An eco-retreat in Boyne Falls. Gelato flights. Family paddles down the Au Sable. Here’s what our editors are loving this month.
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Lost Woods, a 160-acre glamping and eco-retreat in Boyne Falls is on my must-visit list. Specifically, the mini A-frame cabin with a convertible wall that lifts up, welcoming the outdoors into your cozy little nook. I picture myself with a bagel (homemade by owner Lauren Blanford) and a cup of coffee looking out at the sweeping Boyne Valley views, the sky still tinged sunrise pink. Especially delicious: The Relax, Read & Restore Retreat Sept. 20–22. Guests will be treated to yoga, sauna, apple picking, cider making, bonfires, stargazing, a sound journey, garden-to-table meals and plenty of free time for reading. Swoon indeed!
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We have reached the point of summer when boredom is setting in for my two teen dudes. I’m wildly unsympathetic, but their generation isn’t one that was raised on drinking from the hose and roaming around on bikes ’til the sun set; they need more prompting for adventure.
One particularly raggedy Saturday morning, I announced there’d be no debate or discussion, we were getting in the car and going to paddle the Au Sable. The entire drive there was filled with sullen silence, during which they ate all the snacks I’d packed for the trip.
We—or at least, I—arrived at Borcher’s in Grayling for our 2.5-hour paddle pretty fresh and optimistic. I even worried it wouldn’t be long ENOUGH to wear them out and keep us occupied. Turns out it was plenty. With two bickering teens, it was recommended that kayaking was easier than maneuvering a canoe (facts), so we booked a two-seater ($36) and one-seater kayak ($30). I was tempted to put them both in the two-seater and give them a good shove down river, but in the end, separating them yielded more peace, and quickly.
The eight-mile stretch from Borcher’s to Burton’s take-out point was a mix of waterfront cottages yielding to meandering miles of pines and cedars leaning across the crystal-clear water. Dragonflies perched on our heads. Warblers trilled in the branches. There was much talk of leeches and snapping turtles and dying of thirst, peppered with misreading of the map and are we there yet? But after a while, the Au Sable worked its magic and we settled into being gently pushed down one of the most beautiful stretches of river I’ve experienced.
A break at a campground to coax water from a hand pump revived their spirits, and we finished on a high note. Next time, I’ll book the four-hour trip and plan for a full day on the river, with a stop for lunch and a dip on one of the sandbars. And I’ll take the solo kayak (and the snacks).
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Last month, my coworker Kendall, social media extraordinaire, and I decided to take a day trip to Empire, Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has been on my bucket list since I moved to Traverse City (four years ago). So, we mapped out the perfect afternoon and set out for a long overdue summer road trip.
First stop: Shipwreck Cafe for sammies loaded with toppings on large, salty pretzel bread. Then, we pulled up to Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate just up the road on M-22 for housemade gelato. Insider tip: you can now order gelato flights.
The main stop: Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This iconic 7.4-mile loop winds through the woods, featuring gorgeous panoramic views of rolling sand dunes, Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. Admittedly, I had sand in my hair for at least two days following my visit to the Lake Michigan Overlook, but it was entirely worth it.
We’ve all been there. Whether you or a loved one have mobility limitations, or perhaps you have littles who need a short and sweet trek, you’ve Googled “easy hikes near me.” Sometimes your search works. Other times, you’re left out of breath, with the realization that you need to step up your research skills.
Lucky for us, Little Traverse Conservancy has answered our nature-loving prayers. Earlier this month, the conservancy published a new “Flat & Friendly Trails” map, featuring an array of accessible pathways across the tip of the Lower Peninsula—from Charlevoix and Petoskey up to Cheboygan and Mackinaw City. Each trail includes a detailed description of what to expect and falls into one of three categories:
- Easy: Trails will have some gentle slopes, roots or may be a narrow or single track.
- Flat and Barrier Free: A wide and smooth dirt trail with little to no roots or hills.
- Wheelchair/ADA Accessible: These trails are paved, flat and smooth.
“As LTC continues to expand its trail offerings, our goal is to provide options for everyone,” the conservancy announced in a Facebook post. “We hope that the Flat & Friendly Map will invite those who thought they may not have been able to visit LTC properties in the past the ability to confidently try them out now.”
To get a physical copy of the map, call LTC’s office at 231.347.0991. Or view the PDF map online.
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