Boyne Mountain

This is Boyne Mountain - asleep in the summer. Awaiting snow for the ski season in Michigan.

Timber Pile

My in-laws have a cottage deep in the Grayling woods. Some of the mature trees had fallen after a recent storm so they were chopped up for future bonfires. There is something so beautiful about a woodpile.

Glory Lake in Grayling

Glory Lake is one of two small lakes located in Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, Michigan. A beautiful, peaceful place to be.

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.

Dawson & Stevens Classic 50's Diner in Grayling

Our family recently made our first visit to Dawson & Steven's Classic 50's Diner in Grayling, MI. This was truly like stepping back into time. The jukebox was playing classic 50's music, the diner has a working soda fountain and pink & turquoise bar stools and booths. They serve breakfast, deli sandwiches, hamburgers and a great selection of sundaes. My husband liked his tuna sandwich, I enjoyed my french dip and my stepson gave the chicken tenders and fries thumbs up! Afterwards we had a root beer float and a 1 scoop sundae - a great ending! Additionally, Dawson & Stevens has a Bottle Cap museum which is home to the largest northern Michigan private collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia (over 9,000 pieces!) They have old coke bottles, dolls, trays, milk cartons, etc. (See pics below.) I never realized Coca-Cola had such a rich history. If you want the "Classic 50's" experience - then you will love this diner!

Address: 231 Michigan Ave., Grayling, MI 49738
Phone: (989)348-2111
http://www.bottlecapmuseum.com/

Time to go Canoeing!

Put "canoeing the Ausable River" in Grayling, MI on your to do list this summer! This beautiful river has a slow moving current and is perfect for all types of canoers - beginners, families and even experienced canoers. You can take a 2 hour trip or plan a canoeing adventure for several days.

Places that offer lodging and canoe & kayak rentals include Borchers http://www.canoeborchers.com/ and Penrods (pictured below) http://www.penrodscanoe.com/ . My husband and son went this past weekend to Penrods for a 2 hour leisurely ride and saw all sorts of birds along the way. Additionally, we have rented Penrod's cabins in the past and they are very quaint and clean. A word to the wise - the owner is very specific on who he rents to - and if he thinks you will be drinking and creating a ruckus - then he will advise you to go someplace else. This is definitely a family environment.

Grayling's Ausable River is also home to the famous Ausable River Canoe Marathon www.ausablecanoemarathon.org/ which has been going on for over 60 years! It is the longest non-stop race in North America. Be sure to check out their spectator guide which offers some humorous yet helpful information if you would like to watch this marathon. This year's race is scheduled to begin on July 27, 2008.

Penrod's canoe & kayak rental

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