Grizzly Den Project Update...

Hubby has been busy working on the bathroom and kitchen in the log cabin.

He installed a shower...

...finished the wall in the bathroom which is now ready for a vanity,

and installed hickory cabinets in the kitchen.

The original cabin... 

It's coming along nicely!

Lunch On Lake Michigan

We did an 85-mile ATV ride yesterday. Our goal was to have lunch at a little restaurant called the Cut River Inn located off Highway 2 in Epoufette. It is south and west of our camp. See map...  Of course, we didn't take the roads, we took the back trails.

Way, way out there, you can see two lighthouses. The one on the left is the White Shoal Light. It is quite unique as it looks like a candy cane. The other teeny tiny speck to the right is either Gray's Reef Light or Waugoshance Light, I can't be certain.

Not a dust-free day today!

At this section of the trail, the sand turns a golden brown.

The stop signs at the train tracks are there for a reason. We hear them go by anywheres from 3-5 times a day. This time we actually saw him!

Another fishing hole discovery!

Stopped in Trout Lake to say hi to the locals.

And saw the train again...3 hours later, on his way back hauling freight.

Took a break at this little lake that we pass by on our way back home.

Getting the mail...

Today I'll take you on a walk with me to get the mail. Booooring, you say? On some days, tiring is more like it, depending on your mood and the weather and the season. It's only a mile - one way. The nice lady from the Post Office came and measured and decided we were too far down the road for her to make the trip. I don't blame her. In the fall, our road is a thoroughfare for the bear hunters who run their dogs in the area. During the winter, it is a major snowmobile trail. And, during the transition from winter to spring, the road gets real nasty - almost impassable - to the point a 4-wheel drive is mandatory.

But today it is a classic country road. So come along....

The dogs and I leaving our driveway...

On the way there, Ike and Bear always get way ahead of me.

Beautiful blue sky and rolling fields...

Early signs of Fall's impending arrival...

No mail! Now for the mile walk back...

Dogs don't get too far ahead of me on the walk home. Tuckering out...

A nice little watering hole...ahhh

A camp on our road. The owners live in the Soo and come down about once a month.

Back home again!

Finally...a fish or two!

As promised, I told you I would share my first fish of the summer - a rainbow trout. Don't expect too much, but hey...I got it into the boat, so to speak.

And, as promised, a picture of our Grizzly Den sign the previous owner made for us using his chainsaw.

Yesterday was such a fine Saturday morning, we decided to take our breakfast and coffee down to the river where Hubby started a nice roaring fire that burned throughout the day.

After breakfast, and then coffee with a neighbor that stopped by on his four-wheeler, I grabbed my pole and told Hubby I was going fishing. In the pole went, and out came the above fish! Hubby said he was inspired and grabbed his pole.

Well, he always has to do me one up...

A real nice brook trout.

By the end of the day, 5 fish within four hours of fishing. 

Hubby - 3 and me - 2. 

We had us supper.

Hubby cleaned and I seasoned...

We cooked them over an open fire on a tripod. Mmm, Mmm, were they good! Even our friend, Trapper Bob, who entertains fish fries like you wouldn't believe, stopped by just as dinner was being served, and admittedly approved of our fish vittles and asked for my seasonings! Blush.

A perfect ending to a perfect day...on our 1.5 mile trek from the Grizzly Den to our cabin, we had to wait for a black bear to get off the trail so we could continue on our way. He had a beautiful white diamond on his chest and was in no hurry to get off the trail and walk through the thick woods! But eventually he let us pass. Sorry, I was too excited to fumble through my things and find the camera to give you proof of this guy.

It wasn't this bear, he was in our yard two summers ago.

But about the same size bear.

We had to take a short trip below the bridge today, and wow, was it storming in the UP. 

This is us on the bridge looking north. 

We had already passed through.

And this is looking south.

A Fine Fishin' Day!

Out of the blue a very dear friend called and asked us if we would like to go fishing on the St. Mary's River and Lake Huron...BOY, did we! So we hopped into the car and an hour later Hubby and I arrived in Detour Village, Michigan. Across the river from Detour Village is Drummond Island. You have to take a ferry to get there. But we didn't take the ferry this time...

We went in a fishing boat in search of Lake Trout and King Salmon.

The St. Mary's River connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. It is a major part of the shipping lanes. Here is just one of many freighters we saw pass us by.

The Detour Reef Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the St. Marys River. Once you pass the lighthouse, you are on Lake Huron...

...and still in the shipping lanes!

All in all, it was a gorgeous day. Hubby caught the first fish. His second got away. I had an average size Laker up to the boat, but I hesitated, and poof, he got off and swam away. My second fish was a King, and boy, did he give me a run for my money. Very exciting. But I didn't even get him halfway to the boat, and he decided he'd had enough fun with me and let go. We had a few more hits after that, but nothing made its way all the way INTO the boat. Then all went quiet and we were forced to just sit there, on the peaceful flat water, sun shining all around us, seagulls screeching a quick hello as they flew by, freighters gliding by...and wait.

Just so you know I really WAS in the boat!

Another freighter

Hubby's catch of the day!

Maybe next time I'll be showing one off too?

A Rainy Dreary Saturday

It started raining around 6:30 a.m. and hasn't quit. There is definitely a hint of Fall in the air.

No campfires today...

So I decided to dust off a NEW cookbook, roll up my sleeves, and bake homemade bread.

My fellow blogger, Liz, had a posting way back where she shared with us bagels she had made from the cookbook, Healthy Bread in Five Minutes A Day.  Being a bread lover and raising an eyebrow at the word Healthy, I immediately ordered the book. However, during transit, my very old oven took one last breath, and left me, well, oven-less. Yes, eventually I did get another oven, but I didn't get around to actually baking any bread until today. I have to admit, it took me longer than 5 minutes...way longer. Oh well, practice makes perfect. I hope it tastes as good as it smells! Have a great weekend everyone!

Cross Village, Michigan

I picked up my wonderful friend, MJ, in Mackinaw City and we hit the road going due west until we couldn’t go any further on account of Lake Michigan being in our way.

I LOVE road trips!

We ended up at The Leg’s Inn, a unique polish restaurant in Cross Village, Michigan.

Here is a bit of history...

If you click on the above picture, it should come in larger.

See the stove legs on the roof? Hence the name.

Backyard

Beautiful gardens all around and in the back of the restaurant.

MJ and I opted to have our lunch outside even though it was a blustery day.

And so did many others.

You can stroll anywhere you like. The bluff overlooks Lake Michigan.

Now for the inside...

The foyer

The foyer light

billiard room

Unique, huh?

The Leg's Inn has a huge menu to choose from, and not everything is polish, in case you're not into that. It's worth going a little off the beaten path to discover something new!