Kelley and I had always dreamed on having a home near water when we retired. A place where we could sink down solid roots and flourish after many years of working and building a life for our family in the Detroit and the Grand Rapids areas. So, on weekends we’d go exploring. My grandmother’s stories of spending summers on Pickerel Lake brought us up into Newaygo, a place we had never visited. Being my husband was originally from Manton, we had always envisioned building our dream home in the Cadillac area. However, we knew at first hike right where we would transplant.
Pettit Lake Rd was a newly paved road 9.5 miles west of 131 off of M82 and the living community was just being developed. We parked our car as close as we could get on that sunny spring day four years ago. We hiked up the piles of sand to reach the lake. It glistened like a blue gem surrounded in a setting of budding oaks, red-leafed maples, and white pine. Standing on a particularly high hill of sand, we heard one of the most beautiful sounds nature gives. A single loon calling out. We knew at that moment that this was it. After exploring what had once been a Boy Scout then church summer camp- checking out the remnants of buildings and structures, we ventured out into the lake. Rolling up our jeans, we waded into the cool water, sinking our toes in the sandy bottom. My heart swelled as I realized that we had found our future. Driving into city of Newaygo, the charming, small town feel made inspired us. Treating ourselves to ice cream cones (downtown Newaygo near Muskegon River), we strolled to the bridge and watched the river rush underneath.
4 years later: Kelley and I are so happy to be here. Newaygo County has everything we had wanted. Whether we hike, snowshoe, or X-country ski a trail next to the Muskegon river or on the NCT, go kayaking, swimming, or biking, or just sit and appreciate the song of the loon as we sit by a fire, we know our roots are thriving. As we get to meet more people in the area, we find kindred spirits here who love this county’s wilderness and work to keep her beauty for all who are looking for deep, nourished roots.
by Katie Clark
Roaring through Newaygo and Mecosta counties is the beautiful Dragon Trail
Roaring through Newaygo and Mecosta counties is the beautiful Dragon Trail. This winter, my fiancé, two dogs, and I had the chance to check out the trail for the first time and we all quickly fell in love. In fact, we did not just go once, we went twice within the...
Newaygo County is the Perfect Place to Experience 1000 Hours Outside!
My family and I are avid outdoors people. More often than not, you can find us outside enjoying the four seasons of beautiful Michigan weather. From rivers and forests to trails and adventures, we’re pretty blessed to be able to explore Newaygo County that boasts the...
Q & A With a local SLEDHEAD and Snowmobiling Etiquette 101
My family has grown up in the Newaygo County area and we have been riding snowmobiles off the LP3 Trail system for years. When you see the staging parking lots full on a Saturday morning, it feels good to know the area businesses are going to see some out of county...
A Dazzling Light Display at Croton Township Campground!
There is something magical about Christmas light displays that bring out the child in all of us. Memories of car rides to see the neighborhood lights, with noses pressed to the window, are rekindled. These memories can be relived, and new ones created, in Newaygo...
Fremont’s own Award-winning prairie
Fall is my favorite season, hands-down. Between the fall colors, harvest festivals and some fresh-pressed apple cider, I’m one happy girl. A fall favorite event of ours is Fremont’s Hay Art and this year it was extra special. While out exploring the city’s Hay...
White Cloud- Trail Town Hidden Gems
If you venture a few yards off M-37, you will find some amazing hidden gems within White Cloud city limits that most travelers don’t know exist. Hidden Gem #1 If you're heading North into town, Rotary Park is the first stop you’ll make. Taking a right on James Street...
Take me Down to the River: High Rollway Adventures
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Let’s Talk About Bogs!
On todays episode of our outdoor family adventures, we ventured out to Camp Newaygo's Wetland Trail! Nestled in Camp Newaygo, the Wetland Trail is the only one of its kind in Michigan. What makes this so unique is that the one-mile round-trip trail crosses through the...
Family Adventures at Coolbough Natural Area
My family and I are avid outdoors people. Our ideal day would be to do something outdoorsy from sunup to sundown. From hunting and fishing, to hiking trails and exploring new places, it’s something we all can connect and bond over, while giving our family the outdoor...
Never Underestimate a Woman With a Chainsaw
Growing up, my grandparents were farmers, and my grandpa and uncle were really into steam engines , restoring one and building one from scratch. They would go to steam engine shows and by chance at one of them, they met a group of lumberjacks doing a show. They...
Labor Day Weekend Logging Festival
The Logging Festival in Newaygo has been a part of Labor Day weekend for more than 60 years. I have been trying to research the changes throughout the years and have learned that while some of the weekend’s events and activities have changed, the common theme of...
Exploring Challenge: An 8 year old’s adventure
Having a mom that is involved in a million things has its perks every now and then. As Newaygo County Tourism Council President, I had the opportunity to share the new Newaygo County Exploring Challenge with my kids as soon as it was approved. Over the past few...
A Newbie’s Experience With The White River
Like most who grew up in Michigan, water has always been my happy place. From boating on the big lake, jet skiing on the inland lakes, tubing down the Muskegon River, and most recently kayaking, any day in water is a good day. My new found love of kayaking took me on...
Star Parties Return!
Great news from the S.F. Wessling Observatory! Read on to learn more, or visit their new website: http://www.newaygocd.org/kropscott-and-observatory.html We are pleased to announce that the S. F. Wessling Observatory will conduct its first 2021 Star Party on Saturday...
Mountain Biking Saved My Life… an experience with The Dragon!
Mountain biking saved my life….well, that’s an exaggeration, but it definitely improved my overall quality of life. I moved up to Newaygo county last August from Calhoun county, were I thoroughly enjoyed the trails of Fort Custer. However, by this time I was a new...
Hesperia Welcomes ORVs!
It is no secret that Newaygo County is a great place to ride your ATV or ORV, with all Newaygo County maintained roads open to ORV/ATV traffic, but some restrictions apply when you enter City/Village limits. The Village of Hesperia, located on the far western edge of...
Newaygo County Parks: 2021 Updates
As kids embark on summer vacation & families look for ways to enjoy our beautiful Michigan Summer, we caught up with Nick Smith, Newaygo County Parks Director, to see what's new and exciting in the parks this season! Newaygo County has 4 campgrounds, 1 marina, 2...
Kids Free Fishing!
Beginning in 1983, Russell Gilbert Kids Free Fishing is a day where families can gather for fun times and even have a chance to win big money! On the first Kids Free Fishing day, 8 anglers joined in the fun & over the years, they have seen over 400 anglers...