I find that whenever I bring up the topic of Michigan, people have a story to tell about their favorite place.   Some have childhood stories to tell of carefree summers spent Grandpa’s cottage.  Some share wonderful memories  of family fun when mom and dad would rent a cottage every year.  For others, there is the one and only lake for fishing, or that beautiful lake they drive by to work every morning.  And, of course, everyone who  owns a piece of lake or water front property thinks it is the best  around.  And, often people have a story to tell of an interesting place or town.

Do you have a favorite lake?  We would love to hear about it.  Be our guest. We are open to having you as our guest to write a post about your favorite lake. Tell us what  it is about this lake that makes it your favorite lake.

Of course there are some rules.  We like our site and we want others to also. We are sure you understand.

·         A post is not an advertisement for your product or services. The idea of the post is to present information of interest and value to the readers of Waterlandliving.com

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 “Dear Hazel,

 This just does not do the lake justice, for it is very pretty. Had a dandy time there.  Abby” September 24 1908

 How are you and how is “Pincher”? I often think of you and get lonesome to be back in Grand Rapids once more. How is school? I suppose you study hard. Can’t you write me a letter or even a card? I would love to hear from you.”  Love Mabel  January 1917

 There are several Wolf Lakes in Michigan. There is a  Wolf Lake in Lake County, as well as Muskegon County and a smaller Wolf Lake in Kalamazoo County. There is a fish hatchery is located on the Kalamazoo County Wolf Lake.

 But I am not sure which Wolf Lake “The Millen” was located on. Someone I know thought it was down by Jackson County somewhere, but was not sure. If you know let me know.

 While the postcard looks beautiful and inviting, it probably was not as inviting in January when Mabel wrote this. I hope when summer came she got out to the lake and wasn’t quite as lonesome for Grand Rapids.

As you were not out to the lake with us, I will send you a view of the hotel. I suppose you and Loylia are having a good time now. From Aunt Maria” June 22, 1907

 What a wonderful way to spend time in the summer!  Vacationing on a Michigan lake, in a beautiful hotel with a big, white porch.  I can imagine the guests sitting on the porch enjoying the sunrise with a steaming cup of coffee, or sipping ice cold lemonade after a long day in the sun.  And, after dinner, enjoying a spectacular Michigan sunset while getting acquainted with the other hotel guests.  Aunt Maria certainly knew how to enjoy a Michigan summer.

 Clark’s Lake is a spring-fed Michigan Lake in the Irish Hills area near Jackson and Brooklyn in Columbia Township, Jackson County. Clark’s Lake covers 580 acres with reported depths of 50 feet and is home to a Jackson County Park.

 Do not write till you hear from us again. We are not sure we will stay here long. Yours Lizzie” August 1911

 I am not sure why Lizzie decided not to stay at Lake Billings. Maybe she just did not want Hazel to pay an unexpected visit!  Or, maybe she was afraid Hazel would tell her friends about Lake Billings, who would all come to check it out and the peace and quiet would be disturbed.  Well, I don’t think we will ever have the answer to that, but I can tell you where to find Lake Billings.  

 Lake Billings is located on the edge of Manton in Wexford County. The village Manton is often overlooked as one heads north on US 131, but that is part of the beauty of Manton and Billings Lake.   It is quiet and peaceful, away from the busyness and noise of city life. It is a glimpse of small town Michigan and its people.

 Visit Manton

 You are a swell one, too bad you do not come up. Write. I have not heard from you for nearly a month. Bee and I are on a short vacation. Rosco.” August 6, 1917

 Rosco and Bee may have chosen Crystal Lake in Benzie County for many reasons. One reason could be that they appreciated the size of this 9,711 acre Michigan inland lake, which reaches depths of 140 feet. The lake is about nine miles long by three miles wide. They may have driven around the lake or perhaps enjoyed a hike around the lake.  Too bad they missed the recently constructed biking hiking trails.

Perhaps they chose Crystal Lake for their short vacation for the lake’s crystal clear appearance.  You can easily see to depths of 25 feet or so. Most of the shoreline is shallower in depth which is nice for families with small children. Boating takes place further out of shore. The lake is also great for swimming and snorkeling.

Perhaps they chose Crystal Lake because in August the water temperature can be in the mid-70s.  I am quite sure, that they spent a day or two fishing and enjoyed a dinner of freshly caught trout. Too bad Marcel missed that!

While vacationing at Crystal Lake, they may have taken time to enjoy village of Beulah. Many things have changed since 1917, but I am sure there were warm, friendly people there in 1917, just as there are today.  Today, activities like wake boarding, parasailing, water-skiing and jet skiing are popular on Crystal Lake. I am sure Roscoe and Bee would have been quite startled, and probably frightened, to see a jet ski buzz the lake! 

I just wish that on their visit in 1917, Roscoe and Bee could have enjoyed the wonderful restaurants, shops and friendly tourists that fill Beulah today.  And, I wish Marcel could have enjoyed it with them.

Visit the Village of Beulah, and the Crystal Lake Association.

 Enjoy your summer.

 I would love to take credit for this beautiful shot of the lake, but it was sent to me by Ed Hawks.  Thank you Ed for sharing it. This picture proves that every season is the perfect season to enjoy a Michigan Lake.

 I’m not sure what Howard City looked like in 1908 when this postcard was written, but I am sure when visiting Whitefish Lake today, you would notice a big change in boating attire for women!   

 “Dear Carrie,

 Came Thursday Sept 10, was sick in bed not going to school. Make up your mind to come over. Will try to show you a good time. Tell your mother to come over to. Write soon. Leonard”  Sept 19, 1908

Now, my thought on this sign, which makes it look like you have to go one way for hamburgers and another way for french fries, was that one should never have to decide between a hamburger and french fries.  The two should always go together. Choosing between a hamburger and french fries is like choosing between sunshine and warmth, between apple pie and ice cream, between a movie or popcorn.

Yes, I know that eating hamburgers and french fries is bad for the heart and contributes to weight gain. But, for that rare occasion when I splurge, I don’t want to have to choose between the two.

I wonder if this sign had anything to do with the demise of the restaurant.

Originally settled by a group of Dutch immigrants under the leadership of rev Albertus Van Raalte in the mid1800’s, Holland is located on the shores of Lake Macatawa. After settling into Holland, the industrious Dutch dug a cannel in 1860 connecting Lake Macatawa to Lake Michigan. The landmark Big Red lighthouse is located along the south side of the channel, adjacent to the lakeside community of Macatawa.

 You can’t help but notice the Dutch culture; beginning with the Victorian Dutch architecture in the historic neighborhoods. The Dutch heritage is celebrated annually in May when hundreds of thousands of visitors invade Holland for Tulip Time. The Windmill Island is another popular tourist spot, as well as the bulb gardens, displaying brilliant the brilliant flowers that make the Netherlands famous.

Along Pine Avenue there are several interesting works of art http://waterlandliving.com/index.php/2009/04/08/1049/made from junkyard scrap by Padnois recycling.

Holland is the home to Holland State Park, a wonderful park on the north side of the channel. A walk on the pier, a swim in Lake Michigan, or climbing the dune is the perfect way to celebrate a warm summer Michigan day.

Just to the north three miles on Lakeshore Drive, one will discover Tunnel Park, a county owned park named for the tunnel you walk through to access the Lake Michigan waterfront. This time I got some great shots of the sun setting reflecting of the walls of the tunnel. I felt like I was in the right place at the right time.