“F” is for “Finding a Fabulous Farm Market”-Petoskey, Michigan

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Debbie

Farmer’s Markets have always called to me. I am not sure if it is the bright colors of the produce, the smell of earth, or the gratitude I have, knowing what it takes to get this food to a table. Perhaps it is genetic, stemming from the deep farming roots which run through my father’s side of the family.

I don’t know why specifically I seek these attractions out, I just know that I could spend hours lost in the discovery of everything which a Farmer’s Market offers. Fresh produce, herbs, flowers, jars of homemade produce, all seem to ground me a little, to the earth which they are grown. It was no surprise then, that while researching things to do in the Petoskey area, I was drawn to “Bill’s Farm Market”. It had been rated 17 of the top 37 things to see/do in this location. Sometimes small towns are limited in what they offer, so I didn’t have high expectations but we were determined to fulfill our alphabet goal on this trip, so we selected the “Farm Market” as our letter “F”.

Driving along the quiet lane, the popular city soon turned into the rolling fields of farmland, which surround the area. It was easy to imagine that we might have taken a wrong turn. With just a touch of fall chill in the air, the fields glistened under the morning dew. Here, there was no traffic. It was so peaceful and was proving to be a beautiful drive, along a yet another road we wouldn’t normally travel if it wasn’t for an ABC Adventure.

Still, I couldn’t imagine how this site had gained so much popularity, every review on a popular travel site had sung the praises, still I was a skeptic. Surely this market, located nearly 8 miles away from any town, didn’t attract nearly the population which went out of the way to rave about it. As we crested the final half mile, traffic came to a standstill.

I have been to many Farm Markets over the years. I never imagined that we would find a traffic back up, waiting to enter the popular location, especially on a Monday! I was like a child heading to an amusement park as we waited for a parking space to free up. This place promised to be something extraordinary!

I had read that the high hoop tunnel, holding the market was directly attached to the farmhouse. “Bill” had taken it over in 1982. He and his brother Don still reside in the home where they had been raised. In fact, the farm has been in the family for over 100 years!

The market bustles with activity from June through December. It quietly moves through the seasons as it offers over 20 varieties of fresh flowers, 10 kinds of herbs and too many varieties of foods to mention, all grown in front of the house and in the beautiful valley which wraps around like an embrace, dotted only by cows quietly grazing on the hills.

On this August day, the smell of fresh peaches mingles with the cow manure, drawing throngs of people into the covered high tunnel. I am transformed to student, determined to learn the secret of the super sized produce filling the bins.

I stand transfixed, marveling at the 20 varieties of fresh flowers recently picked from the farm. Cow poop and clean air, I am told are the magic which makes this happen. Soon the fields will be full of pumpkins and gourds as the season moves into fall.

Perhaps we will take a fall drive to see the pumpkins and gourds which will soon fill the fields. A hay ride might just be the way to pass a few hours. Or maybe, as the snow begins to turn this setting into a Currier and Ives postcard, we will return for a Christmas tree, wreath or sleigh ride.

With a final glance out over the valley, which surrounds the farm, I imagine the snow beginning to fall here this winter, transforming the scene to a Currier and Ives postcard. Each season offers its own unique adventure of food, flowers, hay rides, sleigh rides, wreathes and trees. For now, I will simply revel in the beauty of this location, content to have discovered this fabulous place.

As I file my letter “F” away, this adventure now complete, “We will be back”, I whisper, to no one in particular.

Bill’s Farm Market 4450 East Mitchell Rd., Petoskey, MI 49770 (231)-347-6735

“D” is for “Discovering Delectible Delights” in “Delicious” Tiny “Doughnut” Bites-Traverse City, Michigan

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Debbie

Sometimes we don’t know where to begin an ABC adventure, so we will start by letting our fingers do the walking through a Google search. This will often turn up a location to explore, or a great restaurant or shop to visit. Such was how we “discovered” the “doughnut” shop in Traverse City, MI. But which letter to assign to it? Peace, Love and Little Donuts could give us a P, if we went with the name of the location, an E if we threw it together with all the other wonderful places we would eat along our 400 mile mini vacation, or a D for doughnuts. We would photograph all three and decide later where this fit in with our overall journey. Whatever letter we chose, tiny doughnuts just sounded like a fun way to start a day!

Food is always a big part of our trips. We couldn’t imagine how we had never heard of this tiny shop, after all, we live here! We were very surprised to find that this hole in the wall business, is a franchise and there are actually two of them in the state of Michigan! The other location is in Portage.

Because education is such a part of all of our adventures, we diligently read the story of how this franchise had first begun. Like many small business owners, success had been by accident. It started with the purchase of a doughnut maker, which led to making the tiny treats for a hockey tournament. The size of the doughnuts had been an accident, after a piece of equipment failed to produce full sized doughnuts. The event had begun, so they were out of time. Choosing to go with what they had, they decorated the mini doughnuts. The bite size was such a hit, that the idea for a small business had been born. The shops are now spread across 14 states!

Alan was skeptical, feeling the doughnuts couldn’t be that good if we didn’t already know about them…the line out the door on a Sunday morning, at 9am, told a different story! As I joined others, drooling over the 60+ options, I realized it would be hard to choose just one or two of the delectable delights. There are all manner of flavors to discover. We needed to narrow it down to a dozen. We each chose our favorites, Peanut Nutter and Salted Pretzel for me and Chocolate Chip and Oreo Cookie for Alan. The rest, we agreed to split, so we could sample more. With an employee dedicated to the frier, the doughnuts churned out almost as fast as they were ordered. A second team decorated them. For less than $20, we left the shop to find a beach to “devour” our “delights”. We headed to one of our favorites, Byrant Park. The doughnuts were still warm!

After working our way through about 6 of the doughnuts, our favorite flavors remained our favorites, but we mutually agreed that the “drizzled” Strawberry Shortcake doughnut was our combined favorite.

We were quickly getting full. I dared not start counting calories at this early stage of our trip. I remembered a great sign hung in the shop. Perhaps this was why it had been there! All in all, we enjoyed this little shop. We will be back to devour more of these “decadent” little treats!

Peace, Love and Little Donuts 441 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686 231-421-5255

“C” is For a “Calming Chapel in the Woods”-Grayling, Michigan

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Debbie

Hartwick Pines State Park is the only place in Michigan which still holds the towering White Pines, which once covered the entire state and built the wealth of countless lumber barons. Today, there are just 49 acres of the trees, in the entire state! This area, was the third city along our 48 hour Michigan tour, which is why we dedicated the third letter of the alphabet, “C”, to discovering the tiny “chapel” which sits in the middle of the forest.

The chapel quietly appears after a short walk through the towering pines. I was so excited to see this cabin-like structure, which was a big reason we had gone so far out of our way to include Grayling in our adventure. The chapel was intended to be a place of spiritual reflection and meditation for “all who walk the trails of Hartwick Pines”. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful curved glass, which makes up the window and forms a “cross”.

A brief history informed me that this is actually a fairly new structure, having been built and dedicated in 1953.

Making our way to the entrance of the church, the light filters through the window. I imagine how spectacular this space might be in the morning, as the sun rises and floods the tiny chapel. I think of the married lives which might have begun here. I can visualize the light washing over people, flooding them with warmth. For now, the sun has already moved beyond the window so there is just enough light to see the pews. I take my place amongst one of the tiny benches, which line both side of the chapel. The chapel only holds 18 people. I am the only person here at the moment, Alan waits outside as I spend a moment in silent meditation.

A plaque positioned under the window reads:

Our Heavenly Father, Creator of all that is nature,
We humbly come to you in the midst of nature’s splendor,
To thank you that as Americans we are free
To worship as we please, work as we please,
And move about as we please to enjoy all that is nature:
Its mountains, its hills, its valleys, its lakes,
Its streams, and the living things that dwell therein;
We pray unto You that someday the world may be at peace
And all men be free to enjoy nature’s abundance.
We ask you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
That we be guided to protect this priceless heritage
Which we, in America, are privileged to enjoy. Amen.

Following the Covid outbreak, which has so divided this country, what a year (or two) it has been. Uttering this small prayer of hope, instantly fills me with a sense of “calm”. I step from the chapel feeling just a bit lighter, as I return to the forest for the remainder of our walk in the woods.

“B” is for “Beautiful Boyne City”, Michigan

Posted on October 3, 2021 by Debbie

When Alan and I take on an ABC Adventure, we don’t limit ourselves to doing the letters in any particular order. By the time we got to the letter B, on our 48 hour mini trip, we had already visited Kalkaska, Grayling and Gaylord! We had explored many new places, tasted several fun foods and immersed ourselves in nature. The letter B might have also been utilized at the “bakery” as we filled up for donuts at “breakfast”. We might have used the letter when we went to the “beach” to eat that breakfast, or as we explored many of the “buildings” we had already seen along our journey. Instead, we had safely guarded our letter “B”, knowing that we would soon arrive in “Boyne City” where there are only a few specialty stores, a couple of amazing restaurants and a number of condominiums. In this seemingly tiny town, which appears to spring up from nowhere, the beautiful Lake Charlevoix takes center stage. This area has been attracting people to its shores for many years. From skiing in the winter, to the Morel Festival in the spring, sailing in the summer and enjoying the colors of fall, there is something to explore here year round. In fact, 3500 people call this place their permanent home. The population swells in the warmer months as people flock to the natural beauty of the area.

I don’t know what intrigues me the most, the waterfront, or the flowers. The old and the new combines seamlessly. Everywhere I look radiates a personal pride in the area. Even the little log cabin, which has served as the visitor center since the 1940’s, is awash in carefully tended flowers.

Sadly, I am unable to find out anything about this little building but the careful preservation has ensured its safety as industry develops around it.

More flowers are planted along the riverfront. These are carefully tended by volunteers, providing me a fun place to play with my photography.

As we make our way down Main Street, which is really no more than a few businesses, we are pleased to see that it is enough to attract plenty of shoppers and people looking for a great waterside meal.

The Sunset Park was a great place to end our adventures for this day. We purchased an ice cream, then sat upon a “bench” to enjoy the “beauty” of “Boyne City”. It had been a “busy” day of exploration!

“A” is for “Accommodations at the Apple Tree Inn”-Petoskey, Michigan

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Debbie

Since Covid restrictions and lock downs, it has been a while since Alan and I have traveled, let alone stayed in a hotel, about 2 years to be exact!

On our most recent ABC Adventure, we chose to stay at the Apple Tree Inn. There were likely more modern places we could have chosen, but we wanted to stay here because it had always been Alan’s parents favorite hotel, when they had traveled to this area. We arrived just as the sun set. The day had been hot and very humid as we explored Kalkaska, Grayling, Gaylord and Boyne City, before finally arriving in Petoskey, Michigan. The twinkling lights, which welcomed us as we approached the property, gave an inviting and magical glow to the trees surrounding the property.

Before our arrival, I had messaged the staff that we were retracing the steps of my in-laws, who had stayed here some 15 years before. I find that this personalization often leads to room upgrades. As the clerk handed Alan our keys, he said, “I thought that name looked familiar.” I like to imagine that he had remembered these two very special people. Entering our room, we were pleasantly surprised to find a large Jacuzzi and king size bed.

I am not sure if the room had been an upgrade, but the room was lovely. While perhaps a little more worn than its glory days, it was easy to understand how Leslie and Josie had fallen in love with it. The air conditioner, pre-set by the cleaning crew to a frigid 60 degrees, soon forced me out to the balcony to warm up! It was also a great opportunity to enjoy a wine cooler and appreciate the bay view.

Alan’s parents have always been two of my favorite people. Their love for each other reflected daily, in the 54 years of marriage, which they had shared. As Alan and I settled on the balcony, we reminisced about this love and our shared passion for travel. These people had taught us the value of play in a marriage. Perhaps this is why Alan is always a good sport about embracing every adventure with me. He has always held the best qualities of both of his parents. My Father-in Law passed away over a decade ago, but I can still picture him sharing a quiet waltz with his “girl” as they dance across this balcony under a rising moon. There’s was a love to admire and the memories will always be the jewels I carry as my greatest possessions.

Following our own waltz on the balcony, we finally return to the room, ready to settle in for the night. Simultaneously Alan and I begin to laugh, sheets, blankets, mirrors and wall were all dripping wet with the humidity which had built up as soon as we turned off the air conditioner!

So what is one to do? Crank the air conditioner, pull back the blankets and laugh at ourselves for being so foolish. Even after 38 years of celebrating our own marriage, we try to end every day with a smile, another lesson we had been well taught.

Apple Tree Inn 915 Spring Street, Petoskey, MI 49770 (231) 348-2900

ABC Adventure 2021-We finished the alphabet!

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Debbie

Planning an ABC Adventure takes time. When I know I will be traveling, I start collecting words. I will pour through travel guides to find the “must do” adventures and sites to see in the area. I will assign them to a letter.

I will scour Pinterest and You Tube and Trip Advisor in the hope that someone has left a tidbit of information which I might draw knowledge from.

By the time we head out for our adventure, I have a long list of possible places to explore.

It can be difficult to get an entire alphabet done in a short amount of time but we did it!

This month I will share our whirlwind vacation to Traverse City, Grayling, Gaylord, Boyne City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and home again. It was a whirlwind of 48 hours but we discovered things we never knew existed, all because of the alphabet!

ABC Adventure-Sault Saint Marie, Michigan-An ABC List to Discover This Town

Posted on September 4, 2021 by Debbie

Every city, town or village can be turned into an ABC adventure! If visiting for a day, choose one letter, or see if you can complete the whole alphabet. If you return to this location you can always choose a new letter or change up the way you choose to see things. The options are as endless as your imagination. Here is an example of how we have explored the Sault Saint Marie area over a period of years and decades. How will you plan your adventure?

A-Agawa Train Tour This is a beautiful, scenic journey which should be made at least once in a lifetime. At 9-10 hours long, it is a full day of adventure. The train travels along waterways and through the beautiful Agawa canyon. At the end of the line, passengers may disembark to explore the unspoiled beauty for about 90 minutes before the 4 1/2 hour return journey. This area is only accessible by train. We have done this journey a couple of times in different seasons. https://agawatrain.com/

Other A themed ideas might include getting active (hike, bike, golf, snowboard, ski etc)/ Alpine Chocolate/architecture/Alberta House (art displays)/Alford Park/Ashmun Creek Nature Trail

B-Boat Tour The best way to experience the locks is to sail through them! Boat tours of the locks have been sailing since 1934. It was 1994 before we had the chance to experience them in this way. Our sons were still quite young when we did the tour, but this was a great way to sneak in a little education while having fun. https://www.originalsoolocktours.com

Other B themed ideas: Bishop Baraga House/ Bridge (International)/Bird’s Eye Outfitters (kayak through the locks)/Blue Heron Charters (fishing)/Bailey Lagerstrom Nature Preserve/BARmuda Triangle (brew pubs)

C-Chippewa County Courthouse Built in 1877 for the astronomical sum of $20,000 this building was a huge investment in a thriving community. It was designated as a historic building on the National Registry of Deeds in 1987, making this one of the oldest buildings in the state of Michigan. The walls are two feet thick! The memorial stone on the lawn of the Courthouse is in memory of Reverend Abel Bingham, Baptist Missionary to the Indians and forerunner of the First Baptist Church founded in 1855 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Other C themed ideas: Cultures (specifically Ojibway and Cherokee)/Church ( Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church)/Charter Fishing

D-Dine & Drink There are many great places to eat in Sault St. Marie. Here are our top 3 recommendations:

Karl’s Cuisine, Winery and Brewery- “A taste of the good life”. A great place for fish dishes. https://www.karlscuisine.com/menus

Lock View Restaurant-Across from the locks. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with some of the freshest fish in the area! https://www.thelockviewrestaurant.net/menu

Wicked Sister-The Wicked Sister is sort of like a backward mullet: Party in the front, business in in the back. Our mission is to be playful & fun, but we’re always serious about delicious, creative food using fresh ingredients and made from scratch dishes. With such a talented crew (in the front & back), we get to have fun without taking ourselves too seriously. Lots of interesting food items, but they specialize in burgers. www.https://www.wickedsistersault.com/menu

Other D themed ideas:

E-Established There are several memorial stones on Courthouse lawn which demonstrate the establishment of the area. On the steps of the courthouse there is a marker representing the original construction at1877. A second stone dated 1904 was placed at the site following construction on the building. The “time capsule” inside held bonds dated 1876, pictures, business cards of each elected officer, a bottle of champagne, a 1904 Evening News, a Marquette Mining Journal, a Lake Superior News, a Northern Tribune, the Sault Star, and coins. The original plan was rectangular, the addition turned it into a T shape. The entire structure was completely renovated and refreshed with new paint, doors and windows in 1980. At that time the clock face was also repaired.

F-Find the Freighters From big to small, the boats and ships must pass through the locks to move between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. They bypass the rapids of the St. Lawrence river, where the water falls 21 feet (6.4 m). The locks pass an average of 10,000 ships per year, despite being closed during the winter from January through March, when ice shuts down shipping on the Great Lakes. Hoping to spot one of the 1,000 foot freighters? You can track them here. https://www.saultstemarie.com/things-to-do/finding-freighters/

Other F themed ideas: Fort Brady

G-George Kemp Marina Located within walking distance of downtown, this is a great place to dock if you are arriving by boat, The tidy marina is situated just east of the downtown area and offers a nice little green space if you just want to do some boat watching.

Other G themed ideas: Great Lakes/Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Canadian side)/golf

H-Hydroelectric Plant

The Edison Hydroelectric Plant was once the second largest power generator in the USA! Operational since 1902, this is one of the oldest hydroelectric plants in the United States. This century (+) plant combines historic architecture with modern technology to successfully generate 25 to 30 MW of electricity when operating at full load. Now recognized as a historic landmark in Sault Ste. Marie, the beautiful sandstone building was crafted more than a century ago by Italian masons who used the stone from the canal, which they began excavating to build the locks in 1885. At peak operation, the plant discharges approximately 30,000 cfs of water, which is equivalent to about 13.5 million gallons per minute.

Other H themed ideas: Hiawatha National Forest/Historic Homes/Henry Rowe Schoolcraft Office

International Bridge Opened in 1962, the three-arch Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge spans the St. Mary’s River, connecting the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The bridge is the only fixed link crossing between the two countries within 1,000 kilometers and it is an important trade route between key American and Canadian markets via Interstate 75 and the Trans-Canada Highway. On average, about 1,900 million vehicles cross the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge every year.

Other I themed ideas: Ice Cream/ Iva Biggen Charters (Charter fishing)

J-John Johnston House Visitors can tour the home of John Johnston, one of the first European settlers to the area. John Johnston, a native of Ireland, immigrated to Canada in 1785 and made a very successful living in the fur trade.

He was married in 1793 to Ozhahguscodaywayquay, daughter of Waubojeeg, the leader of the Chippewa. The couple moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 1793 where they constructed a home, part of which is currently on display. See Ozhahguscodaywayquay’s statue in her beloved garden beside the Johnston home.

This historic home has been preserved to offer a glimpse into the lives of the early fur traders and settlers. Many items were originally from the Johnson family.

Other J themed ideas:

K-Kemp Coal Dock Office

The Kemp Coal Dock Office Building was built in 1904 by Sault businessman George Kemp. He owned all of the waterfront property between the Cloverland power house and the Coast Guard Station. In 1917 Kemp turned his coal business over to his sons and the building became the office for Kemp Brothers Coal Company, which operated in the Sault until 1959.

In 1960 the property was given the City of Sault Ste. Marie and developed for a variety of tourist related businesses. In 2007 the Coal Company office building was opened as the Kemp Industrial Museum.

Drawn by the natural resources of the region, access to transformation and energy (from the Cloverland power house) the Union Carbide, Northwestern Leather Company, Soo Woolen Mil and Cadillac-Soo Lumber Company became the major employers of the Sault.

AS Local resources grew scarce and the processing and product demands changed the Sault’s major industries were no longer viable. All had shut down by the early 1960’s. It is these industries that are remembered in the Kemp Industrial Museum.

Other K themed ideas: Kewadin Casino (nearby but not in Sault Ste Marie)

L-Locks

Other L themed ideas: Lake Superior State University-Cisler Center/Lockside Mini Golf/Lynn Trail System

M-Museum Ship Valley Camp

Other M themed ideas: Monocle Lake Hiking Path

N-Nature

Other N themed ideas: Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures/Nicolet Shores Charter Fishing/North Country Trail/Naomikong Overlook/Northwind Fishing Charters

O-Ojibway Learning Center and Library

P-Point Iroquois Lighthouse Just a short drive westward from Sault Ste. Marie. This historic Lake Superior beacon isn’t just a must-stop attraction during the summer, it is also a great winter attraction.

R-River of History Museum This is a small museum dedicated to the history of the Saint Mary’s river. Development of Sault Saint Marie is covered from the glacial period to the present day. Information on the French, Native American, fur trading, lumbering and fishing is offered through short videos and hands on exhibits. 531 Ashmun Street, Sault St. Marie, Michigan (906) 632-1999 http://riverofhistory.org/

Other R themed ideas: Rotary Island Park/Round Island Point Nature Preserve

S-Statues-There are many amazing statues to see scattered throughout the town. Many represent the history and/or connection to the Native American culture. Since we were only there for a short time, we only had the ability to take in two. These are located in front of the Courthouse.

The Crane of the Sault-The statue depicts the Chippewa Legend of two young brothers who fled their wicked mother, who was pursuing them with the intent to kill them. When they reached the north shore of the St. Marys Rapids they were met by a crane, who, after hearing their story, carried them to the south shore of the rapids. The Crane then met the mother on the north shore and agreed to transport her to the other side. Instead, the crane dropped the mother in the rapids. When she hit the stones below, the mother’s skull cracked open and her brains became the whitefish that inhabit the rapids to this day. The crane adopted the boys and one of them remained in the area, married the daughter of the crane, and founded Bahweting.

The Wolf of Rome

Other S Themed ideas: Sault Seal Recreation Area/Shopping/Sherman Park/Sault Tribe of Chiippewa Indians Interpretive Center/Soo Fishing Charters/Soo Locks Park/Spirit Stone Trail

T-Tower of History This is a great place to get a birds eye view of the area. Towering 250 feet, the building is a prominent feature of the area. Originally built in 1968 by the Catholic church, the building was intended to be a shrine to the Missionaries which served here. Eventually the project was discarded and the tower was turned over to the city in 1980. Today it serves as a museum for both local and Native history.

Other T themed ideas: Theater (Soo Theater Project)/Trout Lake Pathway/True North Guide Service (fly fishing)

U-US Weather Bureau

V-Veterans Memorial

Other V themed ideas: Voyageur Island

W-Water Street Historic Block (Walking Tour)

Other W themed ideas: Winery

Y-Yooper A native or resident of the Upper Peninsula

Z-Zak and Mac’s Chocolate Haus As you finish your tour, indulge your sweet tooth with a scoop or two of ice cream. There are over 30 flavors to choose from! If fudge, popcorn or taffy are more to your liking, you can find that here also. This delightful business has been around since the 1960’s.

S is for Sault Saint Marie-Michigan

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Debbie

Michigan’s First City:

The Ojibway people call it “Bahweting” (or gathering place). Father Jacques Marquette called it “Le Sault de Sainte Marie” (the rapids of St. Mary), when he established a settlement here in 1668. Folks in tourism business call it the “Twin Saults” community — taking in both Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with its 80,000 residents, and Sault Ste Marie, Michigan with 15,000 residents.? Locals simply call it “The Sault” or “The Soo”. It is not pronounced salt but rather “Sue”.

In the 1700’s, the village by the rapids, (The Soo), was almost deserted. Chippewas had moved to De Tour at the foot of the river, or to Detroit, the place by the straights. For trade, a long river and portage route was worked out between Lake Superior and Green Bay.

Their furs went to markets by the Lakes from there. It was not until 1751 that France, hard-pressed by the British, decided to build a fort at Ste. Marie de Sault, and to reopen the Lake Nippissing-Ottawa River Route. This gesture, and the fort itself, recalled some Native Americans to their French ties.

The Treaty of Parisin 1783 gave the newly formed United States all the lands south of the Great Lakes, British officials did not withdraw from the upper peninsula for several years.

In 1820, the Governor of Michigan territory came to the Sault to raise the American flag, and take down the British. Many Native Americans were in favor of British rule; this action caused some bitterness, but a treaty was signed, without a fight. As a gesture of appreciation, the governor included a sentence for the Chippewa people to include fishing rights at the rapids for all time.

“A” is for “Addictive Alpine Chocolate”-Gaylord, Michigan

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Debbie

Renowned for its distinctly German heritage, Gaylord is a small town with big charm. As I researched “what to do” in the area, I came upon the business “Alpine Chocolate”. It was the word chocolate which had my attention, which could have easily steered me to the letter C. Instead I assigned it the letter A, intent on making it my first stop. My addiction for chocolate began long before I needed to fulfill the letters on our most recent exploration!

Opening the door to the area business, my senses were in overdrive. Giddy with anticipation, I felt like Charlie in “Charlie in the Chocolate Factory”! What to explore first? Should I sample the famous chocolate covered potato chips, or the chocolate covered strawberries? As I moved carefully up the curving paths, meant to steer me towards every single temptation, the visual feast of handmade chocolates lining glass filled cases had me as giddy as the day I shopped for my wedding ring! Samples were offered at each location, meant to ensure I slow down and savor the confections. I can tell you that caramel corn takes on a whole new meaning when drizzled with chocolate and peanut butter!

From the friendly staff to the blue, Tiffany style box used to package your confections, everything about this business is deliberate. Chocolatemeister, Bruce Brown was the son of a factory worker. After decades of tinkering to find the perfect chocolate blend, he has now opened several of these stores, located throughout Michigan. They can be found in Boyne City, Plymouth and Sault St. Marie. His grand vision of covering us with sweetness, is evidenced in his attention to detail. I can’t wait to visit the other locations but for now I will be content to enjoy my Chocolate covered rice crispy treats and specialty chocolates. Alan has found his favorite too, in the form of Sea Foam, the closest he has come to his beloved Crunchies from England. Knowing these goodies are homemade makes them that much more special. We will savor the treats and the memories made today.

Alpine Chocolate House 208 W. Main Street Gaylord, MI (989) 732-1077

“K” is for “Ketchikan”-Alaska

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Debbie

Looking for information about Creek Street, my reasearch about this famous location in Ketchikan, Alaska, quickly led me to a sordid history of protitution and bootlegging! Today, along the banks of Ketchikan Creek, there exists only a quaint collection of historical buildings, boardwalks and wooden palings, Tourists have replaced the bootleggers and now flock by the thousands to the brightly painted buildings which contain galleries, restaurants and specialty shops. Some of the earliest buildings date back to 1903. Back then, this area looked vastly different, containing only a few brothels as well as a shingle mill, a cooperage and several water wheels which used the power of the creek to generate electricity. From the 1920’s to the 1950’s, prostitution was so popular that the there were 20 bawdy houses in this area alone!

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