Try a wet ride on the Sturgeon River

In the town of Indian River there is a river outfitter who can help you go for a ride on the exciting Sturgeon River.

The river has an average descent of 14 feet per mile, which makes it the fastest river in the Lower Peninsula. Don’t worry though there is no white water, just a fast flowing river that has some fun sharp turns and narrow passages. The river is very clear and is fed by water from a spring. It averages about 3 feet deep and wonders through State Forest Land.

Depending on your skill level and the number in your group, you have many options in equipment. If you have just one or two people, you might want to try a kayak or a canoe. They are very maneuverable but do require some experience in river travel. For larger groups and a more stable ride you can go with a raft that will hold up to 6 people. The entire family can go and the rafts are very hard to tip over. If you are looking for a wet ride you can rent a tube and float you way down the river.

All participants are provided with life jackets and paddles, where needed, as well as a map and shuttle ride to the put-in point. The length of the trips vary and most begin every half hour in peak times. You can choose trips from 1 1/2 to 5 hours in a canoe or kayak and the raft and tube trips range from 40 minutes to 2 hours. All trips end right where you started, so you can leisurely wind down the river, stopping to swim or enjoy your picnic lunch. For the less adventurous you can even rent a wetsuit to keep you warm. Reservations are recommended, so please call ahead to check availability.

Big Bear Adventures is open from 9-6 daily during peak season and is located about 17 miles from the Resort, in Indian River. Go north on US 31, seven miles to Alanson and turn right at the light. Proceed 10 miles to the light in Indian River and then turn left and you will see the facility on your right. For more information check out there their website at bigbearadventures.com or call 231-238-8181.
The Cross in the Woods, just 1 mile from Big Bear, is also a must see on your trip to Indian River.
 

Northern Michigan Bike Trails

Northern Michigan is developing an extensive multi use trail network. The local trail system is really an asset to the area and can also be to your visit.

The trail with closest access from the Resort is the Petoskey to Harbor Springs trail. The trail is completed from the Petoskey Waterfront all the way to Beach Road on M-119. The portion through Bay View is accessed using the salmon colored sidewalk. The trail is hard surfaced all the way and is an easy family ride. From the Resort you can get to the trail by following Shaw Road to Hiawatha Trail and the trail is across M-119 near the Brown Motors Chrysler dealership. From this point you can go 3 miles to the left and end up at the Waterfront Park or go 3/4 mile right to Lake Michigan Beach. From the beach you can continue about 1/2 mile to the end of the trail and then get to Harbor Springs via Beach Road, which is approximately an additional 4 miles.

Another great trail is the Bay Harbor Segment. It runs 5.5 miles, the entire length of Bay Harbor, beginning at East Park and ending at West Park. This trail has spectacular views of Lake Michigan, an access to the Marina District sopping area, and paved paths through the woods at both of the parks. This trail is also very easy and great for families.

Both of these paved trails are conducive to walking, biking, and in-line skating. There are many other trails in the area which are great for mountain biking as well as hiking. Please consult the Trail Map and Guide available for purchase at the Reservation Desk and ask us for more information, or go to TrailsCouncil.org. We hope you will be able to enjoy some of the great trails Northern Michigan has to offer.

If you don’t have access to bikes or skates you can rent them from local sport shops.
Bahnhof Sports (231-347-2112) and Boyne Country Sports (231-439-4906) are located on the trail along US 31. Please tell them that you were referred by the Petoskey RV & Cabin Resort.
 

Great Dining and Fun at a Legendary Landmark

The Legs Inn is a museum, a monument, a gift shop, a great place to view Lake Michigan, as well as an outstanding place to eat. It is best described as a family dining destination. The landmark is about 25 miles north of the campground on M-119 in the town of Cross Village.

When dining, patrons can sit inside the cozy dining room near the large fireplace or outside in the lush flower garden with a fantastic view of Lake Michigan. The sunsets from the picturesque bluff are spectacular. In the event of a wait for a table in peak season there are so many places to enjoy and explore, you won’t mind at all. The kids can play in the grassy area on the bluff where there are swings and comfortable chairs. You are also encouraged to just stroll the grounds and soak up the unique ambiance.

The menu offerings are as unique as the decor with a focus on authentic Polish dishes. Traditional American cuisine, like tasty broiled white fish, is also available for the less adventurous. A children’s menu is also available. A good way to sample the fare at Legs Inn is to order the “Taste of Poland”. This dish includes a sampling of golabki (stuffed cabbage roll), pierogis (dumplings), kielbasa with sauerkraut and a Polish dessert like Nalesnik (crepe with lemon cheese filling). The choices are numerous and will beckon you to return again. During July and August you can enjoy live music on the weekends. A great bar menu is also offered.

Built in the 1920’s by Polish immigrant Stanley Smolak, the Legs Inn is now one of the top tourist destinations in Northern Michigan. Stanley wanted to capture a sense of history and an appreciation of nature in the elements of the building. The facade made with local field stone is adorned with white stove legs on the roof, hence the famous name. The large pine doors that mark the entrance to the bar are made of huge pine knots that have been glued together. As you enter, there are wood carvings and driftwood sculptures all around. Every turn reveals surprises and examples of Old World craftmanship. Much of the work was done by Stanley himself along with local artisans.

FUN LEGS INN FACTS

• Over 50,000 people visit the restaurant each summer.
• The Dining Room doors weigh over 500 pounds.
• There are over 130 unique wood carvings in the lobby.
• You can see 4 lighthouses from the telescope on the bluff.
• They offer over 100 varieties of beer.
• The international staff speaks 10 languages.

Today the facility is owned and operated by Stanley’s nephew George and his wife Kathy who came from Poland in 1963 and have run Legs Inn since 1986. They have beautifully restored it to its grandeur and in 1990 the restaurant was granted the designation as a Michigan Historical site.

Legs Inn is open from the third week of May until the third week in October, 7 days a week for both lunch and dinner. They can be reached at 231-526-2281 or legsinn.com for more information. You can travel to Cross Village via M-119 or by using C-77 from Harbor Springs. Please be sure to tell George and Kathy that you were referred by the Petoskey RV & Cabin Resort.
 

The Story of Historic Bay View

The summer community of Bay View, which sits majestically on the shores of Little Traverse Bay, always stirs the curiosity of visitors to Northern Michigan. Today it consists of over 400 unique Victorian Cottages and it is a vibrant cultural community. The 338 acre community is so unique and extra ordinarily preserved that Bay View is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

It all began in 1876, when a group of Methodists gathered for religious talks at a site that was chosen for its beauty and accessibility by rail. The first visitors were housed in tents erected for the event.

By 1887, just 11 years later, there were streets, parks, 125 cottages, a chapel and a hotel. The Summer Assembly Program has expanded and today is full of religious speakers from all denominations as well as musical concerts.

Bay View has its own garden club that maintains flower beds, boxes and hanging arrangements. They have clubs that organize recreational activities for the residents and others that host social events. There is a library and Historical Museum on the grounds as well. The residents take great pride in the upkeep of the homes. Some families have been part of Bay View for six generations. Most of the over 400 homes were built during the first 25 years, which make them around 100 years old.

While many of the activities are oriented around those who spend the summer in Bay View, there are opportunities for visitors as well. Beyond taking in the stunning architecture and the lush winding streets, visitors can attend an endless number of events. Since Bay View is religiously oriented, Sunday provides many opportunities for worship. Morning services are offered as is bible study and wonderful evening Vesper Concerts.

The performance schedule is always full of opportunities like theater presentations, recitals and concerts. During the summer season many notable speakers also come to Bay View to give lectures. Some of these events are free and others do require a small fee. To find out more about Bay View and what they have to offer you can call 231-347-6255 or see the schedule on their web site at www.bayviewassoc.com.