Detroit Free Press Article Buzz!

Our office has received many calls and emails regarding Sunday's feature article in the Free Press about why buying a vacation home in Northeast Michigan, with our affordable housing, laid-back attitude, and natural splendor is a great choice.  It was so nice to receive some positive comments from our neighbors to the south, who have historically overlooked all our area has to offer and chose instead to vacation on the west side. 

True - Northeast Michigan does not have as many sandy beaches, but we do have them. And our beaches are among the best and most private in the state!  Spend a day at Thompson's Harbor State Park and it is more than likely you will have the long stretch of beach, sand dunes and thousands of acres of state land all to yourself.  Besser Bell and Range Light Park also have few visitors on most days.

We do lack the large shopping malls and extensive fine dining choices of Petoskey and Traverse City, but if you know where to look, you can find great amenities in the historic city of Alpena, located about 25 miles from Presque Isle.  Looking for local, healthy, sustainable cuisine?  Check out the Fresh Palate in downtown Alpena.  If you are looking for top of the line special occasion fine dining, be sure to check out The Cellar, also located downtown.  Fine ice cream and coffees can be found at Downtown Scoops and an authentic English pub serving fish and chips, bangers and mash and a plethora of fine beers await you at the Black Sheep Pub. 

If you like boutique shopping you will love How Cute is That?, The Marketplace, Traveling Ladders (a unique antique and art store in an old pharmacy) and many other fine stores.  You can catch a flick at either of our two theatres, take a glass bottom boat shipwreck tour or enjoy music, vendors and family fun every week downtown during the summer.  Alpena's downtown is undergoing a massive overhaul which includes improved signage, a beautification project, unique stores opening their doors steadily and new community events.

Northeast Michigan will never be Northwest Michigan, nor do we pretend to be.  We are a place for those seeking solitude, a vibrant community to participate in, the untouched splendor of nature and space to roam.  If you are one of those people, contact us today or visit www.lake-shore-realty.com to find an affordable way to make Northeast Michigan your own personal paradise!

Crystal Point

One benefit of owning a lot or home in Presque Isle Harbor Association is the use of Crystal Point, a large gated waterfront park on Lake Huron complete with boat launch, firepits, hiking trails, lots of room to roam and tons of shoreline.  It's also the premier spot to view Presque Isle's annual 4th of July fireworks display as well as various wildlife.

On one of our recent hot days, we took an early evening trip to cool off in the clean, clear, refreshing Lake Huron waters and get a little exercise with a short walk.  Enjoy these photos of one of our hidden area gems!

Gorgeous shoreline

On the way in...

Dock and boat launch

Crystal clear Lake Huron water

View of Old Lighthouse (on left)

Sailboats moored nearby

Crystal Point sign

Wooden Boat Show - Saturday, June 18

Image from Flickr user ezz_eddie

Don't miss one of Presque Isle's finest annual events, the Wooden Boat Show! This fun event is held the third Saturday in June every year and features classic wooden boats built between 1920 and 1960 along with an arts and crafts show, boat building demos, food and drink, and other booths. This year, the show will be held on this Saturday, June 18 from 9 AM - 4 PM at the Presque Isle Harbor Marina.

Image from DIY-wood-boat.com

People from all over the country come to enjoy the show, and we're expecting fantastic weather tomorrow! Spectator admission is free with fun for all ages. Hope to see you there!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

After what most would call a disappointingly chilly month, we finally passed the 80 degree mark on this, the last day of May!  It's a perfect day to hit one of our awesome area beaches! 

Here are a few places to chill on a hot day:

Range Light Park

Located just south of the Presque Isle Harbor Association beach and the Marina, this sandy beach has plenty of neat stones and shells to pick, picnic benches, views of the Old Lighthouse, and viewing of boats entering and leaving the harbor.  Association members can enjoy use of the private beach located just to the north of Range Light Park. Stop in to the Portage Restaurant's ice cream and pizza parlor or the Portage Store & Deli for affordable (and generously scooped!) ice cream afterward.

Grand Lake Beach House

A main attraction among the amenities offered to PIHA members, the Grand Lake Beach House has a large, sandy beach, boat launch, water slide, diving platform, paddleboats, aquacycles, and canoes along with life jackets, inner tubes, and other flotation devices, power boats available for rental, play equipment,  sand volleyball court, barbeques, and more.  A pavilion with restrooms and lockers and a large group of shaded picnic tables perfect for get-togethers is also on site.

Thompson's Harbor State Park

A short walk through the woods takes you to this seemingly endless sugar sand beach complete with several sand dunes in the background.  This beach is described by many as the one of the finest Lake Huron has to offer.   The cool sand in the shade of the dunes feels great on a hot day!  To get here, take one of the three trails on the right side of Old State Rd (coming from Co Rd 638) starting about 1/3 of the way down the road.


Besser Natural Area

 This beach, surrounded by the tall virgin pines of Besser Natural Area, is a great place to escape on a day like today.  Many stay into the evening, as evidenced by several fire pits left by beach-goers roasting marshmallows or strumming the guitar on a warm night.  While you're here, check out the mile long trail which takes you through the abandoned Bell settlement, see a sunken ship in the lagoon, or visit the beautifully restored Bell Cemetery.   To get here, take US-23 N to Grand Lake Rd, follow to the right at the township hall, and take the next right on Besser Bell Rd.