 If you want to have a little more adventure in your life, plan a trip to Two Farms Brewing in Bloomingburg, New York. You will begin by nudging along a one lane, dirt road until you reach a clearing deep in the forest of the Catskills. Then you will walk past a red-shirted giant to enter the very eclectic Two Farms Brewing. There you will be greeted by a super friendly staff who will pour you their refreshing, locally sourced beverages. And if you time it right, you just might catch some novel entertainment to complete your adventure.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories   Mountaindale, New York is a ghost town brought back to life by a local man who wanted to give back to the community. He bought 21 homes and went to work curating the right factors to revive the town. Today, the charming little village offers quaint shops, art, live entertainment and terrific eateries. As a result, Mountaindale has become one of the Catskill's most inviting destination points.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Have you ever walked into a place and thought, "Wow. Somebody really knew what they were doing here.". Well, that's what I first thought when I walked into the Creek Bar in awesome Mountaindale, New York. The decor was eclectic and inviting. The staff were happy to serve. And then I found out about the bar in the back forest by Sandburg Creek...and that really confirmed it. They definitely knew what they were doing here.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  If you want a double portion of cuisine, courtesy and quirkiness, you need to head over to Double Up in Parksville, NY. And there you will find a wild looking double decker London bus that puts out great food. Double Up is the brainchild of Rob and Kim Rayevsky who bought and painted the bus, put in a commercial kitchen and takeout window, and converted the upstairs for scenic dining. So, whether you need a quick bite or a truly unique special event venue, I suggest you get there - on the double.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Letchworth State Park was voted Best State Park in the nation in the 2025 USA TODAY 10 BEST Readers' Choice Awards. And with beautiful views like this, it is easy to see why. Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," the park has three majestic waterfalls between cliffs, and features 66 miles of hiking trails through lush forests.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Ellicottville, New York came as a complete and wonderful surprise on my trek through Western New York. It reminded me a lot of what Aspen, Colorado was like many years ago. And when I learned it had 2 ski slopes nearby, I understood why. The walkable downtown exudes charm, hosts over 20 shops and 20 bars and restaurants, and offers all kinds of fun activities.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Panama Diner in Panama, New York is proof that you don't need to be in a big city to find a big concept restaurant. Because this nostalgic 1950's inspired ambiance exists in a village of less than 500 residents. The Panama Diner takes you back in time with its colorful retro décor. And owner Mark Bertolini personally cooks and serves up the delicious menu with a neighborly, old-fashioned friendliness.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  As I drove the beautiful back roads of Upstate New York, I gave thanks for the memorable experiences I had and the interesting people I spent time with. And as drove on to my boyhood home state of Michigan, I looked forward to the comfort of being with lifelong friends and gathering even more stories from the road less traveled.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I like this place for what it is now, and for what it once was for me. Today Whiskey Rae's in Rochester Hills, Michigan is a spacious restaurant with an impressive menu. But 48 years ago, it was the site of a very popular discotheque dance club called Thumpers where I worked the front door. I was able to get my buddies jobs there, socialize with the customers and get my friends in where there was a line outside. And I got to listen to some incredible music.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I visit my home state of Michigan every year and every year I am blown away by all the cool new places there are to experience. And based on my dinner at Gino’s Surf in Harrison Township, MI, I'd have to put it near the top of my list. The decor was inviting and sophisticated. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The service was polite and efficient. And the ambiance of the lakefront setting was absolutely perfect.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Michigan's West Coast gets a lot of savory press, but Michigan's East Coast deserves some culinary love too. The Raft in Fair Haven, Murphy Inn in St. Clair, Octopus' Beer Garden in Mount Clemens and Foxfire Fixin's in Marine City are as different as could be. Yet they all serve up tasteful, unique experiences.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  One of the things I look for in my travels is an interesting coffee house. And Black Cat Coffee in Mount Clemens, Michigan definitely fit the bill. The decor was luxurious and yet comfortable. The brews were tasty and the staff was - if you'll excuse the coffee pun - perky. Now cue the perfect song...here.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Even though downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan was only minutes away from my boyhood hometown of Utica, MI, I knew very little about it. That all changed this summer when some kind friends took me on a tour. As you can see, it is a very colorful mix of art and contemporary and traditional architecture. And today this town, once famous for its therapeutic mineral baths, honors its past and welcomes its future.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories   If I had to pick just one place as my favorite discovery for this part of my 2025 road trip, it would have to be Pentwater, Michigan. It is the quintessential Michigan West Coast beach town that warmly welcomes international travelers and day trippers alike. We had a terrific breakfast at Cottage Garden Cafe before strolling the colorful streets of the intimate village.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  As I mentioned in my previous post, Pentwater, Michigan was my favorite discovery for this part of my 2025 road trip. The village is inviting, the people are friendly, and then there are the sandy beaches looking out at seemingly endless blue water. It is as if someone transported all the best loved features of America's West Coast and conveniently placed them on Michigan's West Coast.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  What makes Grand Rapids, Michigan so grand? Well according to one glowing review, it has held the distinction of being: "America’s Best Beer City, America’s #3 Most Outdoor-Friendly City, a Top 20 U.S. Foodie City, One of America's Top 10 Best Towns to Visit, one of Expedia’s Super Cool Cities, one of the New York Times’ 52 Places to Go, Groupon’s #1 Place to Visit in the U.S, and Lonely Planet’s Top U.S. Travel Destination."
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  One of the many grand attractions in Grand Rapids, Michigan is the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Visitors can explore the childhood, college life, football success, military service and political career of the Grand Rapids native. It also explores his life and times as President of the United States and his great love and admiration for his influential wife, First Lady Betty Ford.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  This was the foreboding sky directly before I boarded a boat that would take me out to an island party in Lake Orion, MI. Moments later a squall opened up on us and got us properly wet. Fortunately, we survived the passage and the party was terrific. However, I couldn't get the words from the Gilligan's Island theme song out of my head..."a three hour tour". :-)
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  It's been said that if you don't like the weather in Michigan just wait a few minutes because it will change. And as this peaceful photo will attest, that saying proved true on my return trip from the previously mentioned stormy crossing to a Lake Orion, MI island party. Gone were the ominous skies and choppy waters of just a short time ago and in it's place a beautiful sunset cruise.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  My high school hometown of Wyandotte, Michigan got a whole lot cooler after I left town. Want proof? Well, check out Latitudes Restaurant & Bar. I mean, this place is drop dead gorgeous inside and out. And what's more, Latitudes is just one of many exciting places that has turned my once ordinary commuter town into an extraordinary destination city.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  The popular site Pure Michigan describes Manchester, Michigan as "a charming 19th-century village...just 20 miles southwest of Ann Arbor...surrounded by lush, beautiful landscapes...with shopping, historic architecture, and enchanting parks". And after touring the quaint downtown area and visiting the impressive Manchester Area Historical Society, I have to say that I couldn't have described this colorful, lovely village any better.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I get to spend time with all kinds of animals when I travel - as seen on my Pet Pals page. But when I got to Michigan this summer, it was all about the cats. In fact, at one point I got to pet sit four of them - including one of my favs pictured here, Ariel. So, to paraphrase the immortal words of Michael Keaton's Batman, when I visit Michigan, "I'm Catman". :-)
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Cadillac High School in Cadillac, Michigan made Rock 'n' Roll history in October 1975 when the band KISS played a homecoming concert in their high school gym. To commemorate that KISStoric event, Cadillac has a laser-etched, midnight black granite KISS Monument that is 8 feet tall, 5 feet wide and weighs 5000 pounds. In 2025, the city will commemorate the 50th anniversary with an ongoing celebration culminating on the weekend of Oct. 9-12. Contents Books Home Hire Stories  |