The first time my husband, Leroy, took me to Michigan we went Mushroom Hunting in the Boyne City area. It was Fall. The leaves spread across the state like a colorful blanket and the crisp scent of harvest season filled the air.
The first time my husband, Leroy, took me to Michigan we went Mushroom Hunting in the Boyne City area. It was Fall. The leaves spread across the state like a colorful blanket and the crisp scent of harvest season filled the air.
September 6, 2009 at 4:47 pm
When we traveled throughout the Traverse City area I enjoyed the old time charm of the towns and cozy feeling of being home. It seemed like just standing along the shore was a trip back to a simpler time; when a family spent the summer enjoying family cook-outs and laughter on the beach.
Maybe time remains still here? Maybe there is still a place where you can step back in time when we did not have a cell phone ringing or business call to make at the last minute? Maybe it is the local folk in Traverse City, who have captured time in a bottle, and we’re just lucky enough to wander into their piece of private paradise? Whatever it is I find a visit to Traverse City offers tranquil moments of relaxation as well as thrilling adventures around every bend.
As an artist I enjoy the chance to mingle with over 4,000 young musicians, artists, dancers, writers and actors who gather at the Interlochen Center for the Arts to study, practice and perform at this magical retreat among the pines. Part summer camp, part boarding school, part concert hall, the Interlochen Center for the Arts is also a wonderful place to enjoy some of the world’s most talented performers in an idyllic setting of woods, water and wonder.
The season does not end when fall rolls around. In fact it is a highlight of the year for the Interlochen Arts Academy, whose 455 students and 81 faculty members produce over 250 concerts, plays and exhibitions of their own. Despite its secluded forest setting 20 minutes from downtown Traverse City Interlochen is a magnet for lovers of music, drama and dance.
Did You Know?
You could meet the next Jewel, Josh Groban or Nora Jones, who all attended the camp at Interlochen Center for the Arts!
DestinationsSet sail without the need for gas – just step aboard what resembles a surfboard with a sail and your off – sailing across Lake Michigan. Watching these dare devils is amazing. While I am not a surfer, I can imagine what it must be like to set sail on a board and let the wind carry you off along the shore. Some Kite Surfers are daring enough to jump out of the water and they reach such amazing heights that they resemble skateboarders cresting the hill of a steep ramp.
If Kite Surfing is not your style there’s still plenty of thrills to keep your blood pumping. You can go kayaking downriver or across open water, string your line and cast your fly-fishing rod into the water, or hit the slopes in winter. The possibilities are almost endless in Traverse City.
If you enjoy a historic trip back in time then visit the Old Mission Peninsula. This narrow ridge of land, 22 miles long and only a mile wide, but it contains some of the most beautiful scenery in the Great Lakes. As a convenient half-day trip, the Old Mission Peninsula is known to locals simply as “The Peninsula,” and is a place with a rich history that includes missionaries, lighthouse-keepers, farmers and innkeepers – and even some famous ghosts.
I enjoy the mix of beautiful lakeshore homes mixed in with quaint farms, lush orchards and award-winning wineries. Located at its tip is the 1870 Old Mission Lighthouse and the fascinating village of Old Mission, a new England-style harbor town founded in 1839 at the request of the local Odawa Indians. It is here the you sense the historic tales yet to be told in the area as you tour the area.
Be sure to bring along your camera because Traverse City is America’s Cherry Capital. It celebrates that heritage every year during the first week of July with an eight-day party featuring over 150 family activities. This event includes air shows, fireworks, and parades that include the nation’s largest all-children parade. There are games, races, midway rides, demonstrations, nightly outdoor concerts and lots of chances to taste delicious cherry products.
Celebrating over 82 year’s, the Cherry Festival is Traverse City’s signature event, drawing as many as 500,000 attendees from around the country. What we enjoy about attending the Cherry Festival is that everything is located conveniently within walking distance, so you can enjoy all the festivities with your family and friends. Isn’t this what a memorable vacation is all about; enjoying time spent with family and friends? And, the best part is that almost all the events are free or offered at affordable prices that won’t break your vacation budget.
Learn More
Now a days finding a affordable vacation destination is on the top of the list for many travelers. The big question is where can we go for a week of affordable family fun? Visit http://www.VisitTraverseCity.com.