit the Frankfort-Elberta Chamber.

Weekend of October 4-5

Fall food takes center stage with the Fall Soup Contest on Saturday (Oct 4) in Beulah Park and the Honor Lions Club Hillbilly Breakfast from 8:00 - 12:30 and Darcy Memorial Library of Beulah Cookie Bake Sale at the Trailhead in Beulah. 10am -2pm on Sunday (Oct 5).

There's also a Sidewalk Art Contest and a Fall Market in Beulah on Saturday and the Crystal Lake Elementary FallFest Fundraiser in Benzonia on Saturday with a full lineup of fun for families including a produce & products market, cider press, carnival with prizes, food, refreshments, petting zoo and fire truck rides.

Crystal Mountain offers scenic chairlift rides to view the fall colors (4-6 PM both Saturday the 5th & 12th) and a haunted forest (6:30-9:30 PM) on Saturday and then hosts the Betsie Valley Run on Sunday with a 10K Run and Half Marathon Walk & Run.

Trick or Treat!!! by John Clement Howe

Weekend of October 11-12

At 11 AM on Saturday, October 11 2008, the Fall Festival Parade and Mutt March will take place in downtown Frankfort (costume judging for the Mutts is at 10 AM). Other events following the parade include a Pumpkin luncheon at the Recreation Center, performances by the internationally acclaimed Scottville Clown Band and a ton of fall fun at the Open Space including:

• Giant Pumpkin weigh-in (guess the weight and win a bike!)
• Mutt Corral with awards and doggy fun
• Giant Pumpkin Carving by Ed Moody and Auction
• A hay wagon ride through Frankfort with a storyteller
• The Pumpkin Regatta
• Activities for kids including games, pumpkin decorating, face painting, balloon man, straw maze, fortune teller, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin hillbilly golf!

On Saturday a really cool feature is the Pumpkin Chuckin' Catapults and the Giant Pumpkin Drop on a Car at 3:00 PM in Frankfort! Check out the video below to see what happens when a 500 lb. pumpkin is dropped on a vehicle from over 100 feet in the air.

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