A newly printed license securely tucked into an otherwise empty camo poly-velcro wallet, casually tossed onto the dash of late model modified 4×4. Bro-country blasting from a partially blown speaker as the fresh faced country boy drives from one end of town to the other; occasional stops in random parking lots to chat with other wandering teens. Having been so excited to get a truck and license, he neglected to assemble a plan as to what he would actually do once he acquired his long sought freedom. “There has got to be something more than this…”. That self inflicted discontentment is remedied by a star filled gaze directed toward big city lights and all the excitement and anonymity of skylines defined by crisp lines and glowing neon. So much to see, so much to do. 24/7 entertainment. I believe Pinocchio touched on this…
It’s true, I fell into the same mindset and ultimately acted on it. I moved away from a small town in search of the aforementioned “more”- Nashville, TN. Though any travel, cultural shakeup, or new experience is soul cleansing and inherently good- no matter how “bad”, what I found was a fast paced high octane race in the direction of some loosely defined monetary goal that usually included a few nights I can’t talk about with a few minor successes sprinkled on top. Ultimately, along with so many others, I longed to return to the small town where I could quietly lick my wounds and receive at least a sincere nod of understanding and a no-words pat on the back from the elder generation. They know, because they were me once. “Welcome home.”
So here I am. Back in small town America. It is not what I remember it to be, or maybe I’m looking at it differently now that I’ve experienced the alternative. Allow me to walk you around this town for a minute and introduce you to its methods of entertainment so that you might better understand why and how ‘folks’ could be so content in this little river town. We will logically start at the river itself:
We begin on the banks of the Muskegon River. This river is unique and beautiful and accommodating to all who seek her. From the bank on a summer day, you’ll witness an endless stream of tubers lazily drifting through the crystal clear water with a backdrop of hardwoods, from one of the many drop in points up river. People travel from great distances to experience this phenomenon and it’s difficult for me to put in to words exactly how magical it is to float the Muskegon River, though I’ll try:
Park your car and grab your necessities- lotion, flip flops, cooler, sunglasses…. Yeah, that’s all you need and a few of those items are debatable. Youand your family and friends make the short walk to the riverside business that rents tubes. They are friendly and excited to see you again- they remember you from last year! The sun is warm and a few stray clouds drift overhead, but they cannot compete with the grandness of that big blue northern sky and that radiant sunshine warming the early of the day. There’s a nervous kind of excitement mixed with an eagerness to tear into the cooler snacks as you anxiously await the short bus, appropriately named “cool bus”, to arrive. It doesn’t take long because there’snearly a dozen buses running on a busy day.Don’t worry, there’s plenty of river for all. You load the short bus and the hot dusty vintage green seats fill up quickly with excited and incurably happy summer bums adorned in bathing suits and sunscreen. You’re sitting next to a complete stranger but she’s cool and just as excited as you- new friend! A short drive brings you to the wooded drop in spot of Thornapple landing; just one of the many drop in points up river from our little river town. Here you see adventurers aplenty among the yellow, pink, blue, and green flotation devices of all kinds- kayaks, canoes, tubes, drift boats, etc. Some have launched and already begun their slow lazy float down this prehistoric river, while others are participating in their pre-float rituals and socialization on the sandy riverside. You unload from the bus and a friendly guide helps you to your tube- the day has warmed significantly and you’re anxious to feel that cool current beneath you. Your group enters the water and there is a brief and fleeting chill from the contrasting cool of the river.And then, you float. There is nature, pure and unbroken, beautiful and serene. The warm of the sun, the cool of the river, the song of a bird, the gentle breeze, and the slow steady drift of your tube toward the next bend in the river. For a time, you are quiet and simply take in this magic. You suddenly remember your party and call out to the closest member to you, “wow, this is nice…” is all you can think to say as you close your eyes and look to the sun, taking in every drop of vitamin D with gratitude and appreciation. Turtles line the fallen trees on the shore, a majestic crane is fishing in the shallows, a bald eagle soars high overhead. The crystal clear water beneath you shows you current polished river rocks and the beautifully painted fish that live among them. You’re surrounded by forest and the fresh air is almost paralytic as you settle in to a state of complete relaxation. No phone, no worries. You almost can’t see the fly-fisherman in the knee deep water casting gentle arcs of line toward that shady spot near the half submerged fallen limb downstream. It’s like watching art in motion; a dance with nature and you are fortunate enough to witnesses it in its purest form. You quietly watch as you gently float on. The next half hour is quiet and peaceful with slight changes in the depth and current, but you are comfortable and accepting of the difference- no worries. You spot the rest of your group washed up on a small island in the middle of the river and you gently paddle to them. Drinks, food, laughter, sunshine, swimming, and sunbathing. You close your eyes and hope you never forget this moment as this moment has shown you what true happiness looks, feels, tastes, and sounds like. It is perfect. You continue your float and the next couple hours are much like the first- indescribably perfect. You view the Newaygo bridge after the last turn in the river; after passing by a few cottages and a riverside park you swear you’ll stop at next time you visit, and you feel a sense of relief mixed with disappointment. You are sun burned, waterlogged, and overwhelmingly happy. Not sure you ready for it to end, but you casually hand paddle over to the shore and a friendly guide helps you as you reengage your land-legs. He takes your tube and you slowly walk back to your car a short distance away. Your group is lethargically and contently walking with you as you laugh about your newfound peace of mind. You pile in to your hot car- someone forgot to crack the windows, and the warmth reminds you of the hot summer air on the river though it is no where near as fresh. You sigh in complete satisfaction as you head back to your reality.
And that’s it. You did it. You experienced one of the many forms of entertainment this small town has to offer and it is magic! It is unlike anything anywhere and we are fortunate to feature such magic right here in Newaygo! See you on the river and make sure you watch for my part 2 of this blog series about entertaining a small town!
-Gabe Schillman
#girlsgonewilderness
Good hiking gear that really works can make the difference between having the time of your life or living through a suffering day on the trail. Along with the gear, who you bring as your company makes all the difference! We set out with five everyday gals from Newaygo...
Farmer’s Market: Friday Fun!
The Newaygo Famers Market is focused on working with local farmers to ensure the residents and visitors to Newaygo County have the opportunity to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. At the Newaygo Farmers Market you will find a plethora of local ...
Schindy’s Place
As the weather warms, the trails are calling. Rev the engine & take to the county and seasonal roads and ORV/ATV trails of Newaygo County, and you are bound to end up near Diamond Lake. A 171 acre all-sports lake, surrounded by cottages, national forest & a...
Birthday Hike
Is there even a better way to spend your birthday than trekking through the North Country Trail? I think not. After tackling the stretch from M-20 to Echo Drive, I felt ready to make it all the way to 40th street. My father-in-law even gifted me a decades old...
Advice from a Hiking Trio
Meet Annie Trapp, Linda Trapp, Kathy Broome & pup Novalee, all residents of the White Cloud area. They enjoy hiking the North Country Trail as a trio in their spare time. I caught up with these ladies to ask how this year has been going so far…So far in 2021 they...
Spring Break Day Trips – Outdoors & On The Cheap
Pretty much every year around this time, my wife and I scramble to find exciting, enriching things to do with our kids during spring break. Although she’s fully vaccinated and I’m currently half vacc’d, we are still a bit reluctant to head to the typical spring break...
Modern Workhorse or Adventure Machine?
Back in the day, if you could have looked in a cowboy's saddlebags, you would have seen a few things that every one of them made sure they had whenever they jumped onto their trusty steed. A good rope, a coffee pot and a few tools were part of every cowboy's gear....
Winter Hiking – Questions From a Newbie
Excited to throw 2020 behind me & crush all the goals in 2021, I signed up for the North Country Trail Hike 100 Challenge. Ambitious, as I’ve only hiked a handful of times in my life, but why not make 2021 my year? I embarked on my first hike in the first few...
What do a mousie, a sucker, a spike, and a shiner have in common?
Most people are racking their brains to put these common words together. However, a few winter sportsmen are chomping at the bait to answer this simple question. In our household, these words trigger excitement and remind us of good times with friends throughout the...
Snowshoe Adventure On The Dragon
Being an avid runner from a young age and now a personal trainer, I have spent a lot of time running and hiking over the years. In more recent years, due to my work schedule, I found myself stuck to the convenience of the gym equipment. During the 2020 Quarantine...
8 Stops For a Unique Gift
Like it or not, the holiday shopping season is here! I’m probably more guilty than most of having a certain distinct box showing up on my porch on a regular basis, but this year is more important than ever to support small businesses. I’ve put...
Deer Hunter’s Must-Do in Newaygo County
The trees are bare, the air is crisp and the calendar has just flipped to November… In Northern Michigan, that means deer hunters are headed to the woods! If you haven’t tried your luck in the deer woods of Newaygo County, we recommend checking it out. With...
Fall Colors: A Bird’s Eye View
Flying amidst the clouds, high above Newaygo County, Doug Harmon captured Newaygo County's fall beauty perfectly. It's the season, jump in your car and head North! Newaygo County is here to greet you. Grab a bite, even stay the night! Come explore the rivers,...
Fall Means Apple Cider Slushies
The cider slushies are the best-tasting brain freeze I have ever had, and I look forward to it every year.
Sandy Beach Camping
My favorite part of the camping, is waking up early in the morning. When the campground is quiet. I usually get up before the sunrise, to take a quiet stroll around the park.
First Time Hiker
I’m a bit embarrassed to admit, that even growing up next to the Manistee National Forest, literal minutes from the North Country Trail, my first time hiking it was this past winter… in my mid 30’s! While my preferred adventure typically includes a glass of wine on...
Traipsing Through the Winter Woods
I am in love with Newaygo County. We’ve lived here three years now and keep discovering hidden treasures. If you love to be out in nature as my husband and I do, then each season brings new adventures and experiences.I did not think snowshoeing sounded like much...
Winter Wanderings: Newaygo County’s Trails
I first learned to love cross-country skiing during my senior year of high school after befriending a Norwegian exchange student named Ingvar. My first trip out was perfection. A snow day from school and the type of snow globe snow falling through the trees onto us...