Traverse Northern Michigan, July 2025

0 7 . 20 2 5 SPECIAL INSERT

Real Estate & Home Services

Road Trip!

A C O A S TA L D U N E S A D V E N T U R E + Calling After Water An Angler’s Memoir

A Smash Hit

How Glendale’s Burgers Broke the Internet

JULY 2O25

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$6.5O

6/4/25 10:05 AM

VI SI ON You know where you’re going.

We’ll help you get there.

At Greenleaf Trust, building and sustaining your wealth is not a sideline—it is our sole purpose. Our team is exclusively dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive wealth management services, trust administration, and retirement plan services. Client relationships begin at $2 million.

TRAVERSE CITY | BAY HARBOR

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Financial security from generation to generation.

6/4/25 10:05 AM

CRYSTAL MORE SO MUCH SUMMERTIME FUN AWAITS

YOUR TO-DO LIST AT MICHIGAN’S PREMIER FAMILY RESORT: Swim. Bike. Hike. Ride Michigan’s only dual Alpine slide down the mountain. Take a chairlift back up for an amazing view of three counties. Enjoy the Crystal Spa. Play one, or both, of our 18-hole championship golf courses. And more. To book a stay, call 866-348-9070 or visit crystalmountain.com.

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THOMPSONVILLE, MI

6/4/25 10:16 AM

Building and Renovating Northern Michigan’s Finest Residences

joel@joelpetersonhomes.com • 516 E. Front St., Traverse City • 231.994.2168

502 S Grand Avenue, Leland Remarkable opportunity to build this picture perfect cottage home in the idyllic town of Leland. Situated just steps from North Lake Leelanau at the end of Grand Avenue, the main floor offers a primary suite, open kitchen, living and dining area, mudroom and 1/2 bath. The upper level brings three additional bedrooms, a loft area and full bath. The lower level features a 5th bedroom, bath and recreation room.

Amenity includes a one stall detached garage, landscaping, Pella windows, LP siding, hardwood floors, tile, quartz countertops, and Kohler fixtures. Owner is broker in the State of Michigan.

MLS:1930381 $1,599,000

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6/6/25 9:43 AM

features 48

07.25

The Scenic

Fueled by childhood memories of the beaches near her grandparents’ farm, photographer Kate Headley captures the bliss and nostalgia of a Northern summer.

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Calling After Water

PHOTOS AND STORY BY K AT E H E A D L EY

Michigan author Dave Karczynski talks fly fishing, chasing passion, writing and the art of staying still.

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INTERVIEW BY B O B B U T Z

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT UP NORTH PEOPLE, PLACES, FOOD AND EVENTS.

US-2 Road Trip

Along the stretch of US-2 between St. Ignace and Naubinway, sparkling sand dunes roll into Lake Michigan’s turquoise waters.

The drive takes less than an hour, but trust us—it’s worth slowing down.

PHOTOS AND STORY BY

A L L I S O N JA R R E L L AC O STA

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Smash!

How a pop-up dream, a leap of faith and a viral video launched Traverse City’s newest burger destination.

BY K A N DAC E C H A P P L E PHOTOS BY T I M H U S S EY

57// / 57 SPECIAL SECTION:

photo by Kate Headley

REAL ESTATE & HOME SERVICES

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Local real estate pros share 11 smart moves and insider strategies for navigating Northern Michigan’s market in 2025.

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Your neighborhood grocery store.

412 N St Josephs Suttons Bay 231-252-4132 Northport • Traverse City • Interlochen

4 T R AV E R S E N O R T H E R N M I C H I G A N

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6/4/25 10:16 AM

TWIN BAY DOCKS AND PRODUCTS Poly Furniture Line

ABOUT OUR FURNITURE LINE

Constructed of recycled plastic • All weather durability No rotting and resistant to cracking, splintering, chipping etc.

Easy to maintain simply using soap and water • UV protectant for color stability Designed and manufactured in Michigan! • Made by Twin Bay Docks and Products

71

departments 09 | Editor’s Note 11 | Up North

Catching up with singer-songwriter Joshua Davis; plus, July’s can’t-miss events, and the secret finds our editors are loving this month.

21 | Travel

This summer, we’re finding travel inspo from a U.P. author and her new bucket-list book.

Made in Michigan by Twin Bay Docks & Products

All poly furniture available in 4 standard colors: Black, White, Light Gray, and Dark Gray

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ment of accessories (i.e. cup holder) • Engineered to last

See entire line at twinbaydockproducts.com

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982 E. Commerce, Traverse City MI. 49685

Crystal Diamonds Alpaca Emporium

25 | Outdoors

Step inside these awe-inspiring old-growth forests for your next moment of Zen.

71 | Culinary North

Join us on a delicious romp through the North’s dining scene; plus, take a trip to Mackinac Island’s Watercolor Café.

79 | In the Kitchen

Indulge Yourself in Alpaca Luxury Located in the Village at Bay Harbor 4197 Main Street, Bay Harbor MI 49770

Fifth-generation farmer Leisa Eckerle Hankins shares her family’s go-to cherry dessert. photo by Allison Jarrell Acosta

80 | Love of the Land

An ADA-accessible boardwalk in East Jordan showcases wild wetlands and a lively river ecosystem.

ON THE COVER A beach day at the dunes along US-2.

Photo by Allison Jarrell Acosta

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WHERE SPORT SOARS AND HOSPITALITY SHINES

JULY 3 – AUGUST 10

Experience Olympic-level show jumping with elevated views, box-seat comfort, and the best of Northern Michigan summer.

Each week reveals a new chapter of the sport—and new ways to savor summer, from ringside relaxation to premium views and chef-hosted dinners.

MICHIGAN’S FIRST-EVER CSI3* FEI Nations Cup

Coming to Traverse City—July 24, 2025

PLAN YOUR VISIT Scan the code for dates, ticket options, and what to expect.

TraverseCityHorseShows.com/Visit

6535 Bates Road, Williamsburg—Just 20 minutes from downtown Traverse City

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6/4/25 10:16 AM

Traverse

NORTHERN

MICHIGAN A MyNorth Media Publication

Vol. 45 | No. 2

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Cara McDonald

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Allison Jarrell Acosta Caroline Dahlquist

PROOFREADER

Lissa Martin Meagan Francis Carly Simpson

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

Tim Hussey Theresa Burau-Baehr

ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR, SPECIAL SECTIONS

Let us help make your dreams a reality.

Rachel Watson

DIRECTOR OF SALES

Lisa Froning

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Rachel North Benjamin Roll

DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT/SUBSCRIPTIONS

Asher Considine

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Ashlyn Korienek

Specializing in custom design & designer collections wexfordjewelers.com • 231-775-1289

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES

415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: 231.941.8174 | Fax: 231.941.8391 SUBSCRIBER SERVICES

Visit MyNorth.com/Account to renew your subscription, change your address or review your account.

Subscribe to Traverse Northern Michigan at MyNorth.com/Subscribe.

Please email other subscription inquiries to info@mynorth.com or call 800-678-3416 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

3275 S Sunrise Ln, Lake Leelanau 103 feet of private Lake Leelanau frontage • Sandy beach

Traverse Northern Michigan, (ISSN10713719) is published monthly by Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan, 415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Periodicals class postage paid at Traverse City, MI 49684 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Traverse Northern Michigan, 415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Advertising rates available upon request. Subscription rate: $39.95 for 12 issues. Single issue price: $6.50. All rights reserved. Copyright 2025, Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

High ceilings, open spaces, panoramic views!

3 season sun porch • Split floorplan 2-car attached and 3-car detached garage for all your toys!

New well pump, newer HVAC MLS 1931708 l $1,450,000

Follow Us On Social Media facebook.com/mynorthmedia instagram.com/mynorthmedia pinterest.com/mynorthmedia

ANN PORTER

ASSOCIATE BROKER / REALTOR

231.944.4959

Ann Porter Ann@AnnPorterTC.com ASSOCIATE BROKER

Find detailed listing information 231.944.4959 at www.AnnPorterTC.com

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521 Randolph Street, Traverse City, MIfor 49684 Visit AnnPorterTC.com

more information.

521 Randolph Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 J U LY 2 0 2 5

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MYNORTHTICKETS.COM 800.836.0717

The Cottage is Fun… Until Someone Gets Hurt.

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You’ve got a revolving door of guests—friends, family, kids, dogs, Jet Skis, bonfires, fireworks, sparklers, s’mores...

And you’ve got liability.

Whether it’s a slip on the dock, a fall down the stairs, a sparkler gone rogue, or a lakeside Jet Ski collision—if it happens on your property, it could become your problem.

As a host and property owner, you need to know: • What are your legal responsibilities if someone gets hurt?

• Can you be sued for injuries from backyard activities?

• How do you protect yourself and your guests?

LOBB LAW is here to help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and how to protect your cottage, your guests, and yourself from legal headaches.

thelobblawfirm.com 248-591-4090 8 T R AV E R S E N O R T H E R N M I C H I G A N

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6/4/25 10:16 AM

Editor’s Note

HOOK, LINE AND SINKER

photo by Arkadiusz Kubale

T

his is the second version of this month’s note I’ve written. The first one was a fish story. I wanted to talk about our interview this month with writer/angler/photographer and regular contributor, Dave Karcyznski, about his new book, Calling After Water. And I’m embarrassed to admit that I did the thing that people do with certain dishy topics that seem to invite one-upsmanship, like world travel, or childbirth, or dog adoption: I lit on it joyfully, my brain rubbing its tiny cartoon hands together as if to say, “Oooh, yes! And have I got a good one for YOU!” But that’s not good listening or good storytelling, that sort of breathless, “Yeah and wait ’til you hear this!” reaction.

So, much as it kills me not to tell you about my first time on the river, when I hooked something unexpected in a Colorado mountain stream, let’s leave the proof of prowess to the pose-with-a fish-trophy pictures. This version is not a fish story.

When I got ahold of Dave’s book, Associate Editor Allison Jarrell Acosta had already devoured it. Neither Allison nor I are anglers, but we are editors, writers and travelers who love the outdoors, which is how the book came to us. But once we cracked the spine, Dave had us; he had us from the first line: “I was young. I was free. And I was screwed.”

The stories span 15 years—his adult lifetime to date, give or take—of chasing fish, chasing adventure, chasing writing gigs that paid for the adventures themselves, if only just. But what quickly emerged was an unspooling of how a life becomes a Life. Dave’s stories, strung together, create a sort of roadmap to uncovering who and how you’re supposed to be in the world, if you’re willing to follow the gnawing in your heart to the point of near poverty; to the point of derailing one’s career, some relationships, and definitely the 401k; to the point of singlemindedness bordering on notquite-right-ness. In their totality, they are also a love letter

to the joy of finding a singular passion and filtering every bit of your life through it that you possibly can. A kind of Eat, Pray, Love for the wilderness set.

You don’t need to be an angler to find it, either. What Dave’s story invites, instead, is to get utterly lost in something. Something you love. What is the thing, that childhood thing, that broke your heart to leave behind? What would you chase if nothing could be lost? If nothing else mattered?

What could happen if that thing sharpened your senses, ordered your days and filled your cup with self-discovery and characters and adventures and thrills and near-misses?

What happens, it seems, is purpose. And the growing knowledge that whatever we’ve been taught about not following our excitement is a lie. Because the world doesn’t need us to be more lifeless and dutiful, or more beholden to norms that dull our spirit and our senses and paths that lead to striving, materialism, competition, greed, detachment, chronic stress, then death. Other things are calling, too. The natural world. The people we love. Our very own hearts.

I hope this summer you find what calls you, and you answer with joy.

Cara McDonald, Executive Editor cara@mynorth.com

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AT BLUSTONE VINEYARDS, EVERY VISIT IS MORE THAN A TASTING — IT'S A STORY YOU’LL TELL AGAIN AND AGAIN. Blustone Vineyards has been named a Red Hot Best winery five years running — offering an experience that goes beyond the wine. Perched on a hill with Napa Valley–worthy views, our tasting room invites you to savor the true spirit of Leelanau, one unforgettable glass at a time.

Join us this summer and discover why guests rave:

"The wine is world-class, the views are breathtaking, and the hospitality is unmatched."

Reserve your tasting experience today at blustonevineyards.com

Uniquely Made. Undeniably Leelanau.

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6/4/25 12:12 PM

Up North

local buzz · nostalgic finds · travel inspo

“

It doesn’t feel like summer until I’ve posted up at a sandy beach.

—MARKETING COORDINATOR ASHLYN KORIENEK

EDITORS’ PICKS: OUR BEST DISCOVERIES P. 13

CATCHING UP WITH JOSHUA DAVIS P. 15

JULY EVENTS P. 17

ELK RAPIDS: A COASTAL HAVEN P. 18

A BUCKET-LIST TRIP P. 21

WALK WITH GIANTS

photo by Mae Stier

P. 25

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UN LY JJ U E 2025

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WHEN OUR CLIENTS SPEAK, WE LISTEN. It’s a simple but effective way of helping people reach their financial goals - and it’s a way of doing business that Raymond James has pioneered for more than 50 years.

Make your voice count. Partner with one of our financial advisors and get guidance that’s in tune with your life. LIFE WELL PLANNED.

Jeff K. Pasche, CFA® Senior Vice President, Investments Traverse City Branch Manager

Sales and Service

231-929-2330

13988 S. Robinson Rd, TC www.sailsportmarine.com

Jim Stoops, AWMA®, CRPC® First Vice President, Investments James Spencer, ChFC®, AAMS® Financial Advisor

Jeff Jennifer K. Pasche, CFA Youker, CFP®, CRPC® Financial Advisor Senior Vice President, Investments Traverse City Complex Manager Dennis J. Brodeur Vice President, Investments World Famous Wealth Management Specialist Smoked Pork Loin, Trevis E. Gillow Bacon, Ham, Hot Dogs, Vice President, Investments Bratwurst, and Smoked Fish.

Wealth Management Specialist 116 South Third Street ROGERS CITY 989-734-2232 Susan Carlyon First Vice President, Investments 2200 East Mitchell Rd. at the corner of Mitchell & Division Roads Wealth Management Specialist PETOSKEY 231-348-8100 Keith Carlyon Nationwide Shipping Available at Plathsmeats.com Senior Vice President, Investments

Cole T. Blades, MBA, AIF® Financial Advisor Courtney C. Jackson Complex Business Coordinator Susan Stepka Registered Client Service Associate

M. Bonaccini JenniferPaul S. Bunker ClientVice Service AssociateInvestments President,

Accredited Asset Management Specialist Tyne Hyslop Financial Advisor Jennifer Youker, CFP®, CRPC® Financial Advisor Eric H. Palo Financial Advisor James Spencer, ChFC, AAMS Associate Vice President, Investments Robert Fenton Financial Advisor

Food & Drink Newsletter 13818 S West Bay Shore Dr • Traverse City, MI 49684 • (231) 946-3650 Dig into Northern Michigan with us and find out where to eat, drink, and taste!

Delivered to your inbox monthly:

MyNorth.com/Newsletter

13818 S West Bay Shore Dr. • Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 946-3650 • www.raymondjames.com/Traverse-City

Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. Raymond James® is a registered trademark of Raymond James Financial, Inc. Chartered Retirement Plan SpecialistSM, AWMA®, Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM; CRPC®, Accredited Asset Management SpecialistSM and AAMS® are trademarks or registered service marks of the College for Financial Planning in the United States and/or other countries. CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (with plaque design) in the U.S.

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6/9/25 9:49 AM

Up North Curiosities

Flat and Friendly

Perhaps you have littles who need a short ’n’ sweet trek. Or maybe you or your partner have mobility limitations.

If you’ve tried Googling “easy hikes near me,” you know that sometimes it works, and other times, not so much.

Lucky for us, Little Traverse Conservancy has answered our nature-loving prayers with a “Flat & Friendly Trails” map, featuring accessible pathways across the tip of the Lower Peninsula— from Charlevoix and Petoskey up to Cheboygan and Mackinaw City. Each trail includes a detailed description of what to expect and falls into one of three categories: Easy, Flat and Barrier Free, or Wheelchair/ADA Accessible.

Call 231.347.0991 for a physical copy or view the map online at landtrust.org.

EDITORS’ PICKS

this photo by Mae Stier // top left courtesy of Kate’s Sweet Shop & Mini Golf // top right courtesy of Little Traverse Conservancy

The secret discoveries we tell our friends about.

– Allison Jarrell Acosta

Golf and Cone Combo

When summer afternoons stretch long and hot, Kate’s Sweet Shop & Mini Golf in Interlochen is a must-stop for us. This family-friendly spot has 18 holes of mini golf and a delicious selection of hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream.

Our family faves are Michigan Pothole (with swirls of fudge “tar,” chunks of chocolate “asphalt”), Ultimate Peanut Butter Brownie, and a classic vanilla soft-serve—but definitely with sprinkles. – Rachel Watson The Best Beach

It doesn’t feel like summer until I’ve posted up at a sandy beach, sandwich in one hand and a good book in the other. I’ve spent many summers at First Street Beach in Manistee. There’s plenty of seating in the grassy areas if sand isn’t your thing, along with pavilions for family cookouts, a playground and various sporting areas nearby, a fishing pier, public restrooms and a pristine stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. Stop by Alpine Chocolat Haus downtown first for a sweet treat, then enjoy the view of ships passing through the Manistee River Channel. – Ashlyn Korienek

Blissed Out

Something special happens to our brain when we experience live tunes— a heightened sense of emotion thanks to the unique synchronization between our brains and the music that you just can’t get with a recording. Now imagine feeling it all day, for a whole weekend. The Blissfest folk/roots musical weekend transforms a 200-acre farm outside of Harbor Springs into, well, a bit of bliss each July. Headlining among others this year ( July 11–13) is Elephant Revival, offering up a lovely mashup of Celtic, roots and reggae influences wrapped in a rousing live presence that’ll make your brain happy. – Cara McDonald J U LY 2 0 2 5

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a luxe, warm salon experience Your happiness is at the heart of everything we do. Come in, unwind, and let us make your day extraordinary.

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Sound & Lighting Rentals DJ Services Sound Production 231-883-9437 rentals@geartogorentals.com geartogorentals.com

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6/9/25 9:13 AM

Up North Local Buzz

CATCHING UP WITH…

by CARA MCDONALD

Joshua Davis gets real about grief, his creative process and what the next gen of singersongwriters has taught him.

J

oshua davis, 47, has had plenty of defining moments as a singer-songwriter.

He’s gone from gigging musician to reality TV fame as a finalist on “The Voice” in 2015—but his latest chapter is taking him back to the beginning. For the last year and a half, he’s served as Director of Popular Music at Interlochen Academy of the Arts, and it’s changed his creative trajectory.

Davis plays Interlochen’s Corson Auditorium this summer with May Erlewine.

photo courtesy of Joshua Davis

On transitioning from the stage to the classroom:

“I kind of come at it like I’m just another songwriter, but one that’s had a lot of experience. And I am trying to help students’ creative voices evolve without coloring it with my own creative voice. There’s a certain amount of frenetic energy that high schoolers have; they’re writing very cathartic, confessional songs. It’s a lot of deep feeling, a lot of very big ups and downs, so being around that kind of energy for me is fun and exciting.”

On unpacking his process:

“I have always used my ear, and songwriting is something I just kind of intuitively do. It’s another thing to figure out

how I do it, why I do it. With the kids I’ll take a song and we will just totally break it down: Why is that song so impactful? Why is it so compelling? What about the parts? What about the groove? What about the chords? What about the vocal performance? All these things. And it’s become this obsession of mine to really dig into everything. And it’s fun.

It’s like a science all its own.”

On the teaching lifestyle:

“I’ve got a family with three kids, and a big difference is: I don’t have to gig anymore. I don’t have to tell my manager, ‘We need to book this much work this quarter.’ So now I can choose and play the venues I want, that feel enjoyable and special.”

On his recent work:

“In my newest work, there are three songs that I kind of put out as a trilogy: ‘Paper Boats,’ ‘Congratulations and Condolences’ and ‘Off the Grid’ are about my experience with grief.

And with my dad passing, grief is something that I’ve had a really hard time communicating. But I’ve always thought music should be a community resource. It should be like a horn to call people together. And any way I can use my art to do that in some way, it feels good.”

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Crystal Lake Alpaca Crystal Alpaca Farm &Lake Boutique Farm & Boutique

Featuring the freshest salads, pastas, seafood, and steaks Tues-Fri 5-9pm Sat 9am-9pm Sun 9am-8pm

Farm Farm

Boutique

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May 22nd - Oct. 31st Monday - Saturday May 22nd - Oct. 31st 10 AM -- 5Saturday PM Monday

TheBluePelican.com 231-544-2583 Central Lake, MI

10 AM - 5 PM

Nov. 1st - Dec. 24th Nov. 1st - -Dec. 24th Wednesday Saturday Wednesday - Saturday 11 AM - 4:30 PM

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11 AM - 4:30 PM

Frankfort, MI 49635

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Closed Sundays Closed Sundays & Holidays

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Creating personalized landscapes, designed to Inspire

FLASKA LANDSCAPING 231.590.3734 16 T R A V E R S E N O R T H E R N M I C H I G A N

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6/9/25 11:38 AM

Up North Events

WED / 2 Originally established to honor the 480,000acre forest, the Manistee National Forest Festival (July 2–6) in Manistee brings families together for carnival rides, a petting zoo, the Scottville Clown Band Parade, a kids talent show, chainsaw carvings, fireworks and more.

FRI / 4 Come down early to the Village Marina Lawns in Bay Harbor to catch an always spectacular performance by the Petoskey Steel Drum Band, followed by a beautiful fireworks display over Little Traverse Bay. WED / 9 What a fantastic way to introduce your child to the sport of kayaking! Paddle Antrim’s Kids Kayaking Classes (July 9, July 21, August 9) are designed with fun and safety as primary goals; students are taught through a variety of games and exploration at River Park in Ellsworth.

FRI / 11 Join the multi-generational community gathering at Blissfest to celebrate diverse folk music and culture on the 200-acre Festival Farm, located just outside Cross Village (July 11–13). Food, craft and healing arts vendors from all over the U.S. and Canada are drawn to this quintessential summer event.

These are the July events worth leaving the lake for.

SUN / 13 The Gene Rantz Memorial Plein Air Paint Out in Northport will have artists painting throughout the Leelanau Peninsula (July 19 & 20). Watch as the artists create their works, then purchase your fresh, one-ofa-kind work of art. MyNorthTickets.com

TUES / 1 Can you break the distance record for cherry pit–spitting? Run the fastest through a working cherry orchard? Sculpt the most intricate sandcastle? You can have fun trying when you immerse yourself and the whole family in the activities, music, art, food and fun of the National Cherry Festival (June 28–5) in Traverse City, topped off by the Cherry Royale Parade on Saturday.

THUR / 24 Sit back and enjoy the dazzling display of Lasers on the Ore Dock (July 24–26) from your vehicle, or take a stroll along Lake Superior while marveling at this unique light show in Marquette. Presented

by Fresh Coast Light Lab & Travel Marquette, the light displays run each night from 9:30–11 p.m., and the event returns monthly with a new theme and design.

FESTIVALS GALORE

photo by Riley James

curated by CD DAHLQUIST

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Up North Nostalgia

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photo by Dave Weidner

WISH YOU WERE HERE Wedged between Elk Lake and Lake Michigan, the charming town of Elk Rapids is a coastal haven.

Find your place on a golden-sand big-water beach, or head to Elk Rapids Day Park—one of the best sunset-viewing spots Up North. While you’re here, hunt for antiques, browse the boutiques and galleries downtown, and enjoy a waterside meal at Riverwalk Grill & Taproom. Cap off your visit with a trip to Ethanology, BOS Wines or Short’s Brewing Co. -A.J.A.

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6/4/25 12:13 PM

A legacy of trust. A future of caring.

• Tasks for daily living

Senior In-home Care

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• Nursing, medication, & • Errands & transportation healthcare coordination 866-929-9044 • Personal care assistance • Monitoring & safety ComfortKeepersTC.com tech solutions • Specialized care for • Lifestyle coordination chronic conditions

6/6/25 9:55 AM

Up North Travel

THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

by ALLISON JARRELL ACOSTA

This summer, we’re finding travel inspo from a Michigan author and her new bucket list book.

Get lost in the wild of Drummond Island

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nexpected pit stops, under-the-radar adventures, memory-making festivals. Naubinway author Kath Usitalo’s book, 100 Things to Do in Michigan Before You Die, is a succinct list of just about everything you need to see and do across our pleasant peninsulas.

Our editors flipped through Usitalo’s guide (it makes a great beach read) and picked four of our favorite Up North adventures to whet your road-tripping appetite. (To flip through the full list of 100 yourself, pick up a copy at local and major booksellers.)

photo by Todd Zawistowski

#5: Order Whitefish with a Lock View in The Soo

Whitefish are native to the cold Great Lakes waters, and for centuries they have been an important part of the culture and sustenance of the region’s Anishinabek people. In 1695, European explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac delightedly noted, “Moreover, better fish can not be eaten, and they are bathed and nourished in the purest water.”

Long before “eat local” became a foodie trend, whitefish was a staple across the U.P. Cooks have a field day with the mild and versatile fish, and it’s found battered and fried, smoked, baked and broiled, and in sausage, dips and spreads. Goetz’s Lockview Restaurant, a Sault Ste. Marie landmark since 1945, starts the day serving whitefish with eggs and bagels, and offers a choice of six ways with the fillet at lunch and dinner. Find it in chowder, tacos, a Reuben sandwich and deep fried on a bun. You’ll be hooked on the

smoked whitefish spread made with horseradish, capers and cream cheese. All that and a view of the Soo Locks, too. thelockviewrestaurant.net

#43: Clip-clop into the Past: Drive Your Own Horse and Buggy

On Mackinac Island, where cars are banned, you can get around by walking, bicycling or taking a horse-drawn taxi.

But at this place where horse is king, you also have the option of hitting the trails on a guided or independent saddle ride. Cindy’s Riding Stable and Jack’s Livery Stable have horses for hire, and Jack’s also offers you the chance to take the reins of your own horse-drawn carriage around the island—no experience required. Trot back in time on a drive along the 8.2-mile perimeter road that circles the island, or head into the interior park to follow park roads through the woods on a romantic ride for two or a jaunt for four. Jack’s Livery Stable is a fourth-generation business with reliable horses that the knowledgeable staff match to your level of expertise. You’ll receive brief driving instructions, horse-handling tips, a map, and suggested routes based on your interests and length of the outing. jacksliverystable.com, cindysridingstable.com

#59: Get Away to the Gem of the Huron

The one-mile car ferry ride from De Tour Village takes a matter of minutes, but the destination might as well be another planet. Drummond Island, at the eastern end of > J U LY 2 0 2 5

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Up North Travel

photo by Dave Weidner

Shop and explore the studio at Gwen Frostic Prints

the U.P., is a place of rare beauty, with geological features unique to its mostly undeveloped 87,000 acres; nearly 70 percent of the land is state owned. The resident population of fewer than 1,000 is padded year-round with visitors who come to hunt, fish, camp, dive on shipwrecks, stargaze and bird- and wildlife-watch. The second-largest island in the Great Lakes has a 150-mile Lake Huron shoreline, 34 inland lakes, meadows, forests, cedar swamps, and trails for hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and off-roading.

Natural wonders include the 1,210-acre Maxton Plains Preserve, protector of the alvar, one of the world’s best examples of ancient limestone habitable only to select plants. It’s a rugged drive to Fossil Ledges, the layered remnants of a saltwater coral bed, and to the rocky Steps at Marblehead—a challenge that Jeep drivers welcome. Hunt for a souvenir pudding stone or pick up the conglomerate rock at a local shop. Drummond may be remote, but it has good accommodations, dining options, stores and historical sites to explore. visitdrummondisland.com

#85: Write Home About Gwen Frostic, Where Nature is in the Cards

Count Gwen Frostic (1906-2001) as one of Michigan’s natural wonders. She overcame a childhood illness and defied doctors who said she’d never walk, talk, or write again. Gwen went on to pursue her talent in art, interest in nature, and business acumen at a sanctuary she built in 1964 in Benzonia, near the Mitten’s Little Finger. Without an architect, Gwen and her contractor created an organic structure of stone, wood, and glass that seemingly sprang from the earth.

It was where the artist/writer/naturalist/businesswoman lived, worked, and welcomed visitors from around the globe to her world of fields, woods, water, and creatures that are the subjects of her illustrations and poetry.

Elements of the natural world fill the rambling retail shop overlooking the 15 vintage Heidelberg presses that print the note cards, calendars, books, and other Presscraft Papers goods from Gwen’s 2,200 original hand-cut linoleum blocks.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Up North Outdoors Here, we take a look at three beloved Up North preserves that were recently welcomed into the Old-Growth Forest Network: Arcadia Dunes: C.S. Mott Nature Preserve, Palmer Woods Forest Reserve and Richmond Woods Nature Preserve.

For a complete list of Michigan’s old-growth forests, visit oldgrowthforest.net/michigan.

BENZIE COUNTY/MANISTEE COUNTY

Arcadia Dunes: C.S. Mott Nature Preserve

WALKING WITH GIANTS

by ALLISON JARRELL ACOSTA

Step inside these awe-inspiring old-growth forests for your next moment of Zen.

photo courtesy of Leelanau Conservancy

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oaring canopies that shimmer under the midday sun. The scent of air brushed with pine, moss and a cool big-water breeze. And quiet … a calming quiet that’s speckled with birdsong and scampering across the forest floor.

A walk through an old-growth forest is a treat for the senses. These ancient forest ecosystems have developed—amazingly—with little to no disturbance from human forces. The result is a biodiverse habitat, home to an array of flora and fauna that rely on these special, wild places to survive.

Across the country, more than 290 forests in 39 states have been identified and designated as part of the OldGrowth Forest Network. Here in Michigan, we’re fortunate to have more than 20 of these protected, native and publicly accessible mature forests—from Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, down to Newton Woods at the base of the lower peninsula.

At just under 4,000 acres, Arcadia Dunes is Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s largest preserve, offering 20 miles of trails that wind through dunes and forests. You’ll be treated to towering trees and gorgeous views on any trail you choose, but our favorites include: the Overlook Trail, a universally accessible path that runs from the Baldy parking lot to an expansive overlook of Lake Michigan; the Dry Hills Trails for hiking, trail running and mountain biking; the Camp Trail, a relatively flat path that makes for great beginner hiking or mountain biking; and Pete’s Woods, which boasts an unparalleled wildflower display each spring.

LEELANAU COUNTY

Palmer Woods Forest Reserve

Palmer Woods is the first forest in Leelanau County to be welcomed into the Old-Growth Forest Network, and it certainly deserves the hype. While the preserve is predominantly beech and sugar maple, this Northern hardwood forest is home to a total of 34 species of trees across 1,075 acres—the Leelanau Conservancy’s largest protected natural area. Palmer Woods offers 10 miles of hiking trails (with more to come), including the flat-to-gently rolling Price Valley Trail (2.6 miles roundtrip to the Fern Garden); and the Darwin Loop Trail, a scenic section of winding road. If you’re a cyclist, don’t sleep on the 17 miles of wooded mountain bike trails.

NEWAYGO COUNTY

Richmond Woods Nature Preserve

This 120-acre Land Conservancy of West Michigan preserve, situated about an hour east of Silver Lake, straddles the Pere Marquette and White River watersheds and features a combination of oak/pine forests, savannas, bogs and wetlands. Park at the lot off Centerline Road, and you’ll have access to two loop trails (1.4 miles total)—one on the east side of the road, and one on the west side. A wide variety of flora and fauna call Richmond Woods home; birders should keep an eye out for the American Bittern, red-headed woodpeckers and red-shouldered hawks.

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pgrading your kitchen doesn’t have to require moving walls or painting cabinets. Strategic, small-scale investments in everyday tools can elevate the way your household eats, cooks and connects, says Amy Peterson, owner of The Front Porch in Suttons Bay, the “Up North Kitchen Store” for 48 years. When you invest in the right kitchen pieces—even the small ones—“it changes the way you cook and the way your family lives at home,” Peterson says.

And well-made tools, like pans, utensils and countertop appliances, can save money over the long haul, too. “For the kitchen workhorses that you use every day, investing in quality is cost-effective because you will have these pieces for a lifetime,” she says.

Here are a few of Peterson’s favorite well-worth-theinvestment kitchen essentials:

• “Every kitchen needs at least one good sheet pan,” says Peterson: that go-to tool, the foundation of everything from a perfectly crisp cookie to a golden-brown roasted veggie, deserves to be treated as more than just a dimestore afterthought. “We love the pans from USA Pan. They’re family-owned and made in the U.S.” • “I’m not interested in cluttering your counter space, but a good quality air fryer, like the one we carry from Cuisinart, is endlessly useful,” says Peterson. From roasting vegetables and chicken breasts, to reheating pizza (“Much better than a microwave!”), a good air fryer can take on a multitude of kitchen tasks that might otherwise require multiple tools. “I call mine my ‘Easy Bake Oven,’” Peterson says.

• A sharp, comfortable, well-made knife can turn a kitchen chore into a joy, so this essential is at the top of Peterson’s list. “We carry both Wusthof-Trident and Cangshan knives,” she says. “Wusthof-Trident is of excellent quality, made from German steel and a longtime kitchen classic.” Cangshan, she adds, is a more modern choice with an ergonomic handle and sleek profile, forged from high-alloy German steel for a razor-sharp edge and superior durability.

• When it comes to microplastics getting into our food, water supply and bodies, “plastic cutting boards are one of the worst offenders,” Peterson warns. Since this is a tool you’ll probably use multiple times each day, every slice matters. Peterson recommends nontoxic, plastic-free Epicurean Cutting Boards, made of a paper composite, as a smart swap. “They feel like wood, are gentle on your knives and can go in the dishwasher,” she says. “Plus, they’re made in the U.S. and have a slim profile.”

• When it comes to cookware, a Dutch oven is the classic kitchen multitasker: the preferred cooking vessel for everything from simmering soups to braising meat to baking the perfect sourdough loaf. The Front Porch stocks both Lodge and Le Creuset, two brands known for durability, beauty and performance. Quality nonstick pans are another essential. “We recommend Green Pan because they’re ceramic-coated, PFAS-free, and induction-friendly. Everyone who works here uses them!” says Peterson.

• And while those foundational pieces are always a smart investment, be sure to leave room for whimsy and personalization with innovative tools that match your kitchen goals or just make you smile. Peterson recommends the Sharple, a peeler that sharpens itself, or the Fluicer, a space-saving citrus juicer and TIME magazine Top 100 invention. And, for cleaning up after dinner, you can’t go wrong with Geometry dishtowels: “Absolutely the best dish towels on the market; they’re eco-friendly, have great designs and absorb seven times their weight in water,” Peterson raves.

Whether you spend your time in the kitchen slicing, sautéing or storing leftovers, quality tools offer longevity, efficiency and even joy.

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Calling After Water Author Dave Karczynski on fly fishing, chasing passion, writing and staying still.

Interview by Bob Butz

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photo by Arkadiusz Kubale

D ave Karczynski’s new book, Calling After Water, spans decades and distances. The essays drift through rivers in Patagonia, the Himalayas, Poland. But no matter how far they go, the stories still carry the voice of someone who grew up close to home— fishing northern Wisconsin, wandering the Upper Peninsula, coming of age in Midwestern water.

Now a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Michigan, Karczynski has spent the last couple decades chasing fish, chasing meaning, and these days, chasing a 3-year-old around his family’s Michigan farm. The book tracks years of travel—from solo trips and strange countries to something quieter, steadier. But it’s not just about fishing. It’s about what happens when you give years to something you love, and then learn how to let go of it—at least a little. We talked with Karczynski about wonder, travel, self-mythology and what changes when a person finally decides to stay put.

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You’ve fished the same water that Hemingway wrote about, but you don’t really play into that. Were you ever tempted to lean into the I am a Hemingway devotee, legend— —or does that whole thing just feel having read everything, and I mean everything—the conworn out? ventional canon, the posthumously published stuff, the biographies, the literary criticism. Were I asked to send something in a capsule to alien planets to teach them about human civilization, I’d throw in Big TwoHearted River as humanity’s purest representation of the sporting arts. That said, I don’t feel like dropping Hemingway’s name into an essay serves the essay. But I do have my subtle nods.

“Now I Lay Me” shares a title with one of my favorite Nick Adams stories.

And in “A Hex Upon Me,” I drop the line, “I felt all the old feeling,” which is cribbed from Big Two-Hearted River as a kind of subtle homage.

different audiences, and when I looked at them with fresh eyes, they just didn’t sit right anymore. You do have to make yourself into a character in this kind of writing, but the trick is not to mischaracterize yourself. I try to ask, “Is that really true?” That’s the gut check.

– You’ve spent years chasing fish across oceans and time zones. Looking back, do you think that was about wonder—or was it also a way to avoid stuff back home?

It was about wonder, for sure. Each trip, and especially during the first half of my travel career, when it was fresh and sparkling and new, was absolutely aweinspiring and magical. Fly fishing as a sport has done a pretty good job of finding angling opportunity in the most enchanting parts of the world. And as much as I traveled, there was also considerable down time that came as a result of my job. The academic schedule is definitely a different kind of life.

You’re off, with pay, for five months a year, and even when you’re working, it’s only for two days a week, and then just for a few hours a day. So if you are unmarried, no mortgage, no child—which I was during my traveling days—you are almost fatally awash in free time.

I’m grateful that fly fishing gave me such meaningful structure during those days. Nowadays, all life-structuring is taken care of by an indefatigable threeyear-old. Every calendar day is hijinks and mischief from start to finish, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There’s always a line between writing about fishing and turning yourself into the main character. How do you know when you’re slipping into self-mythology? Or do you just try not to overthink it?

– I can hear a few readers asking: Why do I need to read about this guy’s trip to Poland when I can walk down to the Au Sable or the Jordan and catch a trout myself ? What would you say to them? Who’s this book really for?

I’ve got what I call the “schmuck test.”

If I read something back and the guy on the page feels like a schmuck—or like someone trying too hard to sound like he’s figured it all out—I either rewrite it or cut it loose. A few essays didn’t make the book for that exact reason. Some had been written years earlier for magazines with totally

I’ve always tried my best to be an entertainer, and I think the reason to read travel narratives is the same reason you go to a fancy restaurant from time to time—you want to be entertained with unusual ingredients in unusual combinations. When it comes to storytelling, setting is one of your ingredients, and there’s a real opportunity for the reader

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photo by Arkadiusz Kubale; opposite: photo by Dave Karczynski

Previous spread: Setting the hook on a legendary bridgedwelling trout named Stanisław in the Bohemian Highlands.

Left: Recovering from a long day of brook trout fishing on Labrador’s Atikonak River.

This page: Crossing the Bòbr River in Southwestern Poland.

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fishing. Our daughter has been tracking blood trails since before she was born and is already, at three years old, a better forager than me. So I feel like the odds are good that she’ll continue the family heritage of exploring the natural world with wide eyes and an open heart.

I’m lucky to have come from a family of sportsmen, so being in wild places was always regarded as the very best part of life, the thing that made it special and gave it purpose. It felt more like building up and building out my family’s heritage. My wife, who is passionate about horses and trail riding, and I are doing our best to pass that torch along to our daughter. Before starting a family, we moved onto a farm so our kids could grow up hunting and horse riding and, of course,

You know, it’s interesting. Any trip I took always came out of the blue, and I never knew if it was the last one or not. An editor would write and say, “I don’t suppose you have a burning desire to go to X place, do you?” So it wasn’t something I had control over or planned for, aside from the few weeks I had to get my gear in order and tie flies. That said, you’re right that I always said “yes” and was always very eager to decamp. I had, and have, a

– There’s real reverence in how you write about wild places. But was there ever a moment where fishing became a reason to pull away from the rest of your life?

– Let me ask this bluntly—do you think you were using fishing the way some people use, say, ultra-marathon training? Always planning the next trip, the next moment—because sitting still felt harder?

Dave Karczynski’s book, Calling After Water: Dispatches from a Fishing Life (2024), is published by Lyons Press and is available at local and major booksellers.

Above: Dusk falls on northern Ontario’s Caribou Provincial Park.

Right, clockwise: A typical morning departure in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region.

Fishing destination unknown; While not native to South America, brook trout do grow large in Patagonia; There’s no tent camp like a Western Alaska tent camp.

photos by Dave Karczynski

to be entertained in a special way from a travel tale well executed. That said, while probably sixty percent of the book is travel, the other forty percent is squarely and lovingly set in Michigan and Wisconsin. If I never fished anywhere else besides those two places for the rest of my life, I’d be a happy man.

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really hard time being in confined spaces, and life in a college town is definitely that—concrete, traffic, lots of people doing people things. Now that we live on a farm surrounded by public land about forty miles from work, it’s pretty easy to sit still. I can go into the backyard, sit in a tree with my bow and watch bucks sparring on fall mornings. I can fish and forage and get lost in a swamp on state land. If anything, it’s become too easy to sit still. I don’t think I’ve been on a plane in four years.

– Fly fishing used to be this quiet thing, something kind of sacred.

Now it’s branded, hashtagged and filtered to death. Do you think the soul of it still exists—or has it become too performative?

That quiet, sacred culture—which is the fly fishing culture I personally embrace—still exists, but it’s troubled. The current fly fishing culture feels like it’s just screaming at the top of its lungs at me, and I mostly plug my ears to it.

Lucky for us, modern life is kind of like the beast in the children’s monster

movie—it only has power over you if you believe in it. You can still leave your phone in the truck and fish like it’s 1993, or 1953. You can write essays instead of making TikTok videos.

– The book shifts in the final chapters where you start talking about buying a fishing property, getting married, becoming a dad. Did that shift come easily for you, or did it feel like losing something?

When I first got a peek into what “dad-ing” looked like, the hard part was realizing I couldn’t do the outdoors the way I used to. I really liked going deep—long trips, lots of planning, days at a time. That immersive, transportive experience where you’re in the river, in the weather, in the fish’s head. You’re not just fishing, you’re solving something. Predicting hatches. Cracking a code. That kind of experience takes four or five days.

And once you’ve become encumbered—in the best way—I just couldn’t dissolve into the riffles the same way anymore.

Now, instead of that long stretch,

it’s more about quality. Concentrated time with friends. Fishing rivers I really know, close to home. But it’s been replaced by other types of things that bring the same joy. Our little farm. The family life. And that endorphin hit after endorphin hit watching my daughter run around and grow.

– Writing about travel always comes with a little ego—this idea that your experience matters enough to share.

How do you keep that in check, or do you just lean into it?

I try to freight every narrative with an interesting driving question that I wrangle with as the essay unfolds, so that it has a purpose beyond simply relaying an experience. This is also how I teach the essay form to my students, that it has two very distinct components. The first is what happens.

The second is what the essay is about.

Without the latter, most travel tales would get boring fast.

– Last one: Who was braver—the guy who flew to the Himalayas to fish, or the guy who stayed home and tried to build a life?

Great question. You know it’s funny but going to the Himalayas and starting a family both felt like the easiest and most natural decisions in the world in their respective moments. I’ve always been pretty good about listening to myself and doing what the mind and soul need at a given time. There was a time when I needed to be on the water 150 days a year to function correctly.

Now I fish five and that feels like more than enough. The most exciting trip I have on the offing is my daughter’s first bluegill excursion to a local lake. Instead of packing rods and reels and camera cases and fly boxes, I’ll have a can of worms and a jar of pebbles to throw, to keep my daughter busy.

Maybe two jars. And I can’t wait.

Bob Butz is a magazine writer, book author and essayist whose work has appeared in every major outdoor magazine as well as The New York Times, GQ, Sports Illustrated, Men’s Journal and many others.

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HOW WE ROLL.

Along the beautiful stretch of US-2 between St. Ignace and Naubinway, sparkling sand dunes roll into the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan. This short and sweet road trip takes less than an hour, but it’s worth slowing down— pause for a picnic on the sunlit dunes, take a scenic hike or soak in the views from one of the quaint coastal towns along the way.

Images and story by Allison Jarrell Acosta

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Our destination is a sand dune.

Exact location, TBD.

I’ve cruised past the rolling dunes along Highway 2 plenty of times while en route to other U.P. locales: Grand Marais, Munising, Marquette.

It always goes the same. I let out a few “oohs” and “aahs” from my cozy passenger seat, gazing admiringly at the folks who’ve pulled off for a walk or a quick dip. The shimmering water beckons. But I brush that reality away.

We’re usually running late (according to my own fine-tuned, over-packed agenda) and I like to keep things moving.

But not today.

Today, the dune is the destination.

Well, part of the destination anyway. As with all trips, my husband Ty is the driver, but this time we have Traverse Northern Michigan colleagues Carly Simpson and Ashlyn Korienek with us. Our mission today is simple: to not have a mission. To let cramped trip schedules and rigid timelines fly out the window.

Spontaneity is king on US-2.

We’ll have a picnic at some point on some sand dune. We’ll stop for snacks when we feel like it.

And we’ll get back to Traverse City … eventually.

This lackadaisical, carefree vibe, mixed with the exhilaration of hitting open highway, is the only way I can describe the feeling headed west out of St. Ignace. The scenery along this duneswept stretch of US-2 is what summer dreams are made of. To your left, shades of blue as far as the eye can see. To your right, the U.P.’s lush, unbridled wilderness.

You’ll be tempted to stop … a lot. And you should. Because on this drive, the breezy, sunsoaked journey is the destination.

The 41 miles ahead are sprinkled with undiscovered beaches, under-the-radar roadside parks and purveyors of fresh local fare (smoked Great Lakes fish and golden-brown pasties). You can even find wooded lakeside campsites and cabins to turn your day trip into a leisurely weekend escape.

Ready for a drive?

Here are the pit stops, watering holes and side quests we discovered along this scenic stretch of Highway 2…

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ST. IGNACE After crossing the bridge, we stopped at this picturesque port town for provisions before continuing our journey along the upper reaches of Lake Michigan.

Savvy Northern travelers know to stock up on pasties—the O.G. “fast food”: traditional meatand-veggie pies that U.P. miners packed for lunch.

Take your hand pies to-go from the family-owned Lehto’s Pasties (choose from two St. Ignace locations). Or hit Clyde’s Drive-In for an olive burger, onion rings and an old-fashioned malt. (On a previous trip, we spent a rainy afternoon parked under the Clyde’s overhang, and the fried goods did not disappoint.)

With pasties in hand, we made a quick stop at Mackinac Straits Fish Co. to DIY the rest of our picnic spread. Here you’ll find everything from smoked whitefish sausage links and fillets, to whitefish and trout spread. We chose house-smoked fillets and whitefish dip; they packed it on ice for us, and we were off.

OTHER AT TRACT IONS : Just outside of St. Ignace, you’ll find family-friendly spots like DEER RANCH, where you can visit and feed native whitetail deer and fawns; and the beloved MYSTERY SPOT, known for its gravitydefying magic. You’ll also run into the ST. IGNACE RANGER STATION FOR HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST, where you can grab a National Park Pass.

MORAN About 10 miles into our trip, we rolled into the township of Moran—you’ll know you’ve made it when the scenery on your left shifts from towering trees to a dreamy dunescape. From here on out, you have plenty of opportunities to pull over for a walk or a dip. You’ll see Lake Michigan Beach on Google Maps about 13 miles west of St. Ignace, and Sand Dunes Beach another halfmile down US-2 (we stopped at the latter).

And we lucked out—this sunny September day was perfect (albeit slightly breezy) for a picnic. We shared a charcuterie board, some local bevvies and our pasties and whitefish while watching the waves crest and crash.

Families and their pups (pets on a leash are allowed north of the swim buoy) were scattered around, but never once did it feel crowded—the miraculous wonder of an endless stretch of beach. The only drama: our seagull neighbors were very interested in our snacks.

Don’t make eye contact and stand your ground.

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STAY AWHILE: If you want to crash at a campsite, continue on a few more miles to LAKE MICHIGAN CAMPGROUND, a gorgeous 35-site campground nestled into sand dunes that rise up to 30 feet tall. Past the towering dunes, your backyard is miles of sandy beach, where you can swim, do some birdwatching and soak in a big-water sunset. Day use is $6, site fee is $24, and reservations are open May 23–Sept. 14. WILDWOOD PASTIES is just a few minutes away, so you can grab a pasty, ice cream and supplies for your campfire.

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BREVORT Let’s be honest—we could’ve lingered at that dune picnic for the rest of the day, beach reads in hand. And no one would blame you for staying for sunset before hightailing it back home.

But the quaint community of Brevort was calling, where we topped up on gas at the famed Gustafson’s Smoked Fish , a convenience store/smoked fish shop with a Sunoco gas station. About 20 miles from St. Ignace, this iconic Yooper pitstop has long lured travelers in with fresh smoked whitefish, jerky and cheese curds. And we happily answered the siren call, stocking up on peppered jerky (we’ll be back for Cajun, teriyaki and BBQ).

Next door, the Backwoods Farm Market is stocked with locally grown produce, plants, maple syrup, jams and more (get the blueberries if you’re here in August). We saved this stop for last on our ride back, and I happily packed a bright purple mum into the trunk of the CR-V.

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EPOUFETTE The charming village of Epoufette welcomed us with a chance to stop and stretch our legs at the Heath M. Robinson Memorial Cut River Bridge . A true hidden gem, this bright green, 148-foot-tall cantilever bridge was built in 1947. There are roadside parks on both sides of US-2, and you’ll find paths leading over and under the bridge, with stairs that continue down to the beach (many steep stairs).

As someone with an intense fear of heights, reaching the bottom took a lot out of me. But boy was the view worth it.

(I’ve dubbed it: “Narnia by the beach.”) If you have a free afternoon, I’d recommend exploring the nature trail through the forest and the Cut River Gorge. Just be sure to leave yourself enough time, as parts of the trail can be steep and strenuous.

If you’re ready for more smoked fish (let’s be real, who isn’t?), check out Frazier’s Fish House for smoked whitefish dip and hunks of smoked salmon and lake trout. And on the outskirts of town, stop by the Scenic Overlook , where an ADAaccessible deck offers sweeping views of Epoufette Bay—don’t forget quarters for the coin-operated binoculars.

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NAUBINWAY About five miles from the overlook, we entered the fringes of Naubinway, the largest U.P. commercial fishing port on the Great Lakes. Our first stop was the cozy Hog Island Country Store , where we found everything from camping supplies and locally made art, to smoked fish and homemade pasties (choose from beef & pork or veggie & cheese).

The owners of this old-fashioned country store also offer six clapboard cottages for rent, with access to a private white sand beach (call to reserve, 906.477.9995).

If rustic camping is more your speed, keep rollin’ till you reach Hog Island State Forest Campground , with 42 first-come, first-served campsites ($20 fee, recreation passport required). Nestled along the Lake Michigan shoreline, this campground is perfect for paddlesports. Note: You may want to bring water shoes, as part of the beach is composed of large rocks.

Just down the road is Garlyn Zoo Wildlife Park , a local favorite where you can observe native North American animals and exotic species, while also enjoying family-friendly activities like gem mining.

We opted to skip the zoo and continued on until we hit another beloved hidden gem—an MDOT Rest Stop with sandy beach access and dog runs. We could’ve easily spent an afternoon here, too: walk, swim, picnic, repeat. Strolling through the shallow, shimmering water, and across the rippled sand, hard and smooth underfoot, is everything you need after a day of driving. (And yes, you might want to hit the foot wash station before hopping back in the car.)

Just a mile away is the Northernmost Point of Lake Michigan , also great for stretching your legs. Naubinway, an Ojibwe word meaning “Place of Echoes,” is the most northern community on Lake Michigan. (For a photo op, you’ll find the official monument marker on Millecoquins Point , south of downtown Naubinway.)

As you ride into Naubinway proper, you’ll come across a number of dining delights, like King’s Fish Market and the legendary Cove Bar (Bloody Mary bars every Sunday). And then there’s my personal favorite, Moofinfries , where you can get locally sourced burgers, whitefish and 16 flavors of ice cream. (A whitefish sandwich with a side of fries is my preferred way to cap off a U.P. road trip.)

This is the point in the journey where I leave you to choose your own adventure. Head another 20 miles west, then north on M-77 to Germfask to see Benny the Beard Fisher, the resident riverside troll at Northland Outfitters. Or keep driving west toward Manistique and Escanaba (stopping at the Kitch-iti-kipi natural spring), and take US-2 all the way to Ironwood and the Michigan/Wisconsin border.

Or, turn it around like we did, and cruise the highway back home. Taking your time, of course.

Allison Jarrell Acosta is the associate editor of Traverse Northern Michigan magazine.

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SMASH! HOW A POP-UP DREAM, A LEAP OF FAITH AND A VIRAL VIDEO LAUNCHED TRAVERSE CITY’S NEWEST BURGER DESTINATION.

by KANDACE CHAPPLE / photos by TIM HUSSEY

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he food blogger came in September. Bray and Brittney McCabe, the husband-and-wife team that owns Glendale Burger Shop in Traverse City, made him a “Junction”—a double smash cheeseburger heaped with seared onions and pickles—and the guy went to sit and eat in his car. And film his thoughts in private.

“But for months, I didn’t hear another word,” Bray says. “I thought he must have hated it.”

Then, almost a year later, Seoung Lee, who travels the region for his social media platform, Chow Down Detroit, posted a delicious, saucedripping review.

The video is simple. Lee sitting in his car, dipping that double smash patty into Glendale’s secret “Hugo” sauce. “Oh my God, this thing is phenomenal,” Lee says, with a rising swell of angels singing in the background.

“We were sold out that following Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Bray says. “We had to close an hour early every day just to serve people already standing in line. It went on for weeks. We had to call our local meat supplier, The Butcher’s Block by Maxbauer, for emergency deliveries. It was unlike anything we’d ever seen in all of our years in the food industry.”

As of May, the reel had netted 112,000 views on X, 172,000 on TikTok, 857,000 on Instagram, and on Facebook? 1.5 million views there alone.

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“THIS WAS WELL WORTH THE 3.5-HOUR DRIVE. THE JUNCTION WAS BY FAR THE BEST BURGER I’VE HAD.” – PAULINE Z.

Glendale’s burger business tripled overnight, and the McCabes were suddenly well underway in their new brick-andmortar business just north of the (now newly paved roundabout) intersection of M-72 and M-22 in Traverse City.

“It was life-changing,” Bray says. “We were doing well locally before that video, but after? We knew we were going to make it. The business hasn’t slowed down since.”

The Glendale dream started when the McCabes launched a pop-up brunch event at what was then known as Milkweed inside The Little Fleet in Traverse City in 2017. Their first dish was a smash burger with an egg on top for breakfast.

(Something they no longer serve, sorry!

They only do lunch and dinner.) The burger was such a hit that by 2019, the McCabes quit their “real” jobs (Bray worked at Folgarelli’s, and Brittney as a nanny) and began running a food truck seven days a week at The Little Fleet from May to October.

In 2023, they decided to give their burgers a home, and leased the former Silver Swan restaurant building overlooking West Bay. Bray says their location outside of the bustle of downtown Traverse City was intentional.

“We wanted it to be a destination burger shop,” Bray says. “A place you had to go out of your way a bit to get to. And one you come to because you want a smash burger—you know what you’re getting!”

The cozy little space overlooks the bay across M-22 and seats 36 smashers at a time. The walls are adorned with their own retro art choices, while classic, bright yellow booths line one wall. Food arrives on green-checkered parchment paper, an echo of simple days gone by.

And while smash burgers have become the rage as of late, at the time, the McCabes were the only ones specializing in those thin, charred, caramelized patties of perfection, which take just two minutes to sear. Their niche of smash burgers turned Glendale into a local phenom. And now people are driving from all over

–

Above: Brittney McCabe and her mother, Patricia, run the counter.

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Michigan to see what Chow Down Detroit was raving about.

“People are used to fat, thick pub burgers,” Bray says. “But if you go way back, this is how your grandpa made his burger. There’s something nostalgic about them, the simplicity, the paper plates, the eating with your hands.”

Bray still cooks every single patty that comes through the kitchen.

Brittney tops the burgers and is queen of the parm fries. Everything is made to order—yes, even the fries aren’t cooked until an order is placed.

Brittney’s mom, Patricia, runs the front counter taking orders. She even has a burger named after her: The Patricia, which is Glendale’s take on a patty melt, with two mustard-seared beef patties, American cheese and caramelized onions on Texas Toast. The Oliver is named after their nephew.

And the Laura is named after Brittney’s best friend, who has a penchant for horseradish.

The business name itself is from the street that Bray grew up on—Glendale Avenue in Saginaw, and they hope to make everyone feel at “home” when they come into the shop, too.

“What I love most is seeing a sports car parked next to a pickup truck in the parking lot, with four construction workers hopping out,” Bray says. “Everyone loves a good burger! And the great thing is that we can actually get to know people now—at least by their orders, if not by their names.”

Glendale has seen popularity grow through their Facebook posts. Their feed reads like a buzzy family group chat. They let their customers know what’s up—from well-earned vacation breaks to viral videos changing life as they know it.

“When we first moved here from Saginaw, I was delivering pizzas,” Bray says. “I saved all my tips in a huge Coke bottle bank, and we counted it all out to use it to make our move up here to be near family. Now, we’ve made it into our home.”

“MY 11-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IS ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED!!!”

– ELIZABETH S.

Kandace Chapple is a freelance writer, avid outdoor adventurer and founder of Michigan Girl, a women’s events company. michgirl.com J U LY 2 0 2 5

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Scenic

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Fueled by childhood memories of the beaches near her grandparents’ farm, photographer Kate Headley captures the bliss and nostalgia of a Northern summer.

The

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photo byDave Karczynski

P H O T O E S S A Y BY K AT E H E A D L E Y

ic

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I grew up

going to the beaches along M-134, a ribbon of coastal road winding between Cedarville and DeTour in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula. My grandparents call it “The Scenic”—a name borrowed from the highway itself along the lake’s edge. We (my siblings, cousins and I) christened each stretch with our own private names, coded for the day’s adventure: the Beach for Sandcastles, the Swimming Beach, the Quickdip Beach, the Beach for Long Afternoons, the Beach to Find the Best Fossils and so on. We rotate through them as the mood takes us.

As we grew older and braver, so did our ambitions: paddleboards appeared one summer, and another year, I took up snorkeling over the underwater world of glacial rocks. My cousin Amelia and I became explorers, kayaking out in search of new, untouched inlets. Once I swam out to an island just offshore, flanked by my family on boards and in kayaks (and a single monarch butterfly that flew there and back with us). New dogs, new boyfriends and girlfriends, new babies all arrive and are all taken to The Scenic.

These beaches and the life that swirls around them—boats and babies and bait shops—have become woven into the fabric of our summer memories. These are the places where we learned to swim. Where we light sparklers at dusk. When my sisters were in labor, The Scenic, they said, is where they retreated to in their minds. We now bring their children here, making new memories that overlap with the old. And, for me, always with a camera in hand.

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Above: My cousin in the waves, at the beach on M-134 Opposite: My grandparents’ farm Previous spread: The stretch of shore we call The Scenic

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Above: Self-portrait with a friend, in an Airstream near Marquette Opposite: My nephew at The Scenic

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Above: The crystal waters off of M-134 Opposite: Camping out at the farm

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“

Date the rate, marry the property because ‘location, location, location’ is the age-old saying that will always ring true.

—KIMBERLY BORK, BROKER/OWNER OF VENTURE PROPERTIES

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Smart NoMi Real Estate Moves in 2025 Insider strategies from local pros.

by KIRSETIN K. MORELLO

I

f you’re thinking about buying or selling up north in 2025, you already know the market can be full of surprises. To help you navigate it with confidence, we talked to three Northern Michigan real estate experts. Whether you’re eyeing a lakefront cottage or a year-round family home, these 11 insider tips will help set you up for success.

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,

1

Look Past the Laminate

2

Don’t Let Rates Rattle You

In a tight inventory market, buyers with vision have the edge. “There are major opportunities in highly desirable locations,” says Kimberly Bork, broker/owner of Venture Properties. So don’t get hung up on paint colors or outdated kitchens.

r

Yes, rates are higher—but that can work in your favor. “With some buyers feeling hesitant, those ready to buy may face less competition,” explains Jennifer Edson-Rife, Realtor®, Star* Real Estate. “This can mean better negotiating power and favorable terms— like seller-paid closing costs or price cuts.”

The smart strategy? “Date the rate, marry the property,” adds Bork, who reminds buyers they can refinance or buy down points later. “Because ‘location, location, location’ is the age-old saying that will always ring true!”

E-A

3

You Don’t Need 20 Percent Down

4

More Inventory, Less Hurry

If you still think you need a massive downpayment, think again. “There are options—FHA, USDA (Rural Development), VA and conventional loans starting at zero to three percent down,” Edson-Rife explains.

“It’s also possible to ask for closing costs from the sellers, which can help buyers with limited cash up front.”

Economic jitters—think fluctuating tariffs and stock market swings—are making buyers more cautious in 2025. “Buyers are really thinking twice about their timing,” says Ann Porter, Realtor®/Associate Broker, Real Estate One. At the same time, sellers are listing earlier, boosting inventory and giving buyers more choices. “Homes are still selling,” assures Porter, “but they’re sitting on the market a little longer. This gives buyers more breathing room to make smart long-term decisions.”

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5

Still Hot: Waterfront & Starter Homes

6

Get Creative

In multiple-offer scenarios, it’s not always about offering the highest price. “Ask the seller’s agent what matters most,” Edson-Rife suggests. “It could be a flexible closing date, a month of free rent back, an escalation clause or an appraisal gap guarantee—any of which might make your offer stand out.”

Waiving inspections is also becoming more common, though agents advise caution. “They can be risky,” says Bork, “but if you're planning a major remodel or teardown anyway, it can work.”

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photo by Taylor Brown

“All waterfront properties, and anything under $400,000 near downtown Traverse City, are still competitive,” says Porter. Hidden gems are popping up just outside hot zones like Glen Arbor and Leland. “You can still find a deal on homes and land in places like Maple City, Cedar and Empire,” she adds.

To stretch your budget, Bork recommends focusing on properties with solid infrastructure—like natural gas, electric, conventional septic and highspeed internet—even if the house itself isn’t your dream home. “You might not get everything on your wish list right away, but you can improve the house over time,” she says. “Investing in the right area can pay off—sometimes faster than you’d expect.”

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Construction is Picking Up Steam

New construction Up North hasn’t always been an easy option, but that’s changing. “Condo developments and homes are on the rise in Grand Traverse County,” Bork says. “Many new developments—both affordable and luxury—are being built to satisfy the demand.”

Builder wait times are easing, too. “A combination of more builders in the area, additional quality subcontractors and steady growth are making new construction as popular as ever,” Porter explains. “Lots that have been sitting vacant are finally seeing bulldozers.”

8

Sellers: Simple Upgrades, Big Returns

First impressions matter—starting at the curb.

“Manicured landscaping, a freshly painted front door, clean windows and a welcoming touch like a café table or rocking chair can make or break a buyer’s first impression,” says Porter.

Inside, a fresh coat of neutral paint can make a big impact. “Fresh, neutral tones—like soft gray, warm beige or light white—make a space feel cleaner, more spacious and more inviting,” says Edson-Rife.

For sellers ready to invest a bit more, Bork suggests kitchen and bath updates like quartz countertops, fresh backsplashes and modern hardware. “Those rooms sell homes,” she says.

9

Changes to the Short-Term Rental Game

From Old Mission Peninsula to other touristheavy areas, short-term rental (STR) regulations are tightening. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’ll be able to rent short-term—do your homework first. “If you want to purchase a home you can use as a STR, buy in commercial or hotel zones,” advises Bork. “Their clear, established rules are less likely to change.”

10

New Rules for Buyer-Agent Agreements

11

Staging is Essential

Thanks to the 2024 NAR settlement, real estate agents must now sign a written agreement with buyers before showing homes, clarifying who they represent and how they’re compensated.

“It’s not a pressure tactic,” Porter explains, “it’s a national requirement. Buyers should take time to read the paperwork, ask questions and only move forward when they feel comfortable and confident doing so.”

Whether done physically or virtually, staging helps buyers see a home’s potential—and the payoff is real. “An NAR report shows that staged homes sell for five to ten percent more,” says Bork. “Many of my staged properties have sold for even more!”

Whether it’s editing furniture, decluttering, freshening up décor or virtually furnishing vacant spaces, staging helps buyers envision the possibilities.

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Karlskin recommends calling on native species like prairie dropseed, dogwood and switch grasses to add texture to the landscape, while the usage of native wildflower plugs offers season-long interest and supports local pollinators.

Homeowners are also turning to low-maintenance, drought-tolerant micro-clover lawns and are hydroseeding slower-growing low-mow fescue grasses.

Planting beds that peak in summer and fade quickly are becoming a thing of the past. Monochromatic ground gardens are finding new dimension and color schemes in vertical garden walls.

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“Garden walls are aesthetically pleasing, improve air quality and noise reduction and create habitats for birds and pollinators,” says Landscape Logic design estimator Jeff Wisinski. “If you have a small backyard or an area where you don’t have a lot of color, going vertical gives you that potential.”

LiveWall systems can be installed as a permanent fixture on fencing, deck railings, homes or buildings. For more flexible use, LiveScreen is a micro-sized mobile wall on wheels that can easily move from poolside to outdoor kitchen to deck. LiveWall and LiveScreen both offer integrated drip irrigation systems to simulate natural rain. The UV-resistant molded planters and anodized aluminum rails stand up to summer storms and sunlight.

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The Landscape Logic design team has been busy laying custom flagstone walking paths, adding in noise-blocking upright shrubbery for a natural screening around reading nooks, placing waterfall features and bird baths, and helping homeowners install hobby gardens and fruit orchards to help cultivate joy and mindfulness.

“People are adding artistic purpose into their landscape design,” Wisinski says. “It’s all about creating these little moments within the landscape, discovering new features of the landscape piece by piece rather than all at once with a wideopen landscape. There’s an art to it all.”

Cringy water bills and concerns regarding environmental water management have folks looking beyond sprawling green high-maintenance lawns. There are alternative design concepts that help to reduce water usage and promote biodiversity, says Landscape Logic designer Trista Karlskin.

“We work with a lot of waterfront and wetland properties that fall under shoreline regulations,” she says. “Working with the native and natural landscape already in play is easy and smart here.”

Outdoor living spaces are still a thing, but paralleling these comforts is a big movement toward making room for serene outdoor retreat spaces. Landscapers are weaving in meditation corners, yoga decks and trickling water elements such as fountains or koi ponds to add a sense of sanctuary.

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The Cu l i nary North

“

local restaurants • craft drinks • seasonal cuisine

It’s a part of my mission to have people explore their creative side. Grab a coffee and sit for two or three hours; that’s what this space is for.

—KATE DUPRE, OWNER OF WATERCOLOR CAFÉ

BUZZY NEW RESTAURANTS P. 72

AN ARTSY ISLAND CAFÉ photo courtesy of Watercolor Cafe

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The Cu l i nary North Destination Eats

THE DISH

by CARLY SIMPSON

Buzzy openings, big names, sold-out menus.

Join us on a delicious romp through what’s new on the North’s dining scene.

Dominic Nittolo, is slinging crisp, brick oven pizzas with decadent toppings (think prosciutto, fig jam and Marcona almonds) to a packed house.

When Indian Spice opened in January, the Cadillac restaurant was so busy co-owner Sam Chugh and his nephew Paul Singh had to close for a day just to restock ingredients.

Chugh and his siblings grew up in India’s Punjab province and are known locally for their to-go dishes at NJ’s Grocery in Lake Leelanau, which is managed by Chugh and owned by his brother Raj. The new restaurant highlights classics like chicken tikka masala, mattar paneer and the sweet confectionary gulab jamun, flavored with cardamom, rose water, saffron and cloves.

photo by Allison Jarrell Acosta

A

recent announcement by detroit’s acclaimed Sarah Welch: the now former executive chef of Marrow and “Top Chef ” finalist is moving North, with plans to open a petite restaurant on Traverse City’s Front Street in 2026. Welch, a James Beard Award–nominated chef, and her husband, Cameron Rolka, will operate just around the corner from The Cooks’ House, where, in other news, chefs Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson are celebrating their own spot on the short list of 2025 James Beard Award finalists for the Best Chef category in the Great Lakes region. The duo are the only Michigan nominees to make it to the final round this year.

It’s part of a flurry of recent news in the region that suggests a perceptible shift in the dining scene. Not only are high-end chef-led establishments finding a welcoming audience, but there’s also a slew of new openings with menus that frolic from Korean street food and bespoke hot dogs to Punjabi cuisine.

Modern Italian cuisine is having a moment, too—in downtown Grayling, Mimi & Pipi’s arrived this spring, with an elegant industrial space on Michigan Avenue. Chef Jarad Bissell’s menu elevates familiar classics—he’s most proud of his Bolognese sauce, cooked low and slow. Leto’s Osteria in Petoskey is making its pasta in house in spiraling shapes like casarecce, rigatoni and bucatini. Soaring windows, exposed brick and crisp service set a lovely mood; don’t miss the mushroom mafaldine with porcini pasta, roasted hen-of-thewoods mushrooms, sun-dried pepper butter, spring onions and Grana Padano. And in Traverse City, Nittolo’s Little Italy, the second restaurant from father-son team Eric and 72 T R A V E R S E N O R T H E R N M I C H I G A N

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Leto's Osteria

On Traverse City’s east side, K-Pocha’s playful Korean street food menu is crowned by build-your-own corn dogs, Korean-style wings, bubble waffle ice cream and the essential bibimbap. Downtown, Sisters is the second venture of Lil Bo owner-operator Jenni Scott. The retrothemed brunch spot (with cocktails) has crispy French toast coated in cornflakes, smoky Louisiana hash with Andouille sausage and remoulade, and a spicy-sweet spin on chicken and waffles that pairs jalapeño cornbread with buttermilk fried chicken. On TC’s food truck scene, The Dogwood Airstream, run by the crew you know and love at Oakwood Proper Burgers, is parked this summer at The

Little Fleet serving another cookout fave: hot dogs. The Southwestern-inspired toppings gallop from jalapeños and queso to corn salad and pinto beans. Brand new Jadoo Bites is popping up around town with Pakistani street food, fusion snacks and iced chai. Follow the truck on Facebook and Instagram for dates and intel.

In Frankfort, Roll Model has transitioned from farmers market booth to food truck with build-your-own spring rolls and grain bowls (yes, the famous peanut sauce is still available). And Slurping Bear Asian Bistro is bringing fluffy bao buns to town alongside spicy miso ramen, vermicelli salad and Szechuan stir fry. You’ll find us browsing the sake list.

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The Cu l i nary North Bite

ARTSY EATS

by CARLY SIMPSON

photo by Allison Jarrell Acosta

T

Watercolor Café on Mackinac Island is a delicious find for creative travelers.

he window-side seats at watercolor Café practically float, hovering over the clear waters of Lake Huron. The scene looks like a painting: boats puttering into the harbor, pastel-colored bikes cruising by on M-185, a bushy lilac casting shade over patio tables.

The café’s name though comes from its studio offerings—adult art classes, children’s events and no-reservation-needed craft supplies. A retail area offers DIY kits for projects like needlepointing and jewelry making, which visitors can purchase and do on-site or save for later. A favorite is the step-by-step watercolor pages with a Mackinac Island theme, created by artist and owner Kate Dupre. For a do-in-one-sitting project, she suggests a sheet of watercolor paper specially cut to the size of a postcard; paint a scene, add a stamp and send off to someone you love.

“It’s a part of my mission to have people just play and explore their creative side,” she says. “Grab a coffee and sit for two or three hours; that’s what this space is for.”

The Bite: Get an order of toast—two thickly cut slices of

multigrain bread—to share. The nostalgic Peanut Butter Deluxe has sliced bananas and honey, or go savory with garlic herb crème, marinated tomatoes and balsamic drizzle on the Tuscan.

Not for sharing: Poppies. These flaky pastries are Kate’s

take on a homemade pop tart with rotating flavors—strawberry, brown-sugar cinnamon, blueberry, lemon (Kate’s fave) and s’mores.

Pair: Sip a lilac latte made with taro root to achieve that

soft purple color. It has a subtly sweet, nutty vanilla flavor, almost like cake batter.

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Whether you head North for vacation or a day trip. Start planning your next adventure on MyNorth.com

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The Cu l i nary North In the Kitchen

FROM THE ORCHARDS

by CARLY SIMPSON

Fifth-generation farmer Leisa Eckerle Hankins shares her family’s go-to cherry dessert.

F

or nearly 60 years, leisa Eckerle Hankins has never missed a cherry harvest. As a teenager, she remembers her cousins driving north from Detroit to help in the orchards, the girls belting out Barry Manilow while they pulled canvas tarps to catch the bright red fruit falling from the trees.

Her family owns nearly 300 acres spread across four farms in Leelanau County: land they’ve been growing on since the 1800s. Leisa also owns Benjamin Twiggs, a cheery shop in Traverse City, and uses the fruits of her family’s labor in the market’s jarred and dried products. “The farm has shaped who we are as people,” she says. “It’s more than a retail store for me; this is my family’s legacy.”

Today, Leisa’s 26-year-old son, Zach, works in the orchard alongside his 82-year-old grandfather, Jim—and they all eat dinner together four days a week, a year-round tradition they’ve held dear. For dessert, Leisa bakes this big pan of cherry goodness.

^ Cherry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Cream Sauce 1 quart half & half 9 eggs 3 cups sugar 2 ounces vanilla extract 18 slices white bread, crusts on 1 can cherry pie filling, 21 ounces Vanilla Cream Sauce 1 cup heavy cream ½ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Combine half & half, eggs, sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Cube the bread and add to the mixture, stirring to fully coat it.

2. Place half of the bread mixture into a 3-quart oblong baking dish, approximately 9x14 inches. Spoon a layer of cherry pie filling on top and then cover with the remaining bread mixture. Bake at 350˚ for 75–90 minutes or until set.

3. For the vanilla cream sauce, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, then remove from heat.

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Love of the Land

get there

photo by John Doskoch

DON & EILEEN KLEIN NATURE TRAIL Take a stroll along this half-mile, ADA-accessible boardwalk, and you might spot raptors nesting along the wild and scenic Jordan River, or a muskrat scurrying through lush wetlands. The Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail runs from East Jordan’s Sportsman’s Park across two Little Traverse Conservancy nature preserves (Jordan River Sedge Marsh Nature Preserve and Dressel Nature Preserve) and connects directly to the Rogers Family Homestead Nature Preserve on the southern end. As you wander, enjoy two bump-outs along the boardwalk: an overlook platform and a bench to stop and soak in the beautyof this lively river ecosystem.

Pro tip: LTC partnered with the City of East Jordan to complete the nature trail last year. From downtown East Jordan, one could wheelchair along paths the city has created to the far end of the trail, about 1.5 miles one way.

Directions: The trail entrance is near the Sportsman’s Park parking area. Set your navigation to: 85 Bridge Street, East Jordan. –A.J.A.

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