Mike Kent has been telling northern Michigan's stories for decades. Here are some of them.
Feature
A General Store for History
As days slip into years, and years slip into decades, it can be difficult to separate folklore from reality. But if you embrace the tale, Jim Richards of Old Mission is following in the footsteps of giants.
There is a moment when the sun sets through wisps of clouds over Grand Traverse Bay, when you have a realization that you never knew the color red had so many shades.
Shortly after setting sail, the young lady serving as "Water Protector" passed around a ceremonial copper pail with cool, clear water. Passengers and crew dipped their hands in, and by that simple act, forever changed the makeup of the liquid.
Consider it an infant at 50 years old. The Traverse Wine Coast turned 50 this year. Compared to other long-established wine regions in the world, that makes Traverse City a baby of the wine industry. But oh, how this baby has grown.
It's a temptation to take your bike on the Leelanau Trail and be totally taken in by the amazing panoramic views. When you get lost in the big picture, you lose sight of the little things.
Imagine taking your first steps on a treasure hunt today, and you know for certain you will never see the treasure for at least four years. Plus, there's a good chance that when you open the treasure chest, you will find nothing.
Long before Interstates were built and zipped families to travel destinations at breakneck speeds, there were tiny mom-and-pop-run motor hotels that straddled the state highways.
Alice Van Zoeren stands watch on the sands of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. She has come to these shores for years as a guardian, searching to find, defend, and protect the endangered Piping Plover.
Traverse City is considered a pinball haven in Michigan, with 75 public-accessible machines at numerous locations. Traverse City is believed to have more pinball machines per capita than any other city in the state.