Sandra Friend

Sandra Friend

06
Sep
Balconies carved in rock with extensive views

See Rock City!

Perched atop Lookout Mountain above Chattanooga, Rock City is an iconic rock garden and vintage theme park that the whole family will enjoy.
8 min read
04
Sep
Rocks in shallows along shoreline

Anishinaabe Shores

On the Mackinac Straits, St. Ignace is known as a ferryboat departure point for Mackinac Island. Walk the North Country Trail through town, and you’ll discover the rich details of its founding and cultures that thrived on these shores.
7 min read
02
Sep
Mission Relaxation

Mission Relaxation

To truly let you unwind, a trip to Mackinac Island needs to be a few days long. Having historic Mission Point Resort as our home base provided us a calm, relaxing stay.
5 min read
31
Aug
Circling Mackinac Island

Circling Mackinac Island

The ultimate car-free paved bike loop in Michigan, the M-185 on Mackinac Island is worth its challenges to enjoy the beauty and access to trails inside Mackinac Island State Park.
6 min read
31
Aug
Lighthouse with red roofs and stone walls

The Shores of Whitefish Bay

A chance glance at a road sign on the way to Paradise led us on an unexpected but delightful half day exploration of the shores of Whitefish Bay in Hiawatha National Forest.
5 min read
29
Aug
A Day in Paradise

A Day in Paradise

It’s just another day in Paradise for us, except we actually are in Paradise, Michigan, an excellent base camp for visiting Taquamenon Falls and Whitefish Point.
6 min read
25
Aug
Chasing Rockets in the Keweenaw

Chasing Rockets in the Keweenaw

When we got wind of a rocket launch site at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, it was time for another off-road adventure.
4 min read
24
Aug
Small red berries similiar to raspberries in texture but button shaped

Time for Thimbleberries

Who expected to go foraging for berries in the Keweenaw? Not us! But a thimbleberry margarita led to woodland wanders looking for this tasty fruit.
5 min read
22
Aug
Bike path with artistic trail marker

Iron Ore Heritage Trail

Taking on a history-rich segment of Michigan’s Iron Ore Heritage Trail was satisfying as a bike ride and as a cultural immersion. Now if only I’d stayed on the trail...
9 min read
18
Aug
Two Parks, Two Stories

Two Parks, Two Stories

A duo of state parks near Manistique - Palms Book and Fayette - showcases two very different periods of Michigan history in two outstanding natural settings.
4 min read