Fall is coming!

I can't think of a better place to spend Autumn than at our log home in northern Michigan. Our fall decorations are out but nature puts on the best show.  This is also the time of year when migrating birds pass through so it's a great time to get out those binoculars. Bring on the hot apple cider and pumpkin pie!

P.S. Are you ready to plan your own log home dream? I can help you! Please visit my website at www.bearcountryloghomes.com.  We became dealers for Hiawatha Log Homes after we built one of their homes in 2008.

It's snowing in Northern Michigan!

This morning I woke up to this powdered sugar winter wonderland!  The high temperature today is 37 degrees.  Autumn is definitely over!  Has anyone else had an early snowfall?

Saturday, in the park....

Saturday in the park
You'd think it was the fourth of july

People talking, really smiling
A man playing guitar
Singing for us all...
-From the song: Saturday in the Park by Chicago

Do you remember that song? I'm probably dating myself here... Anyways, Greg and I love to visit the parks near our cabin. There's this small one in the city of Grayling, site of one of the largest canoe races in N. America. It's located right on the Ausable River.


Here's what it looks like right now...





And this is what it'll look like this winter! Hard to believe, huh?






Okay, sorry I scared you with that early winter scene! Back to present time. Here is Greg and Scout checking out the river from the bridge.





Look how fast that water is moving! There's over 180 miles of Blue Ribbon Trout Fishing here. Michiganders refer to it as the Holy Waters. Recently Forbes magazine named Grayling to their Top 10 List of Top Trout Fishing Towns.


Greg is a big fisherman and taught me to fly fish during our "courting" years. I think it cemented the deal for him to marry me once I was able to tie my own fly and cast my own rod. (But I'd make him take the fish off for me of course. No way was I touching that slimey fish! Ha!)

Kids at the Log Cabin

Watch out - my 9 year old stepson is bringing his 2 cousins with him to our Log Cabin this weekend! This means we have to find entertaining things for them all to do. The hubby is already planning on taking them fishing and hiking. Alpenfest is also going on in Gaylord this weekend - a swiss themed event with a parade, art fair and contests such as who has the best knees (hubby won't win this one unfortunately) - yodeling contest and a bubble gum blowing contest (maybe my stepson or one of his cousins could win this!) I love small town festivals!

Now....what to feed these kids?! It's going to be a busy kitchen!

About Gaylord, MI (our log cabin site)

We choose Gaylord, MI because of the many recreational opportunities (fishing, hiking, birding, skiing, golfing, snowmobiling) and simply because it made us feel like we were truly "Up North" with all its beautiful scenery.

Gaylord is located north of Grayling in Otsego County. Some information and things to do in Gaylord:

• ALPINE VILLAGE - Downtown Gaylord has an Alpine Motif which they adopted in the 1960's. There are many great specialty shops - clothing, chocolate, beads, home decor, quilts, birdhouses, sporting equipment and so on. Check out Mossback Creek Company - I buy something every time I go there. In July, Downtown Gaylord has the Alpen Festival with people dressed in Swiss costumes, arts & crafts and a carnival.
• GOLF - Gaylord is known as the Golf Mecca in Michigan with over 20 championship golf courses - some of which have won many awards from golf magazines. They have so many courses to choose from - no matter the level of your playing. I am not so good - my personal favorite is Marsh Ridge with it's beautiful wooded setting and the fact I'm not so far away from the hole! Visit http://www.gaylordgolfmecca.com/ .
• SKIING - Gaylord has 2 local ski resorts - Otsego Club and Tree Tops. Boyne Mountain is approximately a 30 minute drive.
• SNOWMOBILING - Gaylord is recognized as a snowmobile mecca as well! They have over 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. To check trail conditions and obtain a trail map visit http://www.gaylordmichigan.net/ .
• FISHING - Great fishing opportunities in Gaylord. Otsego lake is stocked with Walleye by the DNR. Other lakes for consideration include Big Lake, Big Bass Lake, Big Bear Lake and Bradford Lake (my husband's favorite.) Ice fishing is also quite popular here!
• ELK VIEWING - Pigeon River State Forest (105,000 Acres) hosts the Midwest's only free ranging elk herd. It's also a great place to go hiking.