Winter Wonderland

We woke up yesterday morning to see our snow covered world at our log cabin. Little Bradford Lake was so calm and peaceful. There were numerous birds - woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and more enjoying all the bird feeders we had put out. It felt like a winter wonderland!

Jensen's Nature Trail - Part II

Here are some more photos from our leisurely hike at Jensen's Nature Trail located off Old 27 in Gaylord. I loved how some of the trees were marked so you could verify the identity of them. They have a nice winding path and you can take either the 1 mile or 3/4 mile hike. There is a large mossy bog, beech trees, soft maple, white pine, remnants of blackberry bushes and much more. I think this would make a lovely place to go snow shoeing in the winter.

Jensen's Nature Trail

Here are a few photos I took along Jensen's Nature Trail in Gaylord. I have some more to post this week. This was a nice 1 mile hike, especially this time of year w/ the fallen leaves and the smell of pine in the air.

Weekend Events in Gaylord & Grayling, MI

Greg and I are headed up to the log cabin tomorrow to stay a week in northern Michigan. I am so excited and hope to get a lot of great photos as well as provide more information on great things to do up here!

If you're going to be in the Gaylord & Grayling area, this weekend - the Holiday events are starting a little early:

• Nov. 1 - Holiday Haus Craft Show at First United Methodist Church in Gaylord. Please call 989-732-5380 for more information.
• Nov. 1 - Bake Sale & Craft Show at the Eagles Club in Grayling. Please call 989-344-0035 for more information.
• Nov. 6 - Taste of Gaylord event - please call 989-732-6333.

Have a great weekend!

The leaves have fallen

The leaves are falling rapidly in northern Michigan. This photo is of the adjacent vacant lot to our log cabin. It has a steep slope and not as much frontage on the lake so the city doesn't believe it will be a buildable lot. It's nice to think this wooded area will remain untouched and provide a nice habitat for the birds and animals.

Morning Lake Mist

This weekend up at our log cabin, I woke up early in the morning to capture this photo of the mist on our little lake. The fall colors have peaked and the leaves are falling faster now. Time to get out the rake!

Sledding Path

In the winter, you can sled or toboggan down this steep hill located right off Old 27 in Gaylord, not too far from Otsego Lake. I think it's very scenic with the fall colors or blanketed with snow. When the snow flurries arrive, I am going to pretend I am 8 years old again and give the hill a whirl!

Red & Gold

These two trees are located right next to our log cabin. I am so glad they weren't cleared off the land when we began building.

Heading down the train tracks

These train tracks run through Waters and Gaylord, MI. These tracks are infrequently used and in the winter, this becomes a part of the snowmobile path.

Field of Gold

More of fall's glory in Gaylord, Michigan.

Fall on Big Bradford Lake

One of the most beautiful images you can capture in Northern Michigan is the fall colors of the trees reflecting on their lakes.

Big Bradford Lake - Gaylord, Michigan

80% Peak

I just arrived at our log cabin and am amazed at the changes in the trees. Gaylord is at 80% peak right now. This photo was shot off our deck, if you look closer - you can see the lake peeking between the trees. Tomorrow I should be able to get a good series of photos in the area. I just love this time of year!

Headed down the trail in our ATV

My husband recently convinced me to take a ride on his 'Rhino' Atv. Gaylord has a maze of trails including a 60 mile trail that runs to Mackinaw City! We didn't go that far, but it was nice to take a leisurely ride in the woods.

Just starting to turn...

I went kayaking on Little Bradford Lake in Gaylord this past weekend. It was cool enough to need a fleece jacket and the lake was calm as glass. Here's a hint of what colors are soon to burst....

Autumn is near...

This past weekend when we were up at our log cabin - there was definitely a crispness and coolness in the air.

This photo was taken last year on Little Bradford Lake in Gaylord.

Big Bradford Lake

50% of Big Bradford Lake is state land. This untamed portion of the lake supports a great variety of wildlife.

Lily pads

At the shallow end of Little Bradford Lake in Gaylord, there were all these beautiful lily pads. I was happy to have caught them with their flowers opened.

Sunset on Big Bradford Lake

Another reason to love northern Michigan is the beautiful sunsets you get to witness on any of their many lakes. This was taken on Big Bradford Lake in Gaylord, Michigan.

A nice little fishing lake in Gaylord, MI

My husband fished this past weekend on Emerald Lake which is a 50 acre lake located in Gaylord, Michigan. He is always looking for those "out of the way lakes" and this one didn't disappoint. He and a buddy caught pike and small mouth bass all weighing over 3 pounds. They used spinners and chubs. It appears that a majority of the lake is state owned land - I only saw 1/2 dozen homes or so. Additionally, there were a mating pair of Common Loons on the lake (If you would like to see the Loon photos, please visit my birding site at http://www.birdinginmichigan.blogspot.com/ ) . Happy fishing!

Directions to Emerald Lake: http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/michigan/otsego/turtle-lake/emerald-lake/#fc

Elk Viewing in Gaylord

Last weekend I visited Elk View Park located in Gaylord, Michigan. There the City of Gaylord has a fenced in elk herd with public viewing areas. They have about 50 elk and various deer and 1 lazy ram (my opinion because the whole hour I was there, the ram stood in the same place.) I stood on top of a snow mound to take pictures without the fence getting in the way. They are such massive animals with sweet faces. The elk and deer seemed very curious about the visitors, picking up there heads to look at you and come closer. One baby deer followed me the length of the fence while I was shooting photos. I thought it was a great opportunity to view wildlife at such a close range. Bring your camera!

Place: Elk View Park located on Grandview near downtown Gaylord.

Link: http://www.gaylordmichigan.net/inside_sub.phtml?id=98