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
Christmas Season Festivities
I grew up in Newaygo country. My memories of the area are rich odes to the senses. There’s the feeling of the cold river running over my feet in the summer, sunlight on my face as it blinked through the rustling tree branches along the bank. There was the taste of...
Church’s Tree Farm
Finding the right tree!Snow fell, and we said goodbye to fall as if it were a thing that never existed. There were never leaves of red, yellow, or orange decorating the skyline. There were no greying trees of exposed branches and bark. There is only this place, this...
Fall Color Tour Time!
Top 5 places (and maybe a few more) to take great Fall color photosFall is my favorite time of year. I love watching the rainbow of colors change from day to day. Science says that water and temperature determine when a tree’s leaves turn colors. I don’t much care for...
Something for Everyone at the Dogwood Center for Performing Arts
Just outside of Fremont proper, off of West 48th street (which really is a continuation of West Main street in downtown Fremont) is a beautiful, easily accessible facility named Dogwood Center for Performing Arts. “We have something for everyone throughout the year,”...
Newaygo’s Riverfront Park – A Great Place to Walk Your Dogs!
We have 14 acres and some nice trails on our property that our dogs get walked on regularly, but we try to get them out for a ride in the truck and a walk “elsewhere” as often as we can too. They really like walks in the woods but sometimes, especially after work, we...
Get Your Art On!
This not so summery weather seemed to call for something fun inside today. Newaygo County, known for its outdoor activities, has plenty of hidden treasures for these occasions. However, this morning, I was really in for a special treat as I ventured into an...
DISCOVERING NEWAYGO COUNTY 4
The waves lapping on the shoreline. The babbling of a nearby creek. The sounds of water bond us with memories of the past, and dreams of the future. Life is sometimes muddy, and turbulent, but water washes away the stress of everyday life. As I discover the County...
Fresh From the Farm
Agriculture has long been a staple of the NewayGo County economy. One reason why Gerber Baby Food put the area on the map was because of its relationship with local farmers. You’ll see the same focus on agriculture and locally produced fruits and vegetables at...
Local Golf Course Wins National Award
Waters Edge Golf Course in Fremont, MI has initiated substantial changes. The entire staff at Waters Edge is excited to announce their Grand Opening of Holes #5 and #6. Ray Hearn, a nationally recognized Golf Course Architect, was hired by Waters Edge to design and...
Studio37 Arts and Culture Center: A Grassroots Underground for Community Creativity
Being new to Newaygo County, I am loving discovering all the secret treasures this area holds. My husband and I chose to move to the area because of the bountiful wilderness and outdoor activities. However, we’re beginning to find that this natural gem has even more...
Flowers are Popping at Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary
This darn crazy spring and summer weather we are having is making it frustrating for photographers. I went to Loda Lake this week on the only day it hadn’t rained and was surprised by how I was joined by other photographers and hikers doing the same thing. School is...
Coolbough Natural Area Offers Birds, Bugs and Boot Prints
The Coolbough Natural Area is one of my favorite places to hike. Why? There are many reasons such as easy parking, looping paths, lots of wildlife and points of interest, a porta-john, and many more, but I will save my favorite for last.Coolbough has many options for...
The Wetland Trail – A Unique Ecosystem
I’ve mentioned before in a previous blog that I work for TrueNorth Community Services, the parent company of Camp Newaygo. Unless people attend one of Camp Newaygo’s public events such as their “Dinners on the Ridge” series this summer (July 20 or August 10) most...
Exploring Newaygo’s Past
Growing up, in an area, we often become familiar with local history. It is taught in schools, on field trips, family members talk about "back when...", and traditions are born in recognition of the history. When you're raised in a community, you often become tired of...
Entertaining a Small Town Part 1: River Float
A newly printed license securely tucked into an otherwise empty camo poly-velcro wallet, casually tossed onto the dash of late model modified 4x4. Bro-country blasting from a partially blown speaker as the fresh faced country boy drives from one end of town to the...
Agritourism
I recently heard the term Agricultural Tourism or Agritourism for short, and was immediately intrigued by the idea, that individuals go out of their way to visit areas because of the agriculture. After a little bit of research, I realized that the idea of visiting an...
Hunt for Karner Blue Butterflies at Sanctuary
Sometimes you want to do something different than follow a path through the woods. Maybe you want to create an adventure or a bit of a scavenger hunt for an endangered species. One of the good things about the late spring/summer season is the endangered Karner Blue...
A Branstrom Park Day
I had just bought myself a new pair of waterproof low hiking boots and I needed to try them out. If you live or work in Fremont, or if you’re vacationing in the area and stop there for supplies or to grab something to eat, do yourself a favor and do not overlook...