I was reading one of my favorite blogs, FMF , and a post caught my eye. It has to do with people enjoying free food samples at a local food store. Now, who doesn’t enjoy free tasty samples? I do. One of my favorites is Fresh Market, a local specialty grocery store that caters to the higher end lines of foods.

But, I have to share a story. Recently I was talking with a gentleman about Northern Michigan waterfront real estate. The topic of the Cherry Republic came up. The Cherry Republic is a popular Northern Michigan specialty store featuring all sorts of cherry products. From the predictable, such as dried cherries, jams and jellies, to the imaginative, such as cherry ketchup and cherry BBQ sauce, Cherry Republic has it all.

He told me every time he is in the Traverse City area he takes his wife and three children for a pit stop at the Cherry Republic, where samples are in abundance all day long. He always makes sure the timing coincides with lunch. For some, there may such a thing as a free lunch. And, a delicious one at that!

Anyway, my wife and I love the Cherry Republic hot salsa. That’s right hot salsa made with Michigan cherries. You have to try it. You may become hooked as we are. Rather pricey at $7.95, but well worth it. We pick up a case of it each time we are in Glen Arbor . Special pricing when you pick up a case of twelve, you pay for ten. I like thinking I am getting a bargain!

http://youtu.be/QMR7veI78f8

I found this 1949 Northern Michigan Documentary by James Fitzpatrick to be interesting. It was part of his “Travel Talks” series. Fashions may have changed, but the beauty of Michigan has not.

Recently I was having a conversation with an appraiser from the Grand Traverse Bay area. In our conversation, I asked him “Generally, how would you place a value on land with water frontage on the Grand Traverse Bay?” I found his answer very interesting, so thought I would share some of his insight with you.

The west arm of the bay is deeper and wider, making it more desirable and popular, so on the on the average there we see land values between $3,000 and $5,000 per front foot. If the building site and the actual lakefront are on the opposite side of the road from each other, we tend to value that in half.

On the east arm of the bay is a little less popular. The water depths are shallower, and with the Lake Michigan water levels being down, some of the properties have deeper depths to the lots with the receding lakeshore. Because of these factors, we see values ranging between $2,000 and $4,000 per front foot. As on the west arm of the bay, if the property is across the road from the actual lake frontage, the value would be cut in half.

One thing he said that I thought was interesting, was that as some areas across the state were reporting some decline in value, the Grand Traverse Bay area is generally still appreciating in value. As a rule, quality properties will hold their value during difficult economic times.

Downtown Traverse City is home to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. The academy trains and equips prospective officers for duty on all types of commercial and civilian vessels, research, cruise ships, freighters, tankers and more. The officers serve both in the Great Lakes and worldwide. The school has room for two hundred students, with plenty of opportunity for hands on training as well as classroom instruction.

Two different tracks of programs are offered. “The Deck Officer Program”, provides training for the pilots or mates piloting the vessels, trains those who will run the various departments on the vessel and also prepares those running the business side of the ship.

The second tract is the “Engineering Officer Program” with training for the operation and maintenance of the vessels engines and equipment.

Since August of 2002, the academy has been home to the “State of Michigan”, a 225 foot former US Navy submarine surveillance ship, formerly known as “Persistent”

Be sure to visit their website and see their Grand Traverse Bay webcam, as well as the brief six minute video with more explanation of the academy.

I always enjoy a visit to the Grand Traverse Bay area. Every time I go there seems to be a new sight to see, as well as another interesting restaurant to try.

I find the lake front drives along the many scattered Michigan vineyards relaxing and enjoyable. The rolling hills and the well kept grapevines make for a picturesque and scenic drive.

Michigan has a growing number of vineyards; most seem to be located relatively close to the coastline of Lake Michigan. Every visit to the area seems to uncover a new vineyard. With that, a store, a tasting room, a bed and breakfast they join the growing list of Michigan tourist attractions.

Michigan is the fourth largest grape growing state in the United States. Most of the Michigan grapes are used for making grape juice, but a growing percentage are used to produce one of several types of Michigan Wine.

On my list of things to do this summer is to find a nice day and spend some time at a Michigan vineyard with my camera. I will share the results in another post.

There is something about the 45^th parallel and the big lake that grapes like. There is something about the 45^th parallel and Lake Michigan that I like too!

I have listed several of Michigan’s Vineyards and Wineries. If you are not able to visit them in person, be sure to visit their website. There is a lot to be learned.

If you know of a vineyard or winery I missed , please let me know.

And, for your next dinner party, be sure to try a Michigan wine!

Leelanau County Wineries

Bel Lago Winery 6530 South Lake Shore Dr., Cedar Mi. 49621

Black Star Farms 10844 East Revold Rd., Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Boskydel Vineyards 7501 E Otto, Lake Leelanau Mi. 49653

Chateau Fontaine 2290 South French Road, Lake Leelanau Mi. 49653

Chataeu Leelanau 5048 South West Bay Shore Dr., Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery 10343 East Hilltop Rd, Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Forty-Five North Vineyard & Wineries 8580 E Horn Rd., Lake Leelanau Mi. 49653

Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery 5620 N Manitou Trail, Northport Mi. 49670

Good Harbor Vineyards 34 S. Manitou Trail, Lake Leelanau Mi. 49653

Good Neighbor Organic Vineyard & Winery 9825 Engles Rd, Northport Mi. 49670

L Mawby Vineyards 4519 S Elm Valley, Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Leelanau Cellars 5019 North West Bay Shore Dr., Omena Mi.

Longview Winery 8697 Good Harbor Trail, Cedar Mi. 49621

Ratshol Vineyards 1865 North West Bay Shore Dr., Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Shady Lane Cellars 9580 Shady Lane, Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Silverleaf Vineyard & Winery 11087 E. Silver Leaf Farm Rd., Suttons Bay 49682

Tandem Cellars, Setterbo Road, Suttons Bay 49682

Willow Vineyards 10702 East Hilltop Rd., Suttons Bay Mi. 49682

Old Mission Peninsula Wineries

Black Star Farms 360 E McKinley Rd., Traverse City

Bowers Harbor Vineyards 2896 Bowers Harbor Rd., Traverse City

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery 3309 Blue Water Rd., Traverse City

Chateau Chantal Winery 15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City

Chateau Grand Traverse 12239 Center Road, Traverse City

Left Foot Charley 806 Red Drive, Traverse City (located in urban T/C)

Peninsula Cellars 11480 Center Road, Traverse City

Two Lads Winery 16985 Smokey Hollow Road, Traverse City

South Western Michigan Wineries

Contessa Wine Cellars 3235 Friday Rd., Coloma, MI 49038

Domaine Berrian Cellars 398 East Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Fruitful Vine Winery 5601 Saint Joseph Street, Stevensville, MI 49127

Hickory Creek Winery 750 Browntown Road, Buchanan, MI 49101

Karma Vista Vineyards 6991 Ryno Rd., Coloma, MI 49038

Lawton Ridge Winery 8456 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Lemon Creek Winery 533 East Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Peterson & Sons Winery 9375 East P Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Round Barn Winery 10983 Hills Road, Baroda, MI 49101

St Julian Winery 716 S. Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Tarten Hill Winery 4937 South 52nd Avenue, New Era, MI 49446

Warner Vineyards 706 S. Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Further North Michigan Wineries

Nicholas Black River Winery 5670 Black River Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721

Pleasantview Vineyards 6769 Pleasantview Rd., Harbor Springs, MI 49740

Rose Valley Winery 3039 Beechwood Rd, Rose City, MI 48654

Hi Folks: We just left Traverse City and are headed for the Straits. It has rained a lot of the time yesterday and today, but as the kids say “We are having a ball”. July 10, 1956

With the annual National Cherry Festival about to begin in Traverse City, I thought it would be fitting to feature a postcard picturing the cherry orchards in blossom. Since the festival began in 1926, it is very possible that the Cherry Festival was one of the reasons this postcard writer was “Having a ball”.

This year the festival runs July 4 – July 10 with something for everyone. There is an air show, 5K or 15K race, wine tasting, and of course, lots of good cherry eats. And all of you aspiring singers, be sure to check out the “Cherry Idol” competition. You just may be discovered!

Just hearing about the good things to eat makes me hungry for one of my favorite treats, cherry salsa. M-m-m good!

I checked the 10 day forecast for Traverse City and the weather looks perfect. So, bring your family, your sunscreen and your appetite and head to Traverse City.

And when your feet are tired and you want a break from the crowds, be sure to check out a Michigan lake!

My wife and I recently traveled to Traverse City on a chilly, cloudy Saturday. It would not have been our first choice of days to go weather-wise, but we had an appointment there that day so really did not have much of a choice. As always, I threw the camera in the car “just in case”.

As we turned the corner and saw the bay,  the sun suddenly appeared between the clouds over the bay. It was a spectacular site, so I quickly turned the car around and looked for a place to park and snap some pictures. As is often the case, in the few minutes it took to find a spot to park and get out and walk around,  the clouds changed and the colors became a little more subdued.  But, despite that, it was a beautiful site and we had fun taking pictures.

Two things that never cease to amaze me with their beauty are Michigan sunrises and sunsets over water.  Many times I have thought there would be too many clouds for a sunset or sunrise, only to find the sun poking through the clouds and providing a spectacular light display. The beauty of a sunrise or sunset over water is you get double the display, as all of  the pinks, purples and golds are  reflected in the water.

There still is plenty of time to enjoy a sunrise or sunset over a Michigan lake!

I have written about the Green House Café before, but whenever we visit Traverse City we make it a point to stop there for breakfast and our recent visit to Traverse City was no exception.

This is probably the first time we have been there so late in the season and I was very surprised at how busy the place was. We arrived shortly after they opened and it wasn’t long before nearly every booth and table was filled. I guess when I was there in the summer I assumed most of the diners were vacationers, but that does not seem to be the case. That says a lot about a restaurant in resort town.

As usual the food and service was great, but I noticed something fun that I had not paid much attention to on previous visits. The tables are covered with brown paper and each table has a box of crayons. The entry area of the restaurant is covered with the artistic (or not so artistic!) renderings of the restaurants diners. What a fun way to keep clients busy while waiting for their meal, and to get them to come back to see if their work is posted.  It just gives the place a nice, homey, personal feel.

Hmm…maybe instead of covering our Thanksgiving table with the traditional tablecloth we will cover it with brown paper and let our guests decorate it!  It will keep them busy if the turkey is not quite done when they arrive.

You never know what you are going to see while traveling around the state of Michigan. Recently I came across what appears to be an abandoned train near Traverse City, on 31 where it separates from M37.

I don’t know the story connected to this train, but I know that there is one. All of the cars are the same, silver color. The cars stand on the tracks, grass and weeds growing around them.

The train stands right in front of  the Cherry Growers,  Inc. building.

If anyone knows the story of this train, let me know. I would be interested to hear.

“Hello Old Man, How are you getting along? Are you ever going to write to me? It seems pretty cold here. We are all well. George is going to strike out to hunt a job before long. Charley and Sade started to Penn. the next day after I got here. I was up to Sidney’s Friday. Would be glad to hear from you. E.N.W”.  Post marked Dec. 5, 1911

I wonder if George found work as a logger? Lumbering was big business in Michigan in the early 1900s, so he probably could have found work as a logger quite easily.

I was a little surprised when I saw this postcard. I’d read before that because logs were big and heavy and difficult to move, loggers would pile them up on a sled and wait until winter to move them, but never knew that they piled them that high. I guess you couldn’t be afraid of heights if you were a logger!

Even though logging is not big business in Michigan today, we still enjoy the beauty of our many, Michigan trees and October is a great time for a color tour. Enjoy Michigan now!

Well, a recent visit to the Farmer’s Market certainly brought home the fact the summer is gone and fall is here.  No more strawberries, blueberries, sweet corn or peaches.  Now it’s pumpkins, mums, apples and cider.  The vendors are bundled up against the cold, and probably finding it’s pretty hard making change while wearing mittens!

But, it is a beautiful sight to see rows and rows of baskets of apples, the big orange pumpkins, onions, and mums of every color.

As I was walking around the Traverse City Farmer’s Market this fall, I was amazed at the variety of apples gown right here in Michigan. Most vendors had listed what each variety was good for, eating, applesauce, baking etc. Many offered samples to help you make your selection.

It worked for me. I left with a big bag of crunchy apples and, of course, a gallon of apple cider.

Many Farmer’s Markets close the end of October, so make it a point to get to one soon!

This sign has always been one of my favorites. It is found at the Airport Sand and Gravel Company on State Rd, just outside of Hastings Michigan in Barry County.

I like it so much that I am thinking of having our FOR SALE signs redesigned. I need something a little larger than what I have now and this just may work. I only wonder what the various townships would say.