MI Best Weekend Edition - September 24, 2023

For delivery concerns or to stop receiving this publication please call 800.804.5788 email customercare@mlive.com, or go to http://michigans-best.com.

WHERE TO FIND MICHIGAN’S BEST CONTENT

MLive | www.mlive.com/michigansbest

Facebook | facebook.com/MLiveMIBest

Print | every Sunday, around the state Instagram | @mlivemibest Twitter | @mlivemibest

When we chose the stories for this edition, all the events and dates were accurate. As always, find the mostup-to-date information on the business/event/activity website, Facebook page or other direct information source.

SPONSORED for Munising Visitors Bureau

when Tom Dolaskie and Darrin Hubbard bought, renovated and re-opened the historic Brownstone Inn, the Munising natives focused on goals that were bigger than extending an 18-year business success story in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It was a passion project that centered on the community vibrancy in and around AuTrain. It was about continuing a legacy dining location for locals and visitors, all of whom fondly recall the landmark gathering spot with incredible fourseason views of Lake Superior. And it was about giving generations of clientele and employees the ability to carry-on traditions.

“It’s all about the overall experience of being in the U.P.,” said Dolaskie, who with Hubbard owns and operates seven restaurants in Alger County in addition to a technology firm that was relocated to their hometown. “We are all about giving people a great product, partnering with our local farmers and letting the people who have loved working here for years continue to have jobs they enjoy.

“The Brownstone has always been a destination by vehicle and the (off-road vehicles) and snowmobiles on the trail, a place that you can’t wait to visit. We’re really looking forward to being part a great fall color season and having people find joy in the U.P.”

The Brownstone was built along M-28 just west of AuTrain in 1946 using locally harvested materials that include masonry stones from around the county, logs cut and hauled from Chatham and beams and metal windows from a shuttered Ford Motors plant, as legend and lore from the past 70+ years have recollected. The rustic vibe and unique design complement the vintage log furniture that was built years ago in Cheboygan and remains in the dining room today.

“This is a one-of-a-kind place, and we wanted to stay true to that,” he said.

“We freshened it up, but most of the investment is behind the scenes in the infrastructure and the people.”

Dolaskie relays that the bar is new, and the commercial-grade kitchen is equipped like never before for unparalleled food and service. He also brought in excavators to clear and smooth a onemile off-road path that allows all-terrain vehicles – and come winter a groomed trail for snowmobiles – to easily access the restaurant.

After a busy summer season, when travelers flocked to Munising to enjoy the Pictured Rocks

National Lakeshore, kayaking, boat cruises, hiking and more outdoor activities, the region’s dining and lodging establishments are looking forward to the green forests transition to a fireworks-style explosion of reds, oranges and yellows.

Temperatures will drop while remaining comfortable and crowds will dwindle but the serenity and outdoor beauty that people find in the U.P. remains the same.

The fall leaf forecast indicates that peak color will occur in Munising between Oct. 1 and Oct. 18, providing a twoweek window for people to take advantage of what nature gifts this year, though the lead up to those dates and the immediate aftermath will still offer vibrant beauty.

Of course, in Munising, the prime attraction is and will remain the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with cliffs that climb between 50 and 200 feet and flash stunning shades of red, orange, green and blue, along nearly 30 miles of Lake Superior coastline.

Visitors continue to discover the dramatic views of the sandstone cliffs on outdoor adventures and longtime residents advise guests to take a different perspective on the property by experiencing the

“If you want the best experience and the most incredible views of the cliffs, you’ve got to get out on the water to see them,” said Cori-Ann Cearley president of the Munising Visitors Bureau. “When you’re on a trail, you’re only seeing it from the top down, or from a certain vantage point that has “If you’re on the water, you’re looking at the whole thing and getting Water experiences in the area vary from kayak tours to larger tour boats that continue into the fall months, but visitors should be sure to check the schedules of outing

When it comes to planning a visit to Munising, Cearley says there’s never a

“Everyone is looking for their own way to travel and have their personal experience,” Cearley said. “It’s awesome that we have the ability to give people what they are after.”

2023 is wrapping up, plot your fall adventure in Munising

Maybe you’ve spent the hectic summer months on the go from one spot to another, without a chance to slow down, kick back and relax. Munising has the answer to that daily grind by having the perfect outdoor adventures that stimulate the mind and calm the soul.

3 stunning Munising fall color drives

Munising to Manistique: Use Munising as a launching point to visit Michigan’s amazing Kitchiti-Kipi, the state’s largest natural freshwater spring, spanning 200 feet across and a crystal clear 40foot view to the bottom. Google and Apple maps apps will tell you to take the roughly 50-minute one-way drive via M-94, but those in the know say there’s a beautiful and lesser-traveled route along Highway 13. That path will add about 10 minutes each way, but it cuts through a larger portion of the Hiawatha National Forest before emerging out at U.S. 2 next to Lake Michigan. Kitchi-iti-Kipi is a natural wonder with water temperature hovering at a constant 45 degrees. Nearly 10,000 gallons of water per minute pushes through limestone rocks at the spring’s floor.

abundant activities underscore Munising’s recreational palette that families of all ages and abilities can tap into. A spectrum of outdoor amusement awaits. Here’s a quick look at what must be added for your next visit’s itinerary.

KAYAKING LAKE SUPERIOR

The third largest freshwater lake in the world is an attraction in itself. Serene paddling is perhaps the best way to experience the voluminous Lake Superior and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Numerous tours take you along miles of sandstone cliffs that shoot upwards of 200 feet from the water and long stretches of white sand beaches. Tours guarantee an excursion led by a guided expert, knowledgeable not only in the most awe-inspiring spots but also Lake Superior’s capricious conditions. Tours accommodate any kayaker, whether a seasoned expert or beginner. Popular tour hosts in the area include:

• Paddling Michigan

• Northern Waters

Pictured Rocks Kayaking

• Northwoods Canoe & Kayak Rentals

BOAT CRUISES: BOTH RELAXING AND EXHILARATING

Enjoying Lake Superior doesn’t always require a paddle. Pictured Rocks boat cruises are also available. From the comfort of the tour boat, witness breathtaking views of cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, and waterfalls.

Boat tours in the area allow you to admire beyond the natural beauty present above the surface. Many shipwrecks lurk below Lake Superior’s clear waters along the Alger Underwater Preserve. History comes alive as you view through a glass bottom boat the mighty ships claimed by the water before the turn of the century.

Families that like to let it rip on the water can experience the majesty of Lake Superior and Pictured Rocks while hanging on to their hat. Riptide Ride provides tours on a jet-propelled, 700-horsepower vessel. Explore 25 miles of the shore as you zip and spin. It’s a sensational ride that excitably pairs with the striking scenery.

The Riptide Ride is available through Sept. 30 while the Pictured Rocks Cruises end on Oct. 22.

LOG SLIDE OVERLOOK

The Munising area boasts copious overlooks worthy of a stop for appreciation. If you only have time to visit one, Log Slide Overlook deserves your attention. Located about seven miles west of Grand Marais, loggers formerly used this must-see spot to move logs from the top of the dunes down to Lake Superior, where they would load them onto boats for transportation. It’s about a half-mile trek from the parking area to the overlook, making it easily accessible for families with young ones. The overlook offers memorable views of Au Sable Lighthouse and Grand Sable Dunes. Daring ones (like those of you who opt for the Riptide Ride boat tour) can follow the sandy 500-foot descension down the dunes. It’s recommended to be in good physical shape as going down can take a matter of seconds, but the steep jaunt back upward can take a while.

Westward bound

2-hour trip: Head out of Munising along M-28 to experience amazing views along the Lake Superior shoreline on the north and portions of the Hiawatha National Forest to the south and roughly 40 minutes later you’ll land in the community of Harvey. A turn onto M-553 takes drivers and their passengers toward Gwinn, where they can hop on M-94 and begin the return to Munising. Dense forests and rolling hills are an interesting and scenic spin, and Cearley notes the final 20 miles from Chatham to Munising are amazing. “Just absolutely gorgeous with maples as far as the eye can see,” she said.

Now go east for two hours: You’ve already seen Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore by water and by trail, so why not get a third view by driving through it on the way to Grand Marais, a roughly onehour trip that cuts through the park on H-58. Visitors can then take M-77 south to Seney (a big hit on the groomed snowmobile trails during the winter) and rejoin M-28 to head west through the Seney National Wildlife Refuge and back to the heart of Munising.

Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize.

GEORGE ELIOT

Cearley’s recommendations:

MOST POPULAR FALLS: Munising Falls: In the city of Munising, this 50-foot waterfall is only ¼ mile into the woods and is accessed via a paved trail and a viewing platform. Interesting rock formations are highlighted in every season and this fall is also known for great ice formations in the winter.

the 60-foot falls are at the end of the Chapel Road Drive and about a 2 1/2 mile hike to Lake Superior, where the famous tree and rock formation is found. Pictured Rocks boat tours are available to this majestic setting, one of the few where falls cascade into the Great Lakes.

Munising waterfalls: 4 with easy access and

3 for a good day’s hike

The geological features that created Michigan’s natural beauty and attracts thousands of visitors every year also formed a lesser known, if not equally as stunning, physical phenomenon many don’t realize exist here: Waterfalls.

he state recognizes more than 300 waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula and at the epicenter of Michigan’s waterfall popularity is Munising, home to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where 17 falls can be found. The sites range in access from roadside stops to challenging hikes and from small, stream-like drops to cascading cliff falls.

The changing seasons give waterfalls a unique look whenever visitors travel north to explore.

In the spring, water volumes are at a peak with the snow melt. Come summer, lush green growth of trees and other plants present a colorful and vibrant scene. Fall is mesmerizing from the contrasting colors of the changing leaves. Winter offers a chance to see water seemingly frozen in midair.

Cori-Ann Cearley, president of the Munising’s

Visitors Bureau, said she’s usually greeted with words and looks of disbelief when talking about waterfalls.

“I have to convince them that there are actually waterfalls all around us,” she said. “Once I show them pictures and describe what they’ll nd, there is a lot of excitement and interest. They come back and are thrilled to have seen something they never had before.”

Cearley said waterfall enthusiasts and rst-time visitors can tailor their tour to their level of adventure. The most popular falls are usually the most accessible and the more secluded the fall, the more you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon one of the most beautiful places on earth.

“They will really take your breath away,” she said.

perfect

eventful vacations never truly end. They echo into time through the sharing of photos and memories. Fun outings create stories that inspire future smiles and laughs. They may even convince others to seek similar experiences. A captivating trip embeds into one’s ber, often revisited through declarations that begin with “remember that one time when…” Munising’s vivid landscape spurs such re ection. Whether a family getaway, solo excursion, gathering of friends or a couples retreat, the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore produces indelible moments that perpetuate through imagery and storytelling — and the Munising Visitors Bureau wants you to share these memories.

If you visited Munising recently for the spring or summer sights, it’s time to show everyone how the area is picture perfect. Or as fall nears its breathtaking color display, don’t forget to upload that perfect shot no one else saw.

Munising Visitors Bureau encourages travelers to upload their enthralling memories to their CrowdRiff account. CrowdRiff is a user-generated content hosting platform that accepts JPG, PNG, TIF, SVG, PDF, AVI, FLV, MOV, MP4, MPG and WMV le types. By uploading content on the platform, your memories could make their way onto Munising’s website; further cementing its everlasting qualities that may in uence future travelers.

The natural attractions in the region can keep a thumb in motion, regularly

snapping photos. Just when you think you’ve captured the perfect Instagram moment, another enters the fray. You may nd Instagram’s 10-image post limit inadequate to showcase your trip. Have an image where the sunlight hits just right upon the water? Share it. Have a charming group shot in front of a waterfall that surges with ear-to-ear smiles? Share it.

Miners Falls: The impressive 50-foot fall is a 20-minute walk from a parking lot of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. There are two platforms for viewing and the park service advises to take the time to enjoy the views of the Miners Basin.

Wagner Falls: A short walk on a gravel path takes you to a peaceful spot where you can take in the 20-foot drop of the Wagner Falls, which is fed by Wagner Creek. This is one of the most photographed falls as it features stepped areas with multiple rock ledges.

Laughing Whitefish: A moderate half-mile trail through a beech-maple forest spills out to one of the Upper Peninsula’s tallest waterfalls: Laughing Whitefish. Classified as a slide waterfall, it features a 100-foot drop. It’s a quintessential waterfall to see in the springtime (or following a heavy rainfall) as the water really surges during this period.

MOST CHALLENGING

HIKES:

Chapel Falls: One of the larger straight drops,

Bridalveil Falls: A one-of-a-kind view is found on the 140-foot sandstone cli s of Pictured Rocks and is part of an eight-mile loop that will also take you past the previously mentioned Chapel Falls. Boat trips from Munising will also grant you looks that will last a lifetime.

Spray Falls: A 70-foot waterfall located along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore can be observed by land or water. The remote area requires walking the trails along the cli s and the Spray Falls are located 1.75 miles Northeast of Chapel Rock. If guests aren’t up for the hike, the falls are best viewed from a tour boat, kayak or personal watercra .

image best highlights your Munising trip, let it make waves by sharing it on CrowdRiff.