Guppy Lake |
The big problem in our idea of how to raise our kids comes in when we start talking about what we're going to do with them over summer break. We both have very strong feelings on this matter.
I know, they're not even in pre-school yet. But that doesn't stop you from having these talks. Especially when you have no summer vacation of your own to speak up, and you're both feeling nostalgic.
Guppy Lake |
As neither me nor M gets summers off from our professions (well, when I go back to work I won't) this is an absolutely impossible plan. But, there's no reason that we couldn't spend a week as a family, and then leave the girls with Poppa and Grandmommy for another week of wilderness playtime, right?
Guppy Lake is nestled in a very strange corner of the world. At first glance, you might think that there's nothing to do. The restaurant scene is nonexistent, there are no neighbors to speak of... just a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere in Michigan and about 100 acres of woodlands and ponds to just play in. And that certainly has some appeal. But there's more to spending a summer in the great green norths of Michigan than might meet the eye.
Tawas Beach |
There's canoeing on the Au Sable river, during which you're likely to spot a heron or eagle. If you're a bit of a dare devil, the river also has plenty of old bridges going over it, and you can jump into the river. If that's you're thing.
Mini Golf in Oscoda |
There are county fairs and craft fairs and all sorts of weekend-long small town outdoor gatherings. There's barbershop singing and fireworks. There are half a dozen amazing ice cream shops and they all serve Mackinaw Island Fudge.
But there are two places that really sum up for me the sorts of fun you can only have up in the middle of nowhere. Or at least, the portion of the middle of nowhere where I spent my idyllic childhood.
Lumberman's Monument |
Past this is the nature trail. It's a lovely walk, probably about a mile long, that leads you slowly through the woods, past some prairie, and up to the top of the dunes. Suddenly, you're looking down probably eighty five feet of steep, sandy incline at a beautiful, blue body of water. If you just RUN STRAIGHT DOWN AT TOP SPEED, by the time you hit the water there's simply no stopping. You're going to get totally soaked. And the speed you can reach when gravity and forward momentum are on your side... it's quite a rush. The incline continues into the water, so it gets really deep really fast. Which is ideal, if you're running towards it at about forty miles an hour.
Lumberman's Monument |
Dinosaur Gardens |
There are also a few very inaccurate scenes involving cave-men and dinosaurs, and a brontosaurus that you can climb inside, and see the heart of Jesus and the wise men.
Yes, you read that right.
It's a fantastic place to bring small children. Lots of space for them to run around, vaguely educational, and filled with endless ironic fun for the adults.
Dinosaur Gardens |
I desperately want to get up there this summer.
We're probably going to make it up for one long weekend in August. That's a painfully long way from my entire childhood summers. But it's going to have to do.
And M is, for some macho reason, a little more comfortable with the idea of little girls wasting their summers playing in the woods than he is about little boys skipping sports. So who knows... I might just win out on this one.
And that, dear readers, is all about spending your summer at Guppy Lake.
Both sound pretty amazing. And the lake sounds heavenly. :)
ReplyDeleteback home we have something called "Dinosaur World" Sounds like the same thing! If I haven't thanked you yet for stopping by the "Sit & Relax" weekend hop last weekend! Thank you!!! Hope to see you again this weekend. And good luck with your Music CD release.
ReplyDeleteGuppy Lake looks and sounds like a dream! I love the outdoors and nature. There isn't a lot that's pretty like that in Nebraska. It takes a lot of searching around these parts lol! Thanks for sharing the pics and your memories.
ReplyDeleteVanessa
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