What's Snoo?

What's Snoo?
Oh, I don't know, not much.
What's new with you?

Well, folks, I do not know about you, but I think it is high time to start the "Snow Dance."

Snowmobilers, skiers, ice fishermen - patience is starting to run thin. Not to mention students who have gone nearly nine months without a snow day. Perhaps they are the first ones we should ask for help.

A traditional "student" snow dance consists of

• Putting  your pajamas on inside out,
• brushing you teeth with the opposite hand,
• flushing a minimum of 6 ice cubes down the toilet, and
• sleeping with a spoon under your pillow.

What do you say Roscommon County students? Send a picture or you tube of your favorite snow dance to info@visithoughtonlake.com and we will post it on our Facebook page.

Stu Colie at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters gave it his best effort with a pair of skis in hand, jumping and jousting. They are ready to rock and roll and will keep hosting classes and seminars until they can make some of the white stuff and groom the trails.

The St. Helen Snowpackers Club is well aware December 1 is the opening of snowmobiling in Michigan. Do not be surprised if you catch them out and about singing The Heikki Lunta Snow Dance Song--Written by David Riutta (P) 1970 WMPL Radio--Hancock, Michigan

It’s Heikki Lunta’s snow dance song,

Heikki Lunta’s snow dance song.

Snow, snow, snow!

Now I’ll dance some more,

And I’ll really know the score

How to make it snow, 

Come on, man, go, go, go!

Don’t even slow down 

till the snow starts falling down

Check it out on you tube and sing along!

Whomever you want to implore - Jack Frost, Frosty the Snowman, Old Man Winter - let's get some real snow coming (and I am not referring to that pre-Thanksgiving slushy driving mess). The calendar says it is still fall, but next time someone asks you "What's Snoo?" wouldn't it be great to say "SNOW" before you ask them what's new with you?

For lots of winter fun ideas at Michigan's Other Great Lakes, check out  http://www.visithoughtonlake.com/winter.shtml.

Fleece

To listen to the political pundits, many in the country are feeling fleeced. Personally, right at this moment, I would love to be fleeced in a long, woolly yak, sheep or goatskin coat. The car temp registered 41, but it must be dropping because snow is falling as I write.

Sweater weather is soon changing into weather requiring a coat, hat and gloves. And boots. And shovels. Did someone flip the switch a little too soon?

On the other hand, what a beautiful fall we have experienced. Peak color took its time coming but what a show. You only needed to make a few short drives around our most beautiful state to be filled with awe. Pure Michigan.

Of course, this snow is fleecing us. It is not going to stick around just yet (fingers crossed). There is still time to enjoy more color, fall hikes on carpeted trails, a bit of fishing, apple cider - no wonder this is the favorite season of so many.

Why should you spend this close to the last autumn weekend in Roscommon County? Because you will be so warmly welcomed. Unplug from the tension-grabbing headlines. Shelve your worries for a couple of days and revive in fresh air brought to you with warm hearts.

Look at the large tree in the photo above. See what a kind person has left? A walking stick to use on the trails of Marl Lake. Yes, people are nice here in Roscommon County. And look at the picture below. This place is made for unwinding. Take a seat. Bring a book, your camera, your love. Enjoy Houghton Lake from Trestle Park.

Yes, come. We won't take "no" for an answer. There are some great places to stay, many with off season rates. Pack your sweater (and maybe your fleece). If you have spent any time in Michigan you know how quickly things change (the above pictures were taken yesterday). All that can be guaranteed is a very warm welcome, relaxation and beauty beyond compare. I'd love to share my bench (and fleece) with you.

Feeling it?

Fall...for those of us who loved this long, beautiful summer, it is hard to believe it is over so soon. But the effects are lingering. The warm weather has delayed our peak season by a couple of weeks - forecasts have it coming in mid-October. Good news is the lush, healthy trees should give us a spectacular splash of color this year.
But do not let the delay of peak color keep you inside waiting. It is a beautiful time of year for a visit to the lake or a hike on the trails. It is the time of year for leisurely walking - letting your senses absorb your surroundings.
For instance, on a delightful day like today you not only feel the crispness in the air, but the warmth of the sun.

Let the chipmunks and squirrels do the scurrying. Many of our trails provide benches to stop and enjoy the clear lakes, or listen to the call of the geese as they are forming up for their fall pilgrimage.

You may catch sight of lumbering bears or frisky fawns. A wide variety of mushrooms have popped up along the trails. The plop of acorns dropping from trees also alert us to this beautiful autumn season.

So, throw on the sweater, grab your walking stick, put a fresh apple in your pocket and visit one of the many trails of Roscommon County.

We would love to see pictures you capture along the way. Be sure to submit them to our photo contest.
Vacation Views @ Michigan's Other Great Lakes PHOTO CONTEST!
Submit your vacation/staycation photos to info@visithoughtonlake.com to win prizes - contest open to anyone (except watermarked material) until October 15.
Snap away! Call 989-676-5330 or email info@visithoughtonlake.com for details and complete set of rules.

All is quiet...but not for long!

What a difference a week makes! From my office on M55 in Houghton Lake the traffic is down, down, down. Of course, school began in many areas this week and it is the middle of the week. Should take me about half the time to run to the bank and post office today than it does during the summer.

But, wait....September weekends are still going to be full of activity.

I can hear the music now...the East Bay Music Fest from 1-8 p.m. Sept 10 will have you tapping your toes and humming along. Come down to Trestle Park on Houghton Lake this Saturday.

And if you prefer the sound of marching bands, the next weekend enjoy the Fireman's Memorial Parade in Roscommon, as well as all other festivities of the weekend event.

Cannons will be booming this weekend too at the Roscommon Co. Civil War encampment & Cannon Firing at the Roscommon Fireman's Training Grounds.

Nationally recognized painters, authors and musicians are converging on Wellington Farm Park this weekend to celebrate the end of summer.

The music of Carole King and the "You've Got a Friend" concert will fill the theater at Kirtland College Center of Performing Arts on Saturday evening.

Details and links to the events can be found on the event calendar.

Come enjoy the end of summer music, fun and festivities, and then stick around for the quiet as you enjoy the sounds of nature hiking through the beautiful fall foliage of colorful Roscommon County.

Sentimental Journey

Feeling nostalgic today. Another summer season is quickly winding down - our greatest treasures (our children) are soon returning to school, leaves have tinges of color and my personal favorite, apples are nearly ready for picking.
Quite a few requests come in from vacationers from the past wanting to know if they places they stayed at are still around. I do not have an answer for many of them - but a drive around the lakes indicates that they have been replaced by private homes/condos, upgraded and look somewhat different, or have been removed. Have some fun - come check them out for yourself. Make a Sentimental Journey to Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake and Lake St. Helen "to renew old memories."
A drive around the lakes also indicates how much has not changed. This has been a glorious summer - lots of time spent on the beaches, superb fishing, fabulous sunsets - everything that makes Michigan's Other Great Lakes a haven for vacationers.

When was your last Sentimental Journey to Roscommon County? Do not think of it as your "destination" but as your "landing point" - stay and enjoy the beauty, and then make a day trip to explore the rest of northern Michigan from here. 

Share your memories with us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hl.a.tourism/ or email me and I will share them for you - info@visithoughtonlake.com.

'Catch Us' catching on

Betty Bass, Wally Walleye and others of Michigan's Other Great Lakes fishing committee met recently to discuss the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau "Catch Us If You Can" fishing contest.
BETTY: I am blown away by how many girls have caught tagged fish this year.
WALLY: Me too. And the first one was by a first-grade girl from Bridgeport.
BETTY: What are we up to now?
WALLY: NINE - on the way to beating last year's record of 10.
BETTY: That has to be because the HLATB has invested a lot into the 11th year of this contest. With the help of Master Fish Taggers, more and more fish are being tagged in Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake and Lake St. Helen.

WALLY: And there are more sponsors this year - Schmuckal Oil just came on. That's where the $50 gas card you get for catching a tagged fish comes from.
BETTY: And the second prize - a Mark Martin Ice Fishing School certificate. Our tagged friends are going to be caught during ice fishing season too.
WALLY: Major sponsors also include Lyman's on the Lake, H&H Fireworks, the HLATB and Spicer's Boat City.
BETTY: And we cannot forget our other supporters -
 Arnie’s Arts & Crafts    Lakeland Recreation     Poplars Resort    W. Higgins Lk Hardware 
Bart’s Fruit Market   Lakeside Resort/Conference Center    North Winds Lodge   Beachfront Hotel   Super 8 Motel        Chemical Bank       Way North Motel     Bauchan Law Offices      Best Choice Market                                                 
WALLY: I sure hope everyone comes out to the Fry-In at Blodgett Airport from 3:30 to 6:30 on August 13. Great fish, airplane rides, and the HLATB is having a drawing for a couple of us (large fish pillows) during the event.
BETTY: The contest is just getting bigger and better every year. Just imagine, someone could walk away with $100,000 and a new Lund boat from Spicer's Boat City.
WALLY: It has been wonderful to see multi-generation families pass on the love of fishing at Michigan's Other Great Lakes and to welcome new anglers to our area.
BETTY: Yes - it is really "catching on."

'The Road Less Traveled'

Whether you are planning a get away for a weekend, a week, or longer, by the time you are packed and on the road, you may really need a vacation.

Two of the first questions you want answers to are "what's the weather going to be like" and "how much traffic will we encounter."

Well, there are apps for the answers to both those questions, but here is a suggestion you may not have considered.

When coming to Roscommon County have you thought about taking "the road less traveled?" Maybe you will arrive at your destination a little later in the day, but in a much more relaxed frame of mind.




The road less traveled offers so much. If you see an eagle, it is okay to pull on the side of the road to observe it. Instead of guardrails and cement abutments between highways, you will be driving between shoulders of beautiful wildflowers that vary through the seasons.







Instead of the carcass of an unfortunate animal who was trying to cross six lanes of speeding traffic, you can observe the wildlife in its natural habitat and you have time to brake if it is crossing the road.







What else? Shorter lines and times at gas stations. There are often historical markers along the two lane highways that offer interesting insights to earlier times. Roadside markets for some fresh fruit and vegetables to take on your trip. Antique stores and garages sales.






Just think of all the things you enjoyed while taking that family vacation in your youth, perhaps when there were only the "roads less traveled."

Are you having fun yet?

Miriam-Webster's Dictionary's simple definition of fun is:  someone or something that is amusing or enjoyable : an enjoyable experience or person. : an enjoyable or amusing time. : the feeling of being amused or entertained.

A synonym of fun could be Roscommon County. Since so many have different ideas of what is fun, without even trying, we can fill them all.

Here are some fun things to do in Roscommon County - feel free to comment on anything I missed:

1. Fun in the sun - Beaches!

2. Fun in the sun - Ice Cream

3. Fun in the sun - Festivals

Are you having fun yet?

4. Fun in the sun - Fishing

5. Fun in the sun - Boating, kayaking and canoeing

6. Fun in the sun - Hiking and biking

Are you having fun yet?

7. Fun in the sun - Geocaching

8. Fun in the sun - Birding

9. Fun in the sun - Shopping

You have to be having fun by now. Be sure to check out the rest of our website for events and attractions - the list grows daily. 

Roscommon County - what is your definition of fun?

Summer in the North - Enjoy!

I had an enjoyable experience on the ORV trails in St. Helen this month. Besides being a lot of fun (as a passenger), I was impressed with the off-road drivers themselves. Oh, their turns, whoops and all-around talent was great fun to watch, but it was their respect for each other and other drivers - whether ORV, ATV or two-wheelers, that caught my attention.

Driving on the trails can be as hazardous as you want to make it, but for the most part, it was safe. There were smiles, hand signals, and lots of patient riders out there, signalling for safety's sake to others on the trail and waiting their turn to go by.
As I sit in the tourism bureau office today with barely a break in the traffic going by on M55, my wish is for everyone to be enjoying their visit this holiday weekend. It would be good to adopt the courtesy rules of the trail riders as we are making our way around Michigan's Other Great Lakes this weekend.
If we live here, give our visitors a break as they are not as familiar with the roadways as we are. And if you are visiting, ask directions of any of us to help you get around. Of course, you may be more use to the traffic than we are, but cool heads and patience will pay off in the long run.
We are only a couple of hours from the city, and yet our ways may seem strange to you. Don't be caught off guard by our smiles and friendly manner - we are glad you are here and want you to return. If we look you in the eye, hold a door for you, say hello - well, that is our way.
It is nice to have company - we want to show you everything that is so special about Roscommon County. Enjoy the celebrations, the picnics, parades and fireworks. The weather looks great. The lakes are sparkling. Beaches are beckoning.
Stay, play and return another day.
The Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau wishes you a safe and happy Fourth of July!
www.visithoughtonlake.com

Size of the smile is what matters

What a successful free fishing weekend here at Michigan's Other Great Lakes. No records were broken, not a lot of "keepers" caught. But there were more than enough smiles to go around.

It was not the size of the fish that mattered this weekend, but more the size of the heart of all who put themselves out for the Free Family Fishing event.

Michelle with the State Park Explorer Program moved her Fishing Frenzy to earlier in the day Saturday and handed out prizes while the Lyon Township volunteers invited the clown Yella Rosa to the park to entertain the youth.

The Houghton Lake Sportsmen's Club gave away nearly 100 rods, reels and tackle boxes at Houghton Lake, a gift that may last a lifetime.

The volunteers in St. Helen invited Paddle Brave to bring kayaks to the beach and teach anyone who wanted to give it a try.

There will be more details and thank yous in the press and on social media, but this is the place to give the biggest shout out to the parents and grandparents who are teaching their young ones the value of this fine sport.

How encouraging it was to see grandpas and fathers bring their young ones down to the docks. A grandmother who has been fishing all her life, came down with her grandson. He was helped further by a friendly, visiting angler.

Whole families - fathers, mothers, sons and daughters where sharing the excitement. That was the true success of the event and the grand prize for all of them was the happy smiles of the little anglers.

Fish-again in Michigan - the tradition continues

Want your young ones to put down their smart phones and tablets? Trade them for a fishing rod and teach them how to fish. It works.
Case in point - the first person to catch a fish in the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau's 2016-17 fishing contest was a 7-year-old girl. She put her own bait on the hook, dropped her line, and caught a 12-inch rock bass. A picture is worth a thousand words:

Her great-grandparents used to fish Higgins and Houghton Lakes. She was with her grandparents and father, carrying on the family tradition. What greater gift can be passed on to your children than a love of being on the water and fishing with those you love?
Residents and volunteers of Michigan's Other Great Lakes understand. The second annual Family Fishing Fest is June 11 on Michigan's Free Fishing Weekend. Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake and Lake St. Helen communities have come together and planned family events at all three lakes and organized a fishing contest (not a registered, serious fishing derby) with prizes for 12 and under and for the adults who take them fishing. Visit https://www.facebook.com/fish4free/ or call 800-676-5330 for details.
Won't you be pleased when you hear your child ask "where's my rod? I want to fish-again!"

Remembering, forgetting, celebrating

Well, it is here - the official opening of tourism season in northern Michigan, especially around Michigan's Other Great Lakes. Whether you are here to set sail on the water, or sail around the lake shore looking for that perfect sale, welcome! There are about as many yard sales going on as there will be boats in the water.

Our scenery is lush, air is fresh, sun is shining, and temperatures are warm. Fish are biting, flowers are blooming, and ice cream parlors are serving. Amusement parks and attractions are opening. Our guests are arriving. Enjoy your stay!

Are you going to your cabin? Camping? Or, enjoying a stay at our hospitable hotels? This is the best place to be for an extended weekend.

There will be solemn Memorial Day observances on Monday, a small parade or two, to remind us of the significance of this traditional holiday. But a second tradition has evolved for families and friends as they gather around their campfires, drop a line in the water, hike in the woods or just bathe in the sun. Winter is forgotten and the season of fun in the sun has begun.

So, if you are kayaking or canoeing, hiking or biking, or exploring in your ATV or vehicle, please have a very safe holiday with us. We are so glad you are here.

The Lilac Almanac

Since 1818 the Farmer's Almanac has been giving us long range weather predictions. We look to the woolly caterpillar to tell us how harsh winter will be, and to Punxsutawney Phil to see when spring will come. Now, we can add a tree to our list of forecasters.
Did you know that when the leaves of the lilac are the size of a mouse's ear, it is time to pick mushrooms? News to me.
Or, how about this one: When the lilacs are in bloom, the walleye are biting?

Now, both those sayings came from a couple of my favorite area anglers, and we know fishermen always tell the truth....
How about finding out for yourself in Roscommon County. Come up for some springtime fishing on Michigan's Other Great Lakes (Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake and Lake St. Helen). Visit area bait stores who can tell you where and when the fish are hitting. Since the opening of walleye season less than a month ago, there have been some great catches.
And, an added bonus this weekend, a full moon (the Flower Moon). We all know that a full moon is a walleye angler's dream. That's when walleye fishing is at its best.

Twilight Zone Day #michigansothergreatlakes

That explains it. We are living in the Twilight Zone. Nothing else can explain a forecast for weather down in the 30s in this merry month of May. Have you noticed the trees? They are just waiting to pop. I am waiting to wake up and not hear my furnace running.
Here I go again - I have been raised in Michigan so it is in my blood to complain about the weather. But realistically, in perspective, it is not all that bad. No raging fire destroying homes and lives, no tornadoes or flooding rains. Snow melts. It is just my personal desire for the beautiful days we have had to keep coming.
Have you made your plans to visit Michigan's Other Great Lakes yet? Our ATV friends have.
The trails around St. Helen have certainly come to life.

With two wheelers, side by sides, four wheelers and jeeps, the town and trails are a-buzz. The nearly 60 miles of recreational trails in and around St. Helen attract visitors from miles away and all walks of life.  Those 60 miles connect to the rest of the 200 miles of trails in Roscommon County, and those connect to the more than 6000 miles of trails in Michigan. So, in honor of Twilight Zone Day let me almost quote Rod Serling:
"You are traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the..." FUN Zone - Michigan's Other Great Lakes.

'Fishing is always good'

I stopped at the DNR boat launch on the West Shore of Houghton Lake today and asked an area angler how his day of fishing was. He had been out all day and was heading for home. When I asked him if he was successful, he just smiled and said, "If you love fishing, fishing is always good." He was happy with the 17" walleye he got today, and really happy about the  21-incher he landed yesterday. 

This may be considered blasphemy to true anglers but I am going to compare fishing at Michigan's Other Great Lakes to Nascar tracks. You have the "big one" like Talledaga, the "exhilarating" Bristol Race Track, and the "prestigious" Daytona International Speedway.

Houghton Lake is our "big one." The largest inland lake in Michigan, anglers come for walleye, pike, bass, perch, and more. 

Exhilarating fishing is in store at Lake St. Helen. Crappie, blue gill, perch, bass and walleye are right there for the taking.

Higgins Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the state, is prestigious in that it is the deepest and adds Lake Trout to the species of fish mentioned above.

Thinking back to the fishing sage I met today, I get it. It is the experience. Fishing is always good - and it is never rained out.

Priceless but doesn't cost a dime

I just returned from a short vacation. As I am thinking about all the wonderful sights we saw I find myself thinking about the people we encountered along the way. We were on the road for about 26 hours the whole trip and it was at the places we stopped that we received such courteous service. Even the managers who were not waiting on us would ask how we were doing. These people may or may not see us again, but being treated so warmly and kindly will make me tell my friends headed in that direction it is a good place to stop.
Of course leaving this:

For this:

Had me in a good frame of mind, but I came home with some fine lessons on what should come natural, especially as we will be welcoming people of all sorts to enjoy the beauty and activities of Roscommon County.

Let's be determined this year to show them real warm Northern hospitality.

Signs of Spring are everywhere

I mean that literally - on the way to work I was happy to see all the "signs" of spring and the coming summer season - signs that read - Open April 29 (Nibbles Ice Cream), Opening soon (flower greenhouse), gift shop sign (Open in May). The DQ in Houghton Lake got us excited a few weeks ago when they opened.
Other signs are pickups towing boats, the docks going in on the lakes, waterfowl returning, landscapers raking, highway clean ups underway, and more short sleeves than coats.

My favorite sign of spring are the flowers. Picked up a basket of pansies this week and since they are such a hardy little plant, I left them outside. They need to be hardy because the nights are so cool and the weatherman even a couple of days ago used that now-nasty four letter word "snow."

We have had our first lightning/thunder storm, coming late in the evening, but it did its job - the earth greened the next day with the much-needed nitrogen.

Do you have a favorite spot to welcome Spring? Mine is Marl Lake across from the S. Higgins Lake State Park. Beautiful hiking trail, all matter of birds, and returning anglers. Need to unwind? Go sit on the bench. I often stop on my way home for just a few minutes, but I am never disappointed with the view, sounds and peacefulness of this quiet water lake.

Synchronized swimming

Reaching heights in nature at the Flats

Welcome to my blog. It is time to share some of the hidden gems of life, travel and leisure at Michigan's Other Great Lakes. Thought I would begin with one of my favorite activities--birding. I could start with my own back yard, but today I had a great experience going on a birding tour with the local DNR. About 15 met at the Gazebo at the Houghton Lake Flats and what a morning. A beautiful, sunny day and we were in for quite a show. If you have never been to the flats I will try to describe it for you.

The flats are located north of M-55 in Houghton Lake between 127 and Old 27. The land was obtained through mitigation for the new highway, and is now one of 9 floodings in Roscommon Co. supervised and maintained by the DNR. Standing in the gazebo overlooking the south flooding your eyes and ears are treated to sights and sounds in all directions. After focusing on the young mute swan who is just "visiting" the flats according to Don Poppe of the DNR, we turned our attention to the osprey that left his nesting platform (one of 11 in the flats) to dine on a fish on the landing perch. No sooner than oohing and ahhing over the osprey, the sandhill cranes began their rattling call as all eyes looked south in the direction of their noise.
The waters were blue today, reflecting the white clouds and the bleached aquatic plants that are home to the nesting geese and all variety of waterfowl. I will write more on the nesting osprey at another time, but the sheer pleasure of experiencing a wetland is what I am encouraging you to come do when you get a chance. It is a pure pleasure, a learning experience and a place to build your appreciation for the wonderful natural habitat that abounds in Roscommon County. How fortunate I am that is on my way to and from work and why I am always late for work, and late for supper.