Recently I noticed the Old Rugged Cross Museum was open and decided to pay a visit. I wasn’t sure what to expect once I walked thru the doors,  but I soon learned that the museum is actually the Reed City Museum.

The building is divided into three large rooms. The first room is focused on home life in and about Reed City in the early 1900’s. Displays center on various rooms in a home at that time, with replicas of a dining room, kitchen, etc.

The second room is focused on the work life in the Reed City’s area, with old farming tools, shop tools, displays of the logging era, and equipment from an old Reed City cottage cheese factory. Of added interest is some old firefighting equipment from the 1930s, including a fire truck.

The third room is full of mementos of Reverend and Mrs. George Bennard, who in 1913 wrote a that is still popular today, The Old Rugged Cross.

The part of my short visit I appreciated the most was the volunteer staff, two warm friendly women who enjoyed their work as the caretakers of the museum. The next time you’re at Exit 153, it may be a nice welcome rest stop from the trip. Certainly better for you than a Big Mac, fries and a shake.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted

Hicks Lake has over 155 acres of surface waters with a reported depth of up to 33 feet. There is a hard surface public boat launch on the east side of the lake with limited parking and vault style restrooms.

The Hicks Lake website has information on the interesting history of Hicks Lake. You can also find information on lake conditions and the latest news of the lake.

Go and enjoy a Michigan Lake.

Evart Michigan, located in Osceola County, has become one of my favorites. The town has a simple, small town feel. There is no pretence. They are not a big, bustling metropolis, nor do they want to be. The people are friendly and no one is a stranger.

The many lakes that surround Evart make it a popular and convenient stop for those stocking up on supplies for a weekend or week enjoying the great outdoors. The many Amish people in the area also add the character and charm of the area.

While passing through Evart recently I came across this horse and buggy hitched to a light pole bearing a beer advertisement. So, of course, I had to stop and take a picture. As I approached him,  the horse seemed to look at me and ask, “Am I getting a little heavy? Should I go with the lite?”

Many small developments are found around some of these Michigan treasures. One example of these developments is the Swiss Valley Lake Association. Found in Osceola County, just a few miles north of Reed City, along the edge of the Pere Marquette State Forest, this well kept community displays a pride of ownership of the lake development. Mainly year round stick built homes are built around two small Michigan lakes.

Round Lake and Horseshoe Lake, yes, are names of other Michigan lakes. These two small private lakes, of  twenty some acres of surface waters each, are the jewels of this community of neighbors enjoying the four seasons of Michigan. Whether it is the sight of a deer running thru the woods, catching some pan fish for a summer fry with family or friends, life is just a little bit better living on a Michigan lake.

Fishermen report catches of Bluegill, Large Mouth and Small Mouth Bass.

Just off Nine Mile Road (on the southern side of Todd Lake), the DNR maintains a public access with a paved boat launch, parking and a vault style toilet.

A word of caution, if you are thinking of buying a cottage on the peninsula of this lake, it may be subject to flooding in the spring of the year. Talk to the neighbors to find out the history before you buy.

Fisherman will enjoy Black Crappie, Bluegill, Large Mouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.

The Michigan DNR maintains a public access site,  with a hard surface boat launch, parking and restroom. The access site is located off 18 Mile Road, between 150^th and 140^th Ave.    Rose Lake Map   

Osceola County maintains a nice county park on the north side on Rose Lake:  Rose Lake Park , Here you will find 160 campsites.  Most of the campsites have water and electric, although some primitive sites are found here.  There is a picnic area with two lake view shelters, two large pavilions for groups and modern restrooms with showers.  The 1300 feet of sandy beach lakefront provides great swimming and the footpaths through the 48 acres of hard woods provide scenic hiking through the white birch, poplar, and pine trees.

New addition to the post, Thanks to a reader who pointed out two additional points of interest regarding Rose Lake. The lakefront owners have formed the Rose Lake Owners Association.     

The lake is also home to the Rose Lake Youth Camp, a former Girls Scout camp, now a summer camp for youth.   

Negaunee is a Native American term that means “pioneer”. Only six miles south of Evart Michigan, you are close enough for those summer or winter supplies. But, no matter what the season, when you are on the lake you will feel you are a long way from from the rat race.

Negaunee Lake is a private lake, with no known public access.

Indian Lake is a private lake with no public access. The interesting thing about Indian Lake is that all the homes and cottages are on the east side of the lake while, the west side of the lake is natural with no development.

Indian Creek flows out of the lake and then into Todd Lake. From there, the waters flow into Lincoln Lake and then into Lincoln Creek, eventually into the Hershey River and then into the Muskegon River.

For some, one of the disadvantages of Indian Lake is that 10 Mile Road is a rather bumpy, rutted, gravel road.  For some people, though, that is part of the charm of living on the lake.  I keep hearing that Osceola County is going to pave that stretch of road, but I will believe it when I see it.

Big Lake is located in Orient Township in Eastern Osceola County, just a few miles South of Evart Michigan. Big Lake has 218 acres of surface water with reported depths of up to 85 feet. 

Osceola County maintains a very nice county park on Big Lake. Crittenden Park has plenty of  lake frontage on 10 wooded  acres. Camping, picnic areas, shelter and a boat launch make this a very popular park.

Fishermen report finding Bluegill, Crappie and Largemouth Bass. 

The Michigan DNR maintains a public access site with a hard surface boat launch,parking and restrooms. Located off 50^th Avenue, just south of 4 Mile Road, this launch is right next to the County Park.   Big Lake Map 

The lakefront of Big Lake is lined with a nice mix of seasonal and year round homes. It is a sought after lake for year round enjoyment.

It has opened and it is impressive! This all new brick depot is located at the intersection of the Pere Marquette Trail and the White Pine Trails. These former rail lines have been turned into trails for walkers, runners and bicyclists.

This site offers plenty of paved parking and restrooms for those using the trails. The team that thought, planned and built the depot did a wonderful job. This will be a landmark for the Reed City community for years to come.