Kelderhouse Road flooding caused by beavers. A close up look at the extensive work of our furry engineers. They have been “busy beavers.” Kelderhouse Road near Port Oneida bisects two ponds. Beavers have built their lodge in one and their dam in the other. Now, beavers don’t like walking across dry land, so they’ve done […]
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Ice formations on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Sleeping Bear Bay After a long, cold winter, spring is coming to northern Michigan! While there is still a chill in the air and doubtlessly more snow before summer, the sun is noticeably warmer and the piles of snow and ice are melting. If you picture spring in […]
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For the second year in a row, frigid temperatures over Lake Michigan have left it nearly 60% frozen. Those cold temperatures coupled with the strong winds we’ve had over the past month are the perfect ingredients for the formation of ice caves. There were ice caves on Lake Michigan last year, but none had formed so far this year. Until […]
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Early snow blanketing the meadow in front of D. H. Day Farm in November. Winter has returned to the Republic a little ahead of schedule this year. No sooner had the spectacularly colored leaves fallen from the trees than they were being covered by snow. The snow came in light sprinkles at first. A dusting at […]
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The breathtaking Islands Lookout on Alligator Hill affords a spectacular view of Sleeping Bear Bay, the Manitou Islands, and South Fox Island. Alligator Hill is an often overlooked jewel in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Its nine miles of hiking trails loop their way through some of the most beautiful landscapes in northern Michigan. Located smack […]
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Breaking trail for the Bay to Bay Hiking and Kayaking Trail. Here Bob and the team hike through the dunes in Platte Bay with Empire Bluffs and Sleeping Bear Point in the distance. It’s an epic hike. From south to north across the entire Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, hiking the Bay to Bay Trail […]
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Many people choose to live in and visit northern Michigan because of its striking natural beauty. Natural beauty can take many forms, from never-ending sand dunes, to crystal clear lakes, and even wildlife. It’s important to note that northern Michigan is still very much a wilderness area, with various species of wildlife roaming around, including black bears. It’s […]
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The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has long been renowned for its beauty. Spectacular views of the dunes, rolling hills, inland lakes, and of course Lake Michigan are everywhere. Until recently, soaking in this gorgeous landscape was most easily accomplished by car. A short drive to one of the scenic overlooks or along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive would have […]
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The Manitou Passage off Sleeping Bear Point in early May still had considerable amounts of ice. Northern Michigan has some of the most beautiful beaches and lakes in the world. Good Morning America declared it the most beautiful place in America and every year thousands of vacationers revel in its splendor. But that splendor hides some […]
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Just one of the many breathtaking vistas to be found on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive No list of northern Michigan scenery is complete without a mention of Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Situated between Glen Arbor and Empire it offers spectacular views, firstly through forest and across Glen Lake, and then over the dunes and out […]
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Surfers heading to the beach at Sleeping Bear Point. Photo: Beth Price. It may be about a thousand miles to the nearest ocean, but you can surf in northern Michigan. While the waves are usually small, the right conditions can produce surprisingly large and high-quality surf. Sadly, those conditions aren’t that common until the fall. But after […]
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Hiking back from North Manitou Island towards the Crib with Pyramid Point in the distance. On Thursday, March 6th, 2014, we attempted something that hasn’t been done for 40 years: to hike the treacherous ice across the Manitou Passage to the islands 8 miles out. In the 1970’s, Bob’s father and two brothers left the shore […]
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