Okay, so after a week and a half of summer weather we are back to the 60s and low 70s for a few days. This really reminds me of a book I read by Steve Hamilton called “A Stolen Season.” It’s a mystery book set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the title speaks of a summer so cold it felt like someone stole the summer season.

A Stolen Season - Steve Hamilton

If you enjoy reading mysteries and you haven’t yet stumbled upon Steve Hamilton, do yourself a favor and pick up this book or any of his other books featuring the Alex McKnight character. All of the Alex McKnight books are set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Paradise, Michigan to be exact. At least that’s the hometown for Alex. “A Stolen Season” was published in 2007 and is the most recent Alex McKnight novel.

Alex and his friend, Leon Prudell, rescue a trio of men from a boating accident on Lake Superior only to have the rescued men accuse them of stealing a lock box from their sinking boat. This opens up a can of worms that leads to Alex investigating the traffic of prescription pain meds from the Bay Mills Indian Reservation and the dangers Alex faces that eventually meet in a twisting and turning end.

Alex’s travels in his mysteries take him all across the U.P. And occasionally down to his former hometown of Detroit where he served as a cop before getting shot in the line of duty. He still carries that bullet as it is lodged dangerously close to his heart. Too close for surgery to remove it.

There are seven Alex McKnight books with another one currently in the works. Steve Hamilton really captures the essence of the Upper Peninsula in his books. The beauty, wonderful people, and harsh elements are laid out for you in a way that makes you feel like you are right there. I would say that the Upper Peninsula itself is a character in each of the Alex McKnight books. A number of times McKnight battles the elements in addition to his foes in the stories.

Steve Hamilton had his novel Winter of the Wolf Moon honored by placement on the annual Michigan Notable Books list in 2000. The list honors the top 20 fiction and non-fiction titles that either take place in Michigan, are about Michigan, or were written by someone from Michigan. View the most recent lists of Michigan Notable Books. In 2006 Steve Hamilton won the Michigan Author award based on his “contributions to literature, based on an outstanding published body of work.”

Here’s the complete list of the seven Alex McKnight mystery novels:

1. A Cold Day in Paradise
2. Winter of the Wolf Moon
3. The Hunting Wind
4. North of Nowhere
5. Blood is the Sky
6. Ice Run
7. A Stolen Season

Note: This is the Third and Final post about our vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

We had a great time traveling around the Upper Peninsula for a week (which is far too short a time to see all of it). My one real regret is that we ran out of time to see Pictured Rocks. It was on our list of stops, but it just didn’t work out. We’ll just have to save that for another trip, I guess.

After playing beach bums for a day at the cottage we headed on up to Tahquamenon Falls. North of Newberry we could see the destruction from the 2007 forest fire. The river was running much higher than it was the last time I was there which must have been a good nine or ten years ago. This made for a wonderful view of the “root beer” falls. For those who don’t know, the Tahquamenon picks up its distinct amber color due to the “tannins leached from the Cedar, Spruce and Hemlock in the swamps drained by the river.”

The famous root beer falls

Unfortunately we only made it to the lower falls. This was the only area in the U.P. that we visited on our vacation where the mosquitoes were truly awful. It didn’t matter how many gallons of bug spray we had on - they smelled fresh blood and lit into us. if we didn’t have little kiddos I would have gone on to the larger Upper Falls, but I didn’t like how bit up our kids were getting.

On the way back from Tahquamenon Falls we stopped in at Oswald’s Bear Ranch. It came highly recommended from our hosts at Hog Island Cottages, Tom and Sandy, as well as Joe from Java Joe’s in St. Ignace. It was $15 for a carload and it was definitely worth it. This is a must see for anyone visiting the U.P. You get to see black bears right up close while they roam their natural habitat.

Look at those bears climb!

The next day we went to Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring) in Palms Book State Park. This was another place that I had never been but I had wanted to so we stopped in on a foggy morning. We were the first customers of the day and had the observation raft all to ourselves. The crystal clear waters sure were amazing. It was unbelievable how clear you could see the bottom which is 40 feet below.

Beautiful landscape in the 40 foot deep water

Next we went south of Garden Corners to the historic ghost town of Fayette. I could have spent much more time here, but the kids were excellent to stay as long as we did. They were real troopers in putting up with my pedestrian pace and they definitely put on more miles than I did. The only disappointment was that it was decorated for their Christmas in June promotion and the decorations were not period decorations, but modern Christmas decorations of the light up plastic variety. It was tricky to crop my photos and avoid having these tacky decorations obscure an otherwise beautiful scene.

Blacksmith shop at Fayette

The next day we packed up our kids and our luggage and went west down U.S. 2. It was kind of a gray overcast morning with fingers of fog rolling in off of Lake Michigan. A perfect morning to stop in at the Seul Choix Lighthouse. Seul Choix is French for “only choice.” For the early travelers on Lake Michigan this was the “only choice” for safe harbor during a particularly rough storm. It’s a beautiful lighthouse with a wonderful collection of historical items housed all over the grounds and your whole family can visit for only $8 or so.

Seul Choix Lighthouse

The next day we went up to Marquette to the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum. Hands down, this is the best children’s museum we have seen. Having two young kids we have been to a number of children’s museums and the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum does it right. We had to drag our kids out of there - they were having so much fun and didn’t want to leave. There is so much to do and interact with, I am greatly impressed.

Upper Peninsula Children's Museum - fun!

We wandered around town and stopped in at Snowbound Books. I love to read and am always looking for books about Michigan, that take place in Michigan, or written by someone from Michigan. Snowbound Books highlights books written by someone from the Upper Peninsula or that take place in the Upper Peninsula with a tag that has an outline of the U.P. I can never just “look” at a bookstore and this was no exception - I left with a handful of books and a mental note to stop in again at Snowbound Books the next time we’re in Marquette.

Marquette is quite simply one of the most beautiful towns in Michigan. Situated on the rocky shores of Lake Superior with beautiful old homes from the glory days of iron dotting the rolling hills and streets is a unique sight. When we arrived in Marquette a wall of fog was trying hard to come ashore, but a brilliant yellow sun was keeping it at bay. There’s so much to see in Marquette that you really need to stay overnight to take it all in, unfortunately that wasn’t in our travel plans so we had to reluctantly say goodbye after a visit to Presque Isle Park on the north side of town.

Presque Isle Park

One other item of note about Marquette was that even with Michigan’s down economy I didn’t see much in the way of vacant storefronts which is quite the feat, especially in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They must be doing something right up there.

Well, that concludes our trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We regretfully only had a week to explore and enjoy it which is far too short a time. The long drive back home was spent planning and plotting our next trip to the U.P. and all the places we would visit.

To plan your own U.P. vacation get a copy of Moon Michigan’s Upper Peninsula guidebook.

Note: This is Part Two of a series - Part One.

So, when I left off last week my wife and I had just “caffeined up” at Java Joe’s in St. Ignace. I enjoyed my caramel apple latte while we drove down one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in Michigan, nay I say, in the country. Sure California has the Pacific Coast Highway, but driving down U.S. 2 along the northern shore of Lake Michigan is nearly intoxicating to eyes that have seen more than their fair share of bumper-to-bumper traffic and the same old boring franchise-filled strip malls.

You have the white-capped waves of Lake Michigan crashing along the sugar-sanded shoreline on one side and the fresh scent of pines intermingled with creeks, swamps, and hardwood forests on your left. Interspersed along U.S. 2 are scenes from the past of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Motels and pasty shops that sprung up with the opening of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 that had high hopes of summer tourists keeping them in business dot this stretch of highway. Some of the shops and motels are still open and look clean and tidy if not terribly busy. A number are either shut down with boarded up windows and ‘for sale’ signs older than me or are in such a sad state of disrepair that would not entice the weariest of travelers.

I was sad that the Cut River Bridge was under construction. Not because of the detour, but you get such a beautiful view from the span. I’ve enjoyed a nice picnic lunch there many a time.

Our destination for a few nights were the Hog Island Cottages just east of Naubinway. If you’re looking for indoor pools, flat screen televisions with 50+ channels, and complementary continental breakfasts then you’ve come to the wrong place. If you are looking for a wonderful stay at a simple and clean cottage that is a throwback to the heyday of travel then you have found nirvana. The white clapboard cottages were originally moved to this location around 1942.

Clean and cozy

The owners, Tom and Sandy Jacobs, are super wonderful people. Sandy does a great job keeping the cottages clean (and readily supplied with the numerous fresh towels the kids went through) and Tom keeps the cottages in good shape. They both take turns running the old general store - that store in itself is reason enough to stop. I meant to get a picture of the exterior and interior and for some reason did not. You walk in and there are glass display cases filled with smoked whitefish, jerky, and beer. A cooler to the left holds bottles of soda pop and a freezer next to it contains pasties and ice cream.

We went in there everyday to buy something or other. It was always fun to walk in and chat with Tom or Sandy while the kids picked out a treat or two. The last night we were there we wanted to try some of their pasties and Tom was kind enough to cook it for us! He said he had it down to a science and believe me, he did. Those were the best pasties I have ever had. Sure some of it is how they were made, but the way Tom cooked them just right was a big part too.

I tell you what, the only other time I have been treated like this was when we have stayed at a bed and breakfast. Tom and Sandy greet you from the get go and treat you like old friends the whole time you’re there. I needed to get in touch with some relatives in the U.P. and my cell wasn’t getting a signal. I asked Sandy if I could pay her for use of her phone and she said she had free long distance and it wouldn’t be a problem to make a call. How sweet is that?

We had a great time hanging out at the beach that was just a short walk from the cottages. I don’t think a day went by that our oldest didn’t go and swim. The time went by too fast and we were sad to say goodbye to Tom, Sandy, and our Hog Island Cottage.

I’ll try and wrap this series up tomorrow by covering the places we visited during our stay in the U.P.

We had such a wonderful time on our vacation to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. It’s difficult to condense it all down to a single blog post so this is Part One.

We traveled up along the coast of Lake Michigan passing through the beautiful towns of Holland, Muskegon, and Ludington. A picnic lunch was called for and the sugary sandy beach of Ludington was just the place. After lunch we continued up U.S. 31 and stopped at the Dairy King in Beulah for one of the best ice cream cones I have had in a long while. You read that right, it’s Dairy King - not Queen and the ice cream was far superior to the Queen.

I was hoping to have time to swing up to Sleeping Bear Dunes and stop in Glen Arbor, but time was running short and we still had to set up our tent for the night so we pushed on through Traverse City (looking beautiful as always) and by recommendation camped at Barnes Park in Antrim County. If you are in the area I highly recommend camping there. The sites are all shaded and Lake Michigan is a short walk away.

Just up the road a bit from Barnes Park is Friske Orchard and Farm Market. The kids were excited by the animals and playground and the wife and I were enticed by the delicious aromas from the bakery and outdoor grill. A morning snack of super yummy chocolate chip cookies with cherries was enjoyed by all. After a quick time of feeding goats and playing on the playground we packed up the kiddos and headed on our way once more.

Just north of Petoskey on 31 is the little burg of Oden. It’s home to artesian wells and one of the best fish hatcheries in the state. We picnicked at the Oden State Fish Hatchery and then hiked the paved pathway to the trout viewing window (you can watch trout at stream level through a glass viewing area) and on out to the trout ponds where you can feed the huge fish.

What a whopper!

After Oden, it’s just a short jog up the road and if you watch through the trees in front of you - you might be lucky enough to be the first one in the car to spot The Bridge. For those not in the know, The Bridge is the Mackinac Bridge. The most beautiful suspension bridge around as far as I’m concerned. Of course I’m a bit partial being a native of Michigan and all.

I would not trade jobs with these guys for all the money in the world:

Nerves of steel to paint this steel

Upon entering Michigan’s Upper Peninsula the first stop we made was Java Joe’s Cafe in St. Ignace. It’s my favorite coffee shop in the whole U.P. I had a wonderful Caramel Apple Latte and the only disappointment was that Joe and Sandy (the owner’s and simply nicest folks you’ll ever meet) weren’t in at the time.

Here’s a great mural on the back wall of the cafe -

Super cool mural on the back wall of the cafe

Well, that’s as good a place as any to end Part One. The way this is going it’s looking like a three part post :). So much fun, though!

We spent a wonderful week traveling around the great state of Michigan. I have a ton of pictures to share from different places around Michigan as well as some of our favorite stops. I just finished up the shipments for tomorrow (thank you, thank you for the orders!) so I’ll tackle a blog post detailing our adventures tomorrow.

We’re back to shipping all orders within 48 hours of purchase and everything that was ordered while we were closed for a week is being shipped tomorrow.

It was sure fun to see so much of our state, but it is great to be home, too.

Tiger Stadium Demolition 6/09, originally uploaded by Detroit Liger.

Here’s a wonderful shot of the remains of Tiger Stadium with the grand old flag pole in the foreground. Ahh, the memories of ‘The Corner.’

You don’t have to purchase a license to fish in Michigan this weekend (June 13-14, 2009). Fishing rules and regulations still apply. The free fishing weekend is a great way to introduce new anglers to the fun of fishing without going all out and purchasing a license.

If you do decide to buy a license you can also do that online via the Michigan DNR.

I took my son fishing for the first time yesterday and even though we didn’t catch any “keepers” he is ready to go back and do it again. Fishing is just a nice and relaxing activity with an added bonus of providing a meal if you’re lucky enough.

According to this article in the Escanaba Daily Press it would appear that a larger number of Michigan residents are staying home or closer to home for their vacations this summer. I’ll be vacationing within the state this year, but that’s not because of the down economy - it’s because I love taking trips through our beautiful state. I’m hoping to have a slew of gorgeous photos to share after I get back.

So how about you?

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Last week, I posted about 10 Cheap Michigan Travel Ideas and I just thought of another one due to this Free Press article. It’s all about sea glass and tips on where to look for it and just the simple peaceful joy of walking along Michigan’s beaches and doing a little beachcombing.

We have a jar of sea glass at our house that we’ve collected over the years. I (like most other sea glass hunters) will not disclose the best spots I have found over the years. It’s not too hard - just look for a pebbly/rocky beach and chances are you will find sea glass.

A lot of people make jewelry out of the bits and pieces of glass that the water and rocks have rounded and smoothed over the years. We like to put ours in a jar for display. While searching for sea glass in years past I have found an intact tiny medicine bottle, petoskey stones, and numerous other fossils.

The toughest color of sea glass to find? In my case - red/orange. Deep blue is probably second on the list of tough to find sea glass colors. Most common? White and various shades of green.

Here’s a neat little video showing pictures of sea glass along the shore -

With gas prices going back up and the economy in Michigan still suffering I thought it would be beneficial to point out Ten Cheap Michigan Travel Ideas. They’re light on your wallet and lots of fun.

1. Buy an Annual State Park Vehicle pass - $24 resident $29 non-resident.

There are over 90 state parks and recreation areas on Michigan. You are never more than a half hour from a state park, recreation area, State Forest Campground, or State trail system. For $24 you can have a ton of cheap fun in Michigan this summer. Beaches, hiking, waterfalls, historic sites such as the Fayette ghost town in the U.P., and for a little extra - camping in Michigan’s beautiful outdoors.

2. Museums – There are hundreds of museums across Michigan. Museums covering topics ranging from art, history, Yoopers (Da Yoopers Tourist Trap in Ishpeming), Michigan’s mining history (Michigan Iron Mining Museum in Negaunee is a good one), and tons of cool free museum’s such as the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

3. Free concerts in the park. Numerous towns, both big and small, across Michigan offer weekly “Concerts in the Park.” Bring a lawn chair and some snacks for a fun evening of family friendly entertainment. Since I’m on the west side of the state I highly recommend the Riverfront Concerts in South Haven. They are every Thursday at 7pm and typically last about an hour.

4. Visit one of Michigan’s more than 120 historic lighthouses. A large number of these historic lighthouses allow you to climb up to the tower and visit their museum for a small fee. Find a lighthouse near you.

5. Every weekend there are hundreds of festivals of various themes all across Michigan. Some highlights are the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Bavarian Festival in Frankenmuth, Belleville National Strawberry Festival, and the Straits Area Car Show in St. Ignace. Find more Michigan festivals and events at www.mfea.org.

6. Farm markets & U-pick farms. You just never know what treasures or goodies you will find at one of Michigan’s many farm markets. Enjoy Michigan’s fruits and vegetables even more by visiting a U-Pick Farm and picking your own produce – it’s a great way to show your kids the work involved in getting food beyond the grocery store, plus you’re supporting local farmers. Search for Farm Markets and U-pick Farms near you at www.MichiganFarmFun.com.

7. The Kalamazoo Air Zoo is free from now until September 30, 2009. Normally it is $19.50 for adults and $15.50 for kids. You will have to pay for the various rides and simulators ($2 to $4), but there is a whole lot to see for free. I love talking to the Veterans who are there to help give more information on the exhibits. It makes the experience that much more incredible to speak with a man who actually flew in some of the aircraft exhibited.

8. State Fish Hatcheries are free and have numerous exhibits and activities that both kids and adults will enjoy. There are two hatcheries in the Upper Peninsula (Marquette and Thompson State Fish Hatcheries) and four hatcheries in the Lower Peninsula - Oden, Platte River, Thompson, and Wolf Lake. My favorite is the Oden Fish Hatchery which has a neat exhibit of how fish were transported via train as well as an underwater trout viewing area.

9. Michigan National Parks - Michigan is home to four National Parks with three of them in the Upper Peninsula - Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Keewenaw National Historic Park, and in the Lower Peninsula there is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. There are no entrance fees for Pictured Rocks and Keewenaw National Historic Park. Isle Royale has a $4 daily use fee plus the cost of getting a boat to the island. Sleeping Bear Dunes charges $10 per vehicle for a seven day pass.

10. Cascades Falls in Jackson - They are open nightly from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day. $3.00 per person. $5.00 per person on a fireworks Night. Children 10 and under get inside free. Group rates are available by advanced notice. The falls are lit with colors and are controlled by computer to “play” with the music. You’ll hear classics from the swing era to modern hits. I have fond memories of attending shows at the Cascades when I was a kid and look forward to taking our kids there (perhaps this summer) some day.

Cascades Park in Jackson