OK, so what's so great about living in Northern Michigan. Let me try to explain with this small example. Our community had a region-wide business after hours (chamber of commerce event) held at a new development property in downtown Boyne City. This is a business networking opportunity and was very well attended. So, we dressed in our best 'outdoor' clothes in hopes of fitting in while really focusing our attention on the kayak trip down the Boyne River which we planned to take immediately afterward. We spent a happy hour or more at Business After Hours chatting with colleagues and sampling foods from the newly opened Cafe' Sante' restaurant. Then, within 15 minutes of leaving the event we were floating down the Boyne and felt as if we were miles away from civilization.
The trip down the Boyne River starts at Damn Road and ends in town - or out on Lake Charlevoix if you want to get out on the big water for a moment. Between the two there is a lovely deep woods, winding river (some challenging spots), song birds, feeder streams entering the river & as you approach town a gentle widening of the water with ducks and swans swimming alongside you. Taking the river in the evening means popping out onto Lake Charlevoix (if you go that far) to a gorgeous sunset.
So what's so great about living in Northern Michigan - the mixture of community and nature, business and pleasure, peace and excitement, all (practically) within walking distance.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Summertime
Summertime in Northern Michigan - ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Yesterday Maddie and I found our first ripe wild raspberries on our walk through the woods. What a treat. As a friend once shared with me, "I love grazing" and we definitely are kindred spirits in this respect. Walking through the woods and fields finding fresh foods in the wild is SO fun - and delicious! My grazing started this year with wild leeks (ramps) and morel mushrooms. Now mind you, this isn't really 'grazing' per-se since they needed to be brought home and cooked. Still, they are foods found while foraging and the thrill is the same. Now I'm watching the blackberries, which are growing profusely with the yield this year looking like it will rival or surpass last years. The weather has been warm, yet rainy enough to grow wonderful fruit.
Growing fruit is something that I'd love to do. Three years ago I planted two concord grape plants and have had tiny (VERY tiny) grapes which whither and die almost as fast as they form. This year I had great hopes of actually tasting grapes from my vines. The little grape clusters started out growing in greater numbers than before and actually grew a little bigger before drying up and dropping off the vine. Oh well, maybe next year. I probably should read up on them and try to determine what the issue is. Any ideas out there?? And will it mean that I actually have a chance to taste the grapes? This morning we shooed away deer who were grazing on the grape vines. Pretty picture if you aren't worried about yield!
Wild raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Wild grapes, old apple orchards, cherries (did I mention cherries?) and more. I can't wait to see what delicious delights the rest of the summer has in store!
Yesterday Maddie and I found our first ripe wild raspberries on our walk through the woods. What a treat. As a friend once shared with me, "I love grazing" and we definitely are kindred spirits in this respect. Walking through the woods and fields finding fresh foods in the wild is SO fun - and delicious! My grazing started this year with wild leeks (ramps) and morel mushrooms. Now mind you, this isn't really 'grazing' per-se since they needed to be brought home and cooked. Still, they are foods found while foraging and the thrill is the same. Now I'm watching the blackberries, which are growing profusely with the yield this year looking like it will rival or surpass last years. The weather has been warm, yet rainy enough to grow wonderful fruit.
Growing fruit is something that I'd love to do. Three years ago I planted two concord grape plants and have had tiny (VERY tiny) grapes which whither and die almost as fast as they form. This year I had great hopes of actually tasting grapes from my vines. The little grape clusters started out growing in greater numbers than before and actually grew a little bigger before drying up and dropping off the vine. Oh well, maybe next year. I probably should read up on them and try to determine what the issue is. Any ideas out there?? And will it mean that I actually have a chance to taste the grapes? This morning we shooed away deer who were grazing on the grape vines. Pretty picture if you aren't worried about yield!
Wild raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Wild grapes, old apple orchards, cherries (did I mention cherries?) and more. I can't wait to see what delicious delights the rest of the summer has in store!
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