Slurping a milkshake, crunching on fresh fries and biting into a stacked burger at Short’s Drive-In builds a sense of satisfaction and togetherness! Short’s has been recognized with various awards. Even their car-hop service was voted “Best in Michigan” by mashed.com. Short’s Root Beer Drive-In is a family-owned gem in […]
Local Travel
74 posts
Throughout North America in the crisp, early spring people gather around steamy pans of boiling maple sap. Neighbors come together around evaporators to swap stories and share memories as part of the syrup making ritual. Join Chuck and I as we visit two west Michigan families who keep this time-honored […]
Found across North American at Anishinaabe archeological sites, these “Lucky Stones” or “Lucky Pieces” can still be found across our continent today! These tiny, smooth, white half-orbs are marked with a “J” or an “L.” Where did these gems come from? As a regular rock connoisseur, I was surprised that […]
When I have heard people mention, “Jackson, Michigan,” immediately my mind has focused on the expansive prison. I had not been prepared for the magical, creative community of 30,000 residents that we would meet. Chuck and I were both drawn to the people of the city and will return again […]
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day.” The traditional holiday carol lofted across the three acres of the Realy farm, northeast of Jackson, Michigan. This small group of carolers had created a portal, welcoming us to the 1880’s Waterloo […]
Fifty-six years after the United States had become a nation, Calvin Snell built his home along US-12, the Chicago Road, in the Michigan Territory. From 1832-1843 Calvin Snell offered meals and rest for people making the five day stage coach journey from Chicago to Detroit. Later it was named “Walker […]
“Oh. I have been looking forward to this stop on our tour of US-12.” Chuck’s eyes widened as we approached Drier’s Butcher Shop on South Elm Street in Three Oaks, Michigan. First opened in 1875, Drier’s Butcher Shop has served the Three Oaks community, surrounding areas and some well known […]
“Imaginary Friends Stay Free” Last May as we had been driving along Highway 2 in Michigan’s upper peninsula, Chuck and I simultaneously read, “Imaginary Friends Stay Free” on The Colonial Motel sign. We each repeated the line with laughter. Chuck had quickly turned around and pulled into the parking lot. […]
Did you know there’s a multi-use recreation trail from Kalamazoo to South Haven? Through the effort of many and the resistance of some, this retired rail line had been reimagined into the linear park it is today. This rail line is FULL of crazy, curious history! Join us as we […]
Chirps of birds had threaded through the branches early one June morning as we strolled along the path at Palms Book Park near Manistique. The buzzing insects had answered the bird calls as Chuck and I stepped quietly, clad in our bug shirts. Suddenly the glassy water of Michigan’s largest […]