Year: 2009

Cedar River Golf Course
Cedar River Golf Course
The Legend Golf Course, Designed by Arnold Palmer
The Legend Golf Course, Designed by Arnold Palmer

After having some hard times, Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire is back and better than ever. The resort is under new ownership and it shows in the facilities as well as the golf courses which include The Legend Golf Course, which was designed by Arnold Palmer; Summit Golf course, Schuss Mountain Golf Course; and Cedar River Golf Course, designed by architect and PGA player Tom Weiskopf (Cedar River was named a Top 100 resort course by Golf Magazine.)

There’s some great golf deals right now. At the time of this writing, they have a September & October package which is valid 7 days a week, that includes:
• One night’s lodging in a guest room
• One day of unlimited golf on any of the four courses
• Golf cart and range balls included
• $10 food & beverage voucher

Here’s a link to their website, if you’d like to learn more.

Does anyone know the names of these mushrooms?
Does anyone know the names of these mushrooms?

I’ve never seen so many different kinds of mushrooms in my life. I was walking through the woods today and was just amazed at all the different colors and sizes. By the way, I’m not really going to eat these, I have the feeling that a dinner consisting of these babies could make for a real rough night.

Coming later… pics from Shanty Creek, wow has that place had a transformation!

Remember when you would run, play and just not care about anything but having fun?
Remember when you would run, play and just not care about anything but having fun?

As a child, I remember running on the beach and feeling totally free. I saw this little girl chasing after the seagulls in Manistee and all those memories came back to me. Of course after I took this shot, I had to help her out and chase the seagulls too.

Manistee Beauty, Just 2 Hours from Grand Rapids
Manistee Beauty, Just 2 Hours from Grand Rapids

I just got back from a weekend in Manistee and was amazed at both the beauty and how few people were there. Here’s a link to the area I took this off Lakeshore Beach Drive. The first time I saw Manistee was about three years ago and I was blown away by what a hidden treasure this place is. There’s still time to soak up some summertime beauty, sun and waves up north, why not head to Manistee? It’s only two hours from Grand Rapids, check it oouuuttt!

Driving along the backroads to Fremont
Driving along the backroads to Fremont

I’ve been pretty lazy with my blog this summer so I thought I’d better make this post a good one since it’s been so long. I took this on the way to my friend’s wedding party (Congratulations Amity & Lance!). It was so beautiful that day driving though the backroads on the way to Fremont.

Picadillis in Whitehall, MI
Pekadills in Whitehall, MI

I’ll tell you what’s going on, someone’s enjoying Pekadills in Whitehall, MI. YUM! I absolutely love this place. First of all, the food is great; second of all they have a garden area out back that is totally relaxing to enjoy that great meal in; and lastly, Whitehall is a nice little lakeshore town with one of the best boat launches around. Here’s a link to Pekadills website. And another link to Whitehall.

Photo Taken by the Pentwater Yacht Club
Photo Taken by the Pentwater Yacht Club

I love going to Pentwater because in about 80 – 90 minutes (from Grand Rapids), I can escape to a place that feels like I’m way up north in a little seaside village with lots of cute little shops. Today, I’m even going to help you go shopping and explore the town. Here’s some of of my favorite places in Pentwater, they are all located downtown on Hancock Street:

Air Fun Kites: Lots and lots of unique kites and flying things for the air!

House of the Setting Sun Art Gallery: A wonderfully relaxing little gallery of fun by Renee Berggren  Connoy.

Gardener’s Folly: Interesting, fun and unique things for your home and garden.

Blue Mermaid Gems: Really cool, reasonably priced jewelry supplies.

Bitchin Kitchen: If you love cooking, you’ll love all the gadgets and stuff here.

Oldewick Post: Coffee’s and gifts.

Then after a fun day in Pentwater, take a scenic drive back to Grand Rapids on B-15 and go through Hart. Of course, that means dinner at the Mexican restaurant locals flock to from miles around, La Fiesta (located at State and Main in Hart.)

Okay, so there you have it a fun day trip from Grand Rapids. Here’s a google map link to Pentwater… maybe I’ll see you there!

Grand Rapids Medical Mile
Grand Rapids Medical Mile

See the VanAndel Institute logo? The blue cylinder building? And the building in the foreground with the curved roof? These are all beacons of hope for our health care future in west Michigan and just a taste of Grand Rapids Medical Mile. The medical mile is about a mile in length and is composed of medical related businesses and organizations located in the Hillside District. It has also been referred to as “Health Hill” and “Pill Hill”.

Highlights of the Medical Mile include the new Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (scheduled to open in 2011), the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion,  the Meijer Heart Center and Butterworth Hospital–all of which are part of the Spectrum Health campus; the Van Andel Institute; the GVSU Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine’s Secchia Center.

Near midnight hidden in the woods at Rothbury.
Near midnight hidden in the woods at Rothbury.

Tucked away in Sherwood Forest at the Rothbury Music Festival is the Speak EZ stage. It’s a bit of a secret and things don’t really start to get going there until later in the evening. I wandered upon this performance when it was being set up and was glad I stayed. When it got really, really dark, a woman wearing all white danced to techno funk music behind constantly changing graphics and imagery. The effect was stunning and interesting. If anyone knows who the artist is, could you please post this in the comments section? Thanks, Ann

Click here for a link to another amazing performer who was at Rothbury this year on the Speak EZ stage as well as during The String Cheese Incident performance, you won’t believe what she can do with a hula hoop.

Motorcycle Sculpture from Recycled Material
I don't think he's going very far, but at least he's having fun.

Check out the motorcycle sculpture in Rothbury’s Sherwood Forest. It was made from recycled materials and just one of many sculptures on exhibit. Whoever thinks of this stuff is very creative.

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