Directions

It has been awhile - hope you all had a wonderful summer. This month is an anniversary for me - 10 years in Roscommon County. I have the enviable job of telling people how wonderful a place this is to live and visit.
But 10 years is causing me some trouble. I have been here long enough to forget the names of roads and when people ask me for directions my mind automatically goes to the visual.
I saw an old deed one time that included in the description of the property line "by the tree where the bear was shot." That was acurate enough for those days, but when all that pops in my head today is "down the road a bit, around the second curve, make a left, and it is just past the doggie park" I get the strangest look.
Even GPS coordinates are almost passe. Navigation on our smart phones or in our vehicle make it nearly impossible to get lost, but that still doesn't answer the question where can I go swimming or fishing or hiking or biking.
Another challenge coming up is our newly-established AuSable Birding Trail. One of the best sites to see birds is to take the trail just past the tree with the sneakers hanging on it. Oh, there I go again...take M18 to just north of the short road, no, I mean take M18  to just north of M157 and there is a seasonal road to the east, follow that (keeping to your left and watching for the signs) and you will come to the flooding and dam
But now you see my quandry - so many wonderful sights are to be found on our back roads, seasonal roads. There is a solution, though. Maps! Be sure to stop in the office, ask for our snowmobile/orv trail map, and I can point you anywhere!
It is such an exciting month for us here in Roscommon County. The Firemen's Memorial is this weekend and if you have never attended I really encourage you to come - free entrance and parking! There is so much to do for the entire family.

Monday and Tuesday following that we are very privilleged to host Michigan Cares for Tourism. This wonderful group of tourism people are actually paying to come do a clean up and restoration of the RAM Center and CCC Museum. I am sure I will have a blog next week about that event.
Today is bright and sunny and I am about to jump ship - it is too beautiful to sit here in the office and not be outside with my camera, hiking through the woods.

Wouldn't you like to join me? Be sure to visit this fall and enjoy our trails, migrating birds, and fishing at Michigan's Other Great Lakes.

Sunny thoughts for a grey day

Winter 2016-17 mainly has been described as "weird." Now that it is officially over and spring is trying to arrive, it is time to look forward and spring ahead to all that it is in store for our area. I hope you find these newsworthy and noteworthy events as exciting as I do!

Tuesday Roscommon County received great news - +Michigan Cares for Tourism has chosen Roscommon for its 2017 #MC4T volunteer clean-up event.  They will be joined September 18-19 at the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum and R. A. MacMullan Conference Center (RAM Center) in Roscommon by nearly 200 tourism professionals volunteering their time for the project. More details will follow, but what an opportunity for us to be gracious hosts and let them see what Roscommon County has to offer.

Earlier this month we received notice that Roscommon County was awarded an Iron Belle Trail feasibility grant. Biking is becoming ever more popular in the area and eventually be tied in with the State's Iron Belle Trail could mean a boost to our economy as well as give local residents a great bike path. What do you think about it?

Local chambers of commerce are busy setting up their summer events - we are looking forward to the summer kick off in St. Helen and its Blue Gill Festival; the Roscommon Art Show; and Houghton Lake Chamber business expo. Please be sure to visit the tourism bureau event calendar for all the events and details.

It is exciting to see new restaurants, a distillery, and more trails (including a birding trail) being developed. Fishing reports have been fantastic.

SAVE THE DATE - April 23 is the Catch Us If You Can drawing at Spicer's Boat City. FOURTEEN tagged fish were caught in all three lakes this year - will 7  year old Marisa be the one to walk away with $100,000 and a new boat? Or will it be Marianne whose husband caught a tagged fish a few years ago? So many stories to tell with this year's winners. Come share them with us on the 23rd.

On a personal note, it is great to open the windows in the morning and hear birds singing. So far I have seen geese, ducks, and red wing blackbirds return. Have you seen a red robin in Roscommon County yet? 

Ice is HOT!

There is a ragtime song from the 1890s - "A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight." At Michigan's Other Great Lakes the title should be changed to "A Hot Time in Shanty Town Tonight."

I say that after spending some quality time with ice anglers and outdoor writers this week. Mark Martin has brought his Vacation Ice Fishing School to Houghton Lake for the second year in a row. Knowing he was coming a few weeks ago I spent a lot of time nervous about ice. No worries. And just to put the seal on it we have been suffering single digit temps and below zero wind chill for a few days.

Does that stop the guys from going out on the ice? H*** No! If yesterday was any indication, a day on Houghton Lake ice fishing is worth any frostbite. In all reality, these guys know what they are doing. They have proper attire, transportation, shanties and equipment. Their success tells the rest of the story.

During the pre-school fishing Martin said "(We are) starting the Mark Martin's ice fishing vacation school out right Walleye's Northern Pike, panfish."

When asking anglers what they like about ice fishing one said - "It's fishing." Another added it is a lot more than that. "When you are ice fishing, you really get to interact with the fish."

I am having such a good time with this great bunch of guys. Not on the ice, of course, I leave that up to the true sportsmen. But joining them after their day on the ice is giving me real pleasure. The stories they share, the pictures shown. The banter and cajoling. And I have not heard one fish tale I do not believe.

What is really impressive, too, is how much they love Houghton Lake. The fishing. The community. Well done all who have been hosting them for their stay and meals. 

It is not just Houghton Lake ready for ice anglers - since the wind died down Higgins Lake is reportedly iced over and Lake St. Helen has been welcoming tip-ups and jiggers for a while now.

You are all invited to have a "hot time" at Michigan's Other Great Lakes this winter. Stay warm. Stay safe. Visit Houghton Lake Fishermen, Higgins Lake Angler  and Lake St. Helen Fishing facebook pages for updates on ice and where the fish are biting. Find a list of bait shops on our website who will have the latest on ice conditions http://www.visithoughtonlake.com/fish.shtml#ice.

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.