Finishing our log home basement

After 7 years in our log home, we finally finished the basement!  Well I take that back, it's about 80% finished.  We need to put up the ceiling and add more furniture but for the most part it's ready! 

Our log home was built on a sloping landscape so we added the walk out basement which greatly increased our living space.  I can't tell you how nice it is to sit on this couch and view the lake - it's frozen but it's still a lake view.  :-)

In other news we have ventured back into the log home business.  The economy is picking back up in Michigan and there are still great deals for land to build on in Northern Michigan.  If you are interested in a log home, please visit our website at www.bearcountryloghomes. We would love to help you make your log home dream a reality.

That's a lot of snow!

We've had over 113 inches of total snow fall so far in the area where our log home is located.  Right now I feel like I am working for the propane man and the snow plow man! Though I do have to admit it is pretty and I've enjoyed the powder for snowshoeing and skiing. How is winter in your area?

Trains & Weather

Should I admit this? Okay, I am going to, I have no filter you know. I am fascinated by the weather and by trains. A couple weekends ago, they were having a fall color tour on one of these antique trains in Grayling, Michigan. I bought tickets for our family. What's really neat is the original train depot that was built in 1882 is still standing and is now maintained as a museum. The day was cloudy but here are a few photos:




















The next thing I'm fascinated by is the Weather. And in our cabin town, we have a National Weather Service Station, I believe only 1 of 4 in the state. (When we would drive by this mysterious building, Greg would always tell me I think it's a cover for a secret government operation....he had me going for a while!) So when they announced a rare open house, I jumped at the chance - secret operation or not, I was going to get to the bottom of this!


Glad to know I'm not the only nosey person....I mean interested person in the weather!












Here's one of the meteorologist explaining the weather maps to us. He looks like he could be a secret operative.....





Here they are releasing a weather balloon. Maybe it's a secret message to aliens? Hmm...


At the National Weather Service, they are staffed 24-7. Most of the meteorologists have 4-5 computer screens in front of them, monitoring the weather. It was interesting to find out that they put weather buoys out in the great lakes to monitor the weather and provide information on lake conditions. So the last thoughts of the day are....they could be secret agents, and I wonder if they would hire me?! (Greg is rolling over on the floor laughing hysterically at me right now....)

Missing the lake

We weren't able to go to the cabin this past weekend and won't be able to this weekend. I leave for Wisconsin for log home training and am hoping their weather is better than Michigan's right now.

Between the puppy (I feel like I'm busier than Octomom! Really!) and getting ready to go back to school (another story!) - it seems like I'm out of time. So I'm missing the lake, missing the cabin and of course missing my bloggy friends! I promise to be back visiting your blogs regularly soon! And I think it's time for another giveaway.....

Things I like about Northern Michigan...

Every time we make the 3 hour trek up to our log cabin in Northern Michigan, I dream about the time that Greg and I can stay up there forever. It's difficult to describe the beauty of Northern Michigan and do it justice, but I thought I'd share a few images of why I love it so much.


Monarch Butterfly





Boats docked in Northport...




Lake Michigan









The fresh smell of pine trees...




Juvenile Common Loon

Take a country drive with us...

When we are up at our log cabin, we sometimes like to go exploring and take country drives. I'm always looking for beautiful scenes and wildlife to photograph. If you go a little further outside our town of lakes and trees, you can find some nice surprises.

Let's head down Wilkinson Road. We'll pass a ski resort along the way.



Here's a nice little creek (or river?) that we stopped to admire along the way. You can hear the stream running over the rocks and the water is very clear.



If we head over to the other side of the road, the creek continues. Still plenty of snow here in Gaylord!



As we go further down the road, we are starting to see farm pastures.


Well looky here! Here are some moo moos!



This guy actually looks pretty mellow. If you want to see a more intimidating cow I photographed at this farm, click here.



Well it looks like it's time for lunch! Let's head back to the log cabin and I'll make you some Macaroni & Cheese. Sound good?

Experiencing nature at the Log Cabin

One of the biggest joys of where our log cabin is located is all the beautiful nature that surrounds us. Whether it's out our cabin door or in the next county over - Northern Michigan has a wild beauty all its own.

Nature can be so reflective....so peaceful......

Like water running over snow covered rocks in the Ausable River....



A beautiful Doe frolicking in the woods....


A group of Mallard Ducks swimming soft circles.....




Or it can be vicious like a cougar attacking your arm!

Early Spring at the Log Cabin?

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.” - Nadine Stair


I really think I'm beginning to see signs of an early spring at our log cabin. Maybe it's wishful thinking but I submit the following as evidence.

My Black-capped Chickadees have been investigating the nest boxes I set up.



The creek has gotten wider.



Our lake ice is starting to break up.



And Baby has asked me where the patio furniture is. Psst! Jen - Baby says hello!

Tahquamenon Falls - For Betsy & George

As many of you know, my log home is located in beautiful northern Michigan. Another place equally beautiful is the Upper Peninsula. I want to show you a piece of this wilderness - Tahquamenon Falls which is located in Paradise, Michigan. (Seriously, that's the city's name.)

Betsy (of Joyful Reflections) and her husband George (of Senior Moments) love waterfalls and have shared many lovely photos of their trips on their respective blogs. I dedicate this post to them. (P.S. They are 2 of the nicest blogger people you could ever meet!)



Tahquamenon Falls State Park is approximately 52,000 acres and the main attraction of this park is the Tahquamenon Falls of course! The upper falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. It has a drop of 50 feet and is more than 200 feet across.




These photos I'm showing you are of the Lower Falls which is comprised of 5 falls around an island. The Park itself is beautiful to walk through and offers all sorts of great activites such as camping, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and much more. They also have a great variety of wildlife - especially the birds. I saw my first hummingbird here!

Hope you enjoyed this part of Northern Michigan! You all come back, ye hear!
(I've always wanted to say that!)

A fireplace for the log cabin

After a day of skiing in northern Michigan......

















Nothing is better than warming up beside my new electric fireplace!!

P.S. It has a realistic flame glow and the ability to turn the heat on or off. Now I need to buy some things to put on the mantle. Maybe some candle holders or lanterns. Maybe a wooden loon decoy. The possibilities are endless. What do you think of my new fireplace?

Exploring our town

I love to go exploring every nook in our log cabin town. I will drive down side streets, back roads, dirt roads...all in my quest to discover interesting houses, small lakes, wildlife and new trees. When I went driving down this snow covered road and watched this solitary man walking down it and occasionally looking up at the trees, I felt this photo captured the true essence of Northern Michigan - the place I love so much.

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. "

- John Boswell

Driving in the snow

I am guessing our drive to the log cabin today will be simliar to the one we took last week. Snowy and slow! The picture below was of our drive last week. I'm so glad the hubby has decided to take some time off so we can spend 5 days at the cabin. We have friends coming to visit for a couple days and there are talks of going sledding!


Thank god for 4 wheel drive!

One of our favorite restaurants is Jac's Place at Marsh Ridge Golf Course. They also rent snowmobiles in the winter. I daydream that the couple in the photo is Greg and I heading back to our snowmobiles after dinner. (No, we don't have snowmobiles....not in the budget yet)

I had the clam strips last time at Jac's and they were so tender and good! Look how beautifully this is presented.

Greg had this pecan encrusted walleye with this outstanding sweet sauce - it was outstanding! I think I'm going to ask Greg to take me there on Friday...

Everyone have a great rest of the week! I'm hoping I can post and check everyone's blogs (that's if our DIAL-UP internet service is working up there. That's another story!)

Northern Michigan at its best

There are many beautiful places to build a log home. Northern Michigan was the place for me and Greg. We wanted to experience all 4 seasons and be located out in a woodsy - nature filled area. It seems like we do more up here too then when we are downstate at our home in the burbs. Up here we are going to small town festivals, berry picking, skiing, snow shoeing, going out to photograph nature, watching Eagles splash down in our lake, having a bonfire with neighbors....the list goes on. Also - where else could I be a Loon Ranger?! (Now that's a different story and my friends and family are still making fun of me for this....)

Here are some more fall photos around our log home.......life is good.

Why I love Northern Michigan

I had the most beautiful drive this morning up to our log home. As soon as I reached Northern Michigan, the trees showing off their beautiful colors (Gaylord is at 80% peak), I saw 2 baby deer off in the field and I watched a hawk fly over the interstate. I had escaped the suburbs! But that's not the only reason why I love Northern Michigan.....this view off my deck says it all.

Log & Timber Frame Expo

Saturday was a great day at the expo with more people traffic! It was interesting to hear all the different places people wanted to build their log homes - Arkansas, Kentucky, Wisconsin (Door Country was very popular), Montana, Colorado, Oregon, North Carolina (the overwhelmingly favorite) and northern Michigan (my personal favorite!) One interesting couple my husband met have a 500 acre nature preserve that has been in the family for a long time and they are going to replace the existing cabin on the property. Listening to everyone's plans takes me back to the days when Greg and I were planning our log home dream. It's like planning your wedding - sometimes you want to relive those days! Looking forward to a great Sunday!

A small town parade!

Our log home is located in Waters, Michigan where they have 2 unofficial slogans.

1. The Peaceful alternative.
2. Snowmobile and golf without traffic jams!

We chose this location for our log home because of the quietness and quaintness of the small town. This year, Waters had their 2nd annual "Thunder Over Waters" festival. I must say for a town this size - it was nicely done.


Maybe this will grow bigger next year. I'm even thinking about having my own float. Greg is telling me "leave those people alone! let them have their own parade!" - but my argument is that we are a part of the town - come on - I won't be obnoxious. I think he's just afraid I'll make him sit on a float. Do you have any parade float ideas for me? Please share them!


*P.S. Don't forget about my Fall giveaway! Scroll down to yesterdays post to enter!






These kids were throwing beads and candy! I even caught some!

The IGA ladies hooked up 3 shopping carts together. Aren't they patriotic?!




























A snazzy yellow car! Do you know what this is? I don't have a clue.




















Cute kids ready for halloween!

The "float" that every guy drooled over. Who wouldn't want their own John Deere tractor?!