~ Five Nights, Six Days ~
Day One –
At 5:30 a warm chocolate chip cookie awaits you as we check in to the Doubletree Hotel Bay City Riverfront where we will stay the next two nights. Take a stroll on the river walk just outside the front door or relax prior to this evening’s Cooking Demonstration and Dinner. You will learn to prepare and taste the best contemporary international cuisine in the area. Be sure to ask questions from the Chef as he creates your fabulous dinner. Take home the recipe’s to prepare for your family and friends!
We will finish the evening with Wine and Chocolate tasting while we enjoy time drooling over nostaligic cars - over 30 vehicles on display from vintage to muscle cars. Maybe your high school hot rod is on display right now!
Finish your evening back at the hotel, falling into the Doubletree’s “sweet dream” beds.
Day Two –
This morning feast on Doubletree Riverfront Grille’s breakfast buffet, prior to picking up our step on guide at 9:00 for a historic “Center Avenue Tour”. Travel past stately Center Avenue homes and through the notorious riverfront. Bay City boasts over 200 homes on the National or State Historic Register.
We end our tour in downtown Bay City where we will stop at an Arts Center Gallery. You can choose to use watercolors and create a keepsake print or mail home a postcard with the sights of your upcoming attractions. Better yet, take your love for chocolate and become your own artist! Draw out your design then transfer your creation to a chocolate canvas. You will surely enjoy creating this ART-tisticly delicious dessert! With Painterly Pottery the creative staff at the Ward Studio Gallery will assist you as you create a personalized bisque piece to keep for yourself or give as a gift. When your piece is finished they clear dip it and fire it in their own kiln. Your keepsake will be shipped and waiting for you at home! All individuals choose their own activity.
Get ready for a short walk through the park for this afternoon’s 3-hour Lunch Sail on the Tall Ship Appledore. Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon learning the history of the Saginaw River as the Appledore sails from Downtown Bay City out to the Saginaw Bay. Once out on the open water, help the crew set the sails or relax and enjoy the view.
Take a quick break back at the Doubletree Hotel as we depart at 4:30 to visit the award winning Alden B. Dow Home, a National Historic Landmark. This is the studio and private residence of noted 20th century architect Alden B. Dow. This building's geometric planes and angles, complementing the lines in nature, are accented by Dow's creative use of rich color, glass, wood, and his unique unit block system. Enjoy the 23 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens surrounding this architectural marvel.
We return to a relaxing dinner overlooking the Saginaw River at the Kingfish Restaurant. The restaurant is at the center of “Hell’ Half Mile”, as Bay city’s Water Street area was known during the lumbering day, 1850 – 1900. Your host will provide a short history presentation as it was one of the most violent and dangerous waterfronts not only of Michigan but also of the United States. Upwards of a million dollars would change hands here in a few weeks, and most of the transactions weren’t legal!
Day Three -
This morning we sit down to a breakfast of French Toast and Fashion in an atmosphere reminiscent of a European town square. Skylights, clouds painted on the ceiling, a terra cotta stamped floor, gazebo and three-tiered fountain create the illusion of out door dining. Pretend you are people watching as the ladies stroll by wearing the latest fashions.
Time to head north to the Arenac County Park, where you will be treated to an unforgettable experience. See up front and personal the Wildlife Recovery’s exciting wildlife show, live Birds of Prey! Joe Rogers, a Raptor Biologist will have a variety of birds including a Michigan Owl, Hawks, Falcons, Turkeys and if the Eagle is up to traveling a bald eagle. This presentation features live birds that have been injured in such a way that they can never again survive in the wild. Joe will also talk about the flight patterns of these and other birds as you are entering a major migratory flight path. Prior to arriving in Michigan you will receive information on how to spot these birds while you travel and maybe even win a prize playing “bird bingo”.
Unpack your official lighthouse passport as were off to the Northport Travel Center in Au Gres for an 11:30 departure where we board the 50 foot Passenger Vessel” Shirley Ann”. Enjoy the one-hour ride across the open waters of Saginaw Bay to Big Charity Island. The lake mariners named the island for its location, placed through the charity of God midway between the city of AuGres and the Thumb of Michigan. On the way to the island we will also stop at Gravelly Shoals Light.
Upon arrival at the Island Harbor you will receive a presentation of the history of the Island and the Charity Island Lighthouse. We will then walk through the beautiful hardwood forest to the lightkeepers house. A traditional Great Lakes Perch or Beef Tenderloin lunch is served on the porch providing a breathtaking view of Saginaw Bay. Tours of the home are given after lunch. Dessert is served on the return trip back to the mainland.
Later this afternoon we travel north along the scenic shoreline of Lake Huron to the town of Alpena.
Day Four –
After a hot breakfast we take the short ride to visit a Maritime Heritage Center. This 20,00 sq. foot center was built by the NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric administration) to complement the Thunder Bay National Underwater ShipWreck Preserve. Lake Huron’s unpredictable weather, its murky fog banks, and sudden gales coupled with rocky shoals earned Thunder Bay the unfortunate name of “Shipwreck Alley.” During the 200-year shipping history, scores of vessels ended their careers on the lake floor of Alpena, Michigan. Here you will be able to explore shipwrecks in real time via live video feeds, discover the Great Lakes’ rich maritime past through innovative exhibits and learn how underwater archaeologists work to preserve historic shipwrecks.
Next we head north for the ride to one of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Built in 1840, Old Presque Isle Lighthouse and then to the New Presque Isle Lighthouse built in 1871. After enjoying the lighthouses and the sight of freighters’ going by its time to head towards Alpena with a stop at a Lighthouse “Museum”. Enjoy artifacts from Great Lakes Ships, Lighthouses, Coast Guard and Keepers of Yesterday. Box lunches provided at the New Presque Isle Lighthouse.
This afternoon we tour a base facility featuring a Fire Fighting training complex, Medical Readiness Training Area, Military Operation in Urban Terrain Area and the Air Combat Maneuvers Instrumentation facilty. At the conclusion of the tour, military retirees with ID may visit the base exchange.
Then it’s back to the hotel for time to freshen up or relax prior to departing for the Thunder Bay Resort as we prepare for a four-hour slice of Northern Michigan heaven. We will enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the woods, across the Thunder Bay River and into the Elk Preserve. Here you’ll see majestic Rocky Mountain Elk and trophy Whitetails. Then it’s on to the Elk Antler Log Cabin for a gourmet five-course dinner prepared before you on antique wood cookstoves. While deep in the northern forest you will also enjoy samples of six locally produced wines from the Stoney Acres Winery in Alpena. Then it’s back to the carriages for the return trip.
Day Five –
After a hot breakfast we will travel south on US Coastal Highway US 23 along Lake Huron to Harrisville, Michigan for another lighthouse tour. The Sturgeon Point Lighthouse was completed in 1875. As we travel south along the scenic shoreline of Lake Huron we will be crossing the 45th parallel, putting you half way between the equator and the North Pole.
Then it’s off to Oscoda as we travel south along the scenic shoreline of Lake Huron to the town of Oscoda, home to the author of the Famous Paul Bunyan Tales. The popularization of the myth of Paul Bunyan can be traced back to James MacGillivray, an intinerant newspaper reporter who wrote the first Paul Bunyan article for the Oscoda (MI) News in 1906. Mr. MacGillivray was a native of Oscoda and is buried here.
Enjoy time with Paul Bunyan as we travel the newly designated National Highway, River Road, which is a 22-mile stretch that follows the historic Au Sable River. Along the scenic byway we take a trip back in time to learn about Michigan’s colorful lumbering history at Lumberman’s Monument. Hands-on exhibits, displays, videos and interpretive programs tell the Lumber Jacks’ story.
Back in Oscoda we stop for lunch at a local brewery for a lunch fit for a lumberman. Enjoy the home made brew if you choose, from one of Michigan’s oldest brew pubs, and the souvenir glass is yours to take home!
Our next stop is in downtown East Tawas located on beautiful Tawas Bay. We arrive at 2:30 where the streets of downtown East Tawas welcome guests for a stroll down Newman Street with its quaint shops and sidewalk cafes. You may also enjoy a leisurely walk out on the Tawas State Dock, which extends a quarter mile out into the Bay.
We then take the short ride to visit the Tawas Point Lighthouse built in 1876. The lighthouse is located at the North end of Tawas Point, which is famous among Birdwatchers, as it is a busy flyway for migratory birds each spring and fall.
Back in East Tawas we will check into a local resort located on the sandy shores of Tawas Bay. Enjoy some “Fun in the Sun” on the private sugar sand beach or enjoy time wading or swimming in Tawas Bay.
This evening we will enjoy a Summer Barbeque Buffet on the outdoor patio. Enjoy the in-house entertainment or take an evening stroll back on Newman Street to enjoy the nightlife. Do a little stargazing in the dark northern Michigan sky before finishing the evening with the roasting of marshmallows.
Day Six –
After a continental breakfast depart for home. Sit back and enjoy the memory of the unique and wonderful experiences you had in Michigan.
