The Guzwald’s private piece of heaven, “Glen Beach” just off Point Betsie Road (and lighthouse).

While I would say that I am fairly well traveled, given I have been to over 50 countries to date, there is something about the joy of discovering an unknown place or finding something new in one you sort of know.  My addiction to travel is two-fold:

1)   I like to avoid my feelings and what better place to do it than among strangers?

2)   The freedom, the people you meet, the food you taste and the fabulous wardrobe I come home with.  I love to share my findings with friends, clients or any unsuspecting individual who will listen.

One of the kayaks we use to go view the ship wreck just off Glen’s Beach.

Somehow I still get tongue tied when someone asks me my favorite place.  The truth is, you could send me to Paris 18 times a year and I would probably still get excited.  But I find my answer is always, Michigan.   Nothing quite says summer to me like family vacation and we’ve been heading there every year since I can remember.  You may recall the infamous Chevy Chase movies– “Christmas Vacation” with the Griswold’s…if so, you have a good idea what going on vaca with the Guzy’s (affectionately referred to as the Guzwald’s) is like.  We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but somehow my family always found a way to bring us out into the wilderness for the summer all crammed in a cabin. It was like camp, but with your family.  And my family decided to even make t-shirts to commemorate our insanity:  C.A.M.P. G.A.M.P.

One of my sister Maura’s three rescue dogs, Andy. Andy is scared of everything, including water, sand, humans, life…but he’s so darned cute.

Dune grass on the rocky beaches of Lake Michigan.

Erin Seckso, Michaela Guzy, Matt Lorenz, Maeve Guzy, Maura Guzy, Meredith Guzy and Jamie Thurman at the top of Sleeping Bear Dune.

A view of Lake Michigan from the top of Sleeping Bear Dune National Park. Before our run down.

Running down was the easy part…it’s 450 feet back up.  Why did it seem so much easier when we were kids?

It was hot, so the only solution was to go for a swim fully clothed.  The Crystal Lake Yacht Club, Frankfort, Michigan already thinks we are classy, so why not keep up the family’s good name?

Maura Guzy (front), Erin Seckso (back pink), Jamie Thurman (navy hat) and Matt Lorenz (beard) getting ready for the “dive off”.

It was hot post climb back up Sleeping Bear Dune, so heading to the CLYC to play a favorite childhood game was in order. Rules are simple, the caller yells your move as you run and jump off the dock. Typical favorites are Ninja, Dive, Jump, Cannon Ball or the Flying Squirrel. Maeve Guzy’s version of the Ninja is pictured above, even though she was supposed to be doing a Cannon Ball.

Jamie Thurman didn’t quite grasp the Flying Squirrel concept.

A perfect “10” for me and my Flying Squirrel.

The crew in chilly Crystal Lake waiting for Erin Secko’s dive.

Unofficially named “Hang Gliding Hill”, by the C.A.M.P.G.A.M.P. crew (a name our extended maternal family gave themselves) on Point Betsie Road.

Maeve Guzy and I running on the “back dunes” of “The Point”.

Growing up, after sunset when it was pitch black, My Grandpa “Buzz” Gamp and mom had a fun tradition of bringing us kids down to the secluded lighthouse with only one flash light.  Inevitably Buzz disappeared (and usually my mom) and we were left to make our way back to the cabin in the dark.  To set the stage for you, this is a good ¾ mile walk, with no streetlights in the middle of the woods—yes there were bear sightings and other wild animals.  Now Buzz, my mom and sometimes Uncle Tony would be waiting along the way to scare the living bee-jeezus out of you.  It wasn’t  the jump out and scream, no…Buzz might be waiting in some tree with a flashlight under his chin and a shirt over his face.  Mom was famous for warthog impersonations and Uncle Tony for his gentle hand that he would silently walk up behind you and rest on your shoulder.  All of these tactics were terrifying and would send me, my sisters and cousins screaming in to darkness—our only safety was that we were faster than them.  The sheer irony that I was more terrified of running into my mother, grandpa or uncle than a bear should tell you something.

Mom (affectionately referred to as MoMo the Missouri Monster) and I, Arcadia Bluffs.

Uncle Tony, modeling his beach attire.

An all time favorite and wonderful demonstration of the great odds that were against my being a normal, functional human-being, happened on family vacation in the summer of ‘97.   I was honored when Buzz and my mom tapped my shoulder to silently slip away from the rest of the family.  When I asked how we were going to “scare” the others, they informed me they had a new plan.  Immediately red flags went up.  I didn’t trust these two further that I could throw them and now I was all alone.  I tracked that solo flashlight hard and fast, determined not to lose them.  To my surprise we ended under one of the bedroom windows of the southern cabin.  These cabins were so old school that the screens detached from the outside and my grandfather seemed to remove with great proficiency (what I couldn’t understand is, if all the doors were unlocked they would go to such trouble, but I dare not open my mouth for fear the devious behavior would all turn on me).  Once the screen was removed, I saw my grandfather reach in the window and turn out the reading light next to the bed where my Aunt Meg and Grandma Dee were sleeping.   There wasn’t much sleeping after that.  Meg jumped up screaming bloody murder, near gave my Grandmother a heart attack, then the entire house were screaming— I would have normally been right there with them.

The demented thing was, my mom and grandfather just laid in the grass laughing hysterically and eventually the whole family joined in.  They won, for scaring the whole damned house.  In my family, it’s one of the most notable honors you can receive.

A picture of my grandfather Buzz Gamp, as a young man.

I guess a dose of insanity once a year, in our little cabin in the woods, with the screen door that doesn’t quite match the doorframe is just what I need to feel reconnected to my family, nature and myself. Even though I left less than a month ago, I can’t wait to get back to C.A.M.P. G.A.M.P. for the loud Yahtzee matches, BBQ’s and bonfires.  Next year promises to be extra special– it was just 30 short years ago that my adorable grandparents, Buzz and Rita Gamp bought their cabin off of the scenic M22 on Point Betsie overlooking Lake Michigan.  If there is one thing my family does well, it’s throwing a party in our favorite place to celebrate being together, our last group effort up there turned into a toga party.  Cheers to the end of summer 2012!

The Point Betsie Light House which is currently undergoing renovations.  Tours are available and a gift shop is on the premise.

STAY

Betsie Bay Inn, on Main Street in downtown Frankfort, Michigan.  If you are there for Fourth of July, you have a prime spot for the parade.

Harbor Lights Resort, downtown Frankfort, Michigan on the water’s edge and public beach.

Chimney Corners for a more rustic cabin experience on Crystal Lake.

EAT

Cherry Hut is legendary.  I would classify the food as upscale diner food and you need to be able to eat in an almost all red restaurant.  This said my family goes multiple times per trip.  I personally love the Thanksgiving turkey platter with my cherry-aid (yes, it’s lemonade with cherry juice).  The Market Basket next door has great fresh produce and the bombdigity pumpkin bread and chocolate chip cookies.

Outside the Cherry Hut. You only get a Cherry Hut T-Shirt if you eat there. Otherwise it’s sacrilege.

Coho Cafe is a good place to grab dinner in downtown Frankfort on Main Street.  Good selection of fish, wine and hearty mid-western fare.  Sit out back if you can get a table.  Reservations recommended during high season.

Cabbage Shed is in Elberta and is actually a really a large sports bar, but set on the beautiful inlet of Lake Michigan looking out over Frankfort.  The food and beer are decent, but the live bands are worth the visit.  And they have crazy delicious hot fudge sundaes.

Arcadia Bluffs looks like it was lifted from Scotland and nestled on the sandy bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan.  It’s stunning.  While I am not much of a golfer, I would highly suggest reserving a tee time on this public-fee course (open mid-April- mid-November).  I typically turn up for cocktails and dinner at sunset.  They’ve also recently opened 15 guest rooms in the Nantucket coastal estate-style clubhouse.

A view of Arcadia Bluff’s from the clubhouse over the golf course.

Sunset over Lake Michigan from Arcadia Bluff’s clubhouse deck.

Meredith Guzy at sunset at Arcadia Bluffs.

Maeve Guzy and Matt Lorenz sharing a laugh over wine at the clubhouse of Arcadia Bluffs.

The Cool Spot is the best as voted by the Guzwald clan, ice cream shop in Frankfort.  There may in fact be other ice cream shops in town, but my family will disown you if you frequent them.  I personally love the peanut butter shakes, but it wouldn’t be a trip to Michigan without the Mackinaw Island Fudge cone.  Also known for their saltwater taffy and homemade fudge.

SEE

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (pictured above) dune climbing above.  Hikes and camping also available.

Cycle the Betsie Valley Trail for 22 miles from Frankfort, through Elberta onto Beulah all in Benzie County.  Beautiful views of Lake Michigan, the marshes, wildflowers, woods and Crystal Lake.

Erin Seckso and I gearing up after a coffee stop in Beulah to finish our ride on the Betsie Trail.

Wildflowers on the Betsie Trail.

A view of Crystal Lake from the Betsie Trail.

Main Street in Frankfort for shopping (Baywear for your Frankfort branded goodies), eating and ending your stroll at the Frankfort Lighthouse downtown.  The only places for wifi in the city are at the coffee shop and bakery (it isn’t a large street– I will let you explore).

Cherry Bowl Drive-In is still a favorite blast from the past among my family, because where do these exist anymore?  During the summer months you usually get a double feature and they have awesome t-shirts.

Gwen Frostic’s Stationary Shop was started by Gwen a nature artist who was known not only for her artistic observations demonstrated through her art, but her philanthropy and donation of $13 million to Western Michigan University for continuing student’s education.

Inside Gwen Frostic’s Stationary Shop at the printing presses.

Crystal Gardens just about does it all.  Even though my sisters and I are in our 20’s and 30’s, my mother feeling deprived of grandchildren, still likes to take us to see the peacocks roaming the beautiful grounds of Crystal Gardens.  Mom also happens to be an avid shopper of “stuff” and “trinkets”, so this place is heaven– gardening supplies, plants, flowers and antiques which are all in themed sections around the store.  Admittedly, I did buy an antique broach when I was sick of waiting in the car.

Outside the antique shop at the botanical garden. My mom’s favorite are the peacock’s outside.

Canoeing or kayaking down the Bestie River or Platte River are great activities for the family.  Bring your own or rental is an option too.

FLY

The Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Michigan.  It’s about a 45 minute drive South to downtown Frankfort.

Manistee County Airport, Manistee, Michigan.  Though on one lane roads, you can usually make it to downtown Frankfort in about 45 minutes (North).