IOSCO COUNTY, TAWAS AND SAND LAKE

Monument Road. There is skiing to ll a few hours or an entire weekend!

DOWNTOWN Unlike many Northern Michigan destinations, the East Tawas downtown Area does not close-up when the temperatures drop. The area offers a variety of restaurants to choose from year around, and most of the quaint downtown shops also stay open year around. The downtown is comprised of 3 blocks of a variety of different stores to choose from. The local movie theatre is also downtown, has two screens and has nightly showings of the newest releases.

EVENT Tawas is home to the wellknown “Perchville USA” festival that takes on the rst full weekend in February every year. After having to cancel the festival in 2021 the Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring the event back to the community. The 2022 festival, being held on February 4th and 5th, will be the 71st year for the event.

Perchville USA, which brings about 4,000 spectators out, has a variety of different events. The pre-Perchville activities begin the Saturday before the event with a coronation breakfast where the Perchville Royalty is crowned, the following Thursday the Royal feast is held. The weekend of the celebration includes a parade, family fair, chili cook-off contest, ATV races, shing tournament, polar bear swim cornhole tournament, and a hospitality tent with live entertainment. If you’re lucky you might even spot the Perchville mascot, Nanuk who is a polar bear, walking around town! •

Iosco County, Tawas and Sand Lake for you next snowmobile or ORV trip

Ihave rode many places across lower and upper Michigan since I began riding many years ago. When I think of loading up the sleds or the ORV my rst thought is to head North of the Bridge. As our kids got older we started looking for places closer to home to ride and discovered the Sand Lake trail head in Iosco County.

The trail head is very well maintained throughout all of Michigan’s seasons and has lots of room to park larger trucks and trailers. The trails are groomed for both sled and ORVs, in order to offer you a day of great riding. When you start your riding adventure, you head north for about 8 miles until the trail comes to a tee. At this point you can go either East or West. East will take you towards Oscoda and offers a 19

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NAUBINWAY Top of the Lake

Snowmobile Museum

Open Daily 9-5 PM

Call for after hours appointment

US 2 - Upper Peninsula, MI

P.O. Box 2 W11660 US 2 Naubinway, MI 49762

906-477-6298

info@snowmobilemuseum.com www.snowmobilemuseum.com

Our Upper Peninsula location offers guests and community members an amazing palette of yearround activities, attractions, and events! Some of the annual events we help to promote are: Christmas Bazaar: 12/5/2021

Snowmobile Show & Ride: 2/18-2/19/2022 Fireworks Golf Outing: 6/26/2022 4th of July Celebration: 7/2-7/4/2022 Tractor Show: 8/2022

topofthelake.org

The Association covers four West Mackinac County townships and includes the communities of Engadine, Epoufette, Garnet, Gould City, Naubinway and Rexton. TOLCA P.O. Box 132 Naubinway, MI 49762 | (906) 477-6298

CADILLAC

Cadillac’s Premier Snowmobile Destination!

Check out our web cam at coyotecrossingresort.com • On Trail 638 Check snow conditions on shweb.com

Located 12 miles west of Cadillac in the heart of the trail system! • 10 Deluxe 2-Bedroom Cottages • Full Bar & Restaurant 231-862-3212

IOSCO COUNTY continued from page 35

mile ride on wide trails through the Huron National Forest. You will see a ton of wildlife and these days it just might include a bear. I can also tell you that some of the best wild blueberry picking is along the trail as well. If you need gas or are hungry you are in luck, you will pop out at the Five Channels Dam and Desi’s Taco Lounge is waiting for you. At this point you can keeping heading East or North. If you choose the North trail then all of lower Michigan could be in your future.

Personally, I prefer the West trail head because it takes me past the park where my Grandma would take me and my sisters for a day of swimming. Sand Lake as the name implies has a nice sandy bottom for ideal swimming conditions. For us, our Grandma was an amazing cook and lunch was always packed in an picnic basket lled with goodies made from scratch by her. Hopefully you can enjoy a memory similar to this one as you read our article.

If you chose to head West you are heading toward South Branch. The trails are a little tighter heading West but still offer a great days ride. When you get to South Branch you can gas up get a snack and keep heading West or North.

The trail system is perfect for great rides no matter what direction you go. There are plenty of places to eat and get fuel. So the next time you want to load up and go for the day think of Iosco County, Tawas and Sand lake area. Take it from me, I have rode many places in Michigan and I always look forward to riding the Sand Lake and Tawas trail system. •