Drew VanDrie | Author

Water 101 Up North

June 13, 2026

As summer rolls around and the warm weather finally arrives, locals and visitors alike are turning to the most alluring place in northern Michigan—the water! From sultry beach days to a calming paddle, the summer season revolves around our rivers and lakes.

And while these bod… Read More >>

Missing the Miracle Mile

May 23, 2026

Extending from Harbor Springs all the way down to Charlevoix, the Little Traverse Wheelway is a popular and scenic paved trail. Built in 2009 as a rails-to-trails conversion, the 26-mile trail skirts around its namesake, Little Traverse Bay, and is well-traveled due to its picturesque views… Read More >>

Michigan Association of Conservation Districts Rallying for Spring

May 9, 2026

The wide-lens view of conservation may conjure images of massive preserves, sweeping initiatives, and prominent figures like Muir and Roosevelt. But if you zoom in a bit, you’ll find that the day-to-day impactful work of conservation considering soil health, water quality, forestry ma… Read More >>

14 Winter Trails to Explore in Northern Michigan

Jan. 31, 2026

Northern Michigan is laced with miles upon miles of trails, and you don’t need to be a fair-weather fan to enjoy them. We scoured local conservancies for some of the best winter hiking spots where you can enjoy a peaceful hike, a snowshoe, or some blissfully brisk cross-country skiing… Read More >>

Protecting the Places We Love: Local Land Conservancies at Work

Dec. 6, 2025

Northern Michigan is renowned for its expansive natural splendor and broad public access to outdoors spaces. But many of those trails, waterways, and undisturbed natural areas could not exist and persevere without the dedicated effort of several local nonprofit land conservancies.

A… Read More >>

The More You Grow

Oct. 18, 2025

The unseasonably warm September weather and lengthy “locals summer” had some of us blissfully believing that winter may never come. But take heed! The gales of November will inevitably arrive, ushering in the long frigid months of Michigan winter.

But it’s not all … Read More >>

Local Arts Organizations Wade through Financial Limbo after Federal Cuts

Aug. 30, 2025

From murals to sculpture gardens, performance centers to galleries, live music to dance theaters and beyond, the northern Michigan arts community is part of what makes our area so special.

While those programs are supported in part by local and state funding, along with donations an… Read More >>

Eight Ways to Volunteer Outside

July 5, 2025

Summer in northern Michigan is the pinnacle season—the three-month-long golden stint that all Michiganders pine for while enduring (or enjoying!) the long frigid winter. And while getting outside for recreation is always top of mind, the fair weather also affords ample opportunity to … Read More >>

12 New, Expanded, or Improved Trails to Explore in Northern Michigan

May 24, 2025

Spring in Michigan arrives with an asterisk. After many fits and starts, a sunny afternoon that hovers around 70, and the inevitable late season snow that dampens all hope, eventually the renewal of spring prevails. Now that warmer weather has (finally) settled in, the urge to venture outsi… Read More >>

Inside Beaver Head Lighthouse's (Almost) Made-for-TV Renovations

April 5, 2025

Lighthouses possess a rugged allure here in Michigan. Anchored in the maritime lore of the Great Lakes, these beacons (many well over a century old) are physical reminders of the extensive nautical history and heritage of the state.

During the mid-20th century, many of these storied… Read More >>

Fore! Three Ways to Enjoy Winter Golf

Jan. 11, 2025

The long northern Michigan winter may soon have you feeling pent up and pining for warmer days. And if you’re an avid golfer, there’s a good chance that the swirling arctic wind and mounting piles of snow will have you checking flights to tropical climes with open fairways.

Gifting the Great Outdoors

Nov. 23, 2024

If you live in northern Michigan, there’s a good chance that someone (or multiple someones) on your gift recipient roster just wants to build a cabin in the woods, wear a bunch of flannel, and be one with the great outdoors. Or, at the very least, they want to take a hike on a sunny w… Read More >>

A Decade on the Water for Paddle Antrim

Aug. 17, 2024

Paddle Antrim was founded in 2014 on the principle of connection—joining people, waterways, and environmental conservation.

“Our mission is to protect our waterways by connecting people through paddlesports,” says Paddle Antrim Executive Director Deana Jerdee. &ldq… Read More >>

10 Beautiful Beaches in Northern Michigan

July 6, 2024

Close the laptop, stuff the tote with towels and SPF, and pack a cooler with something cold to drink—it’s time for a beach day.

From inland lake retreats to the coastal sands of the Great Lakes, Michigan has countless beaches worthy of exploration and even more deserving… Read More >>

Your Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes Camping: Seven Sites to Explore

June 22, 2024

Summer in the northern latitudes wouldn’t be complete without at least one camping trip. Indulging in some rustic relaxation and living an unhurried existence (for at least a few days), offers a restorative escape.

It’s no surprise that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakes… Read More >>

Out for a Joy Ride

May 11, 2024

“Like riding a bike.” While that phrase may refer to anything that’s second-nature, it also alludes to something you’ll never forget. For Carol Kraak, founder of Benzie County’s Joy 2 Ride, the exploration, independence, and bliss that a simple bike ride offers… Read More >>