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Blog

Stronger Than the Storm

Posted by bob on Aug 20th 2015

My favorite tree - a giant Black Walnut - was so strong thru the great summer shear storm two weeks ago that it didn't even loose a leaf.  This tree lives on the Barratt farm on Port Oneida.  It stands over every tree in the county and towers over Lake Michigan. Two grand maples act as a gateway to Pyramid Point on Port Oneida road. This favorite white birch tree also withstood the storm. I almost didn't want to post this tree as I call it my secret tree. A free Big Three gift ...

Bring the Arbor Back to Glen Arbor Fundraising Campaign

Posted by bob on Aug 13th 2015

Thank you for considering a donation to Cherry Republic’s Bring the Arbor Back to Glen Arbor Fundraising Campaign. Click to Donate. The tragic Summer Shear Storm that happened August 2nd, 2015 is the worst storm to hit Glen Arbor in recorded history. The storm has devastated acres and acres of old growth forest in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It has downed many of the tall trees that inspired Glen Arbor’s name over 150 years ago. In response to the storm, dozens of tree remova ...

Rising from the wreckage

Posted by bob on Aug 13th 2015

An update on the progress from some of our staff Mary working the cash register in the Glen Arbor store I only work for a few hours each weekend, but people kept telling me how much they appreciated reading Bobby's Blog.  They really felt connected to the storm through his writing. Customers also wanted to know how to help and donate to the Bring the "Arbor" Back to Glen Arbor fundraiser. One woman said "That is so like Bob to do such a nice thing". Mary - Cherry Ambassador and “The Momma” ...

Progress From The Storm

Posted by bob on Aug 13th 2015

The sleeping bears seen in the clouds ushered in a peaceful sunset after the shear storm Sunday August 2nd Trucks full of new power poles were coming into Glen Arbor as crews worked for 108 hours straight to return power to the community last week. This oak tree now stands alone at the top of Alligator Hill Glen Arbor neighbor Bill Peterson wrote a note to Georgia Gietzen after a tree fell from his yard onto her mailbox FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) brought in truck ...

Summer Storm Photos 2015

Posted by bob on Aug 6th 2015

Here are three of the most poignant sky photos we have come across. They are beautiful images that bring you back to the time of Greek Gods and Moses. People say beauty before beast. And the beast landed hard and fast. Being first in line as the storm came across Lake Michigan, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore received much of the fury of this storm. Look at Alligator Hill after the storm hit. Sections of this massive old growth forest was mowed down by what seemed ...

Our Staff Stories of the 2015 Glen Arbor Storm

Posted by bob on Aug 6th 2015

We are still serving food on the grill. I came to the store right as they opened on Monday, people’s baskets were full of product and they had smiles on their faces. Everyone just seemed to be so grateful we were open. We pulled out the old cash registers and credit card machines - things people had not seen or used in years! Who would have thought you could pay for things with cash? Then we started serving hot dogs and brats for lunch and the cafe was filled with people, so glad to have a h ...

Natures Engineers Versus The Park Service

Posted by bob on Jun 23rd 2015

Kelderhouse Road flooding caused by beavers. A close up look at the extensive work of our furry engineers. They have been "busy beavers." Kelderhouse Road near Port Oneida bisects two ponds. Beavers have built their lodge in one and their dam in the other. Now, beavers don’t like walking across dry land, so they’ve done their best to connect the two ponds by flooding the road. Repeated attempts to reduce the water over the road, from trenches to culverts, have all been unsuccessful. They ...

Spring in Northern Michigan

Posted by bob on Mar 19th 2015

Ice formations on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Sleeping Bear Bay After a long, cold winter, spring is coming to northern Michigan! While there is still a chill in the air and doubtlessly more snow before summer, the sun is noticeably warmer and the piles of snow and ice are melting. If you picture spring in northern Michigan, you probably imagine blue skies, cherry blossoms, and tulips and daffodils. We're a long way from any of that right now. While we've had some beautiful, sunny days ...

Lake Michigan Ice Cave Exploration

Posted by bob on Feb 26th 2015

For the second year in a row, frigid temperatures over Lake Michigan have left it nearly 60% frozen. Those cold temperatures coupled with the strong winds we've had over the past month are the perfect ingredients for the formation of ice caves. There were ice caves on Lake Michigan last year, but none had formed so far this year. Until last week, that is. Eric LaPaugh, owner of Leelanau Adventures, shot some footage from inside an ice cave near Glen Arbor and shared it with us. Inspired b ...

Winter Comes Early to Northern Michigan

Posted by bob on Nov 17th 2014

Early snow blanketing the meadow in front of D. H. Day Farm in November. Winter has returned to the Republic a little ahead of schedule this year. No sooner had the spectacularly colored leaves fallen from the trees than they were being covered by snow. The snow came in light sprinkles at first. A dusting at the end of October didn't stick around for long, but that's changing. An inch or two last week and continual flurries over the weekend have us looking out the frosty windows at a w ...

Hiking Beautiful Alligator Hill

Posted by bob on Oct 22nd 2014

The breathtaking Islands Lookout on Alligator Hill affords a spectacular view of Sleeping Bear Bay, the Manitou Islands, and South Fox Island. Alligator Hill is an often overlooked jewel in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Its nine miles of hiking trails loop their way through some of the most beautiful landscapes in northern Michigan. Located smack in the middle of Glen Arbor, Alligator Hill has been driven past by almost every up north visitor. Driven over the Glen Lake Narro ...

Hiking the Bay to Bay Trail

Posted by bob on Oct 16th 2014

Breaking trail for the Bay to Bay Hiking and Kayaking Trail. Here Bob and the team hike through the dunes in Platte Bay with Empire Bluffs and Sleeping Bear Point in the distance. It's an epic hike. From south to north across the entire Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, hiking the Bay to Bay Trail will be an amazing experience. When we first heard about the proposed Bay to Bay Hiking and Kayak Trail we were excited. The trail's planned route ran from the south of the park all the wa ...

Black Bears in the Republic

Posted by bob on Jun 19th 2014

Many people choose to live in and visit northern Michigan because of its striking natural beauty.  Natural beauty can take many forms, from never-ending sand dunes, to crystal clear lakes, and even wildlife. It's important to note that northern Michigan is still very much a wilderness area, with various species of wildlife roaming around, including black bears. It's critical to be aware of the potential danger associated with being in the northern Michigan wilderness and being prepared in cas ...

Riding the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

Posted by bob on Jun 11th 2014

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has long been renowned for its beauty. Spectacular views of the dunes, rolling hills, inland lakes, and of course Lake Michigan are everywhere. Until recently, soaking in this gorgeous landscape was most easily accomplished by car. A short drive to one of the scenic overlooks or along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive would have you face to face with the majesty of northern Michigan. Sure, you could bike or hike along the roads, but few people with young ...

Cold Water Safety in Northern Michigan

Posted by bob on May 22nd 2014

The Manitou Passage off Sleeping Bear Point in early May still had considerable amounts of ice. Northern Michigan has some of the most beautiful beaches and lakes in the world. Good Morning America declared it the most beautiful place in America and every year thousands of vacationers revel in its splendor. But that splendor hides some real dangers. Every year brings fresh tragedies as the unprepared, the careless, or the plain unlucky fall victim to the lakes. May and June are especia ...