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.