Shanty - shan't we? A lesson in patience

Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. We need to come up with a name for the gray days like the weather service names storms. I think we are already on the Zs, but that's okay because tomorrow is a good day for taking that long winter nap.

Now, onto the theme of this blog. I am sure everyone remembers the family vacation and these famous words - "Are we there yet?". About the fifth time you heard them, the reply got more blunt and agitated.

Today's question is "Is there ice yet?". It is being asked everywhere - Facebook, Twitter, bait shops, tourism bureau and chambers. Houghton Lake, a shallow lake, freezes first in our area, along with Lake St. Helen. Higgins Lake usually follows a couple of weeks later.

Why the furor? As soon as the first ice forms you can expect an outbreak of "shanti-itis." It starts with locals gathering at the bait shop discussing ice color, thickness, what part of the lake is safe. Finally the employee who draws the short straw goes out with the spud to check the thickness and condition of the ice. Mind you, if he goes through the water it is probably just knee deep at this point. But facts are facts.

This is where the lesson in patience comes in. The docks have been hauled in since the middle of November, beginning the waiting time for good ice to get back out on the lake and fish through the hard water. The wait is like driving the Seney Stretch. The speed limit was raised on M-28, so it is a bit faster now, but there is no way to speed up cold weather. It is what it is to repeat another often used phrase.

Sometimes it is hard to tell who is more anxious for the ice - the anglers or the local merchants who rely on good winter weather to make a decent income. Patience.

I cannot offer any good ice fishing tips. I leave that to our local experts which is anyone out there setting their tip-ups. Seriously, there is a lot of good advice shared from shanty to shanty, on Facebook, or around the minnow tanks.

Mark Martin will be conducting his ice fishing school on Houghton Lake January 6-9, 2019. He and his pro staff even host a free seminar, sharing their tips on how to ice fish like a pro. The seminar is at noon at H&H Fireworks January 6.

So don't be surprised, even though the ice shanty towns are not popping up all over the lakes, there are a few with terminal shanti-itis braving the wind, the cold, the challenge as they spud their way off the shore. Relief and a cure comes only after the first hole is drilled as they sit patiently and wait for the first tip up to pop.

The cure for shanti-itis is ice fishing in Roscommon County. Our Catch Us If You Can contest continues through this season. And if you call to find out about the ice conditions, and no one answers, we are all out on the ice. Come drop your line. Lodging can be found here.

Roscommon - for rest and relaxation

The Fourth is over and what a party it was in Roscommon County - fireworks, fun on the lakes, craft shows and more. Busy, busy, busy...glad you could celebrate here.

Now, it is time to come back to the REAL vacation paradise of Michigan's Other Great Lakes. Of course, there are plenty of activities to keep your vacation busy, but what if you just need to get away, relax and re-create yourself?

Let me begin with a story. I live near Higgins Lake and this summer I have seen a couple on their bicycles that made me raise my eyebrows. Everyone is familiar with tandem bikes where one person sits behind the other. Well, there is a couple on the west side of the lake who sit side-by-side on their bike. You see, the wife is legally blind and had always enjoyed her bike rides around the lake. Her husband wanted her to be able to continue her exercise in the fresh air and cooling breeze so for want of a better word, he made a contraption that joins their bikes near the steering wheel. Now they both get out and enjoy a summer ride at Higgins Lake. They share the pedaling and he steers.

Janisse and Gary

Now what does that story have to do with coming to relax in Roscommon for your vacation? I just wanted to highlight the atmosphere created by the wonderful people who live and work here.

It is quiet and uncrowded (except for the Fourth) and you can safely enjoy a bike ride on peaceful, light traffic roads. If you need a few groceries or something from the hardware store, stop in any of the locally owned, family run businesses. You are so important to them they are up before dawn ready to greet you bright and early.  You are so important to them they carry just about every item you can think of and always go that extra step in customer service (I have yet to carry anything out to my car from the hardware store on the West side of the lake).


Oh, yes, the birds are noisy and may wake you up before the crack of dawn. But their calls replace the blare of sirens and honking of horns.

Don't feel like cooking? Stop in for some real home cooking at our area restaurants.

Come, relax in Roscommon County on your next vacation. It is in our nature to treat you as guests and welcome you like family as you stay in our natural settings and re-create yourself. Come soon, come often. For more information visit www.visithoughtonlake.com.

Now, a walk or a nap? I think I will do whatever comes naturally.

Spring - a beautiful time to Rediscover Roscommon

Last month after our LAST snowstorm I was able to take a vacation trip to Florida. The parts of my trip I liked most were the areas that reminded me of Michigan (sans alligators).

There is nothing that compares to spring in Michigan, especially Roscommon County. It is amazing to watch the springtime flowers come up out of the ground (yes, you can literally watch them grow if you are patient enough). The buds on the trees are unfurling into shiny new leaves, shades of green that rival the fall palette of color.

There are many signs of spring in Roscommon County, including the delight you see as families and people are out enjoying the warmer weather, whether dipping their lines in the lake, launching their boats or just enjoying the clean, fresh air and sunshine.

Another sign of spring is the bird migration and baby geese. So many look at geese as a nuisance but in their own habitat they are a pleasure to watch. If you are driving on Old 27 between Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake be sure to be on the alert for the new families as they love to hug the shoulder.

Speaking of birds - be sure to take yourself (and camera and binoculars) on the self guided Ausable Birding Trail.  From the tiniest of warblers to the herons and cranes, you can cross a number of birds off your checklist. Hawks, eagles and osprey nest throughout the county (fishing is good for them).

Whatever your delight, rediscover Roscommon County and Michigan's Other Great Lakes this spring. It's in our nature to welcome you. Lodging can be found here.