Category Archives: Travel

Yudanaka: Ryokans and Onsens

May 19, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Local Faces, Travelcherry blossoms, futon, inn, japanese, onsen, ryokan, slippers, tatami, traditional, Travel, YudanakaJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

This is the seventh installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

I’m in love…with the ryokan and onsen experience! It’s like stepping back in time to old Japan.

A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that usually features tatami-matted rooms, communal baths that are separate for men and women, with onsen (or hot springs), if you’re lucky.

When you walk into Yudanaka Seifuso, the first thing you do is take off your shoes and don a pair of their generic one-size-fits-all blue slippers, which are lined up on the inner doorstep. There are very specific rules about what foot attire to wear – no shoes allowed, only slippers in the building, except for on the tatami mats in the rooms (there you go stocking-footed) – while in the bathrooms, you wear special toilet slippers.

The very kind owners only spoke Japanese, which made for some interesting but fun communication challenges. They showed me to my charming room, with its low table and chairs and futon bed on the floor.

There’s a hot pot on the table so you can drink fragrant green tea at any time, and a yukata, a lightweight kimono, hanging in the closet, with sash and jacket so you can dress the part.

The doors slide silently from side to side, the inner doors painted with Japanese scenes, the outer with opaque panes divided by wooden slats.

The bathroom is shared with other guests, (separated by male or female), with 2 stalls – in one, a Japanese style floor toilet (whose icon reminds me of a slipper), and in the other, a modern Western-style toilet, whose lid lifts automatically when you open the stall door.

There are detailed instructions for all of the buttons – the best part is the heated seat! (If I could import the heated seats to Michigan, I’d make a fortune!) Surprisingly, these fancy toilets are not rare – you find them in airports, budget hotels, malls and restaurants, as well as in many homes, and for sale in the duty free shops in airports.

There’s a Japanese feast for dinner, each dish a work of art. I hadn’t known that many ryokan include breakfast and dinner. With my booking through a discount site, they were not included, however on this day of the week the restaurants were all closed, so my plan to go get a cheap bowl of noodles was foiled. Tough as it was, I ate at the ryokan instead.

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After dinner, time for the onsen (hot springs pools)! There is a small indoor pool and a bigger outdoor pool. They switch times between the men and the women, so you have a chance to try both.

I’d thankfully read about onsen etiquette on line, or I would’ve been clueless – first you put your kimono into a wicker basket, then you wrap your towel around your head, turban style, to keep it dry. You shower off with the outdoor nozzle while sitting naked for all to see (women anyway) on a small plastic stool, then you slip into the heavenly hot pool.

Steam swirls up, and if you’re in the outdoor pool at night, you can see the moon up above with its twin reflected on the inky-black surface, while listening to water stream from a long bamboo pipe. When you get out, you don’t shower again, as the minerals in the onsen water are good for your skin. This pool is about 14 ft x 14 ft square, made of stones, and surrounded on two sides by stone wall. The ryokan provides the other two walls for a fully enclosed courtyard. You sit on cement or stone benches submerged around the perimeter and soak your cares away.

I watched shadows dance across the stone walls, between the green of trees and plants, and once again thought of how lucky I am. I may currently lack a home (wherever I lay my head is home), a partner (I’m learning to be my own best friend), a job (unless you count this blog and research for the book I’ll write) or much money (that part is for real), but I’m happy.

The next morning, a ryokan breakfast. The breakfast cost – $10, a splurge for me, as I usually just have a glass of juice and toast, but it was a deal when you consider it was enough for lunch as well.

Yudanaka is not a very big city. The main tourist street has a few restaurants, and a handful of shops, all a little worn and shabby, but charming. I was surprised to see that the spring blossoms were mostly the same flowers I grew up with in Michigan – yellow daffodils, forsythia and dandelions, red and pink tulips, purple hyacinths, and a rainbow of pansies.

And then there are the cherry blossoms…

I’d been told that cherry blossom season was over, and in Tokyo and Kyoto this was true. However, Yudanaka is up in the mountains where it’s cooler, and cherry blossom season was at its peak — huge billowing masses of white-pink blossoms everywhere, floating down from the trees like sweet-smelling snow.

Springtime in Yudanaka is magical, especially at a ryokan and onsen.

*Tip: Book on weeknights rather than weekends as the price is much lower. This experience was a big splurge for me on my shoe-string budget, however the $87 I spent per night for two nights was well worth it, when you consider that it included the hot springs and transportation to the Monkey Park, and that standard western-style Japanese hotels in the big cities often run $200-600 a night and up.

By using the booking sites and shopping for deals, I’ve managed to keep my accommodation expenses really low overall. Using Air B&B, which I did for seven out of 14 nights in Japan, you can find rooms for around $50 if you’re willing to stay in more out-of-the-way places. Keep in mind that Japan is one of the most expensive countries to travel in, compared to the $12 a night rooms available in Thailand, but worth it! I don’t post much about accommodations, as most of the places I stay are pretty unremarkable and spartan, but I love to share the periodic unique experiences.

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50-something-year-old woman whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

In Kyoto: Temples and Geishas

May 12, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Local Faces, TravelCeremony, fan, geisha, japan, japanese, kyoto, tea, temple, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

This is the sixth installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

Kyoto is a city of contrasts – modern buildings and very old temples, the latest fashions and traditional kimonos. It’s the kind of place I envision when I think of Japan.

My first morning in Kyoto, I navigated the train system to get to Fushimi Inari, the temple of 10,000 gates (which should also be called the temple of a million steps). It sits at the base of a mountain with thousands of giant red gates all in a long row snaking upward, which you walk through, following the path past many smaller temples or shrines.

It leads up to a view at the top looking out over Kyoto. It’s about four kilometers and takes about two hours to walk up, and is totally worth the effort, not just for the view, but for the experience of all of the different things to see along the way.

The entrance was jam-packed with people, and the usual money-making things like fortune telling in various forms – the sticks in a tube, the place to hang bad fortunes out to dry, and tons and tons of food booths selling mostly things I didn’t recognize.

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Many foxes are found in Inari shrines, and Inari is the god of rice. You can purchase a small fox-shaped board and put your own fox face or message on it to leave behind.

From there, I wandered to the Gion area, which is the “old Kyoto” where women dressed in Geisha garb hang out. Some are “real” geishas and many more “pretend” geishas – there are actually kimono rental shops!

On my way there I accidentally stumbled upon a park, so I headed through instead of taking the direct map route, and discovered Kennin ji, a Zen temple & garden – what a happy accident! I’d been trying to find what I thought was a Zen temple on the map this morning, with no luck, and here I found one when I wasn’t looking!

It was beautiful, with a rock garden raked in circles and swirling lines, lovely rooms with tatami mats and square green cushions, and amazing paintings. Girls dressed like geishas posed for photographers, and a couple of them took a selfie with me.

Also while not looking, I ran into a dance show venue where tickets were about to go on sale, and someone was handing out sheets for a discount, another happy accident. The show included a bit of traditional music, flower arranging, tea ceremony, comedy play, Kyoto dance, and puppet theater. It was a bit touristy but still worth seeing.

Gion at night is a sight to behold. In Kyoto, you can also visit Nijo Castle and visit the Golden Pavillion, Kinkakuji.

You can visit amazing ceramics shops and a gallery where 102 different artists works are displayed, all tea ceremony related, contemporary as well as traditional, and shop in places that just sell Japanese fans…

You can attend a Japanese tea ceremony, where they will show you all of the intricacies involved. It’s quite fascinating, full of way too many details for me to remember. But then it’s also sort of meditative. Even the tea scoop has a name. This one translated to something like “cherry blossoms that float like snow in spring.”

Later, dinner with a new Swiss friend, Ruth, at a local’s joint, sitting at the bar eating dumplings and beer. A great way to end the day.

Even without your own kimono and tea bowl, you can have a lovely time in the beautiful Japanese city of Kyoto!

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50-something year old woman whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Living Like the Locals in Thailand

May 5, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Food, Local Faces, Travelalms, food, monks, Thailand, Udonthani, village lifeJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

This is the fifth installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

Udonthani, like most of Thailand, is a blend of old and new, low tech and high tech, and

local market and super market.

What’s it like to live like a local in Thailand? I was lucky enough to find out, thanks to a connection made by another Travel Angel, my friend Lee in California, who introduced me via email to what turned out to be two more Travel Angels, Paul and Joi. They live in Udonthani, which is a fairly big city in the northeast of Thailand, however they live in the outskirts, so in effect, more like a village, with quick access to the city center.

They welcomed me with open arms, and I settled into village life for a week, which included meeting Joi’s mother, who lives with them, as well as many of the other nearby relatives and neighbors.

The days started with Joi rising about 5:30 am to cook rice for alms for the monks. At about 6:20 am the three of us would join other neighbors out on the street to give out rice, fruit, and packets of coffee to the monks who pass by and chant us a blessing.

After our breakfast of scrambled eggs, corn on the cob, and cool, sweet mint-green guava juice, we head to the market, where I see a plethora of interesting fruits, vegetables, fish, and piles of my nemesis, mushrooms, as well as things I’m not sure how to categorize. Longans (I call them the little round eyeball fruit), tamarind, sweet juicy mangos, dragon fruit, they’re all here for pennies.

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The market is even busier in the evenings. Lots of people stop by to pick up their dinner, assorted pre-made meals in little clear plastic baggies, curries and tofu balls floating in brown liquid – their version of fast food. Joi knew just how to pick the sweetest, juiciest fruit, and later, made mango with coconut sticky rice for dessert, pure ambrosia! And there are always lottery tickets for sale if you want to try your luck.

When Paul mentioned he gets his eye drops in Thailand for a fraction of what they cost in the U.S., I told him I pay $40 a pill for my migraine prescription and he immediately insisted that they take me to see their doctor at the local hospital to find out if I could buy some there. It’s about $10-15 to see the doctor to write the prescription, and yes, they have my rx for $5 a tablet! They even gave me my own medical card, even though I’m just a visitor (I said Ms, but they added an R).

Paul ordered 100, enough to last me a year. It was a big bite out of my travel budget, but is such a relief to not have to worry about where I can refill. The doctor asked, “Do you really want that many? They are very expensive, $5 each!” He has no idea. (As a side note, I also found them affordably in Australia, although a much smaller quantity. Same medication, same brand, made in the U.S., but eight times more expensive for us in the States – there’s something wrong here…)

We made a day trip to nearby Nong Khai, a town on the 2700 mile-long Mekong River, just across from Laos, where they treated me to a feast. Joi went to school in Nong Khai for years, living with the monks, so we visited his old school. By the way, the Mekong is the world’s 12th longest river, running through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

I even got to go to the local barbershop with the guys, where they can get a 45-minute shave and a haircut for $1.85. The barber likes them as they tip about 100%. Some things are universal – Joi plays Candy Crush and other games while he waits his turn.

On my last day, we took an early morning walk past the rice paddies, which were dried up and brown now, but will be lush and green soon with the rainy season. We saw stray dogs and water buffalo, and the round peach sun rising, along with its twin floating on the water.

Paul and Joi were delightful hosts, kind and generous, fun and funny, and they showed me a side of Thailand I wouldn’t have seen as a tourist. Many thanks, Kob Khun Ka!

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

In Cambodia: Sights and Sounds of Siem Reap

April 28, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Food, Local Faces, TravelAmber Tamblyn, bangles, beads, buddha, Cambodia, clothing, colorful, hammocks, lamps, noise, shoes, Siem Reap, silk scarves, smells, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

This is the fourth installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

Siem Reap, Cambodia, is the gateway city to Angkor Wat, with exotic appeal, as well as the ease provided by being set up for the tourist trade. If you are looking for adventure, with all of the comforts of any major tourist destination, and a much cheaper price tag than most, you might want to consider a trip to Cambodia.

I’d booked a guesthouse ahead, based on a recommendation from a traveler I met in a hostel in New Zealand (hostels are great for swapping travel tips!) The Okay Guesthouse was $18 a night for a private room with bathroom and fan, $23 if you wanted AC, and at 90-100 degree temps, the AC was worth an extra $5 a day. It also boasted a beautiful rooftop pool and a row of hammocks for your snoozing pleasure. You can spend a little less for something super basic, and possibly not quite as clean, or spend hundreds of dollars a night if you want something 4-star, it’s all available here.

My room at the guesthouse was fairly basic, not quite what the rooms looked like on their website, but hey, the price was right. It was clean, and quiet, and cost less than an 8-bed hostel with shared bath in other countries. Then, a nice surprise when I got back from visiting Angkor Wat – the desk manager asked, “are you in room 222?” We have a surprise for you. We are upgrading your room to the villa!”

“That’s great!” I said, perplexed. “But why?” He said, “We just want you to be happy.” I am happy, but I’m even happier now!

The new room is about the same size, but it has a little nicer decor, a phone, a small packet of tissues, thicker towels, and there are rubber flip-flops by the bathroom to wear in the shower. Other than that, it’s about the same, but still, it was very nice of them. The staff are friendly and helpful, and they keep the place looking lovely.

They even sent someone to move my bags, while I went up and swam in that serpentine pool, which I thought about a lot while climbing temple steps in 90 degree heat earlier. I splurged and had a happy hour drink for a couple of dollars, while watching the sun set behind an unlit lamp by the rooftop pool, so it looked like the lamp was lit by the sun, and thought about how life is beautiful and how lucky I am!

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What else is there to do in Siem Reap besides exploring stone temples? Lots of things, it turns out, although hanging by that pool isn’t a bad thing to do in and of itself. The market is a great spot to check out, and it’s only a 20-minute walk or a five-minute, $2 tuk tuk ride away. It’s huge and spills out into the surrounding streets, blocks and blocks of sensory overload, smells, colors, tastes, noise! You can find just about anything you can think of there, shop after shop of colorful clothing, silk scarves, shoes, hammocks, lamps, beads, bangles, and buddhas; fruits, fish, vegetables, and foods you’ve never seen before.

You can get a massage on the street or in a spa, for a fraction of the price at home, or have your feet nibbled by fish.

You can also attend a local circus! Not the kind with animals, rather think of a small cirque du soleil, in a tent, with very talented young Cambodian men and women who sing, dance, and perform amazing feats of acrobatics, all while telling a story about Cambodian history and culture. The circus, Phare, is the product of a school of art and performing arts that was started to help get kids off the streets. I saw the show Sokha, about a little girl haunted by visions of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. Intense story, but told with compassion, and yes, even humor, and an uplifting ending.

One of the hard parts of visiting Cambodia is seeing the poverty here, and the after effects of the land mines. You will see people missing hands and legs and feet, some trying to make a living selling you books near the market. This is hard to see, and you may experience travel guilt (why are we able to fly off to foreign countries, while people here earn $2 a day, if they’re lucky), but also remember that tourism helps boost the economy here and provides jobs and income for many families. The inequities in the world are mind-boggling, and not a problem easily solved. If I have any thoughts of hardship, not having a job or a home right now myself, they are made irrelevant by what I see here, and I’m reminded once again of just how lucky I am.

All of this fun is at a very affordable price for Westerners. Just to give you an idea, my hotel bill, at the end of a full week, was $221.75. This included seven nights hotel room ($161), $18 for my driver to Angkor Wat from 5am until 5:30pm, $18 for a ticket to the circus, $6 for a two-hour tuk tuk tour, $1.75 to have my laundry done (usually I do it myself in the sink, but the sink was tiny, and hey, for less than $2?!), a two-hour massage for $12 (a pre-birthday splurge), and a $5 fare to the airport. Not a bad price tag, when some people spend that on one night of hotel expense in a major US city.

And this was for solo travel. If you’re traveling with a companion, you can cut most of this expense in half.

Food, of course, was extra, but you can have a nice meal for $3 to $4. If you really want to splurge and add an appetizer, wine, and dessert, you might spend up to $15 or so. Overall, it’s probably less than you’d be spending on food staying at home! It’s $20 to get into Angkor Wat for a day, one of your major expenses here, but totally worth it, and it helps fund the restoration of the site.

And there are other things you can do in the area, like visit the land mine museum, or the silk farm a few kilometers outside of town. The silk farm is free, and it’s worth a blog post of its own (go here to read it).

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

In Cambodia: The Magical Tale of Mr. Yen

April 21, 20163-bottom, Education, Local Faces, TravelAngkor Wat, Cambodia, Mr. Yen, Siem Reap, tuk tukJoanne

By Lynn Strough
Travelynn Tales

This is the third installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

He grew up in a village in Cambodia, and was working in the rice fields with his parents, making very little money and getting nowhere, so he decided to try his luck by moving to the city of Siem Reap to look for a job, which he found as a tuk tuk driver at the guesthouse where I was staying.

“I have a confession to make,” Mr. Yen told me, as we ate lunch on my day trip to Angkor Wat. “The reason I was late this morning to pick you up was because I was sleeping. I have a second job.”

He explained that his first job in Siem Reap is at a 5-star hotel, working in night security. But it doesn’t pay enough to live on ($60 a month), so he went looking for a second job, and after much searching and rejection (I know what that’s like!), he was tested driving a tuk tuk at the Okay Guesthouse, had to drive the owner and his family around, and then he was hired! I told him he’s persistent, and he was happy he learned a new word in English today.

What else I found out alarmed me. A friend who told me about this guesthouse, had also told me that the drivers, if hired through the hotel, only get about $2 of the $18 that the hotel charges to go to Angkor Wat for the day. So I asked him if this is true. He said he gets paid $60 a month at each job, and I said “So about $15 a week for each job?” He said yes, and I asked how many days a week he works. I was shocked when he said seven–no days off!! That’s about $2 a day, per job, and he works really long hours. Today it was 5 am to almost 6 pm, just at the guesthouse job. Then he goes to his other job at either 8 or 10 pm and works all night. That gives him about two to four hours a day to eat and sleep. No sleeping on the job allowed of course; there are security cameras.

At the other hotel, rooms go for $200-400 a night (mine was $23 at my guesthouse). He’s providing security at $2 a day for people who can afford a $400 a night hotel room. I asked him how much it costs to buy a tuk tuk and he said new, about $900, so he can’t afford his own, although he’s trying to save for one. For work, he uses the guesthouse tuk tuk. So a few nights’ cost to stay at that other hotel could buy someone like him a brand new tuk tuk!

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I first met Mr. Yen at the airport, where he greeted me with a sign with my name on it and a huge grin, to give me a ride to my guesthouse. He picked up my backpack, even though he’s smaller than I am, and had me follow him past the rows of cars to a tuk tuk, a sort of carriage attached to a motorcycle, where he helped me aboard and proceeded to skillfully navigate the crazy Siem Reap traffic.

I couldn’t figure it out – the road appeared to be one-way, with a cement divider between us and the traffic going the other direction. However, sometimes, suddenly, traffic would appear coming head-on on our side of the divide, usually something big, like a bus.

We made it safely, and when he offered to be my driver to Angkor Wat the next day, I remembered what my friend said, to hire the drivers outside the hotel, rather than book through the hotel, so the driver gets to keep all of the money. But when I asked Mr. Yen if I can do this, he said that he’s paid a salary by Okay Guesthouse, and would get in trouble doing it outside. So I hired him through the guesthouse.

He was an excellent driver, told me lots about the temples, and made sure I got to places either before or after the biggest crowds. When I treated him to lunch, he was delighted, and we shared stories of our families – his parents are still in the village working in the rice fields, and he tries to send them money when he can. That’s when I asked about his pay, and he confessed to being a little tired, and why. I’d noticed other tuk tuk drivers had hammocks that they’d hung in their vehicles to take a nap in while their customers climbed the ruins, and thought I might buy him a hammock.

Later, talking to my friend Beth in Michigan via FaceTime, I told her about Mr. Yen, and without thinking, I said, “If I had a job and the money right now, I’d buy him a tuk tuk. Then he could have his own business, quit the other jobs, work reasonable hours and keep all of the income.”

Without hesitation, Beth said, “Can I buy him a tuk tuk?” I was stunned. Was she serious? “Absolutely!” she told me. “If you can figure out how to do it, I will pay for it.”

And so began the quest to buy Mr. Yen his own tuk tuk.

It was a little trickier than I thought. First, I wondered if it was a good idea to interfere in someone’s life like that – would he use the money for what it was intended? Beth taught me a lesson in giving here – she said it’s a gift with no strings attached. If he decided to give the money to his family or spend the money some other way, that’s his choice. And I wondered if his sudden windfall would somehow make him a target for jealousy or other related problems.

But a woman I met while eating dinner that night, when I told her the story, said, “This is an opportunity to change someone’s life for the better. How can you not do it?!” I thought she was right, so I set off to figure out how to make this happen in the three days I had left in Siem Reap, as there was a fast approaching end in sight to my time here.

I didn’t want to tell Mr. Yen anything about it until I was sure we could pull it off. First, I did some research on line about tuk tuks and found out that yes, a new one costs about $900, but that didn’t include the motorcycle, which brought it up to more like $2000. When I told this to Beth, she said, “Then that’s what I shall give him.” But how to transfer the money? I have a small limit on my credit card, and my bank only allows a limited amount of funds removed each day. Is there a Western Union? Beth asked.

When I next saw Mr. Yen, I asked him a few questions. First, if he has a motorcycle. When he said no, and I asked how he gets to his jobs, he said he walks, or borrows a scooter from a friend. When I asked him what it costs to buy a motorcycle, he told me about $1100, which fit in with my research. So I told him that even though I don’t have a job or much money right now, I have a friend in America who wants to help him buy a tuk tuk so he can start his own business. The look on his face was priceless! He couldn’t believe it!

“Oh, thank you, thank you!!” he said, hugging me, then getting down on his knees. I was a little embarrassed, that was totally unnecessary. “You have changed my life!!” he went on. Then suddenly, he stopped. “But your friend, she doesn’t know me, has never met me…” and I explained that I told her about his situation, and that she trusts me, and wants to help him. His exuberance reappeared instantly.

“But we need to figure out how to get the money from America to here,” I told him, and asked about Western Union. He didn’t know about that, but said he has a savings account, where he’s managed to save $300 towards buying a tuk tuk, and she could maybe transfer the money to his account. So he took me to his bank, where the manager printed out a form with all of the account information on it, and told me to take it back to the states with me to my bank. When I explained I wasn’t going back just yet, and it was my friend sending the money, he said I could take a picture of the form with my phone and email it to Beth back in Michigan. Sometimes technology amazes me. “It might take two to five days to go through,” the bank clerk told us.

The next two days, Mr. Yen was gone. His grandfather had fallen ill, and he needed to help his parents get him to the hospital. On my last day in Siem Reap, I asked the guesthouse if I could hire him for a couple of hours to run some errands – go to my ATM to get money to pay my guesthouse bill (they only take cash), check out the local temple, and so on. When Mr. Yen appeared, I explained my errands, and also said, if he’d like, we could go to his bank to see if the money went through yet, and then go tuk tuk shopping!

He was thrilled! And even more so when we discovered that the money did indeed arrive, and he saw the amount. I hadn’t told him that Beth was sending $2000, instead of $900, so that he could buy a motorcycle as well as a tuk tuk, and still have the $300 he’d saved to go towards license, registration, and a helmet of his own.

I said now he can quit his jobs, have his own business, and have time to sleep! He said, “And I can go back to school!” I asked what he wanted to go to school for, and he said to speak better English.

Then we headed out to look at tuk tuks. At first, I wondered where he was taking me, as instead of driving to the highway filled with big stores and showrooms, he took me down a rutted dirt alleyway lined with shacks. Until I saw one particularly big shack, and I understood…

He has since emailed both Beth and I to thank us for our kindness, and later, to say that he has ordered his tuk tuk (they can take 20 days to make) and will quit at least one of his jobs when it is finished. I hope to see his tuk tuk, but even if those photos never arrive, it feels good to have helped someone along my journey, and I wish him much success in life. He is only 22, and now has the opportunity for a brighter future, where he can work hard, but also get some sleep, help his family, and perhaps one day have a family of his own. Thank you Beth, for making all of this possible!!

*Note: Mr. Yen is the name I was given at the guest house, and the name on their tuk tuk. His actual name is a little different, and longer, but for the sake of privacy I have left it as Mr. Yen. If or when those pictures come in, I will add them to this post!

**Mr. Yen did get his tuk tuk, and as promised, sent us pictures. It is blue like the sky.

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

In Cambodia: Exploring Angkor Wat

April 14, 20163-bottom, Education, Local Faces, Traveladventure, Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Lynn Strough, Travelynn Tales, world travelerJoanne

By Lynn Strough
Travelynn Tales

This is the second installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

Angkor Wat. If it brings up visions of a long-ago faraway place, something you might have seen in a dream, this is an accurate picture. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cambodia, built in the 12th century, and the complex covers miles of ground. It is the largest religious monument in the world. A wat is a temple, and the famous Angkor that you see in a lot of the photos is but one of many temples here, the best preserved of them all. Originally, Angkor Wat was a place of Hindu worship, however that changed to Buddhism long ago.

The nearby town is Siem Reap, and to get to Angkor Wat, you hire a tuk tuk driver, who shuttles you from temple to temple and waits in between. If you want to see something really special, you go at sunrise, which means meeting your driver at 5am, but it’s totally worth it.

I rode through the dark, cool morning in my tuk tuk, accompanied by others on the road doing the same thing, and arrived at the entrance gate to purchase my ticket (you can buy a one or three day pass). It turns out that just because you’re willing to get up at 4 am, doesn’t mean you’re the only one. I could show you just my photos with nobody in them, but I think it best to give you the full picture.

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About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

In Cambodia: The Art of Making Silk

April 10, 20163-bottom, Education, Recreation, TravelCambodia, Lynn Strough, Siem Reap, silk, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough
Travelynn Tales

Editor’s note: We are excited to share with you the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

In this first installment, Lynn is in Cambodia and shares the art of creating silk.

Just outside Siem Reap in Cambodia is a silk farm, where for free, you can go on a tour and see the whole process. They will even give you a free ride on their shuttle bus. Yes, they have a gift shop at the end, a very lovely one, but there is absolutely no pressure to buy anything, although you might be tempted to! And it’s nice to tip your tour guide. I was amazed at what it takes to go from a worm to a single piece of fabric. I think you will be too!

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About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Most excellent kudos for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport

March 4, 2016Beer, Our Cities, Travelaccess, Chinese food, customer satisfaction, customer service, facilities, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, GFIA, high marks, kudos, parking, securityJoanne

By Victoria Mullen
victoria@wktv.org

You probably don’t give it a second thought—until you need it, that is. Nonetheless, it bustles about its business, transporting travelers to and from myriad destinations with first-class services and amenities. Over the years, it has been revamped, remodeled and reconstructed. Today, it bears absolutely no resemblance to its humble beginnings.

All these improvements have not gone unnoticed—or unrecognized—in an industry that’s fraught with cut-throat competition.

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) has achieved the first-place ranking in the “Best Airports by Size and Region-North America” (2-5 million passengers per year) category, and tied for second place ranking in the “Best Airport by Region – North America” (all airports over two million passengers per year) category as a part of ACI’s 2015 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. These awards are granted by the Airports Council International (ACI) each year.

1963 GFIA — Kent County Airport (n/k/a Gerald R. Ford International Airport) circa 1963

Maybe you don’t think it’s any big deal, but it really is. The ACI ASQ program is unique as the airport industry’s only global bench-marking program measuring passenger satisfaction in real time while passengers are at the airport. Implemented at over 300 airports worldwide, the ASQ Program delivers an in-depth assessment of the quality of the customer service experience, covering 34 key service areas such as access, parking, check-in, security, airport facilities, food and beverage, and more.ervice areas such as access, parking, check-in, security, airport facilities, food and beverage, and more.

“Customer service is a top priority for our entire team at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and we are thrilled to be recognized as the top performer of our size in North America,” said GFIA Executive Director Brian Ryks. “We’re dedicated to ensuring continued progress in this area as we make significant investments in personnel, services, and facilities focused on providing a first-class experience from the vehicle curb to the aircraft gate. We are working to improve the passenger experience every day, and this award reflects that effort.”

“We see ever-greater competition among airports, and with it increasing pressure to optimize performance across the operation, especially when it comes to the passenger experience,” said ACI Director General, Angela Gittens. About GIF’s high marks, she said, “Your airport’s results in the 2015 ASQ Survey demonstrate your professionalism, commitment, and success in delivering that high level of customer service. Your airport is a credit to our industry and I thank you and your team for this splendid achievement.”

GFIA today — My, how things have changed

GFIA has continued to improve the customer experience from adding concession updates, complimentary, faster Wi-Fi, airport ambassadors, a therapy dog program, updated parking and valet services, new skycap services, and more. The airport has recently commenced its $45 million Gateway Transformation Project to consolidate security screening, update restrooms, new flooring, lighting, business centers, retail and food and beverage space.

“We are thankful for all of the tenants and stakeholders who are the front-line service providers behind this award,” said Ryks. “From the airlines to our parking services, law enforcement, and curb front security, to TSA and airport ambassadors – they do a tremendous job day-in and day-out to ensure the passengers have a quality experience at our airport. We are planning a celebration to thank and recognize these employees for their efforts.”

So, next time you visit GFIA, tip your hat–or mittens–to the men and women who strive to provide us with the best possible service.

For more information on ASQ, please go here. To view details of the 2015 ASQ results, please go here.

Secluded, Tent-only Campsites added to Wilderness State Park

February 4, 2016Recreation, Travel, Upcoming Eventsbarrier-free, camp, campers, campsites, DNR, tent, Travel, visitors, wilderness state parkJoanne

By Victoria Mullen

Just think of it: Watching the sun set over Lake Michigan from a campsite, secluded from the madding crowd.

Just that one simple thought.

Idyllic.

The stunning beauty of Michigan continues to delight residents and visitors alike, and one of the most beautiful areas, Wilderness State Park is about to get even better. On June 23, a new campground opens there, offering both full hook-up camping and rustic, tent-only camping along with amazing views of Lake Michigan.

Campers spoke up and State officials listened. More than 30 percent of the park’s campers use tents and wanted more secluded sites, fewer amenities and to be away from the sounds of larger campgrounds, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. The design of the campground came from campers’ input both at the park and online. Most visitors will be able to see the sun set over the lake from their campsites. One of the sites is barrier-free.

The tent-only campground has 10 sites on the Lake Michigan shoreline, designed for campers to walk a short distance to sites. There is no electricity, modern restrooms or shower, but campers will have access to a common water source and vault toilet in a central location. The cost is $20 a night, with each campsite provided a designated parking spot.

Wilderness State Park is on Carp Lake at the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula. It has wilderness areas, 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, multiple campgrounds, six rustic cabins, three rustic bunkhouses and year-round recreation.

There’s a full hook-up campground as well, with 18 sites on wooded dunes on Lake Michigan’s Big Stone Bay. All campers must be self-contained because there are no restrooms or showers. All sites include water, sewer and electrical. Lakefront sites are $45 a night while others are $40.

The park starts taking reservations Thursday, Feb. 4.

To check camping availability and make a reservation, go here or call 1.800.44PARKS (800.447.2757).

Taking Flight: Gerald R. Ford International Airport Sets New Passenger Record

January 25, 2016Local Business, Reviews, TravelGerald R. Ford International Airport, passenger numbers, Plane flights, Record Setting NumbersJoanne

The Gerald R. Ford International (GFIA) Airport continued to reach new heights by setting a new all-time passenger record for 2015, surpassing the previous record in 2014 by more than 215,000 passengers.

In 2015, 2,550,193 passengers flew in and out of GFIA, an increase of 9.2% from the previous record of 2,335,105 passengers set in 2014.

Not only did GFIA shatter the end of the year numbers, but it saw steady increase throughout the year with each month in 2015 seeing a substantial increase in passengers. In July 2015, 234,282 total passengers passed through GFIA, the best month in Airport history. November 2015 was also a historic month as GFIA saw 205,088 passengers enplaned and deplaned – a 14.16% increase, and the first year that the Airport served more than 200,000 passengers in November.

Over the past three years, the Airport has recorded its strongest growth in its 52-year history, serving over 7.1 million passengers over the three-year time period.

“The past few years have been tremendous for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, and we could not be more thrilled by the support received from our area business and leisure travelers who are choosing to fly to and from the Ford Airport,” said GFIA Executive Director Brian Ryks.

“The strong growth is also drawing the attention of our airline partners as we work with them to add seats and flights to both existing and new destinations, and also further justifies the need for our Gateway Transformation Project to accommodate the increasing passenger demand.”

Construction on the Gateway Transformation Project began in December 2015 and is slated to continue through summer 2017. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which will centralize and combine security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport, eliminating separate screening for passengers traveling through either Concourse A or B. Construction also includes new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, restroom & lactation stations, family restrooms, pre and post security business centers, new retail and food & beverage space, and much more.

“As we continue to grow in traffic it is important that our facilities keep up with our passenger demand,” said Ryks. “Our investment in this project represents our commitment to improve amenities, infrastructure, technology, and customer service from our growing passenger base.”

Pure Michigan Celebrates Snow Days this Winter

December 28, 2015Area Education, Local Business, Recreation, TravelPure Michigan, pure michigan snow day, snow day, travel michigan, Winter recreationJoanne

Mild temperatures may have provided a slow start to winter, but snow will be here before we know it and Pure Michigan has winter recreation on the mind. According to Project: Time Off and the US Travel Association, 429 million days of annual leave go unused in the U.S. each year. This winter, Travel Michigan is encouraging people to put some of those unused vacation days to work, channeling their inner child and heading out to experience the thrill of a Pure Michigan Snow Day.

In addition to this year’s winter advertising campaign, which begins airing the first week of January, a Snow Day landing page has launched on Michigan.org to provide visitors to the most visited state tourism website in the country with the inspiration and information to plan the perfect winter getaway. A new video highlighting winter recreation offerings is also available on the new landing page and Pure Michigan’s YouTube page.

“Michigan is a place where snow days come to life and there is no better way to enjoy the unique and beautiful winter travel experiences the season has to offer than to create your own Pure Michigan Snow Day,” said Dave Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “Whether you are an enthusiast looking for a new adventure or just looking to beat cabin fever, make the most of those unused annual leave days and revel in the excitement and delight that awaits when a fresh blanket of snow covers the ground and the day is wide open.”

Travelers and travel industry partners are being encouraged to use the hashtag #puremichigansnowday to highlight winter offerings and adventures across Michigan. Michigan is home to more than 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, 3,000 miles of cross-country skiing trails and is second in the nation for ski areas boasting everything from family friendly bunny hills to the tallest vertical drop in the Midwest at Mt. Bohemia.

Last year, winter tourism generated $2.8 billion in traveler spending in Michigan.

The advertising campaign launching in January will target metro areas in Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota. The campaign features television spots Snow Day and Chance of Snow and radio ads such as Snow Day, Snow, Here’s to the Curious and Nicknames. Check them out yourself to see the way our great state is presented to the rest of the nation!

Make sure you get outside and enjoy everything Michigan has to offer! There’s a whole winter wonderland waiting to be explored.

Halloween Fun in West Michigan: Northern Michigan

October 23, 2015Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Travel, Upcoming EventsChateau Chantal, Crystal Mountain Spooktacular Saturdays, Halloween, Mackinac Island, Northern Michigan, Shorts Brewing Company, St. Ignace, Traverse CityJoanne

There is so much to do in West Michigan to kick off the Halloween fun! This three part series will dive into different Fall and Halloween activities all throughout the West side of this Marvelous State. Northern West Michigan finishes the series. If you missed part one or part two on Southern Michigan and Central Michigan, be sure not to let it Fall to the wayside!

As Halloween approaches, all the little ghouls and goblins have one thing on their minds: Trick-or-Treating! To keep the kids’ minds off candy just a bit longer, kick off your Halloween fun early in West Michigan! Whether it’s family fun at the corn maze, or Halloween-themed pub crawls for the grown up ghouls, there are plenty of Halloween activities for all ages around West Michigan to get you in a Halloween mood!

Northern Halloween Fun in West Michigan

Chateau Chantal’s Naughty Apple Hard Cider

For those adults looking to pair their Halloween fun with a seasonal brew, you’ll want to check out Chateau Chantal’s Naughty Apple Hard Cider. Their brand new & wonderfully tantalizing Naughty Apple Hard Cider is fermented from a duo of Michigan Golden Delicious & Gala apples. Slightly sweet, serve chilled. Purchase in their tasting room or online at the Chateau Chantal web store.

While you’re visiting Chateau Chantal, enjoy a beautiful & elegant 7-course meal perfectly paired alongside a Chateau Chantal wine & created by the talented in-house chef. Learn from their knowledgeable staff about food & wine pairings while savoring exquisite creations & making new friends. Bring an eager palate, an inquisitive mind & an empty stomach! Your experience begins with an informative winery tour at 6pm with dinner seating in the winery’s beautiful dining room, with panoramic views of both bays, at 6:30pm. Seating is limited so book yours before it’s too late! Reservations & payment are required at least a day in advance. Reserve online here or call (231) 223-4110.

Short’s Brewing Company

Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire is hosting a Halloween Party on October 31st. The Private Stache bottle release will start at 11:00 am with other events like the costume contest taking place in the evening. You’ll also get to enjoy Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers play live on the pub stage (beginning at 9:00 pm), spooky food specials, a costume contest, Halloween themed draft beer, and a Bourbon Evil Urges Private Stache bottle release.

St. Ignace

St. Ignace puts a unique spin on Halloween fun at the annual St. Ignace Trunk or Treat on October 24, 2015. Parents decorate their ghoulish vehicles and dispense candy to those in costume directly from the trunk of the car. It’s tailgating for Halloween! Afterward, ride the hay wagon to the Haunted Woods and take a tour if you’re brave enough, or simply enjoy games and music. It all starts at the lot behind the Quality Inn. Prizes awarded for best costume, scariest costume and most original costume. Everyone’s invited!

Crystal Mountain Spooktacular Saturdays

Take in the autumn air during Spooktacular Saturdays on October 24th at Crystal Mountain. The whole family is sure to have a good time with activities for all ages to enjoy. Take advantage of specialty Fun Pass prices that provide a bundle of activities at a discounted rate. Participate in apple bobbing, wagon rides, face painting, and unlimited marshmallows at the campfire! Take in the leaves from the chairlift, or carve pumpkins to get into the Halloween mood. Bring your best costume for the Costume Parade at 5pm, with free entry and candy for all participants! If you’re feeling brave, head over to the Haunted Forest at the end of the night (recommended for ages nine and up).

Downtown Traverse City

October closes with a parade of little ghosts and goblins as Downtown Traverse City hosts costume clad children and their parents to trick or treat at participating stores throughout the Downtown area on Halloween. The event kicks off at 3:30 until 5 pm. For more information call (231) 922-2050 or visit www.downtowntc.com. While you’re there, watch out for running zombies, as the Zombie Run takes place that morning!

Mackinac Island

In the Celtic world, Samhain marks the end of summer and the beginning of the new year and a time to commemorate the souls of the blessed dead. With the rise of Christianity, it was changed to Halloween and remains a joyous time of family reunion.

On Mackinac Island, they celebrate both traditions with their Halloween Weekend October 23rd through 25th. Have fun with the kids Trick or Treating downtown, take the Haunts of Mackinac Tour and then gear up for some great grown up Halloween parties at the downtown pubs. This is also the time of year that the Island shops work hard to clear out their inventory with great discounts and sales. Be sure to browse on Main Street, Market Street and at the shops at Grand Hotel. This makes a perfect weekend to skip out on Black Friday and get a head start on holiday shopping.

For up to the day room availability, just call the Tourism Bureau 906.847.3783, and they hope to see you join in their tradition to pull out all the stops and celebrate the end of the Island’s main season.

West Michigan’s Best Color Tours

October 23, 2015Our Cities, Recreation, TravelColor tours, West Michigan Color Tours, West Michigan Tourist AssociationJoanne

The West Michigan Tourist Association compiled a list of the 26 best color tours in West Michigan. If you’re looking to get away and enjoy our beautiful State in its colorful state of mind, give these color tours your full attention!

Just how many ways are there to view this splendor of autumn’s pallet? West Michigan travelers have an abundance of ways to enjoy the show, either by car, train, boat, bicycle, hot air balloon rides, at festivals, hiking, on golf courses and luxury resorts, or historic highways. Many of these “old roads” cut through great forests of hardwoods and pines and make perfect color tours, and some are state-designated scenic routes. From 40 miles to 140 miles, there’s a day trip perfect for everyone. Read on to view a listing of 26 scenic driving routes and print detailed directions for each.

Color Tour One: Directions Starting from New Buffalo

Red Arrow Hwy north to Bridgman. I-94 north to Benton Harbor, M-63 north to Coloma Rd, east to Watervliet. I-94 east to Paw Paw (Exit 60), M-40 south to M-216 east in Marcellus, US-131 south to Three Rivers. M-60 west to Cassopolis, M-62 north to Dowagiac. West on M-62, south on M-140 to Niles, M-60BR to US-12, west to New Buffalo.

Color Tour Two: Directions Starting from Centreville

Klinger Lake Rd north (becomes Covered Bridge Rd) across Langley Covered Bridge. Covered Bridge Rd then becomes Silver St. North to M-60. East on M-60 through Mendon (becomes M-60/M-66) to Clarendon. South on 22 Mile Rd (becomes Clarendon Rd in Branch Co). Right on Jonesville Rd 1/2 mile, south on Quincy Ray Rd to California, then west on Southern Rd to Angola Rd. Turn left, then right to return to Southern. West through East Gilead to River Son Rd, right on Southern, right on Orland, then left to Southern. Left on Dutch School Rd, right at Round Lake Rd past Round Lake (becomes Fawn River Rd in St. Joseph Co). Left at second intersection to continue on Fawn River Rd. North on Klinger Lk Rd to return to Centreville.

Color Tour Three: Directions Starting from Jackson

South on M-50, west on Meridian, south on Stonewall. South on Horton Rd, south on Jackson Rd to Liberty. West on Hanover Rd, north on Pulaski Rd to M-60 heading northeast. West on Michigan Ave, north on Parma, north on Country Farm Rd, north on Rogers Rd, east on Benn Rd. North on Stepladder Rd, north on Springport Rd through Minard Mill where it becomes Minard Rd. South on M-50, south on US-127, east on I-94. North on Route 106 to Munith. South on Coon Hill Rd, east on Waterloo Munith Rd through Waterloo Recreational Area in the State Park. South on Clear Lake Rd (turns into Francisco Rd south of I-94). West on Michigan Ave back to Jackson.

Color Tour Four: Directions Starting from Lansing

M-43 west through Grand Ledge, then south to M-89. East to Gull Lake Rd, north to C Ave. East to 40th St (becomes Kellogg Ave in Barry Co), north to Hickory Corners. East on CR-400 (Hickory Rd) to M-37, south to M-89 (W Michigan St), east to Raymond, north to Verona, east to McCallaster, north to ÒNÓ Dr to 16 Mile Rd (becomes 16-1/2 Mile Rd). South on Old US-27 to Marshall, east on Michigan Ave to Albion. North on M-99 through Springport (becomes M-50/M-99) to Lansing.

Color Tour Five: Directions Starting from South Haven

Phoenix Rd (CR-388) east to 46th St. Turn south, then east to return to CR-388 in Bloomingdale. CR-655 south to CR-380 east, 38th St north, then CR-388 east through Kendall. North to 12th Ave (CR-388, becomes D Ave in Kalamazoo Co). D Ave east to US-131, south to M-43, west to South Haven.

Color Tour Six: Directions Starting from Allegan

M-40/89 north to Monroe Rd (118th St), west to Allegan Dam Rd north (circles back east around Lake Allegan). Cross M-40/89 to head north on 36th St, east on Dumont Rd, then north on 122nd Ave. East on 127th Ave, east on 128th Ave through Hopkins to 12th St north. East across US-131 on 129th Ave (becomes CR-430 in Barry Co) around Gun Lake through Yankee Springs Recreation Area, then south on CR-611 to CR-428. West to CR-623, south to CR-426, west at Orangeville. South on Dennison Rd to 116th Ave (M-22), east across US-131 to Allegan.

Color Tour Seven: Directions Starting from Holland

BR-31 south to US-31. Take first exit (Saugatuck), then south on Blue Star Hwy (A-2) to 118th Ave. East to 62nd St, north to 122nd Ave. Wind east, then north to M-89 (124th Ave), east through Fennville to Old Allegan Rd north (parts are unpaved but maintained), east to 60th St north. East on 140th Ave, north on 66th St, west on Ottagan St to S Shore Dr, east to downtown Holland/US-31.

Color Tour Eight: Directions Starting from Grand Haven

Robbins Rd east to Mercury Dr past Grand River bayous to Riverside Park (becomes Green St, then North Cedar Dr). South on 104th Ave, east on Osborn St (becomes Warner). South on 68th St, east on M-45. South onto 48th St, east on Fillmore (becomes Cottonwood Dr). In Jenison, left on Baldwin, left on Chicago Dr. In Grandville, left on Wilson to M-11/28th St, left onto M-11 northbound. Left on Fennesey St (becomes Luce St, then Linden Dr). Left on Leonard St through Spring Lake to Grand Haven.

Color Tour Nine: Directions Starting from Grand Rapids

North on East Beltline (M-44), turns into Northland Dr through Rockford to Cedar Springs. West on M-46, south on CR-B35 (Ravenna Rd) through Ravenna to Coopersville. Left on Randall Rd, right on 48th Ave. I-96 east back to Grand Rapids.

Color Tour Ten: Directions Starting from Ada

M-21 east, south on Ada Dr, east on Bronson to view Ada Covered Bridge. Left on Thornapple River Dr, right on Ada Dr to M-21 east. North on Hudson (becomes Lincoln Lake Ave). East on Fallasburg County Park Rd, follow signs to cross Fallasburg Covered Bridge. Right on McPherson (becomes Potters Rd), north on Whites Bridge Rd (becomes gravel) across Whites Covered Bridge. East on Belding Rd (also M-44), north on M-91, east on M-46. South on M-66 to Ionia, west on M-21 to Ada.

Color Tour Eleven: Directions Starting from Big Rapids

Northland Dr north through Paris to Reed City. East on M-10BR to M-10 east to Evart. South on Main (becomes 85th Ave then curves to become 80th Ave) to Hill Corner. East on 20 Mile Rd, south on M-66, east on Taft Rd (becomes Airline Rd in Isabella Co). South on Coldwater Rd, east on Weidman, south on old US-27 (Mission Rd) to Mt. Pleasant. West on M-20 (High St then Remus Rd). South on Winn Rd, west on Blanchard Rd (becomes Jackson Rd in Mecosta Co). North on M-66 to Remus, west on M-20 (9 Mile Rd), south on 90th Ave, west on Buchanan Rd through Canadian Lakes. South on 130th Ave, west on 5 Mile Rd (CR-548). North on Northland Drive through Stanwood and back to Big Rapids.

Color Tour Twelve: Directions Starting from Fremont

M-82 west to M-120 north through Hesperia, east on M-20 to Dickinson Ave. North to 11 Mile Rd, east to Woodland Park, north on Bingham Ave to Bitely. West on Cleveland (13 Mile Rd), north on Osborn Ave, east on Coolidge Dr, north on Star Lake Tower Rd, west on Star Lake Dr (becomes Evergreen) around Big Star Lake. East on Carrs Rd (56th St) to Baldwin. South on M-37 (Woodbridge Dr) to White Cloud. East on Base Line Rd, south on Elm Ave. East on 36th St past the Hardy Dam, west on Hardy Croton Dr (becomes Croton Dr) to Newaygo. Left on Mason Dr (M-37), east on M-82. South on Cypress Ave to Ensley Center. West on 120th St to Ashland Center. North on Wisner Ave, west on 112th St to Bridgeton (becomes Warner Ave, then M-82) to Fremont.

Color Tour Thirteen: Directions Starting from Muskegon

US-31 north to westbound Whitehall-Colby St exit (US-31BR). Left on Mears, left on Main, right on Benston, right on Durham, right on Lakewood Rd. Left on Weber, right on Michillinda. Left on Nestrom, right on Duck Lake Rd, then left on Scenic Dr along Lake Michigan to Muskegon State Park. Left on Memorial Dr to Whitehall Rd/US-31BR (Seaway Dr). South to Laketon Ave (becomes Lakeshore Dr after curve) to Pere Marquette Park. Follow shoreline. Right on Beach St, left on Sherman Blvd, right on Lincoln, right on McCracken, left on Seminole. Right on Lake Harbor Rd (becomes Pontaluna Rd) to US-31 north to Muskegon.

Color Tour Fourteen: Directions Starting from Montague

North on US-31BR, north on Whitehall Rd through Rothbury. East on Cleveland Rd, north on 90th Ave, west on Arthur Rd, north on Oceana Dr through New Era, Shelby and Hart. West on Monroe Rd (becomes US-31BR) to Long Bridge Rd along Pentwater Lake. South on Ridge Ave (becomes Hazel Rd, then Silver Lake Rd at Silver Lake). South on 18th Ave, west on Buchanan, south on 16th Ave (becomes Scenic Dr, then Webster Rd). South on 48th Ave (becomes Lehman Rd in Muskegon County), east on Meinert Park Rd, south on Chase Rd, west on Hancock Rd and south on Old Channel Trail. East on Prospect Rd and follow the shoreline back to Montague.

Color Tour Fifteen: Directions Starting from Ludington

US-10 west, north on Lakeshore Drive to Hamlin Lake. East on Dewey Rd, north on Jebavy then right immediately on Angling Rd. East on Fountain Rd to Fountain. South on Reek Rd, east on Sugar Grove Rd, south on Benson Rd to Walhalla. East on M-10, then first right south onto Wallhalla Rd. West on Hawley Rd, south on Scottville Rd, west on Marrison Rd, south on Stiles to Bucks Corner. West on Washington Rd to West Oceana Dr, north on Lakeshore Dr past Bass Lake to Buttersville Park and Pere Marquette Memorial. Go back south on Lakeshore Dr, east on Iris Rd to US-31 north. Exit west on M-10 back to Ludington.

Color Tour Sixteen: Directions Starting from Clare

US-10BR northwest through Farwell. Northwest on M-115, east on M-61 to Harrison, south on Old US-27BR to Clare.

Color Tour Seventeen: Directions Starting from Cadillac

M-55 east to M-66 north through Lake City. West on M-42 through Manton to US-131 south. West on Boon Rd to Harrietta, south on 11-1/4 Rd. West on M-55, south on 7-1/2 Rd (becomes 48th Rd). South on 11-1/4 Rd to State Rd into Lake Co. East on Five Mile Rd, north on Skookum, east to Eight Mile (becomes 20 Mile Rd in Osceola Co), east to US-131, north to Cadillac.

Color Tour Eighteen: Directions Starting from Manistee

US-31 north to M-110 (Lakeshore Rd) to Portage Lake. East on Crescent Beach Rd, north on M-22 through Onekama. West on Potter Rd through Pierport, west on 13 Mile Rd to Lake Michigan. Backtrack 200 feet east. North on Lakeview Rd, east on Shaef Rd, north on M-22 through Arcadia. (Scenic Hwy), east on Grace Rd. South on M-31, south on M-115 past Thompsonville. South on Yates Rd, west on Nine Mile Rd, south on Highbridge Rd. West on M-55 (Caberfae Hwy), south on US-31 back to Manistee.

Color Tour Nineteen: Directions Starting from Frankfort

East on M-115 to Benzonia, northeast on US-31 through Interlochen. North on M-37/US-31 to Traverse City. To tour Old Mission Point, follow M-37 north. Backtrack to Traverse CIty via US-31 west. M-22 north through Suttons Bay to Northport. South on M-22 through Leland to Glen Arbor. South on M-109 through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. South on M-22 to Empire and back to Frankfort.

Color Tour Twenty: Directions Starting from Grayling

I-75 north to M-93 (exit 259) north past Hartwick Pines State Park. East on CR-612 to Lovells, south on CR-F97, south on M-18 through Roscommon. West on M-55 to Houghton Lake. North on Old US-27 back to Grayling.

Color Tour Twenty-One: Directions Starting from Kalkaska

North on US-131/M-66 to Mancelona. South on CR-571 (Tillie Rd in Antrim Co, Darragh Rd in Kalkaska Co) to Darragh. East on CR-612 (Manistee Lk Rd) around Manistee Lake to Frederick. South on Old US-27 to Grayling. West on M-72, north on US-131 back to Kalkaska.

Color Tour Twenty-Two: Directions Starting from Elk Rapids

North on US-31 to Eastport. East on M-88 toward Central Lake. North on CR-65, east on Mohrmann Bridge Rd, south on Rushton Rd (becomes Intermediate Lake Rd), south on Derenzy Rd to CR-620 through Bellaire. South on East Torch Lk Dr (CR-593) through Alden (becomes Crystal Beach Rd) and north to Kewadin (becomes Cherry Ave) then south again (becomes Cairn Hwy) back to Elk Rapids.

Color Tour Twenty-Three: Directions Starting from Gaylord

West on M-32 to East Jordan. West on Ellsworth Rd (CR-626) to Ellsworth. West on Atwood Rd (CR-48) to Atwood. North on US-31 through Charlevoix, Bay Harbor & Petoskey on to Alanson. East on M-68 to Indian River. South on I-75 back to Gaylord.

Color Tour Twenty-Four: Directions Starting from Petoskey

US-31 north to M-119, north through Harbor Springs to Cross Village. Left on Lake Shore Dr to Lakeview Rd (becomes Gill Rd at Sturgeon Bay). Left on Cecil Bay Rd, right on Wilderness Park Dr north to Mackinaw City. Pass under I-75 at the base of Mackinac Bridge. South on US-23 (Cheboygan Co. Scenic Route) through Cheboygan. South on M-27 through Indian River. East on M-68 to US-31 south to Petoskey.

Color Tour Twenty-Five: Directions Starting from Mackinac Island Ferry Docks

Left on Market St to Cadotte Ave, right to Huron Rd behind Ft. Mackinac to Arch Rock. Left on Rifle Range Rd, right on Sugar Loaf Rd, back to Rifle Range. Right to Garrison Rd past Skull Cave, left on Annex Rd to Cadotte, right to Market, left to docks.

Color Tour Twenty-Six: Directions Starting from Beaver Island Ferry Docks

Starting at the ferry dock in “downtown” St. James, turn right at the Ace Hardware. Turn left at the top of the hill onto The Kings Highway heading south out of “town”. Turn left on McCauley’s Road. Turn right on East Side Drive. At the south end of the island it becomes West Side. Don’t forget to stop and visit the Lighthouse just before Iron Ore Bay. Cross the 4-way intersection onto Paid Een Ogs Road. Turn left onto The Kings Hwy back to “town.”

Halloween Fun in West Michigan: South Michigan

October 21, 2015Beer, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Travel, Upcoming EventsColdwater Country, Cornwells Turkeyville, Crane Orchards & U-Pick, FireKeepers Casino hotel, Franke Center for the Arts, Gilmore Car Museum Spooktacular, Henderson Castle, Journeyman Distillery, Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven, Stokes Homestead Farm Market, The Inn at Harbor Shores, West Michigan, West Michigan Beer ToursJoanne

There is so much to do in West Michigan to kick off the Halloween fun! This three part series will dive into different Fall and Halloween activities all throughout the West side of this Marvelous State. Part one and Southern Michigan comes down as the first leaf to hit the ground.

South Michigan Halloween Fun

Stokes Homestead Farm Market

Stokes Homestead Farm Market in Grand Junction is kicking off fall fun this season with their Shadow Hollow Haunt, a one-of-a-kind haunted trail, that will run every weekend in October! They’ll be throwing in some new twists, turns and scares this year. Check out all the details at stokeshomestead.com.

Cornwell’s Turkeyville

Cornwell’s Turkeyville in Marshall is preparing for their family friendly Fall season of fun, frights, and memories. Every weekend in October, Cornwell’s holds their family friendly “Haunted Adventures,” open from 12pm-8pm on Saturday’s and 12pm-5pm on Sundays. Some of the activities include a pumpkin patch, spooky hay ride, and Haunted Barn. Each year the owners alter the theme of the Haunted Barn to explore all of the aspects Halloween has to offer.

This year’s theme is reminiscent of the things that caused your imaginary night time fear of monsters: shadows! All of the walls have spooky shadows thrown across them; but participants be warned, there are things lurking in the shadows, so prepare to be spooked. The haunts found in the barn are appropriate for even young children, and employees willing to help out the most scared of kids. Wristbands last all day and include all activities. The cost for a wristband is ten dollars per person – excluding babes in arms. Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre will be performing Abra Cadaver, an interactive murder mystery, on October 30 and 31 for more spooky, entertaining, & delicious Halloween fun!

Franke Center for the Arts

Plan to visit the Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall on Saturday, October 24th at 8pm for a performance by Mind Reader & Illusionist Christopher Carter. Carter is recognized as one of the world’s greatest “mind-readers,” but he’s not psychic. He’s just an incredibly skilled observer of human behavior.

Starting at the age of eight, when an uncle allowed him to sit in on a poker game, Christopher began to realize that people broadcast their thoughts in ways beyond words. This led to a lifelong interest in non-verbal communication and ‘people reading.’ Although he pursued dual interests in psychology and theater in college, it wasn’t until he was doing graduate work that Chris finally put it all together: he blended his fast-paced, humorous theatrical style with stunning displays of psychological ability. The ovations and accolades have been coming ever since.

As an entertainer, Christopher has earned feature appearances on “The Martin Short Show” and the “Donny and Marie Show.” As one of the most popular performers on college campuses, he has been awarded the highest honor in the Campus Activities industry: Entertainer of the Year. Tickets for the show are $20 in advance and $22 at the door.

West Michigan Beer Tours

Get in the Halloween mood with West Michigan Beer Tours and their spooky tour featuring a brewery with a haunt, and of course, some great fall seasonal beers. Be prepared for a night of frights, flights and fun.

The Halloween tour will begin at Shakespeare’s Pub in downtown Kalamazoo where pumpkin ales, hard ciders, and other autumn classics will be on tap. The group will then make the short jaunt west to Paw Paw Brewing Co. where the crew will get you in the spirit of the season with fall ales and perhaps a few scary surprises.

From there, you’ll make way to Psycho Ward & Nightmares, one of Kalamazoo’s best haunted attractions tucked into the woods behind the Kalamazoo Speedway. Enjoy steeply discounted prices and VIP access to the freak fest. You’ll then conclude with a quick ride north to Plainwell’s Old Mill Brewpub. Owner and brewmaster Scott Zylstra plans to serve some of his first beers and offer a tour of the more than 100-year-old building known to be inhabited by a few ghosts. The Halloween Beer Tour takes place on October 30th and lasts for five hours. Book your spot directly through West Michigan Beer Tours.

Journeyman Distillery

Journeyman Distillery will be hosting the Three Oaks Pub Crawl on Halloween (October 31st) from 2-10. Tour the town’s drinking establishments and compete for a chance to win coveted Pub Crawl t-shirts. Costumes are encouraged and the best ones will be rewarded. Watch out for the spirits this Halloween!

Henderson Castle

Prepare for an evening of intrigue, lies, and deception at Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo as you try to unravel all the clues and solve a case of murder. All this while socializing with the cremé de la cremé of this city’s high society, friends, loved ones.

During the dinner, you get to know everyone, share what you know and find out what you can… you will need this to establish a motive… for murder. Who knows, you may be the murderer and not know it! The October Murder Mystery Dinner takes place the night before Halloween, on October 30th at Henderson Castle. The cost is $69 per person.

Michigan Maritime Museum

The Michigan Maritime Museum will host a free trick-or-treating event at the Museum for children ages toddler to 10 years on October 31st from 4pm-6pm. The event will have trick-or-treating stations around the Museum campus and aboard tall ship Friends Good Will. Children must be in costume to participate. Bring out the whole family! All children must be accompanied by an adult for this event.

FireKeepers Casino Hotel

Join FireKeepers Casino Hotel this Halloween for a weekend of fun and entertainment, including the annual Halloween Costume Contest, Here Come the Mummies Concert, and Halloween Slot Tournament!

The festivities start Friday, October 30th with the Halloween costume contest at 7pm on the casino floor. All those interested in participating in the costume contest will need to join the parade line beginning at 7pm. At 7:45pm the Top 10 will be announced and asked to come to the Money Keepers Mainstage for the next round of judging, where the top 3 will be selected for audience voting. All of the top 10 costume participates will receive a prize.

The 1st place winner will walk away with a cash and Red Hot Credit prize of $5,000! Continue the Halloween excitement with Here Come the Mummies. The concert will begin at 9pm in the event center and ticket are just $25. The Halloween Slot Tournament will begin at 10am on October 31st. To qualify, simply earn 31 points on your Red Hot Rewards Club Card starting at 9am on October 31st. The tournament will run from 10am-3pm with the top 4 from each hour advancing to the final. The top 20 finalist will share a total prize pool of over $40,000 in prizes, with the 1st place winner receiving $20,000 cash!

The Inn at Harbor Shores

The Inn at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph invites you to celebrate this Halloween with them in a variety of ways! Visit the weekend of Halloween for Happy Halloweekend at The Inn, which will incorporate a series of frightening events for all ages, beginning with pumpkin carving and ending with a costume bash to end all others!

On Wednesday, October 28th, the local library will present Scary Stories, and Artist Pumpkin Carving Begins. Vote for your favorite pumpkin in person or on The Inn at Harbor Shores’ social media. On Halloween, the pumpkin carving winners will be announced, and the Costume Ball will kick off at 8pm! Enjoy dancing, a DJ, snacks, a cash bar, and prizes for the best costume! Tickets are $20, or can be included in your overnight stay package.

Crane Orchards & U-Pick

Crane Orchards & U-Pick in Fennville offers a 20-acre Corn Maze through October 30th. A lot of creative energy goes into this project every year to make it the best corn maze anywhere! Adults are $7, Ages 6 years to 10 years are $5, and kids 5 years old and below are free! This is a family friendly corn maze, and be sure to catch a hayride or Cowtrain ride while you’re there!

South Haven

If you’re in the South Haven area on Halloween, dress up, come out and join all the witches, goblins, vampires, superheroes, princesses, skeletons, and all the scariest costume in between for a fun filled candy gathering extravaganza! South Haven Trick-or-Treating will take place from 5:30pm-7:30pm on Halloween. Be sure to have a big container to hold all your candy, and don’t forget the three magic words: “Trick-or-Treat!”

Coldwater Country

Celebrate Halloween in Coldwater Country with costumes, scares, and a parade! Adventure out for a spook-tacular time in the Haunted Forest at Rotary Park in Coldwater on October 29th. The younger crowd will enjoy the less scary time from 6pm-7pm for the true Haunted Forest, scare time is 7pm-9pm. Don’t miss out on the Haunted Halloween Parade on October 31st! The theme changes every year, and you’ll see entries from organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Gilmore Car Museum Spooktacular

The 4th Annual Gilmore Car Museum Spooktacular will take place at the Museum on Thursday, October 29th from 4:00-7:00pm! Fun for the whole family, the Spooktacular will feature cool cars throughout the Museum, trick-or-treat throughout the galleries for children 12 and under, a featured film in the theater, and special treats and samples from local businesses! Costumes are encouraged! Kids 12 and under are FREE – Adults $5.00/person (children must be accompanied by an adult at all times).

Make sure to check out part 2 on Thursday for Halloween activities in Central West Michigan!

Grandville Man to Cycle 3,500 Miles for Wounded Warrior Project

October 15, 2015Local Faces, TravelBicycling, Troops, Wounded WarriorsJoanne

Grandville resident Grant Bergsma will ride his bicycle more than 3,500 miles, from California to Florida, to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The five-week, cross-country adventure will begin November 1 in Los Angeles and is slated to conclude in Marco Island, Florida on December 7.

“It’s going to be a long trip but it’s a short amount of time compared to troops that will suffer from battle wounds mental and physical for the rest of their lives,” said Bergsma. “I am honored to have the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for this amazing charitable organization.” Photos courtesy of Grant Bergsma’s Facebook page.

WWP offers 20 holistic programs to wounded service members and their caregivers completely free of charge. To complete his goal, Bergsma plans to ride his bicycle approximately 100 miles per day. At night, the 30-year-old, Grandville native plans to sleep in a tree hammock and, whenever possible, stay with hosts he meets during his journey.

Bergsma’s interest in riding stemmed from turning a negative into a positive.

“I started riding about five years ago, out of necessity, after an irresponsible personal situation,” said Bergsma. “It was a tough time in my life, but through biking, I was able to create the necessary positive momentum to turn my life around.”

In 2013, Bergsma rode more than 1,400 miles from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Gainesville, Florida in an effort to raise money for the ALS Association. The charity was selected to honor a longtime family friend who died from Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2007.

Bergsma will be tracking his progress on social media. Donations can be made through GoFundMe or the WWP website.

Celebrate the Harvest in West Michigan

September 25, 2015Local Business, Local Food, Our Cities, Recreation, Travel, Upcoming EventsCidel Mill, Fall, West Michigan, West Michigan Travel AssociationJoanne

As Autumn approaches in West Michigan, it’s time to start celebrating the harvest! West Michigan offers a wide variety of ways to celebrate, whether it’s stopping by a cider mill, attending a special harvest dinner, or heading out to the local fall festival. However you like to get into the feeling of fall, West Michigan has you covered.

South: West Michigan Harvest Celebrations

Fenn Valley Vineyards believes that wine should be approachable, and their tours have been designed to help take the mystery out of making world class wine. Fenn Valley is offering fall vineyard tours on Saturdays and Sundays through October 18th. They aim to strike a balance between education and entertainment. Luckily, the subject matter always keeps things interesting! Their tours are pretty in-depth. They run about 1:45 in length, and involve wine tasting throughout to illustrate the various points being made.

In the fall, the tours go into the vineyard where the emphasis is on how wine grapes are grown and the kinds of operations that Fenn Valley performs to grow their premium grapes. Reservations required and accepted on the Fenn Valley website.

This fall South Haven has a variety of events to offer for young, and slightly mature audiences. South Haven boasts a 20-acre Corn Maze; a lot of creative energy goes into this project every year to make it the best corn maze anywhere! The corn maze is open through October 30th, from 10am-6pm on weekdays and from 12pm-6pm on weekends.

September is apple time at Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire Michigan. Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm has over 250 different varieties of apples on their farm, and many of the heritage varieties date back to the 1700s. The market is open to the public Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays after Labor Day from 10am to 6pm. Plan to stop by for some free apple tasting! You can sample all of their varieties on hand, and then go to the orchard and pick your own fruit. Enjoy one of their cherry waffle boats, apple pie squares, taffy apples, or hot apple cider, or bring your own picnic to enjoy in the family picnic area with playground.

St. Joseph is a must-stop if you’re looking for fall fun in West Michigan! Kick things off with a visit to the Farmers Market in Lake Bluff Park, and then head downtown on September 25th and 26th for their Fall Festival! Plan on a weekend filled with fun events for all ages, including the Great Bed Race! Downtown shops will also be hosting a block party on Friday, and Saturday will see a Critter Barn petting zoo, a musical instrument petting zoo, and the Great Pumpkin Festival!

Central: West Michigan Harvest Celebrations

Not quite ready to say goodbye to the summer days of ice cream yet? Welcome fall in summer style with the limited edition ice cream flavor of Cider Mill Donut from Hudsonville Ice Cream. Apples are the largest and most valuable fruit crop in Michigan, and with apples, come donuts and cider. “This flavor starts off with apple cider flavored ice cream, with a spiced-apple swirl throughout and real donut pieces,” says Ray Sierengowski, director of product development for Hudsonville Ice Cream. “All the flavors of your local cider mill are delivered to you in one delicious scoop. You’ll FALL for this tried-and-true combination.”

Look for Cider Mill Donut and other “Limited Edition” flavors—distinguished by the red packaging—in grocery stores throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois from mid-September through early November (while supplies last).

Learn some new ways to bring the harvest into your home this fall with an apple cooking class from Downtown Market Grand Rapids! This family cooking class is titled “Bushels of Apples,” and will focus on this classic fall snack. You’ll learn how to make an Overnight Baked Oatmeal, Apples Bavaria, and an Apple-Butternut Squash Soup, all of which are filled with bushels of flavor! The class takes place Saturday, October 17th from 10am-12pm and registration is available on the Downtown Market’s website.

Post Family Farm is the place to be this fall, with their annual Fall Festival taking place every Saturday from through October 31st. They offer hayrides out to the u-pick pumpkin patch, corn maze, kid’s activity area with crafts and games as well as a new and improved play area for 2015. Their famous homemade pumpkin donuts are available Monday-Saturday starting at 8:00 am and can be pre-ordered.

What better way to welcome fall than by spending some quality time in the great outdoors. Nothing beats a float trip in a drift boat during the Salmon run on the Pere Marquette River in the Fall. The Fall colors and watching the Salmon spawn are something you can’t find anywhere else, whether you like to fish or not. If you do like to fish, it’s the best time of the year to wet a line.

There are few fish that live up to their name, but the King Salmon in the Pere Marquette River certainly do! Red Moose Lodge is located right off the river, and is the perfect place for a fall weekend fishing trip, whether you’re simply looking for a place to stay, or want to book a guided fishing trip down the river.

Rockford’s 39th Annual Harvest Festival is September 25, 26 & 27th, 2015. The Harvest Festival will feature a classic car show, chili cook-off, Rotary Pork Barbeque, children’s activities including Trick or Treating & Costume Contest, crafts, an antique tractor show and parade, and much more. There is also a Farm Market, Museum Auction, Make-it and Take-it Scarecrow Building (which continues the following 2 weekends), Entertainment Tent, and Outdoor Movie. Find more information on the Rockford Chamber’s website.

North: West Michigan Harvest Celebrations

Castle Farms in Charlevoix invites you to celebrate the harvest with them at their upcoming annual Harvest Festival on September 27th! Visit the ‘Mini Farmer’s Market’, with vendors exhibiting and selling homemade items, including maple syrup and caramel popcorn. Take home a snapshot from the photo booth! Horse-drawn wagon rides, arts & crafts, games and prizes, face painting, magic show and fire spinning are just some of the spectacular activities for the whole family. Enjoy free cider and donuts with additional food available for purchase. $10 admission includes full access to the Castle, plus family friendly activities for all ages. Purchase your tickets at the door or in advance on the Castle Farms website.

Pentwater is holding their annual Fall Fest on the Village Green on September 26th and 27th this year. Experience the beauty of fall at their annual Arts & Craft Festival, where over 100 vendors provide hand-made crafts, a special skill or art, a skilled trade, or antiques on the Village Green. Enjoy live music on the green as well. This is a fall weekend in Pentwater not to be missed! Fall Fest runs from 10am through 5pm on Saturday, and 10am through 3pm on Sunday.

Share the excitement of the harvest with Chateau Chantal at their 16th Annual Harvest Day on October 3rd from 12pm-4pm. Mark & Brian’s cellar and still will be open to smell wines, stomp grapes, and tour. Stop by at 1pm for a Mini Slurpin’ Seminar where you can learn the basics of wine tasting, at 2pm for some good old fashioned grape stomping, and at 3pm for a distillation seminar. The tasting room staff will be serving wine tastes and taking private label orders. Also take advantage of special pricing on full case orders of any one varietal of wine!

The Traverse City area knows how to get in the mood for Fall, and has plenty of options if you’re looking to kick off the autumn season. Head to Bellaire for their 17th Annual Harvest Festival & Scarecrow Extravaganza on September 26th, and enjoy a Short’s Beer tent, live music, a craft and flea market, and hands-on educational booths for the kids.

The Acme Fall Festival falls on the same day (September 26th), and features a farmers market, bake sale, craft show (with live demonstrations), kids activities, Michigan children’s offers, and more fun for all ages. Then get your taste buds ready for a family-style feast at Harvest@theCommons on October 10th. Your feast will be prepared by Traverse City’s own Harvest restaurant using the finest local ingredients honoring the farmers of the region. Enjoy local libations and authentic bluegrass tunes by Billy Strings and Don Julin during your meal as well.

Michigan is special because it fully experiences all four seasons. Make sure you take advantage of fall and the beautiful change in color and temperature around West Michigan!

Shorter Summer? Shorter Christmas Break? Tweaks Being Considered

September 11, 2015Area Education, Recreation, TravelErin Albanese, Longer school year, School News Network, Summer programs, Team 21Joanne

Wyoming, Kelloggsviile, Godwin Heights and Godfrey Lee Public Schools students fill their summer days with fun and activities through TEAM 21, which blended summer school and recreation

By: Erin Albanese – School News Network

In recent years, Michigan school children have enjoyed a three-month summer break, by law not returning to the classroom before Labor Day. But as administrators work to add days to the school calendar, that soon may change.

Paradoxically, the state prohibits schools from starting before Labor Day unless they are granted a waiver, but it is also bumping up the required number of school days. Districts must be in session 180 days and 1,098 hours for the 2016-2017 school year. That’s up from 170 last year and 175 this year.

Kent County superintendents are meeting in mid-October to fit more days into the schools’ common calendar for the 2016-2017 school year, with several ideas on the table: a pre-Labor Day start (by applying for waiver county-wide unless the law is changed), a shorter winter break and eliminating mid-winter break. The common calendar aligns winter, spring and mid-winter breaks so area children have the same days off.

Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Caniff said adding days to the school calendar in June may mean an overall benefit to tourism dollars created by the Labor Day mandate may no longer hold true. Students are already involved in sports, band and extracurricular activities before Labor Day. Most of all, starting school earlier makes sense for many schools.

“At the elementary level, a compressed summer schedule also could be beneficial to prevent regression of learning that occurs over the summer months,” Caniff said.

Wyoming Public Schools’ calendar has stretched from late May or early June until the Tuesday after Labor Day for several years. That will soon change, and Superintendent Tom Reeder, who is on the committee, said starting before Labor Day would align the start of school with extracurriculars.

“I would like to start earlier than Labor Day, when things are back with band and sports and the students have had a break,” he said.

For Kelloggsville Public Schools, the added days won’t change anything, said Tammy Savage, the district’s director or instruction. The district’s school year goes later into June than surrounding schools.

Wyoming students meet a goat during Team 21

“Kelloggsville has 180 student days in their school year and always has,” Savage said. “It is our belief that in addition to the academics, being in school provides social and emotional support as well as numerous after school activities.

“Additionally, with a high (number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch) we are able to provide two healthy meals each day,” she said, noting that she would like to see the Labor Day law reversed so school can start a week or two prior to the holiday.

Bill Passage Would Change the Law

House Bill 4396 would allow Michigan’s school boards to set their own start date instead of a mandated start after Labor Day. The bill is co-sponsored by Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids. The bill would lock in a four-day holiday weekend, giving students Friday before the holiday off.

For this school year, 100 of the state’s 900-plus districts have applied for waivers to start early anyway, including Greenville Area School District.

Former Superintendent Pete Haines, now Ottawa Area ISD superintendent, said he applied for the waiver because many of the high school students are dual-enrolled at Montcalm Community College, which starts classes before Labor Day. Many other Montcalm County schools also received waivers. Greenville Area School District opened its doors Aug. 31.

Aligning the calendars makes sense, Haines said, but there are other reasons an earlier start works better.

“Frankly, kids are ready to get back,” he said. “They are just ready.”

The issue of snow days also factors into fitting in school days and hours, he said. The last two years have been especially snowy.

Students in TEAM 21 spend a summer day swimming

“There is a concern over summer slide,” Haines said, referring to learning lost during vacation. “This does open the dialogue for what a more balanced calendar would do.”

More or Less School? History Shows Different Trends

As a way to buoy tourism, the post-Labor Day start law was enacted in 2005 to give families one last summer hurrah before school. This year, with the holiday falling as late as it possibly can on the calendar, most students don’t start school until Sept. 8, following more than three months off.

At the time the law came into effect, former Gov. Jennifer Granholm said it would not affect children because districts will continue to spend the same number of hours at school, with wiggle room for vacation days and how late in the spring districts remain in session.

The change is another about-face for the state. Michigan increased its school calendar requirements through the 1990s, bumping the mandated minimum classroom hours from 900 to 1,098, with a minimum of 180 days in session, according to the report, “School Daze: Michigan’s Shrinking School Year,” created by The Center for Michigan, an Ann Arbor-based think tank.

The goal was to incrementally increase the minimum-day requirement until it reached 190 days in 2006-07. Instead, legislators dropped the day requirement completely as of the 2003-04 school year, leaving a 1,098-hour mandate in place. Lansing told districts that they could shorten the school year by making each school day a few minutes longer, according to the report.

“Eliminating the days requirement coincided with single-state and then the national recession, and some districts dropped back to as few as 145 days a year in their efforts to save money,” according to The Center for Michigan report.

Across the country, many states require 180 days of instruction, and many are in school well before Labor Day. Minnesota and Virginia also have the post-Labor Day start-date law.

Another thing to consider is the oft-cited problem of summer slide, when students who aren’t engaged in dune climbs or museum tours slip back reading levels and forget their math. Many districts already work to make summer more enriching for students through various summer programs.

Godfrey-Lee Superintendent David Britten said the reasoning behind the Labor Day law is “stupid,” but students experience learning loss as a result of not receiving instruction in an in-depth, meaningful way. As for the Labor Day start, he’s not convinced it’s much of a factor.

“I don’t think it matters,” Britten said. “I think it’s what we do during the school year that makes the difference, and that’s what we want to focus on.”

Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!

Adventures at San Diego Comic-Con International: “Force Friday”

September 2, 2015Local Entertainment, Travel, WKTV ProjectsComic-Con, Hall H, Katelyn Kohane, Lionsgate, Panel, San Diego Comic Con, Star WarsJoanne

By: Katelyn Kohane

As “your mission,” “the Force is strong with this one.” You came back to see what I accomplished at Comic-Con on Friday. As I mentioned in part two, I went to all things Star Wars.

Clearly you can see where my allegiance lies in the battle of Star Wars verses Star Trek.

Unlike Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj in The Big Bang Theory; I did not get kicked out of Comic-Con for doing something stupid. Unfortunately, I got in line for Hall H just a half hour too late, and since it only holds 6,5000 people, I did not make it inside. However, I did get into four smaller Star Wars panels.

The first panel I sat in on was called “Star Wars Publishing 2015 Part 1.” Ashley, Alex, and Tom lead the panel as three new publishers writing new books.

Ashley is writing her own version of A New Hope with a new twist on the story. Ashley’s story will go deep into the characters past and will be like the Breakfast Club.

Alex is writing his own version of Empire Strikes Back and calling it, So You Want to Be a Jedi. Alex’s story will be in the second person and it will take the angle that you are being trained by Yoda. In the end, you – yes, YOU – will fight Darth Vader.

Tom is writing Return of the Jedi. He mentioned that there would be a lot of footnotes in his story.

The second panel was called “Star Wars Publishing Part 2.” This was my favorite panel of the day because I was actually familiar with some of the authors and their books. Adam Gray, Christy Golden, Frank Parrse, and CB Cebulski rounded out the panel.

Left: a recent book that Adam Gray helped write. Right: a new comic book talked about during the panel.

Adam Gray, who works for DK Publishing, is a Michigander! It’s always great to have someone from your home state.

Frank Parrse works for Lucasfilm, Marvel, and Dark Horse Comics. CB Cebulski spends his time in New York working on Star Wars books. They mentioned a lot of new comics coming out on September 4th 2015. They are also making a new comic series about Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Lando Calrissian.

“Hasbro Star Wars” was the next panel on the docket. Basically, all they talked about were the new toys coming out this fall.

Steve Evans, Chris Gollaher, Sam Smith, Chris Dern, and Chris Nadea filled out the table for this panel. Also, Ashley Eckstine – the voice of “Ahsoka Tano” in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Her Universe – was a special guest appearance on the Hasbro panel.

The panel’s big announcement was that their new toys would be coming out on “Force Friday”, which is September 4th 2015. They have a new Force FX Lightsaber and a Tie Fighter that will be coming out at midnight on Force Friday.

Left: Tie Fighter Right: the new ForecFX Lightsaber

The last panel for the day was called “Star Wars Collectables Update with Lucasfilm.” EFX, General Giant, and Slide Show Collectables all had members represented. General Giant announced that they had a mini bust coming soon of Boba Fett, Jabba The Hutt, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker – just to name a few. EFX is putting together studio scale ships with one being a Tie Fighter.

There was supposed to be a fifth panel, but ILM 40th Anniversary mixed up their flights and didn’t make it to Comic-Con! So, I decided to head over to Hall H to get in line for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

As I waited in line, I quickly realized that there was no way I was going to make it in. People in line had been camped out overnight just to see Star Wars. With Star Wars being one of the biggest draws around with fanboys solely devoted to the films, of course it was going to be almost impossible to get in!

While I tried my luck at getting into Hall H for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I ended up missing a panel I was hoping to catch. On that panel sat director Kyle Newman from Fanboys.

Turns out, that wasn’t the only panel I missed while chasing dreams at Hall H, The Big Bang Theory had a panel with Amy Farrah Fowler and Raj Koothrappali – played by Mayim Bialik and Kunal Nayyar – joining the fun. I suppose Raj was not kicked out of Comic-Con after all!

Kansas City Barbeque where they filmed Top Gun. Pictured is the original piano Goose plays.

Once reality hit me, that I wasn’t going to be one of the lucky 6,500 in Hall H, I decided to head for some lunch to recover and think things over. I wound up at a small place call Kansas City Barbecue. It’s right across the street from the convention center heading toward Sea Port Village. Not only is it nearby, but it’s also where they filmed a scene from Top Gun where Maverick and Goose sing Great Balls of Fire! It helps that they have some of the best BBQ in town.

I headed back to the convention center and went to the exhibit center to find “Bioworld.” This was the booth of the man I had met in the airport in Texas! They had some really cool merchandise. I also found a “Lucasfilm” booth that Adam Gray, one of the authors from the panel: Star Wars Publishing Part 2, was sitting at. I quickly said hello, and told him that I had enjoyed the panel discussion and reading many of his books over the years.

I toured the exhibit hall. There were many great deals and cool booths. Here were a few that I saw: Future Dude, Mattel Inc., Lionsgate, Dark Horse Comics, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Hasbro Inc, Her Universe, ThinkGeek, and Marvel Entertainment.

Lionsgate for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it” is to stay tuned to see what I accomplished on Saturday. As a spoiler, I will mention “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

“Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos.”

West Michigan Tourist Association Announces its Annual West Michigan Photo Contest

July 21, 2015Recreation, Travel2016 Carefree Travel Guide, Pciture Contest, West Michigan Tourist AssociationJoanne

With so much beauty found in West Michigan, the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) wants you to show off what you love most about this beautiful side of the state and have your photo featured on the cover of WMTA’s 2016 Carefree Travel Guide!

The West Michigan Tourist Association’s Carefree Travel Guide is a longstanding travel publication dating back to 1918, with 150,000 copies printed and distributed throughout the Midwest every year.

Along with having their photograph published on the cover of the 2016 Carefree Travel Guide, the photographer of the winning photo will receive a getaway package to St. Joseph/Benton Harbor!

The getaway package will include a two night stay at The Inn at Harbor Shores, as well as a prize package from St. Joseph Today and a wine basket from 12 Corners Vineyard (must be 21+ to receive wine basket).

Contest Details:

Accepted Photo Formats: High res .jpeg (300 dpi +) , .pdf, .tiff , .dng. Must be CMYK.

Photo Size: Keep in mind that photos will be cropped to 8.75 in width x 11.25 height if chosen for the cover.

How to Enter: E-mail all photos to PhotoContest@WMTA.org by September 9th, 2015.

Include With Entry:

Full Name
City that the photograph was taken in
Short description of the photo

Deadline: September 9th, 2015

By entering the West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide Cover Photo Contest, entrants agree to the rules and the decisions of the judges and further agree to allow the West Michigan Tourist Association to use their names and photos for marketing purposes without compensation.

Entrants must be at least 18 years old.

Loving Retirement Life on the Love Boat

July 13, 2015TravelAlaska, Canada, Don Upp, Part 3, Travel, TravelougeJoanne

Part 3: 1988 – Canada and Alaska

At last, retirement! Well, sort of. At least I retired from my full time job, so we could start looking at travel.

The night before the retirement party, I stood, looking at my garage, where I saw both a new van and a new car – what am I doing? – but this was all in our plan. Anyway, it was time for travel, both in our van and by other means.

The first trip we wanted to make was a trip into Western Canada and up to Alaska. We had traveled with another couple in the past, and since he just retired a well, we started planning with them for a trip to Canada and Alaska.

Joe was lukewarm on the idea, his wife was raring to go. While discussing options, we found a small ad for a trip to the Pribiloff Islands, where 150 varieties of birds nest each summer. Joe was an avid birder, and this caught his attention. So in the Spring of 1988, off we went to Anchorage.

Our fist visit was to the Wetland preserve on the edge of town, then a tour around town. We had a couple of days to sight-see in the area, then we were to fly to Pribiloff Islands. The Pribiloff Islands sit one third of the way between Nome and Russia.

When the plane lands, it touches down on a crushed lava runway, no pavement. There is no terminal, just a school bus to greet you. The airport is part of a military base, so there is no access to any of the buildings.

A side note on the flight – the plane only flies three days per week, and some times the fog is so bad the flight is cancelled. It is recommended that you plan a couple open days in your schedule. We were fortunate not to have a problem.

St. Paul Island has One and a half restaurants: a cafeteria operated by the locals, and a private home that serves meals only if the porch light is on.

One evening, I became the prime attraction at the cafeteria when I turned too sharp with my tray, and ended up with spaghetti all over the floor. All the locals laughed and I turned red. The manager said to just get another plate full, that it happens almost every week, and the locals come to watch.

We saw Terns, Horned and Tufted Puffins, Murrs, skates, and a herd of reindeer that live on the island. We also saw locals scale the cliffs to harvest Murr eggs. If you take the first clutch of eggs, they will lay a second.

There were other hikes to see other nesting birds, and our friends had a great time, but we are not birders, so we stayed with the puffins.

We next went to see the seal harems and beach masters, and watched the fights for mating. In the 1890s and early 1900s, St. Paul and St. George, the two main islands in the Pribiloffs, were Russian prison colonies set up to harvest seal pups. In order not to harm the pelts, the pups were clubbed to death. Although no longer a prison camp, and they no longer club the pups, seals were harvested up to 1948.

Our return to Anchorage was via Cold Bay in Aleutian islands, where we went through security. This was long before 911, but was a possible smuggling entry, so we went through full inspection. There was a guard with two pistols and tear gas canisters, so no funny business.

Beach Master. He is bleeding from his battles, he saved his space, but lost his harem.

Back in Anchorage, we had a couple of days for a visits to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and to the Anchorage Museum, plus various shops and sightseeing things.

We flew on to Fairbanks, where we took a Riverboat tour, saw the salmon catching wheels, and watched an Iditarod sled dogs demo. It takes on whole salmon per dog per day to run the race. Then we took the bus tour for views of Mt. McKinley and panned for gold.

Next was the train to Denali, where we took the tour of Denali National Park and then stayed overnight to catch the morning train back to Anchorage. Joe was wearing a neck brace, so we got on train first and were able to sit at a table on the observation level.

Unfortunately, the train was late arriving in Anchorage, so we missed the connection to our boat. So they put us on a bus, and put the bus on a flat car, attached it to a freight train, and went off to Whittier, where the tour boats dock.

Here we boarded the “Love Boat.” We were actually on the one used in the TV series. I wore a shirt, tie and sport coat. We were assigned to the Captain’s Table for entire trip.

We were allowed on the bridge as the Captain’s guest, so we were first to know of Whales, etc. along the way.

The boat made many stops along the inland waterway, so we had time for things like a helicopter trip to the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau. We watched elk and moose swimming across the waterway. The Inland Waterway is the smoothest tour boat trip, and is suggested for those who might fear sea sickness.

Our boat trip ended in Vancouver, where we rented a car, and drove to Butchart Gardens in Victoria. An outdoor wedding was in progress amongst the flowers.
After returning to Vancouver for the night, we flew home. And so ended our first, and easiest, retirement trip.

Soon after our return, my wife and I sat down and each listed about 1000 goals in our life. Travel to all seven continents is not one goal, but seven. To visit all 50 states is not one, but fifty goals. Some of these goals we had done.

We each did our own list, then compared notes. All the goals that were the same became our ”do it together” goals, some of the other goals became “time apart” goals, some became more of our “do it together” ones. Once you write them down, they are no longer “I Wish” thoughts, but real goals. When my wife passed away, we were down to a couple of hand-fulls each.

Next we will go live in a cottage in a cow pasture in Ireland. Isn’t that everybody’s goal?

Allegiant Announces The Return of Nonstop Flights From Grand Rapids to Fort Lauderdale

July 10, 2015TravelJoanne

Allegiant today announces the return of low-cost, nonstop, seasonal service between Grand Rapids and Fort Lauderdale beginning Dec. 16, 2015. To celebrate Allegiant’s resumption of service to Fort Lauderdale, the company is offering fares as low as $99.00 one way.

For a limited time, Grand Rapids travelers can also save even more on their Allegiant vacation to Fort Lauderdale by using the promo code FLL100 for $100.00 off an air+hotel package.

“We’re pleased to bring back seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale and re-open a popular destination for Michigan travelers,” said Jude Bricker, Allegiant Travel Company senior vice president of planning. “We saw strong demand for Fort Lauderdale flights after our brief hiatus, and we’re happy to make affordable vacations in Fort Lauderdale possible once again.”

The new seasonal flights will operate twice weekly and will fly nonstop between Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) and Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport (FLL) through April 2016. Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com.

Allegiant’s seasonal service will be the only nonstop flights from Grand Rapids to Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale becomes Allegiant’s fifth destination from Grand Rapids, adding to existing service to Orlando / Sanford, Tampa / St. Pete, Phoenix / Mesa and Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled that Allegiant is once again expanding its air service coverage in the Grand Rapids market, and we look forward to offering Fort Lauderdale as a nonstop destination for our travelers,” said Brian Ryks, Gerald R. Ford International Airport executive director. “The nonstop service to Florida’s east coast will give West Michigan passengers an additional option for leisure travel, and it is a perfect place for a sunny escape during our winter months.”

Located in the center of Florida’s Gold Coast, Fort Lauderdale offers the ultimate escape to sunny South Florida. Allegiant partners with more than 20 of the area’s most exciting hotel properties, provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car, and offers great deals on local activities. Grand Rapids travelers can book their entire Fort Lauderdale vacation for less by visiting Allegiant.com.

Allegiant offers a unique travel option to the Grand Rapids community. Focusing on low-cost leisure travel, the company provides customers with low base fares averaging nearly half of the cost of the average domestic round-trip fare. Allegiant’s innovative business model has allowed the company to grow from one aircraft and one route just over a decade ago, to providing convenient, affordable service in over 100 communities nationwide.

*About the introductory one-way fares:

Seats are limited. Price includes taxes and fees. Fares are one way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by June 26, 2015 for travel by Feb. 16, 2016. Price displayed reflects purchase by debit card; purchase by credit card subject to surcharge not to exceed $8 each way per passenger. See Allegiant.com for details. For optional services and baggage fees, please visit Allegiant.com. Additional restrictions may apply.

Sharing a Castle with a Ghost

April 29, 2015Senior Living, TravelDon Upp Travelogue, Penkill Castle, ScotlandJoanne

Retirement Living and Travel

Part 2, 1982

In my last article, I said I would next write about our trips in retirement. Well maybe not after all. Before retirement, there was the trip to Scotland in 1982 that set the traveling stage for us. It was key to determining if we really could afford to jump off the deep end and go places. It all started with an Ann Arbor photo instructor inviting us to attend a meeting about an opportunity to go to Scotland and live in a castle for a week. My wife, Jan, is an established watercolor artist, and the instructor wanted to have her comments on the fine art aspects of images there.

Penkill Castle in Scotland became home for the Upps for one week. — Penkill Castle in Scotland

Our first impulse was No way! The cost for the two of us seemed astronomical. But the next week, Thanksgiving week in 1981, we were talking with our 35-year-old neighbor across the street while she was raking leaves. She told u s she was going into the hospital for exploratory surgery, but did not think it was anything serious. It turned out to be advance cancer and she passed away just after Christmas.

That got us thinking about how quickly something can change in your life. We looked at our finances (we had a daughter in college and one in high school, plus we had the usual home mortgage and car loans. And my wife was enrolled in the fine arts program at Grand Valley College). But we had enough insurance to cover all that, plus we were healthy. So we said “Yes!” In the spring, off we flew to Scotland.

Since we were spending most of the money on air fare, we went a week early, rented a car, and did some sight seeing. Loc Ness was of course on the agenda. The day we were there, it was gray and blustery. If you looked out over the water, it would not take much to convince yourself that something big and snake-like was out there.

In 1692, the Massacre at Glencoe took place here. It was a violent dispute between the Campbells and the MacDonalds. — In 1692, the Massacre at Glencoe took place in this beautiful glen. History claims different versions of why the Campbells clan slayed members of the MacDonalds clan.

One of the really spooky places we stopped was where the Massacre at Glencoe took place in 1692. Scottish history claims one Scottish clan, the Campbells, slayed another Scottish clan, the MacDonalds for not pledging their allegiance to the newly appointed King William. The ground here was soft and spongy, and it felt like one could be swallowed up. We found out later that only 38 MacDonalds were killed but over 300 were led to safety by Captain MacDonald. Ill feelings between the two clans still exists today.

We spent our nights at bed and breakfasts which are plentiful in Scotland. At one of them, we were so far north we could take photos at midnight because it was so bright.

After a week of our own sightseeing, we met our group at Penkill Castle, in Ayshire near Girvan. Built in the 16th century, it was, at the time we were there, considered to be the second longest inhabited castle in the United Kingdom. Our group was small: my wife and I, another couple, the photography instructor and the laird of the castle, Elton Eckstand of Detroit. Around 1848, the castle had been a popular rendezvous for the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood of painters, poets and critics trying to reform art at that time. As a result, many castle walls had paintings and murals of their work. One is buried on the castle grounds.

The Upps shared a bedroom with a former resident at Penkill Castle.

Because the castle was built in the 15th century, there is no central heat. Each bedroom and bathroom has its own fireplace. It wasn’t until the last night of our visit that my wife asked for a fire in our bathroom!

One evening, as we were getting ready for bed, we heard a very faint voice calling out “Albert.” The next morning, at breakfast, we were told that was the name of one of the previous owners that had met a very untimely death. Apparently former guests of that bedroom said they heard the voice as well. (That was the same night that the castle houseboys clipped a rose blossom from a hundred-plus-year-old rose bush on my wife’s pillow. A nice touch!)

Evening entertainment at the castle focused on Scottish culture.

Each evening after dinner, we were entertained by local dancers, singers, bag pipers and, one night, by the ceremony of the haggis. The tradition of the haggis is based on the first lamb or sheep to be slaughtered for the season. All the parts that cannot be stored (mostly the organs) are chopped up, mixed with oatmeal, and roasted in a sheep’s stomach. A person in full kilts recites a poem by Robert Burns dedicated to the haggis, and cuts it open. After that, two men in kilts did the dance of the spinning sabers.

The castle was our home base for exploration. One of our trips was to Ailsa Craig, a solid granite island. The granite from here is the official source of all Olympic curling stones. It is now a nature preserve, and so granite can only be quarried every 20 or 25 years. Around noon, we always tried to get to the woolen goods store – they served the best lemon meringue pie in all of Scotland!

Ailsa Craig, a solid granite island is the official source of all Olympic curling stones.

While we were in Scotland, we became curious as to why so many ruins had no roofs. We learned that in the UK, if a building has three walls and a roof, it is taxed as habitable. No roof, no tax. Many of the original buildings had lead roofs and much of the lead was also taken for use in WW1.

At the end of the week, we all went our separate ways. I flew home, and Jan went to London, where she and another Grand Valley student attended Richmond College to complete some fine arts work. She then went on to Stonehenge, the Isle of Wight, and to Brighton. There, she was able to meet the sister of our Swedish exchange student who was coming to live with us the following fall. The timing could not have been better for us taking the trip to Scotland after all.

Gerald R. Ford International Records Busiest Month Ever

April 22, 2015Our Cities, TravelJoanne

March was a record-breaking month at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA), setting a new record as the single busiest month in the Airport’s history.
GFIA saw an 8-percent increase in passenger activity in March 2015 compared to March 2014. March 2015 passenger totals were 231,138 versus 213,844 in 2014. March 2015 also shatters a monthly passenger record, going down as GFIA’s single busiest month in airport history. March 2015’s record breaks the airport’s previous record of July 2011 when the airport served 221,356 passengers.
“Our record breaking numbers are a direct reflection of airline investments in West Michigan, the renewed commitment of area business and leisure travelers to use the Ford as their primary airport, along with our hard-working staff to ensure the best customer service experience at our airport,” said GFIA Executive Director Brian Ryks. “We’re excited to see airlines invest and expand opportunities in our market, and we’re confident that even more growth will follow in the coming months and years.”
“Our airline partners see opportunity in West Michigan and that is why they continue to invest in new routes and additional capacity,” said Ryks. “We are thankful for the support of our airlines, and our area travelers.”
Along with exceptional monthly marks, GFIA set a first-quarter traffic record with 600,336 passengers served since January 1, 2015. This beats a previous record of 546,505 passengers per quarter, set in 2005.
2014 marked the first full year of service for Southwest Airlines in the Grand Rapids market. In addition, the US Airways-American Airlines merger added nonstop service from Grand Rapids to Charlotte and Philadelphia in September, and Delta added a fourth daily nonstop flight to Atlanta in October 2014.
GFIA monthly passenger statistics can be found on our website: http://www.grr.org/History.php

Retiree’s Travelogue Explores all Seven Continents

April 15, 2015Our Cities, Senior Living, TravelDon Upp, Seven ContinentsJoanne

Part 1

A month or so ago, I was asked to write about my life during retirement with comments on places I might have traveled. During the conversation, I casually remarked that my wife and I had visited all seven continents. It was then suggested that I should write a series of articles on each of our trips. I said I would, and so started to review where and when and how each trip unfolded.

Where do I to start? Well, when all else fails, start at the beginning. In my case, this would be back in the 1940s when I was given the book “The Flying Carpet” by Richard Haliburton. The story begins in Timbuktu, as the main character is landing his two-seater airplane in the desert. By the end of the last chapter, I discovered my desire to travel. Timbuktu is still on my bucket list.

The Fountain of Trevi in Rome. — Taken in March of 1958, Upp took this photo of the Fountain of Trevi in Rome during his $250 tour of Europe.

The Army, in the late 1950s, gave me my first opportunity for real travel. Although I had been to the Great Smokey Mountains and had visited my sister in New England, the Army sent me traveling through 12 states by train from Ohio to California. Then I was sent to Germany and France for two years. While there, I saved up my leave time of 42 days to visit Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Spain, England and Austria, as well as more of Germany and France. Remarkably, I did it all on only $250! My last day was spent riding across France in a small bread truck standing up the whole way. The railroad workers were on a one-day strike.

Schloss Mespelbrunn, Germany — Shloss Mespelbraunn in Germany is a small hunting castle.

Besides the bread truck, there were several other highlights of this trip I recall. For instance, while being on top of the Arc of Triumph in Paris, I saw an “older” couple who looked familiar. It turned out they lived across the street from my mother! Although I had never met them, I had seen them going in and out of their home many times. Small world indeed!

Another memorable incident that trip happened in Switzerland. Early one morning I walked out on the dock by the hotel and discovered a body in the lake! Someone had fallen in and drowned. I was afraid the police would detain me, but they knew who the person was – the town drunk as fate would have it – and he had fallen off the dock many times before.

In Monaco, I had a much more pleasant experience. I went to the casino, put a French frank into a slot machine and won 150 franks! That paid for my dinner and my hotel room.

In 1970, one of our daughters sang in a high school choral group that was invited to sing in several churches in Italy. My wife and I, along with our youngest daughter, went as part of the chaperone group. We stayed on to visit our son who was in the Army in Germany. After that, we visited more of Germany and then Luxembourg and Switzerland.

In addition to these personal trips, I was fortunate that my business career took me to countries like England, Germany, Mexico, Canada and Switzerland. I retired from my first job in 1987, and the next installment of my travel adventures will take over from there.

Spring Break Travel Reminders

April 2, 2015TravelJoanne

Airport fun — Spring Break fun during a very busy travel season at The Gerald R. Ford International Airport

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is preparing for its busiest time of year with helpful travel reminders, and a bit of fun mixed in.

Due to additional passenger volume beginning this weekend and continuing through April, parking lot demands will be greater, and airport facilities are expected to be busy. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects longer security lines and urges passengers traveling to arrive at the Airport at least two hours prior to departure time.

In order to expedite the security screening process, passengers should carefully consider the contents of their checked luggage and carry-on bags. The TSA also recommends wearing shoes that are easy to remove, having ID and boarding passes ready to present at security checkpoints and ending all cell phone conversations prior to screening.

“The Spring Break season is extremely busy at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and we strongly encourage those traveling – especially if you haven’t flown recently – to review TSA’s website,” said GFIA Executive Director Brian Ryks. “Our TSA staff does a wonderful job, but the more prepared travelers are, the smoother the screening experience will be for everyone.”

Passengers traveling through GFIA on select Spring Break travel dates will be treated to the annual Passenger Appreciation Days, compliments of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Board. This bon-voyage celebration will take place from Thursday, April 2 through Saturday, April 4 from 6am-6pm each day in the Airport’s Grand Hall. The Passenger Appreciation Days events include free refreshments, food, giveaways, prize drawings, contests and more!

“We are excited to welcome back the Passenger Appreciation Days,” said Ryks. “This is one more way we are thanking our community for supporting our airport, and our passengers will have some fun before venturing out of West Michigan.”

For passengers wanting to partake in the Passenger Appreciation Days festivities, the Airport encourages them to allow even more travel time.

The TSA also encourages passengers to utilize the 3-1-1 rule with liquids, gels and aerosols. Put all liquids in 3.4 ounce containers and place them in a clear, plastic one-quart zip-top bag.

Additional 3-1-1 Information:
• Deodorant: Stick deodorant is not limited to 3.4 oz. or less, but gel or spray deodorant is.
• Suntan & Sun Block Lotion: Lotions fall under the 3-1-1 procedures mentioned above. As well as the aerosol spray lotions. Sunblock sticks do not fall under this rule.
• Makeup: Any liquid makeup cosmetics such as eyeliner, nail polish, liquid foundation, etc. should be placed in the baggie. That goes for perfume as well. Powder makeup is fine.
• Beverages: Wine, liquor, beer, and all of your other favorite beverages are permitted in your checked baggage. You can also bring beverages packaged in 3.4 oz. or less bottles in your carry-on bags in the 3-1-1 baggie.
• Sporting Goods: Golf clubs, tennis rackets, baseball bats (including the mini slugger bats), cricket bats, bows and arrows, hockey sticks, scuba knives, spear guns, etc. are all prohibited from being carried onto the plane. However, you can have them checked as luggage.
An additional TSA travel check-list is attached for further information.

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Category Archives: Travel

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Celebrate the Harvest in West Michigan

Shorter Summer? Shorter Christmas Break? Tweaks Being Considered

Adventures at San Diego Comic-Con International: “Force Friday”

West Michigan Tourist Association Announces its Annual West Michigan Photo Contest

Loving Retirement Life on the Love Boat

Allegiant Announces The Return of Nonstop Flights From Grand Rapids to Fort Lauderdale

Sharing a Castle with a Ghost

Retirement Living and Travel

Part 2, 1982

Gerald R. Ford International Records Busiest Month Ever

Retiree’s Travelogue Explores all Seven Continents

Part 1

Spring Break Travel Reminders