#popular kalamazoo tree

[treeserviceskalamazoo]

Arborist Service in Kalamazoo, MI: The Key to Healthy, Beautiful Trees

Trees are the primary component of the landscape and have a visual and functional significance for your property. But to keep their health and beauty they need professional help. This is where arborist service in Kalamazoo MI comes in. If you want to enhance the aesthetic appearance of your trees or perhaps do away with dangerous branches, then an arborist will assist in making sure the trees in your compound are healthy and safe.

Kalamazoo Tree Services is a professional tree care company that can help with all your tree care needs for homes and businesses. We have a team of professional certified arborists who specialize in tree trimming, tree pruning, stump grinding and all other tree services.

The Importance of Hiring a Certified Arborist

So an arborist is not just an individual who prunes trees. An arborist is a tree worker who is knowledgeable in the biology and physiological needs of trees. They know what trees need and have the capacity to do what is required to have the trees in the right state. If you hire a certified arborist, you are guaranteeing that your trees will be as healthy and alive as possible in the long term.

Some benefits of hiring an arborist include:

Expert Knowledge and Experience: Arborists know the physiology of trees and the proper ways to treat trees. In as much as choosing the right tree for your landscape, to methods of pruning that will enhance the growth of the trees, a certified arborist has the knowledge to offer the best to your trees.

Proper Tree Trimming: This is because incorrect trimming of trees may lead to some serious damages on the trees. Professional arborists are aware of the right techniques that they should use to cut trees in a manner that will encourage growth and at the same time avoid any harm to your properties. Successful tree pruning helps in improving the branch angle of the tree and thus has an added advantage of minimizing risks of dropping branches.

Safety: Tree trimming and removal is a risky business especially when the trees are big or when they are near structures. A certified arborist understands how to prune or even bring down a branch or an entire tree without disturbing people and property.

Comprehensive Tree Service for All Your Needs

Kalamazoo Tree Services is a company that offers all the tree services needed to maintain the beauty and health of your landscape. Our services include:

1. Tree Trimming

Tree trimming is one of the most popular services that are provided by an arborist. Coarse branches which are either long or dead not only make the tree look untidy but are also a potential threat to your property when there is a storm. Pruning of trees increases the structure of trees, light penetration and minimizes the likelihood of falling branches.

Kalamazoo Tree Services employs modern methods to prune your trees in a manner that will help them grow better and look even better. Whether you need trimming for the changing of seasons, or trimming after a storm has blown over some of the branches, we are here to help.

2. Tree Removal

Although trees are an investment to your property there are occasions when they need to be removed. Regardless of the reason; disease, storm damage, or the trees are structurally unsound, tree removal is a very sensitive task that should be handled by a professional.

Kalamazoo Tree Services – Our Kalamazoo Tree Services have a lot of experience in tree removal and we do this safely and efficiently. Our team then evaluates the trees and decides whether it is necessary to remove them. If so, all the necessary measures are being taken to finish the process without any harm to your property and the territory around it.

3. Stump Grinding

When a tree is cut down, the remains that are left behind are an ugly sight, that is a stump. Stump grinding is the best way to guarantee that your landscape is free from stumps and other debris. In this way, we prepare the area for further planting or landscaping and give you the opportunity to use your territory without having to avoid certain stumps.

Why Choose Kalamazoo Tree Services?

Given the many tree care solutions that are in the market today, you might be wondering why you should hire Kalamazoo Tree Services for your arborist service. Here are a few reasons why we stand out:

Certified Arborists: We are staffed with professional arborists, who have vast experience in tree management. Trees are important and it is our goal to keep them healthy while also offering the best customer experience possible.

Comprehensive Tree Services: In need of tree trimming, removal, or in case of an emergency, we provide all types of tree services to fit your needs.

Safety First: Safety is our top priority. We employ modern equipment and methods to guarantee that each project is completed safely, to your property and to our personnel.

Conclusion

Taking care of trees is very important if you want your landscape to look great and healthy. Tree Trimming Kalamazoo MI to Emergency Tree Services, we provide whatever you require from an arborist Kalamazoo MI.

[jbbbuckybarnes]

Between 1917 and 1943, the music scene experienced significant shifts, including the rise of jazz, swing, and big band music. Here's a list of some of the most popular songs from that era, encompassing a mix of genres that were prevalent during this period:

1. **"Darktown Strutters' Ball"** by Original Dixieland Jazz Band (1917): An early jazz classic that represents the genre's emergence.

2. **"Dardanella"** by Ben Selvin and His Orchestra (1919): A hit song that dominated the early 1920s.

3. **"Swanee"** by Al Jolson (1919): A signature tune for Al Jolson and an enduring classic.

4. **"St. Louis Blues"** by Bessie Smith (1925): A blues standard with strong influence from jazz.

5. **"Rhapsody in Blue"** by George Gershwin (1924): A jazz-influenced orchestral piece that became iconic.

6. **"Ain't Misbehavin'"** by Fats Waller (1929): A classic jazz piece with enduring popularity.

7. **"Body and Soul"** by Coleman Hawkins (1939): A jazz ballad showcasing Hawkins' saxophone mastery.

8. **"In the Mood"** by Glenn Miller (1939): One of the most iconic big band swing songs.

9. **"Begin the Beguine"** by Artie Shaw (1938): A big band hit with a Latin rhythm.

10. **"Moonlight Serenade"** by Glenn Miller (1939): Another big band classic by Glenn Miller.

11. **"Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)"** by Benny Goodman (1937): A high-energy swing song that's a staple of the big band era.

12. **"Thanks for the Memory"** by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross (1938): A popular standard and Oscar-winning song.

13. **"Chattanooga Choo Choo"** by Glenn Miller (1941): A catchy swing tune with train imagery.

14. **"I'll Be Seeing You"** by Billie Holiday (1944): A sentimental ballad with deep emotional resonance.

15. **"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"** by The Andrews Sisters (1941): A lively, patriotic swing song.

16. **"White Christmas"** by Bing Crosby (1942): A timeless holiday classic that gained immense popularity during WWII.

17. **"Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree"** by The Andrews Sisters (1942): A fun, romantic swing tune.

18. **"I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo"** by Glenn Miller (1942): Another hit song by Glenn Miller with a playful tone.

19. **"Sentimental Journey"** by Les Brown and Doris Day (1944): A sentimental and enduring song.

20. **"Stormy Weather"** by Lena Horne (1941): A soulful ballad with rich emotional depth.

These songs reflect the diverse musical landscape from 1917 to 1943, covering jazz, big band, swing, and popular standards.

[thebuckblogimo]

What it was like to grow up with a last name as difficult as mine.

October 21, 2020

Had I been raised in Poland, the country from which my grandparents emigrated in the early 1900s, my last name would have been a piece of babka (Polish cake) to say and to spell over there.

However, since the earliest days I can remember, I’ve heard my last name pronounced in hundreds of different ways. During the course of my life I’ve even heard it said differently by my aunts, uncles and cousins. In print, I’ve seen it misspelled in innumerable ways. Sometimes with an “ski” at the end. 

I kid you not.

As I relate this story, it will be a challenge to correctly communicate some of the many ways I’ve heard my name pronounced since I was a child, but I’m going to try my phonetic best.

In Poland, Bokuniewicz is pronounced Bowk-coon-nyev-eech. Which is the way I first heard it said by my parents and grandparents who spoke the language. As a young child, however, sometimes I’d hear my mother ordering items over the phone from Hudson’s (a popular department store at the time) and say Bo-coon-a-witz, in an effort to facilitate communication with the person on the other end of the line. 

Sometimes, outside the mostly Polish neighborhood where my grandparents lived in Detroit, I’d hear an aunt or uncle pronounce it Bo-kun-o-witz. Or Bo-kon-o-witz.

My folks never instructed my siblings and me how to pronounce our last name to kids in the neighborhood when we moved into our new house in Dearborn in 1952. And I guess it never occurred to my mother to tell me how I should say it when I started kindergarten at Lowrey, the neighborhood public school.

Frankly, my five-year-old mind was a bit confused by all of this. I just knew that, to my ear, Bo-kon-o-witz sounded the best. So I went with it in school.

A couple years later I started playing ball in the street with the older kids in the neighborhood. They included Mickey Phillips, three years older than me, who lived next door (and whose father was Polish but had changed his last name), and Nick Conflitti, also three years older than me, who lived around the corner and was an excellent athlete who I looked up to.

For reasons I can’t explain, Mickey started pronouncing my last name as Buck-un-nev-idge. While Nick started pronouncing it slightly differently, Buck-un-no-vidge.

Here’s my theory: 

Like my Dad, both of their fathers bowled every Monday night in the St. Al’s men’s league at Mercury Lanes. Sometimes the dads would stop by our house (or the Conflittis) after bowling for drinks in the kitchen, while I and my siblings were supposedly asleep. (”Josephine, where’s the Crown Royal?” I would hear my Dad bark.) I surmise that the fathers told stories about “bowling night,” mentioning my Dad’s name, the next day around the kitchen table in their homes. My guess is that as a result of hearing those tales, Mickey and Nick wound up bastardizing the pronunciation of my last name: Buck-un-ev-idge and Buck-un-no-vidge, respectively

Still with me on this?

Meanwhile, around the same time, most of the neighborhood kids my age started playing Dearborn recreation baseball, and my teammates seemed to pick up on how the older kids (Mickey, Nick and others) said my last name. Somehow they morphed it slightly into Buck-un-ev-ich. So I just went with it. And have ever since.

An aside about my nickname: 

I soon started playing CYO sports, and some of my teammates called me “Buck” or “Buckey,” which also happened to be my Dad’s nickname. By that time, my two best neighborhood friends, Butchie and Jerry, had already been calling me “Bucktooth” or “Buckey Beaver” (after an animated “spokes-character” for Ipana toothpaste). 

Anyway...

I played CYO football, basketball and baseball for the same coach, Mr. Mackey, from the fifth through eighth grades, and he always called me Buck-un-ev-ich. Except during seventh grade football. For some reason, he persisted in calling me “Buck-un-now-ski” on the field and in the locker room that entire season.

I have no idea why.

By the time I started high school at St. A’s in the fall of ‘61, all of my pals pronounced my last name Buck-un-ev-ich, although a few of the girls in our class still pronounced it Bo-kon-o-witz. At the beginning of almost every school year when a new homeroom nun would call roll for the first time, she’d invariably stumble over my last name. Before “Sister” could finish I’d pronounce loudly for all to hear, “Just call me Jones.”

That always got a good laugh.

When I went away to college, the guys in my dorm learned quickly how to say Buck-en-ev-ich; it took a couple years for them to latch onto my nickname.

True story: 

One weekend during my junior year I decided to hitchhike to Kalamazoo to visit my buddy Tony who was attending Western Michigan. For most of the preceding week he recounted stories to his WMU pals of our youthful adventures, constantly referring to Buckunevitch who they’d soon be meeting. When I arrived at his apartment I was immediately introduced to his friends as “Buck.” Someone asked inquisitively about the whereabouts of “Nevich.” “What are you talking about?” I asked. Turns out they had thought that Buck and Nevich were two different people.

Amazing.

The story of my last name took a slight twist when I began my professional writing career at the Automobile Club of Michigan.

I was hired as a copywriter there in December of 1970 to write car, home, boat and life insurance materials, as well as travel advertising. The department in which I worked was called Motor News (after the travel magazine we produced for AAA members). The name of the department manager was Len Barnes, and the fact that my first name was Len, too, initially caused some confusion in the office. But I quickly solved the problem by suggesting that they call me by my nickname, “Buck.”

Within days something happened that I never anticipated. My colleagues at work started calling me “Len Buck.” I liked it. And it worked as a radio name for the traffic and road reports I would be broadcasting one weekend a month for the AAA Bring ‘Em Back Alive! Weekend News Service.

Len Buck stuck with me as a pseudonym during my time at AAA. as well as during my years in the advertising agency business. Interestingly, there was a short time when a few people at Ross Roy thought that Len Bokuniewicz and Len Buck were two different people.

I decided to write about these things to provide some family history for my kids and the living members of my family tree. However, as I got into it, I began to reflect on the concept of self-identify. For me, I think that dealing with a difficult last name was always a big part of that.

I have no idea how some of my childhood classmates who had similarly difficult last names, i.e., Koscielniak, Strzempka and Szymczak, felt about their surnames, but when I was young I secretly wished that mine was as simple as that of some of my best friends--Adams, Fitch, Flanigan, even Forystek.

The father of my friend, Jim Healy, a teammate on my first CYO team, had changed the family name from Wojcik. And the father of Bill Martz, a high school friend and fellow hurdler on the track team, changed the family name from Matuszak. My father, on the other hand, was a man of intense pride. I’m absolutely certain that he never entertained the thought of changing his last name for even a moment. And neither did I, reasoning that I wouldn’t be me if I did.

Admittedly, there were times in my life that I felt a bit uncomfortable revealing my long Polish name, especially in meetings at Ross Roy during introductions to high level executives who sat at the right hand of Lee Iacocca. I almost always introduced myself as Len Buck. It kept the start of meetings from getting bogged down with explanations about pronunciation.

Also, I recall hesitating at times when introducing myself to certain high rollers--surgeons, board members and big-time charitable donors with Anglo-Saxon last names--who attended tailgate parties for Michigan-Michigan State football games, hosted by my old high school bud, Garry Faja, when he became the president and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Health System in Ann Arbor.

Sometimes, however, my last name served as a ready-made conversation starter, especially when meeting girls when I was young or people on business trips. In those circumstances I took pride in my Polish heritage as I explained the pronunciation of my last name, which often led to telling interesting stories related to my travels in Poland. So, having a long, difficult last name was a beneficial thing in that sense.

By the way, speaking of my late friend Garry Faja, I always thought that his last name was practically perfect. Unique. Distinctive. Polish. And just four letters long. (He assured me that it had never been changed.)

So that’s my story. As I look back on it I’d like to raise my glass and drink a toast to those two aforementioned characters from my college years: Buck ‘n’ Nevich.

[life-sport-travel]

10 Best Places to Visit in Michigan - Travel Video

https://lifesporttravel.com/?p=1371 10 Best Places to Visit in Michigan - Travel Video - https://lifesporttravel.com/?p=1371 Nestled in the heart of the Great Lakes region, the Midwest state of Michigan lies on the border with Canada. Home to more than 12,000 lakes and more beaches than the country’s entire Atlantic coastline, it’s made up of two large peninsulas and several scenic and secluded islands. While the state is defined by its wealth of waterways, much of it is coated in endless forests and wilderness. As such, there are loads of great outdoor activities to be enjoyed, with hiking, camping and sailing all popular. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Michigan. Foreign Lakes Region the midwest state of Michigan lies on the border with Canada Home to more than 12 thousand lakes and More beaches than the country's entire Atlantic Coastline it's made up of two Large peninsulas and several Scenic in Secluded Islands while the state is Defined by its wealth of waterways much Of it is coated in Endless forests and Wilderness as such there are loads of Great outdoor activities to be enjoyed With hiking camping and sailing all Popular here's a look at the best places To visit in Michigan Foreign [Music] Falls State Park centered around the Wonderful waterfalls after which it is Named Tahquamenon Falls State Park lies In the north of the state on Michigan's Untouched Upper Peninsula mostly made up Of fantastic forests and Woodlands it is Set not far from the Sparkling Waters of Lake Superior Meandering amidst The Towering trees is the dequamenon river Which boasts the Park's two most Spectacular sites the upper and lower Falls while the former spans plunges 48 Feet down a steep overhang the ladder is A sensational series of small Cascades That swirl around an idyllic and Isolated island Foreign [Music] Number nine Ann Arbor possibly the most Sought after place to live in the state Is the attractive and artistic University Town of Ann Arbor situated Just 45 minutes Drive West of Detroit it Boasts everything from pretty Parks and A pedestrian-friendly downtown to Thriving culture and nightlife scenes Much of town life revolves around the University of Michigan campus and its Large student population they lend the Small City a very Lively yet laid-back Feel with fabulous festivals and Sporting events taking place all the Time Foreign [Music] [Music] Number eight Holland set on the scenic Shores of Lake Michigan the small city Of Holland lies on the lower Peninsula Not far from Grand Rapids founded by Dutch Americans the Tulip city is a very Popular place due to its unique Heritage And the wealth of beautiful bulbs lining Its picturesque parks and windmill Dotted Gardens the best times to visit Holland are in May when the Tulip Time Festival takes place and December when It hosts a Charming Christmas Market on Top of its delightful downtown packed Full of Dutch buildings the city also Has excellent beaches for visitors to Enjoy [Music] Foreign [Music] Saugatuck a popular Resort town the Scenic Saugatuck lies at the mouth of The Kalamazoo River right next to Lake Michigan formerly a Lumber Town port and Then art colony its extensive art Gallery's unusual stores and Harborfront Views attract hordes of tourists every Summer along with its Twin Town Douglas The small Coastal Community has a myriad Of amazing waterfront restaurants cozy Bnbs and coffee shops for visitors to Enjoy nearby Oval Beach ranks among Michigan's best for its soft sand and Psychedelic sunsets [Music] Foreign [Music] Number six pictured rocks National Lakeshore on the Southern Shores of Lake Superior pictured rocks is named after The mix of oxidized Sandstone Cliffs That create a mesmerizing Coastline in The summer and early fall get out on the Lake and paddle along the 42 mile National Lakeshore as you make your way Along the coast admire the natural art With the variety of iron oxidization Creating a wide range of colors being Sandstone The Cliffs have also been Shaped by the lake resulting in several Natural landmarks including miners Castle and the popular Chapel Rock Blanketing the top of the cliffs is a Wooded forest coursing with walking and Mountain biking trails Foreign [Music] Number five Traverse City located in the North of Michigan's lower Peninsula Traverse City lies nestled away at the End of the long natural Harbor of Grand Traverse Bay divided in two by the Old Mission Peninsula the beautiful Bay Boasts lovely Landscapes with Lake Michigan not far away while the city Suffers a bit from urban sprawl it is a Very pleasant place to spend some time Besides the spectacular Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore there are Plenty of charming towns and wonderful Wineries dotted about with a wealth of Outdoor activities on offer as well Foreign [Music] Number four Grand Rapids after Detroit Grand Rapids is the largest and Liveliest City in the Mitten State Straddling the banks of the Grand River It has a diverse array of neighborhoods Attractions and amenities for residents And tourists alike to enjoy once a Historic furniture making Center the City is now mostly known for its booming Craft brewery scene aside from trying Out its dozens of magnificent Microbreweries you can also stop by its Art galleries and its museums Heritage Hill east of downtown is unmissable for All its impressive architecture [Music] Foreign [Music] Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Alaska aside Michigan has the unique Distinction of having the longest Shoreline of any state in the U.S a key Part of this expansive coastline is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Established in 1970 to protect the Inspiring but fragile Coastline the Lakeshore features 450-foot Bluffs Across its 35 miles the National Lakeshore can be explored in several Ways behind the dunes and soaring Bluffs Our hiking paths such as the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail that snakes through The dense forest on its way to Spectacular viewpoints Foreign [Music] Number two Detroit the second largest City in the midwest after Chicago Detroit is a major cultural center that Has long been widely faded for its Contributions to Art and music after Having suffered Decades of neglect and Decay the D is once again buzzing as new Developments and attractions breathe Life into its skyscraper dotted streets A glut of Renovations and revitalization Projects has seen everything from art Galleries and coffee shops to hotels and Offices occupy what were once derelict Buildings add in its wonderful Art Deco Architecture its wonderful Waterfront And Lively Theater District and Detroit Is a fabulous place to visit Foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] Number one Mackinac Island there is Something special about the clip Clopping of horseshoes on the historic Pavement of Mackinac Island once a fur Trading post Mackinac Island has Developed into a must-see destination While remaining car free on the Beautiful Lake Huron you'll have the Opportunity to explore the Cape Cod of The Midwest on a horse-drawn carriage Make your way through the old town where You'll discover streets lined with Victorian era architecture now home to Delightful cafes and romantic Restaurants to get a real feel for the Island it is worthwhile staying in one Of its historic inns cozy bnbs or even The Glamorous Grant hotel Foreign [Music] Foreign Mike Izzo https://lifesporttravel.com/?p=1371

[wenkelawncare1]

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Lawn & Landscaping

As the new year finally approaches, many of us are considering making resolutions to improve our lives and homes. However, one area that often gets overlooked is our lawn and landscaping.

If you live in Kalamazoo, or the surrounding area, now is the perfect time to start thinking about improving your outdoor space in the coming year.

One of the most well-known New Year's resolutions for homeowners is to make their yards more attractive and welcoming. This might be achieved in many different ways, including:

1. Adding colorful flowers and plants to your landscaping. 2. Planting a vegetable or herb garden. 3. Installing various water features, such as a pond or fountain. 4. Creating a comfortable outdoor living space with furniture and accessories. 5. Installing outdoor lighting to enhance your yard at night.

Another popular resolution for homeowners is to make their lawns healthier and more sustainable. You can get this done using methods, such as:

1. Regularly mowing and watering your lawn to ensure it is green and healthy. 2. Aerating your property to improve drainage and soil health. 3. Applying fertilizer and other lawn care products to promote growth and prevent weeds. 4. Using mulch or other ground covers to protect your soil and plants from extreme temperatures.

Suppose you're looking for professional help with your lawn and landscaping. In that case, many companies in the Kalamazoo area can assist you. Some of the services they offer include:

1. Landscape design and planning. 2. Lawn care and maintenance. 3. Tree and shrub care. 4. Irrigation and water management. 5. Hardscaping and outdoor construction.

Making resolutions for your lawn and landscaping can not only improve the appearance of your home, but it can also increase its value and make it more enjoyable to live in. So as you plan for the new year, consider how you can enhance your outdoor space and make it a more inviting and beautiful place to be.

With the help of professional landscaping companies in Kalamazoo, you can achieve your goals and create a yard that you'll be proud to call your own.

The best way to start your New Year’s resolution is to have fun with it. So, if you want a healthier lawn, stop mowing it so short and use a mulching blade on your mower instead. Or maybe you want to get rid of some weeds—all you need do is let nature do some of the work for you by seeding bare areas or starting new beds filled with some native plants that attract pollinators like bees. If all else fails, remember—the most critical part of taking care of your yard is spending time outside enjoying nature!

For all the rest, rely on our team at Wenke Lawn Care. We have the experience and reliable tools to bring any New Year’s resolution into reality regarding improving your lawn and landscaping. So schedule a visit by giving us a call today, and let’s transform your outdoor living space.

[michiganandback]

Aug 15 – 19 AM

We left the Hancock RV Park mid-morning on the 15th and headed southeast. We made it to Marquette and spent the night at a really nice Campground. In the morning we drove over to the place called Pebble Beach to get some good stones from Lake Superior before we left. Marquette has the largest wooden domed building in the world. We drove by it as we left town and it's pretty impressive. Marquette also has a Wal-Mart and a Meijer grocery store, which has good bread. We spent a bit of time restocking the Larder before heading south to St. Ignace to spend the night. In the morning, we got a tee time I need a local golf course and played 9 holes of golf. It was a deceptively difficult course with tight, narrow fairways and fescue rough. It was also very bumpy because they didn't level out the fairways or the rough. We did okay for not having played for a year. I had six bogeys one double and two other scores. But it was a good day on the golf course. We then moved two miles south to another campground just in sight of the Mackinac Bridge. While driving to the golf course, the spring in the latch for refrigerator broke and the door flew open. Luckily nothing fell out and I was able to get it fixed temporarily until we can find a hardware store to buy new spring. We did and got to the campground just fine. As we were checking in, Patty the clerk said I put you as near to the bathroom as I could and oh by the way the best bathrooms are behind the laundry room. Not many people know about them and they are much nicer. She was right. They're just like a bathroom at home, not a bathroom in the barracks or in the old style dorms. After dinner, we went on a walkabout and saw a pickup with North Carolina tags on it. I yelled out go Heels and he said too bad. I said I really went to NC State he said I'm a Duke fan. I asked him where he was from in North Carolina and he said Morganton. That's where my sister lives and he knew the road she lives on. He didn’t say much more. Those mountain folks are like the odwest cowboys (so I’ve heard and seen depicted in the movies), answer a question and wait for the next one, don’t volunteer anything. I told him we grew up in the mountains he said from Crossnore. I had never had anyone know that town  in all my travels. I never thought to ask if he knew my sister. Turns out he was the water treatment plant manager and Elizabeth just groaned so she knew there was going to be a conversation about water and wastewater treatment plants. He said, well it's a good,  secure job because everybody has to drink water and everybody has to go to the bathroom. We found out he had been in the 82nd Airborne Division in 1973 and had 128 jumps, five of which were good. I never asked about the five and he never elaborated. They're on their way eventually to Mount Rushmore and I told him about the veteran ceremony at the night time event. I had to renegotiate our TV and Internet contract that expires this month and I got a very nice customer service rep from AT&T, Natalie. She did us a solid and we got $10 off from my current bill and tripled our internet speed. I told her we were in Michigan on a trip and she said I'm in Kalamazoo. We had a nice personal chat after that and she told us about something to do on our way to Boyne City. She also said real nice thing to do there is the Wildwood Rush, 7000 foot zip line down the mountain. We're looking forward to it. She also knew about the tunnel of trees, the Legs Inn which has the largest Bloody Mary in the world. We will do that today on the 18th of August as we work our way to Boyne City. We will spend one more night in the RV before moving into the rental house Sunday afternoon. Everyone is on time to meet us there late afternoon Sunday. The house is equipped with kayaks, fishing poles and other outdoor equipment. E and I are looking forward to kayaking down the Charlevoix River. In the morning we went across the road to talk to people from Morgantown on the off chance they knew my sister and brother-in-law. I asked Daryl if you knew someone named Dennis Keller and he said yes I do. He used to hunt bear with Dennis’ dad, Clyde in the mountains. He said my wife is coming around the corner there let's tell her about this. Turns out, Connie and my sister, Princess were in the same hospital room years ago when Connie had twin boys. They lived across the road from Princess’ and Dennis’ father and mother. Sometimes it's a really small world. We drove over to the Legs restaurant through the tunnel of trees along the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. It was another nail-biter drive on a narrow road for 18 miles that took almost 40 minutes. We got there just after the restaurant opened and got a choice seat outside. All the waitresses are from Poland or the Ukraine. They are very helpful and pleasant. Our waitress was from Poland. I asked her her name, but we decided to call her Aga. She said she wanted to go back to Europe and visit Germany and could I recommend some places that are not so touristy. During the course of the meal I asked if she was interested in culture or sightseeing. I came up with about 14 places that I would go to if I went back there. Before it was all over, we exchanged emails, cell phones and invited her to visit us and Tulsa. She gave us her email address and the blog that she is creating on this visit to America. She wants to travel while she's young and I would say beautiful before she settles down and raises a family. When we decide to go to Poland she asked us to email her and she would give us some very interesting places to go out of the way of the normal tourist places. How lucky can you get? We had to scramble to find a campground for the night because this is a popular area. We did find one out of the way but in it but in a nice location. We are only 18 miles from the house that we rented for the reunion. We got a good spot as I said not far from the bathroom and pool. We had a nice quiet evening and there is a German couple from northern Germany cross the way from us. I spoke to him a little bit in the street, but we never made a commitment to get together later. He works as a physical therapist with stroke victims in Bremen Germany. We had a nice conversation in English and German. He thought my German very good even after I told him it was only Street German or neighborhood German that I had learned. I always feel good about that because I have tried to keep it up. About 1:30 this morning, some revelers woke Elizabeth up which in turn caused me to be up. We closed all the windows and finally got back to sleep. We slept until 8 a.m. and awoke to a gray overcast chilly morning, but it's supposed to warm up when we get back down from the “highlands” to the lake.

Pictures posted after this. This will be last post for a while, maybe.  Off to the reunion:)    

[johnboothus]

Top 50 Most Popular Breweries in 2020 According to BeerAdvocate

We would all like to think of alcohol as something that brings us together, but the beer world can prove pretty divisive at times. How do you define craft? Is it ever OK for breweries to sell out? And are exploding cans a humorous or harmful trend? These are all questions that promise to inspire heated debate when raised on certain corners of the internet.

Thankfully, other topics can be put to bed with cold, hard data. Last week, BeerAdvocate published a list highlighting the 50 most-rated breweries on its platform for 2020. As noted in the piece, the ranking is not a reflection of the best-rated breweries and was instead compiled using only the total number of ratings each brewery received for its beers.

All but one of the breweries listed are based in the U.S. (which is likely due to where BeerAdvocate’s audience is mainly based), and there was a strong showing from producers in the Northeast, particularly in the top five. West Coast drinkers needn’t feel slighted, though. California had the most breweries on the list with eight producers, while New York came in second place with five.

Here are the top 50 most-rated breweries on BeerAdvocate for 2020.

Tree House Brewing Co., Charlton, Mass.

Other Half Brewing Co., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, Calif.

Trillium Brewing Co., Boston, Mass.

Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., Decorah, Iowa

Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif.

Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago, Ill.

New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, Colo.

Prairie Artisan Ales, Tulsa, Okla.

Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, Calif.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del.

Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Fla.

Hill Farmstead Brewery, Greensboro Bend, Vt.

Modern Times Beer, San Diego, Calif.

Equilibrium Brewery, Middletown, N.Y.

3 Floyds Brewing Co., Munster, Ind.

Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, Calif.

The Bruery, Placentia, Calif.

Aslin Beer Co., Herndon, Va.

Boulevard Brewing Co., Kansas City, Mo.

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, Lyons, Colo.

Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.

Surly Brewing Co., Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Phase Three Brewing, Lake Zurich, Ill.

Anchorage Brewing Co., Anchorage, Alaska

Anheuser-Busch, Saint Louis, Mo.

Bottle Logic Brewing, Anaheim, Calif.

Fremont Brewing Co., Seattle, Wash.

Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, Vt.

Pipeworks Brewing Co., Chicago, Ill.

Collective Arts Brewing, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Boston Beer Co., Jamaica Plain, Mass.

Tröegs Brewing Co., Hershey, Pa.

Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, Calif.

Revolution Brewing, Chicago, Ill.

Southern Tier Brewing Co., Lakewood, N.Y.

Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, Maine

Clown Shoes, Boston, Mass.

Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, N.Y.

WeldWerks Brewing Co., Greeley, Colo.

Side Project Brewing, Maplewood, Mo.

Untitled Art, Waunakee, Wis.

Kane Brewing Co., Ocean, N.J.

Tired Hands Brewing Co., Ardmore, Pa.

Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, Pa.

Hop Butcher For The World, Darien, Ill.

SingleCut Beersmiths, Queens, N.Y.

The Veil Brewing Co., Richmond, Va.

The article Top 50 Most Popular Breweries in 2020, According to BeerAdvocate appeared first on VinePair.

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[treeserviceskalamazoo]

Kalamazoo MI Tree Service: Expert Tree Care for Your Property

Hiring a Kalamazoo MI tree service is very important when it comes to the aesthetics, health and safety of trees in your compound. Trees not only enhance the appearance of your compound, but they also provide shade, clean air and help increase the value of your home or business. Trees can quickly become dangerous or even ugly if they are not well maintained. Tree Services Kalamazoo is a company that provides all types of tree service to make sure your trees are healthy all year long.

We have tree trimming, tree removal, and also consultations from a certified arborist in Kalamazoo MI for any size job whether it is big or small. We want your trees to be green and your surroundings to be safe all the time.

Comprehensive Tree Services for Kalamazoo Residents

At Tree Services Kalamazoo, we provide a wide array of professional services tailored to the specific needs of your trees. Some of our most popular services include:

1. Tree Trimming

Tree trimming is necessary to keep the trees in good condition all the time. The company also provides services such as thinning, assisting in pruning out some of the dead, diseased or overgrown branches. Other than that it aids new growth, and improves the structure of the tree protecting trees from storms or strong winds.

Trimming can also give your property a big beauty. Some of the reasons include; They interfere with natural light, can damage the roof, or even be a barrier to movement in the area. Our professional staff will prune your trees efficiently and aesthetically so that your trees are healthy for many more years.

2. Tree Removal

We are always keen to save trees wherever possible, however, there are times when tree removal is required. Dead, dying or severely damaged trees present dangers to your home, property or family, and there are always dangers with dead, dying or severely damaged trees. High risk of stumbling during storms and thus generating huge losses, climbers with impaired structural support.

We remove risky trees on your compound to ensure safety and we also offer tree removal services. We work with the team that uses the right tools and methods so that it doesn’t harm the environment when cutting trees. It doesn’t matter how many trees there are, it could be just one or several big trees, so we do the job professionally.

3. Arborist Services

The only way to make sure your trees are in good shape is to hire a professional arborist in Kalamazoo MI. Professional tree surgeons know the basic principles of tree biology and can tell if a tree is likely to be affected by a disease, pest or any other problem.

Our certified arborists also provide valuable tips on pruning, feeding and managing the soil of your trees. In addition, if you need a tree health check up, we can also prescribe a care program to keep your trees healthy.

Why Choose Tree Services Kalamazoo?

The choice of the right tree care company can mean the difference between the health and longevity of your trees. Here’s why Tree Services Kalamazoo is the best choice for your tree care needs:

Experienced Team: As a team of experienced professionals, we have been in the tree care business for years, from tree trimming Kalamazoo MI, to emergency tree removal services. We’ve worked with a number of different tree species and have a good handle on the needs of trees in the Kalamazoo area.

Certified Arborists: Certified arborists that are well versed in diagnosing and treating tree related problems are the ones we use. You can be sure your trees are being cared for to the highest level with their knowledge and guidance.

Safety First: Safety is our top priority. We are a fully licensed and insured team and take safety very seriously on every job to protect your property and our workers. We do whatever we need to do whether it’s trimming trees or a full tree removal Kalamazoo MI, with precision and care.

State-of-the-Art Equipment: Our tree care services are efficient and safe and we use the latest equipment and techniques. We have everything you need to do any size job from cranes and bucket trucks to advanced pruning tools.

Customer Satisfaction: Tree Services Kalamazoo is dedicated to giving you excellent customer service. For every client, we sit down and talk to them to understand what they need and depending on it, offer a solution. We want to exceed your expectations and make you happy.

Emergency Tree Services

We also provide emergency tree removal services in Kalamazoo, in addition to our regular tree care services. Trees can fall or become damaged by storms, high winds or unforeseen accidents and present an immediate risk to your property and safety. If you find yourself in a tree emergency, we’re here 24/7 to respond quickly and resolve any potential hazards.

Our emergency tree removal services encompass assessing the situation, safely removing the tree, and cleaning up the debris, closing your property down and making it okay.

[hermanwatts]

Sensor Sweep: Spears of Clontarf, Mech, Max Brand, Melee, Dresden Files

Robert E. Howard (Jeffro Johnson): This is a great story, a fascinating piece.

In the first place, it shows us up close the sort of peoples, Christian and pagan, that produced the bedrock of the myth and legends that would define our base concepts of fantasy and heroism. But it also presents the notion that we are descended from people that were every bit as heroic as Conan and Solomon Kane. And being written by Robert E. Howard, you can’t help but end up being persuaded!

So many good lines here:

My lords, it may be God’s will I fall in the first onset– but the scars of slavery burn deep in my back this night, and may the dogs eat my bones if I am backward when the spears are splintering.

  Fiction (Rawle Nyanzi): It’s finally here. The project that myself, Brian Niemeier, and Bradford C. Walker set out to complete is under way. Three mech books — two currently released, one in pre-orders — can finally be purchased on Amazon. One even has a sequel out. These stories are very different from one another. Xseed is military sci-fi in the Gundam mold, very grounded in realism; Reavers is “Christian knights in space,” strongly modeled off of both chivalric romances and classic Star Wars. My own book is based strongly on Japanese-style superhero shows, specifically Power Rangers, while also taking place in an alternate history.

      Authors (DMR Books): Frederick Faust, better known to millions of fans over the last hundred years as “Max Brand,” was born on this date in 1892. Awhile back, I wrote a post on H. Bedford-Jones where I called him “King of the Pulps.” I may need to change my mind on that one. I was following the opinion of Darrell C. Richardson–whose opinions and erudition I esteem greatly–in that instance. I think I’ll have to belatedly disagree with Darrell this time.

While Bedford-Jones is calculated to have written about twenty-five million words for the pulps in his career, Faust wrote at least that many in a shorter career–Faust died five years before Bedford-Jones, almost to the day. Both men wrote in various genres, but Faust appears to have made better money doing so.

  Fiction (HiLo Brow): Ernest Hemingway‘s WWI adventure A Farewell to Arms. A hardboiled account — by a disillusioned American, Frederic Henry, serving as a paramedic in the ambulance corps of the Italian Army — of the horrors of WWI. “I was always embarrassed by the words sacred, glorious, and sacrifice and the expression in vain,” Henry recounts. “I had seen nothing sacred, and the things that were glorious had no glory and the sacrifices were like the stockyards at Chicago if nothing was done with the meat except to bury it…” Our narrator is introduced to Catherine Barkley, an English nurse, whom he indifferently attempts to seduce; he gets to know Catherine better as he recuperates under her care, after being wounded on the Italian front; he is sent back to the front — leaving a pregnant Catherine behind in Milan.

      Fiction (Eldtrich Paths): Grave Peril is the third book of the Dresden Files. I had no major problems with the first two books in the series, but I can see why many readers say the series picks up with this book. A lot happens. Harry Dresden has to deal with more characters, more problems, and more enemies are. The author really puts Harry through the grinder with this one, making it a great chapter in the series.

  Fiction (DMR Books): The second installment in the serialized version of Tros of Samothrace is titled “The Enemy of Rome” and consists of what would become chapters 15 – 26 of the novel published in 1934. Set in the late summer/early fall of the year 55 B.C., this story tells of the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s first invasion of Britain and was first published in the April 10, 1925 issue of Adventure magazine.

Tros has won his first skirmish with Caesar and Rome: he has Caesar’s ship, his pay chests, his seal of office and all of his correspondence (not just military intelligence but much of his foe’s schemes and ongoing plans).

    History (Don Herron): Recently I read A Splendid Savage: The Restless Life of Frederick Russell

Burnham by Steve Kemper. Here’s a paragraph from the book:

Apaches inspired terror for good reason. They were as harsh and pitiless as the landscape they roamed. For non-Apaches, the worst imaginable fate was to be taken alive by them. Captured children and young women were occasionally integrated into the tribe, but men were doomed to torments. Captives were often turned over to Apache women whose male relatives had recently been killed. 

      Fiction (Black Gate): The Wrath of Fantomas is a book I approached with extreme prejudice. It’s a graphic novel that seeks to present a new version of Pierre Souvestre and Marcel Allain’s Fantomas series, which proved so successful when it was introduced a scant 108 years ago. As a rule, I dislike the concept of rebooting a series.

When first discovering a book series as a kid, continuity was key. It made a property more meaningful if there were numerous volumes to find and devour. Scouring used bookstores for dogeared copies of the missing pieces in the narrative puzzle made such books far more valuable to me.

  Fiction (Hillbilly Highway): You can imagine my interest then, when I discovered that an Appendix N and Weird Tales stalwart, Manly Wade Wellman, wrote an entire series of short stories very much rooted in the lore of my people.  About John.  At least that’s the only way his name is given in the stories.  He is more usually known as John the Balladeer or Silver John.  He may also be a parallel universe Johnny Cash.  Or maybe John the Baptist.  Or maybe both.

  Games (Jeffro Johnson): This game is so rad.

I get it out to show it to people, as if to just explain what it is and show off the components…. But then, if you have time to explain it, you pretty much have time to play it. And once you play it, you gotta play it again!

The sample character cards from the recent Fantasy Trip “Monster” Set make this even easier. Just pick a card. Pick one at random, even. Man, it’s just so easy.

  Games and Popular Culture (Wasteland and Sky): I’m unconvinced there is a Millennial who knows what an actual homage is. They should, but for some reason have discarded this definition from their minds. A “homage” is clearly not swiping passages of another writer’s work and not transforming it to a new form, such as comedy or parody, or attributing the original when doing so. But that aside there is a another quote that gives the game away.

  Cinema (Sacnoth’s Scriptorium): So, the organizers of Tolkien Day in Kalamazoo arranged for a special showing of the new TOLKIEN biopic to a room full of Tolkien scholars. We were on the whole a skeptical bunch as to whether the filmmakers cd pull it off, but willing to see how it had come out.

The first thing that struck me was the trees. Tolkien famously said you can’t get much about trees into a play, one reason he considered drama inferior to fiction, but the filmmakers showed this is not necessarily the case for film.

  Fiction (Classic Mysteries): I’m pretty sure that readers who enjoy some of the great classics of science fiction are already familiar with the name of Fredric Brown. I have particularly fond memories of several of his SF classics, such as Martians, Go Home. But I’m also fond of Brown as a mystery author. And, as a fan of Lewis Carroll, and the Alice in Wonderland books in general, I generally try to re-read one of my favorite Fredric Brown mysteries, Night of the Jabberwock, every few years. It’s funny, medium-to-hard-boiled, and I think its plot is both unique and brilliant. It’s not always available in the marketplace, but – as of May, 2019 – it looks like it’s out there at least as an e-book. So here’s what I had to say about Night of the Jabberwock when I reviewed it on the Classic Mysteries podcast several years ago. I’ve updated the information about the book’s availability, but otherwise it’s pretty much as I first wrote and recorded it.

Pulp Science Fiction (SF Magazine): The Debt by E. Mayne Hull is the third of her ‘Artur Blord’ series, and sees the return of the alien Skal from the previous story. This one starts with Blord coming upon a ravaged spaceship, where all the men are dead and there is only one hidden survivor, Ellen Reith. All the other women have been taken by the Skal’s henchmen to the Castle of Pleasure. Blord realises that they will soon deduce from the manifest that Reith is missing, and that they will return for her. He calls his office to organise a cover up.

  Fiction(Paperback Warrior): Author Paul Bishop is a 35-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Receiving “Detective of the Year” accolades twice, Bishop starred as the lead interrogator on the ABC reality show “Take the Money and Run” developed by marquee name producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Along with his 15 published works, Bishop also is the writer and editor of the essential reference work “52 Weeks 52 Western Novels – A Guide to Six-Gun Favorites and New Discoveries”.

Sensor Sweep: Spears of Clontarf, Mech, Max Brand, Melee, Dresden Files published first on https://sixchexus.weebly.com/

[inb4vaughn]

Michigan’s Gull Lake View Spreads Golf Wings

Gull Lake View Golf Resort remains one of the largest family-owned resorts in the U.S. and now, with one of the most talked-about new golf courses in country, the venerable destination looks excitedly toward its next generation.

Brian Schneider, Eric Iverson, Don Placek and Brian Slawnik, senior associates for Renaissance Golf Design of Traverse City, collaborated with Gull Lake View owners, the Scott family on the acclaimed new Stoatin Brae course, a magnificent design situated on a picturesque bluff overlooking the Kalamazoo River Valley that marries classic links-style playability with architectural elements from golf’s golden design era of the 1920s and 1930s to create stunning and unforgettable golfing experience. Oh, and by the way, you can play it for just $59 at twilight!

Stoatin Brae is destination golf at its finest and now, as the sixth course at Gull Lake View, makes one of the Midwest’s greatest “value” resorts for families and buddies’ trips an intriguing vacation option for the golfing purists and golf architecture aficionados alike. With some of the most plentiful and affordable quality golf in the region, it’s no stretch to call Gull Lake View “The Golf Resort of the People.”

Historically speaking, put down Gull Lake View Golf Resort for a four. Sure, four stars out of four for the family-owned resort in aptly named Augusta, Michigan, near Kalamazoo.

Though in this case, the reference is to a fourth generation of the Scott family, Alex. He is studying turfgrass management at Michigan State University and has worked at Sand Valley in Wisconsin and is now out at Gamble Sands in Washington for some serious hands-on golf experience to bring home to the family business.

“He will become a bigger part of the business here,” said Jon Scott, his father and the third generation of the family to steer what started with 18 holes of golf in 1963 and has expanded to 108 golf holes in an award-winning full-service resort community with popular villas, restaurants and real-estate development.

 “My grandpa, my dad, me we’re really dirt guys, but we’ve always looked at the big business picture,” Jon Scott said. “We’re grooming another dirt guy. There is just some gene in us that loves golf and dirt. My kid loves working on a golf course, like I do, like my father did and grandpa did and a lot of others in the family, too.”

Jon said the family has taken that love of golf and working on golf courses and coupled it with the capacity to continually reinvest.

“We don’t take out, we push back in and make sure there is something for tomorrow,” he said. “We don’t just try to benefit from today. It’s been our family perspective over the years. Grandpa started it all. My father was an artist, and I don’t think gets enough credit for what he added, and I’ve tried to make an impact and my son will make an impact in his way.”

Gull Lake View has impacted golf in Michigan since ’63 when Darl Scott, an entrepreneur at heart and golf course superintendent by trade, decided to build and open his own public golf course.

“It comes from Grandpa, always having something going on,” said Jon, who is the son of Charlie, who took the mantle of leadership from his father Darl.

“We don’t mind a little work or getting our hands a little dirty.”

As the story goes, Darl and his wife Letha worked hard, and Gull Lake View grew. Then Charlie and Jim, two of their three sons, directed the family golf business into the next generation where Gull Lake View continued its growth. Charlie has retired, though he still lends a helping hand as the mantle of leadership has been place on Jon’s shoulders.

“I love this place, my dad loves this place, and if you know our family you know this is not just how we make money, it is who we are,” Jon said.

The Scott family, seemingly ever expanding its friendly, welcoming golf community, opened a sixth golf course in 2016. Stoatin Brae, which means Grand Hill in Scottish Gaelic, is the name of the course that marked a departure from the normal pattern of growth at the resort while at the same time reminding the family of previous decisions.

“When Grandpa decided to build his own golf course that was certainly out of his comfort zone, and as we’ve expanded over the years, we have pushed those limits that others see,” Jon said. “What we have at Stoatin Brae is different, very different in the kind of course and how it compares to the others we have here because we did not design it ourselves.

“But in doing it, forging ahead with it, it is consistent with what our family has done from the beginning. We’re giving more to the golfer, our customers, giving them more reasons to come play golf here, another way to have fun.”

Stoatin Brae is only the second course of the six that is not designed by the talented family with landscape architecture backgrounds. It is also a dramatic departure from the current five courses, including four designed by either Darl, Charlie or Jon, or in combination. Those courses cut naturally through the trees and hills on the area’s rolling land carved by the glaciers of long ago.

Stoatin Brae offers views for miles over natural undulations and reestablished prairie grasses, and the wind is seemingly always in play.

Jon said Stoatin Brae is among other things an effort to reach the world’s travel-minded golfers who seek destination courses that offer exciting new adventures. “This site is unique for us, and we decided it was best to add something different,” Jon said.

The resort’s lineup of courses currently includes the Gull Lake West course, the East course, Stonehedge South, Stonehedge North all very near the main resort campus, as well as Bedford Valley near Battle Creek, which the family purchased in 1988. Bedford Valley is a popular parkland William Mitchell design, which blends well with the designs of the family.

“We’ve always been willing to evolve,” Jon said. “We’ve always listened to our customers. We’ve always tried to attract new customers, tried new things. Dad building courses and teaching me, Stoatin Brae, our programs, everything we do, fits within our big picture.”

In that big picture, Jon can’t wait to see the reaction of golfers this summer to a more mature Stoatin Brae.

“People coming back will see a different course,” he said. “It has softened up and is really starting to hit its stride. We found out last year that people found it better. That’s only going to continue. We work to make things better. That’s how we try to do everything around here. It’s the family business.”

www.gulllakeview.com

The post Michigan’s Gull Lake View Spreads Golf Wings appeared first on Golf Tips Magazine.

from Golf Tips Magazine http://bit.ly/2Vp2sAO

[gillespialfredoe01806ld]

Adore the Outdoors? 10 Hidden Meccas Filled With Hikers, Bikers, and Bargain Homes, 2018 Edition

Virginia Beach: Hisham Ibrahim/Getty Images

When realtor.com® published its ranking of America’s top outdoor cities last year, it caused a bit of an uproar. Why was Boulder left off, some indignantly asked. What happened to Taos? No Honolulu, no Denver, no Salt Lake City?

No indeed. Because our focus then and now is on the nation’s most affordable cities for outdoor lovers. And that, my friends, is a whole different walk in the woods.

Fact is, while “The poetry of the earth is never dead,” as Keats wrote, these days it can be pretty darn expensive to enjoy. Homes in the places famously synonymous with the great outdoors are often too pricey for mere mortals. But hold on, nature lovers! Our hardy, windburned data team set out to find the top affordable housing markets for those who want to live the outdoor life. Adventure and open-air serenity can be yours, just minutes from your backyard deck.

So what defines an outdoor town, anyway?

“If you see a lot of rugged vehicles with bike racks and hauling kayaks, that’s a telltale sign at the ground level that you’re in one of these places,” says Chris Chesak, a travel consultant based in Cincinnati. “In a conventional city, if you run into someone you haven’t seen in a long time, they’ll say, ‘let’s grab a beer.’ In an outdoors city, they’ll meet up for a hike. The primary focus isn’t sitting around—it’s being outside.”

To pinpoint the best places for al fresco enthusiasts, we started with the 150 largest metropolitan areas with median home prices below $300,000. (A metropolitan statistical area is a designation that includes the urban core of a city and surrounding areas measured by a high commuting rate into the city.) Then we factored in the following criteria:

Share of homes with outdoor patios, outdoor kitchens, and decks

Bicycle-friendliness rating

Per capita kayaking, rafting, and outdoor gear stores

Number of campgrounds

Share of restaurants with outdoor seating

Per capita of conservation scientists and foresters (sign of heavy park presence)

Number of national parks in the state

Percentage of residents who live within a 10-minute walk of a park

So ditch Netflix and power down the iPhone X. Let’s hit the trails to find America’s hidden outdoor meccas.

1. Spokane, WA

Median home list price: $295,100

The Upper Spokane River

csfotoimages/iStock

Northern California native Gina Erigero, 19, fell in love with Spokane, and its outdoorsy culture, on a high school volleyball tournament trip. Now she’s a sophomore at Gonzaga University in the city, about four hours inland from Seattle, and is taking full advantage of the outdoor fun.

“When you go in a bar, you’ll see fliers up for rock climbing, camping trips, and running groups” instead of for shows, Erigero says.

When she’s not running along the Spokane River or camping with friends, she’s hitting the slopes. Growing up, she’d visit Lake Tahoe where a day pass can cost over $200. In Spokane she usually pays $45 for a day of skiing. The area also has a big climbing scene at Mount Spokane.

The more adventurously inclined can go rafting on the river or zip lining over mountain streams about a half-hour outside the city.

The housing market in Spokane is packed with single-family homes with one- and two-car garages and with some trees on the property, including this three-bedroom Craftsman priced at $249,900. The home has a one-car garage, raised garden beds, and a deck.

2. Bakersfield, CA

Median home list price: $260,000

Angler fishing at Kern River near Bakersfield

Witold Skrypczak/Getty Images

California has Redwood forests, cliff-lined beaches along the Pacific, and picturesque, vineyard-laced landscapes. But what ordinary humans can afford to buy homes in most of those achingly beautiful locales? That’s where suburban, inland Bakersfield—about two hours north of Los Angeles—comes in.

Skeptical? Just hear us out.

It’s all about proximity here. The world-renowned Sierra Nevada Mountains, a must-see for mountain climbers and hikers alike, starts just north of Bakersfield. Sequoia National Forest, with the greatest concentration of giant sequoia groves in the world, is just shy of a two-hour drive north of the city. And the beaches at Morro Bay along the coast are also reachable.

And Bakersfield’s own Kern River Parkway Trail, used by pedestrians and cyclists, runs along the Kern River for more than 20 miles.

“We have Buena Vista Lake that’s only about 30 minutes outside of town. That’s where a lot of people like to wakeboard and water-ski,” says William Gordon, a real estate agent at Gordon Team Realty in Bakersfield. “You can drive an hour and be in the mountains and be hiking.”

Bakersfield homes come with a relatively modest price tag, listed for about half of the median for the rest of the state. Buyers who enjoy the great outdoors often choose the City in the Hills area on the edge of town, which boasts killer mountain views, Gordon says.

Note: Bakersfield would have made the No. 1 spot due to affordability and proximity, but poor air quality bumped it down to No. 2.

3. Tallahassee, FL

Median home list price: $225,000

Tallahassee, Florida

RiverNorthPhotography/iStock

The Florida Panhandle is a hiker’s paradise, where trailgoers will spot everything from coastal dune lakes to swamps packed with exotic wildlife. The biggest city in the panhandle is Tallahassee, just minutes from the start of the Apalachicola National Forest, a  630,000-acre retreat covered in pine trees and a local favorite for hiking, off-road biking, and riding four-wheelers. Spotting red-cockaded woodpeckers is an everyday occurrence here.

Folks in Florida’s capital appreciate the outdoors. One-story abodes in suburban communities with backyard patios and decks for their owners to relax on are common. They include this three-bedroom Craftsman with a screened porch and a fenced backyard for $229,900.

For those who want to take in the natural beauty of the Florida Panhandle (and don’t mind heights), there is the Tracer Hot Air Balloons, a hot air balloon company that offers morning and afternoon rides in Tallahassee.

4. Kalamazoo, MI

Median home list price: $269,500

Downtown Kalamazoo

DenisTangneyJr/iStock

Kalamazoo has the kind of outdoor fun and natural beauty that some might be surprised to find in a major Michigan city—and it’s perfect for campers. Folks enjoy setting up their recreational vehicles and tents at the Kalamazoo RV Park and Campground. It boasts a number of ponds, lakes, and creeks nearby that are perfect for fishing. And residents here can kayak or canoe on the Kalamazoo River, which cuts through downtown. Afterward they can buy some fresh fruit and vegetables at the excellent Kalamazoo Farmers Market.

The homes you’ll find in Kalamazoo are typically modest one- and two-story properties on 1 to 5 acres. This provides homeowners with both the privacy and room to host rocking parties around the fire pit.

5. Tucson, AZ

Median home list price: $279,800

Downtown Tucson, AZ

benedek/iStock

While jogging through Tucson neighborhoods, runners pass territorial-style (Greek Revival and Gothic details added to pueblo-style buildings) and Spanish-style homes dotted with mesquite trees and cacti. There are the staggering views of the nearby mountains to take in.

And you can’t have the great outdoors without the wildlife.

“One home buyer [who moved here] from Chicago saw a bobcat in their yard one morning,” says John Harings, an associate broker at Excelsior Associates Real Estate in Tucson. You don’t see a lot of those in Chicago! That’s in addition to bats, rattlesnakes, and Gila monsters. Yep, Gila monsters.

Just west of the city is Saguaro National Park, which is full with giant saguaro cacti and a common spot where locals go to hike and mountain bike. Sentinel Peak Park, which has an “A” painted at its peak in honor of Tucson-based University of Arizona, is near downtown and another popular hiking go-to spot.

6. Columbus, OH

Median home list price: $250,000

Columbus, OH

styxclick/iStock

Columbus is a great place for folks who want to get outside—to drink craft beer or hear live music. In fact, there are free outdoor concerts every Sunday evening in about a half-dozen locations throughout the city.

And there are also walkable neighborhoods like Short North, which is lined with new restaurants and beer gardens and hosts the annual Columbus Pride Parade. This area has become Columbus’ ground zero for hipsters.

The state capital is the fastest-growing metro in the Buckeye State and has a booming housing market. In fact, Columbus scored the second spot on realtor.com’s hottest market list in June. Outdoor lovers in the Columbus metro who don’t want to live in downtown can head just north to suburban Delaware County, where two-story homes range from $199,000 to above $400,000.

7. Virginia Beach, VA

Median home list price: $285,100

Virginia Beach, VI

Richard Cummins/Getty Images

The 15 million people who visit here each year come for the beach, parasailing, and boating—something that folks who live in Virginia Beach get to enjoy year-round.

Of course the ocean is a big part of Virginia Beach’s culture. But there’s also a number of great parks just outside the city, including the cheerily-named Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, a 100,000-plus-acre marsh-filled park.

“I’ve seen a bald eagle at the swamp, and black snakes and herons. It’s quiet except for the sound of birds and frogs,” says Carol Norris, an owner of an ad agency in the region, who moved here two decades ago from Toronto. She came for the work, but fell in love with the outdoors. She frequently takes hikes and weekend kayaking trips in the wildlife refuge. “It has the name ‘Dismal,’ but it’s anything but dismal.”

Homes right on the water can easily go for north of $500,000—you gotta pay dearly for those ocean breezes. But buyers can get substantial price breaks if they buy a littler farther back from the beach in neighborhoods such as Ocean View and Northside, and still be close to the action. They’re within walking distance to the beach for under $250,000, including this three-bedroom Cape Cod priced at $199,900, with an outdoor shed that is great for storing all your beach toys. Most of them, anyway.

8. Winston-Salem, NC

Median home list price: $214,600

Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem.

BSPollard/iStock

Winston-Salem is a not-too-big, not-too-small North Carolina city that comes with a healthy dose of Southern charm, with homes to match (see this cute Craftsman bungalow for $259,900). Despite a population of nearly a quarter-million, the downtown is dotted with classic, three-bedroom bungalows with porches that make getting to know the neighbors easy. The best part? Buyers can still find them in good shape for under $200,000. 

“There is a lot of outdoor entertaining here,” says Samuel Collins, a broker at Pro Realty Group in Winston-Salem. “It’s really got that great Southern tradition of spending quality time on the porch.”

Local hikers enjoy packing their coolers with sandwiches and beer and heading to Pilot Mountain State Park or Hanging Rock State Park—both around a 40-minute drive from the city. And in recent years, community members here have pushed to expand public greenway space for bikers and runners, including a 1.7-mile Long Branch Trail that opened in April.

9. Fayetteville, AR

Median home list price: $289,100

Located in the Ozarks’ Boston Mountains, Fayetteville is surrounded by pine and red oak trees that cover the range. As a result, homes in this college town are packed with mountain bikes, climbing gear, and hiking boots. Around 15 minutes from downtown is Mount Sequoyah Woods Trail, which has a mountain bike trail that loops through its wooded terrain.

What really brings the outdoorsy type here is the 1.2 million-acre Ozark National Forest, which starts around a half-hour drive south of downtown, highlighted by the 200-plus-mile Ozark Highlands Trail. Of the places that ranked in our top 10, Fayetteville had the highest concentration of campsites.

“[These days, buyers] don’t care about having a big backyard. They care about being near parks, walking trails, biking trails,” says Don McNaughton, a real estate broker at McNaughton Real Estate based in Fayetteville. Most of his clients are young singles, couples, and families purchasing their first homes. Buyers can snag three-bedroom, two-bathroom houses in new subdivisions starting around $175,000. Existing homes are a little cheaper, including this traditional-style one-story home priced at $143,000.

10. Louisville, KY

Median home list price: $250,000

Louisville, KY

Kirkikis/iStock

The Ohio River starts in Pittsburgh and moves south past Cincinnati, but only when it makes it to Louisville does it hit its widest point, topping 1 mile. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that recreational life here revolves around the river, including everything from grilling, to boating, to attending concerts at Louisville Waterfront Park.

When the Ohio River flooded this spring, causing around $4 million in damages, Tre Mills and friends grabbed their kayaks and headed down to the river. The 20-year-old operations manager wasn’t alone—he found 60 other kayakers who also didn’t let the high river water stop them from enjoying the outdoors. It’s that kind of place.

Home buyers can snag historical two-story homes near its walkable downtown for $125,000 to $350,000, including this renovated Smoketown home built in 1900 for $170,000. The two-story home is just a short walk to Louisville nightlife and shopping.

Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and lots of horse lovers. One go-to for horseback riding is the 35 miles of woodland trails in Jefferson Memorial Forest.

“We have a big camping and climbing community, too,” Mills says. “The outdoors are everything here.”

Sources: Realtor.com; League of American Bicyclists; Trust for Public Land (ParkServe tool); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; and Yelp.com

Clare Trapasso contributed to this report.

The post Adore the Outdoors? 10 Hidden Meccas Filled With Hikers, Bikers, and Bargain Homes, 2018 Edition appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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[pearlmcarney-blog]

Adore the Outdoors? 10 Hidden Meccas Filled With Hikers, Bikers, and Bargain Homes, 2018 Edition

Virginia Beach: Hisham Ibrahim/Getty Images

When realtor.com® published its ranking of America's top outdoor cities last year, it caused a bit of an uproar. Why was Boulder left off, some indignantly asked. What happened to Taos? No Honolulu, no Denver, no Salt Lake City?

No indeed. Because our focus then and now is on the nation's most affordable cities for outdoor lovers. And that, my friends, is a whole different walk in the woods.

Fact is, while “The poetry of the earth is never dead,” as Keats wrote, these days it can be pretty darn expensive to enjoy. Homes in the places famously synonymous with the great outdoors are often too pricey for mere mortals. But hold on, nature lovers! Our hardy, windburned data team set out to find the top affordable housing markets for those who want to live the outdoor life. Adventure and open-air serenity can be yours, just minutes from your backyard deck.

So what defines an outdoor town, anyway?

“If you see a lot of rugged vehicles with bike racks and hauling kayaks, that's a telltale sign at the ground level that you're in one of these places,” says Chris Chesak, a travel consultant based in Cincinnati. “In a conventional city, if you run into someone you haven't seen in a long time, they'll say, 'let's grab a beer.' In an outdoors city, they'll meet up for a hike. The primary focus isn't sitting around-it's being outside.”

To pinpoint the best places for al fresco enthusiasts, we started with the 150 largest metropolitan areas with median home prices below $300,000. (A metropolitan statistical area is a designation that includes the urban core of a city and surrounding areas measured by a high commuting rate into the city.) Then we factored in the following criteria:

Share of homes with outdoor patios, outdoor kitchens, and decks

Bicycle-friendliness rating

Per capita kayaking, rafting, and outdoor gear stores

Number of campgrounds

Share of restaurants with outdoor seating

Per capita of conservation scientists and foresters (sign of heavy park presence)

Number of national parks in the state

Percentage of residents who live within a 10-minute walk of a park

  So ditch Netflix and power down the iPhone X. Let's hit the trails to find America's hidden outdoor meccas.

1. Spokane, WA

Median home list price: $295,100

The Upper Spokane River

csfotoimages/iStock

Northern California native Gina Erigero, 19, fell in love with Spokane, and its outdoorsy culture, on a high school volleyball tournament trip. Now she's a sophomore at Gonzaga University in the city, about four hours inland from Seattle, and is taking full advantage of the outdoor fun.

“When you go in a bar, you'll see fliers up for rock climbing, camping trips, and running groups” instead of for shows, Erigero says.

When she's not running along the Spokane River or camping with friends, she's hitting the slopes. Growing up, she'd visit Lake Tahoe where a day pass can cost over $200. In Spokane she usually pays $45 for a day of skiing. The area also has a big climbing scene at Mount Spokane.

The more adventurously inclined can go rafting on the river or zip lining over mountain streams about a half-hour outside the city.

The housing market in Spokane is packed with single-family homes with one- and two-car garages and with some trees on the property, including this three-bedroom Craftsman priced at $249,900. The home has a one-car garage, raised garden beds, and a deck.

2. Bakersfield, CA

Median home list price: $260,000

Angler fishing at Kern River near Bakersfield

Witold Skrypczak/Getty Images

California has Redwood forests, cliff-lined beaches along the Pacific, and picturesque, vineyard-laced landscapes. But what ordinary humans can afford to buy homes in most of those achingly beautiful locales? That's where suburban, inland Bakersfield-about two hours north of Los Angeles-comes in.

Skeptical? Just hear us out.

It's all about proximity here. The world-renowned Sierra Nevada Mountains, a must-see for mountain climbers and hikers alike, starts just north of Bakersfield. Sequoia National Forest, with the greatest concentration of giant sequoia groves in the world, is just shy of a two-hour drive north of the city. And the beaches at Morro Bay along the coast are also reachable.

And Bakersfield's own Kern River Parkway Trail, used by pedestrians and cyclists, runs along the Kern River for more than 20 miles.

“We have Buena Vista Lake that's only about 30 minutes outside of town. That's where a lot of people like to wakeboard and water-ski,” says William Gordon, a real estate agent at Gordon Team Realty in Bakersfield. “You can drive an hour and be in the mountains and be hiking.”

Bakersfield homes come with a relatively modest price tag, listed for about half of the median for the rest of the state. Buyers who enjoy the great outdoors often choose the City in the Hills area on the edge of town, which boasts killer mountain views, Gordon says.

Note: Bakersfield would have made the No. 1 spot due to affordability and proximity, but poor air quality bumped it down to No. 2.

3. Tallahassee, FL

Median home list price: $225,000

Tallahassee, Florida

RiverNorthPhotography/iStock

The Florida Panhandle is a hiker's paradise, where trailgoers will spot everything from coastal dune lakes to swamps packed with exotic wildlife. The biggest city in the panhandle is Tallahassee, just minutes from the start of the Apalachicola National Forest, a  630,000-acre retreat covered in pine trees and a local favorite for hiking, off-road biking, and riding four-wheelers. Spotting red-cockaded woodpeckers is an everyday occurrence here.

Folks in Florida's capital appreciate the outdoors. One-story abodes in suburban communities with backyard patios and decks for their owners to relax on are common. They include this three-bedroom Craftsman with a screened porch and a fenced backyard for $229,900.

For those who want to take in the natural beauty of the Florida Panhandle (and don't mind heights), there is the Tracer Hot Air Balloons, a hot air balloon company that offers morning and afternoon rides in Tallahassee.

4. Kalamazoo, MI

Median home list price: $269,500

Downtown Kalamazoo

DenisTangneyJr/iStock

Kalamazoo has the kind of outdoor fun and natural beauty that some might be surprised to find in a major Michigan city-and it's perfect for campers. Folks enjoy setting up their recreational vehicles and tents at the Kalamazoo RV Park and Campground. It boasts a number of ponds, lakes, and creeks nearby that are perfect for fishing. And residents here can kayak or canoe on the Kalamazoo River, which cuts through downtown. Afterward they can buy some fresh fruit and vegetables at the excellent Kalamazoo Farmers Market.

The homes you'll find in Kalamazoo are typically modest one- and two-story properties on 1 to 5 acres. This provides homeowners with both the privacy and room to host rocking parties around the fire pit.

5. Tucson, AZ

Median home list price: $279,800

Downtown Tucson, AZ

benedek/iStock

While jogging through Tucson neighborhoods, runners pass territorial-style (Greek Revival and Gothic details added to pueblo-style buildings) and Spanish-style homes dotted with mesquite trees and cacti. There are the staggering views of the nearby mountains to take in.

And you can't have the great outdoors without the wildlife.

“One home buyer [who moved here] from Chicago saw a bobcat in their yard one morning,” says John Harings, an associate broker at Excelsior Associates Real Estate in Tucson. You don't see a lot of those in Chicago! That's in addition to bats, rattlesnakes, and Gila monsters. Yep, Gila monsters.

Just west of the city is Saguaro National Park, which is full with giant saguaro cacti and a common spot where locals go to hike and mountain bike. Sentinel Peak Park, which has an “A” painted at its peak in honor of Tucson-based University of Arizona, is near downtown and another popular hiking go-to spot.

6. Columbus, OH

Median home list price: $250,000

Columbus, OH

styxclick/iStock

Columbus is a great place for folks who want to get outside-to drink craft beer or hear live music. In fact, there are free outdoor concerts every Sunday evening in about a half-dozen locations throughout the city.

And there are also walkable neighborhoods like Short North, which is lined with new restaurants and beer gardens and hosts the annual Columbus Pride Parade. This area has become Columbus' ground zero for hipsters.

The state capital is the fastest-growing metro in the Buckeye State and has a booming housing market. In fact, Columbus scored the second spot on realtor.com's hottest market list in June. Outdoor lovers in the Columbus metro who don't want to live in downtown can head just north to suburban Delaware County, where two-story homes range from $199,000 to above $400,000.

7. Virginia Beach, VA

Median home list price: $285,100

Virginia Beach, VI

Richard Cummins/Getty Images

The 15 million people who visit here each year come for the beach, parasailing, and boating-something that folks who live in Virginia Beach get to enjoy year-round.

Of course the ocean is a big part of Virginia Beach's culture. But there's also a number of great parks just outside the city, including the cheerily-named Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, a 100,000-plus-acre marsh-filled park.

“I've seen a bald eagle at the swamp, and black snakes and herons. It's quiet except for the sound of birds and frogs,” says Carol Norris, an owner of an ad agency in the region, who moved here two decades ago from Toronto. She came for the work, but fell in love with the outdoors. She frequently takes hikes and weekend kayaking trips in the wildlife refuge. “It has the name 'Dismal,' but it's anything but dismal.”

Homes right on the water can easily go for north of $500,000-you gotta pay dearly for those ocean breezes. But buyers can get substantial price breaks if they buy a littler farther back from the beach in neighborhoods such as Ocean View and Northside, and still be close to the action. They're within walking distance to the beach for under $250,000, including this three-bedroom Cape Cod priced at $199,900, with an outdoor shed that is great for storing all your beach toys. Most of them, anyway.

8. Winston-Salem, NC

Median home list price: $214,600

Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem.

BSPollard/iStock

Winston-Salem is a not-too-big, not-too-small North Carolina city that comes with a healthy dose of Southern charm, with homes to match (see this cute Craftsman bungalow for $259,900). Despite a population of nearly a quarter-million, the downtown is dotted with classic, three-bedroom bungalows with porches that make getting to know the neighbors easy. The best part? Buyers can still find them in good shape for under $200,000. 

“There is a lot of outdoor entertaining here,” says Samuel Collins, a broker at Pro Realty Group in Winston-Salem. “It's really got that great Southern tradition of spending quality time on the porch.”

Local hikers enjoy packing their coolers with sandwiches and beer and heading to Pilot Mountain State Park or Hanging Rock State Park-both around a 40-minute drive from the city. And in recent years, community members here have pushed to expand public greenway space for bikers and runners, including a 1.7-mile Long Branch Trail that opened in April.

9. Fayetteville, AR

Median home list price: $289,100

Located in the Ozarks' Boston Mountains, Fayetteville is surrounded by pine and red oak trees that cover the range. As a result, homes in this college town are packed with mountain bikes, climbing gear, and hiking boots. Around 15 minutes from downtown is Mount Sequoyah Woods Trail, which has a mountain bike trail that loops through its wooded terrain.

What really brings the outdoorsy type here is the 1.2 million-acre Ozark National Forest, which starts around a half-hour drive south of downtown, highlighted by the 200-plus-mile Ozark Highlands Trail. Of the places that ranked in our top 10, Fayetteville had the highest concentration of campsites.

“[These days, buyers] don't care about having a big backyard. They care about being near parks, walking trails, biking trails,” says Don McNaughton, a real estate broker at McNaughton Real Estate based in Fayetteville. Most of his clients are young singles, couples, and families purchasing their first homes. Buyers can snag three-bedroom, two-bathroom houses in new subdivisions starting around $175,000. Existing homes are a little cheaper, including this traditional-style one-story home priced at $143,000.

10. Louisville, KY

Median home list price: $250,000

Louisville, KY

Kirkikis/iStock

The Ohio River starts in Pittsburgh and moves south past Cincinnati, but only when it makes it to Louisville does it hit its widest point, topping 1 mile. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that recreational life here revolves around the river, including everything from grilling, to boating, to attending concerts at Louisville Waterfront Park.

When the Ohio River flooded this spring, causing around $4 million in damages, Tre Mills and friends grabbed their kayaks and headed down to the river. The 20-year-old operations manager wasn't alone-he found 60 other kayakers who also didn't let the high river water stop them from enjoying the outdoors. It's that kind of place.

Home buyers can snag historical two-story homes near its walkable downtown for $125,000 to $350,000, including this renovated Smoketown home built in 1900 for $170,000. The two-story home is just a short walk to Louisville nightlife and shopping.

Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and lots of horse lovers. One go-to for horseback riding is the 35 miles of woodland trails in Jefferson Memorial Forest.

“We have a big camping and climbing community, too,” Mills says. “The outdoors are everything here.”

Sources: Realtor.com; League of American Bicyclists; Trust for Public Land (ParkServe tool); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; and Yelp.com

Clare Trapasso contributed to this report.

The post Adore the Outdoors? 10 Hidden Meccas Filled With Hikers, Bikers, and Bargain Homes, 2018 Edition appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

[mcloonesrunningstores]

10 West Michigan wedding venues every bride wants to book

Credit: Thinkstock

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOTV) — Wedding season is HERE! Whether you prefer rustic-chic, gorgeous and glamorous, or something in between… West Michigan has got you covered. See some of our top picks of wedding venues below. Happy planning!

2337 63rd St, Fennville, MI

Capacity 151-200

Located on an old apple orchard, the Apple Blossom Chapel & Gardens in Fennville, Michigan is a bride and groom’s dream come true wedding venue. The property creates a whimsical feel with their tall trees, colorful flower gardens and crystal clear pond.

CREDIT: Apple Blossom Chapel & Gardens

146 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI

Capacity 151-200

At an astounding 10,900 square feet, the Ballroom truly dazzles with its original marble walls, sparkling crystal chandeliers and 24-foot Doric columns. The ceilings are high, making the room feel especially spacious. A special touch is the event lighting that allows the bride and groom to set the mood within the room.

CREDIT: The Ballroom at McKay

818 Butterworth St SW, Grand Rapids, MI

Capacity 300+

The Goei Center is ideal for couples seeking historical charm and elegance. Formerly the Kindel Furniture Factory, this loft-like area is decorated with exposed brick walls and original dark hardwood flooring. The entire facility is 15,000 square feet and can host up to 400 guests, so many couples take advantage of this space by using it for both the ceremony and reception.

CREDIT: Kate Touzel Photography

100 Monroe St, Kalamazoo, MI

Capacity: 101-150

Brides looking to feel like an absolute princess on their wedding day are meant to get married at The Henderson Castle. Your Castle that you may ”own” for 24 hours, that is. Another bonus is the castle serves as an inn where 26 guests may stay overnight.

6069 Blue Star Highway Saugatuck, MI

Capacity 300+

Experience the beauty, style and comfort of our state-of-the-art facility for your special day. The conference center is a state-of-the-art facility that provides everything you need to plan your ceremony or reception. Whether you choose indoors or outdoors, their cozy and contemporary property is sure to provide smiles!

CREDIT: Laketown Golf and Conference Center

310 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI

Capacity: 251-300

Loft 310 is conveniently located in Downtown Kalamazoo’s popular Entertainment District. From wedding ceremonies to fantastic receptions, their experienced planners will help ensure your special day is a once-in-a-lifetime memorable event for you and all of your guests. Couples seeking a lavish and chic wedding venue will love what Loft 310 has to offer.

CREDIT: Loft 310

5081 Bauer Rd, Hudsonville, MI

Capacity 251-300

A ceremony site with a waterfall and historic barn makes Post Family Farm an unforgettable setting for your big day. There is the option of having the ceremony and reception either indoors or outdoors from the waterfall greens, pavilion, or the white barn built in 1915.

CREDIT: Post Family Farm

333 Broad St, St Joseph, MI

Capacity 251-300

Footsteps from Silver Beach, Shadowland offers you a picturesque backdrop of glistening water, crimson sunsets, a quaint lighthouse and Victorian-era downtown. It is a beautiful destination during all four seasons. This is your place for making unforgettable memories.

CREDIT: Shadowland on Silver Beach

45143 28th Ave, Bangor, MI

Capacity 230

Something Blue Berry Farm is a historic, 140 year old property with 55 acres of woods and picturesque fields. Their outdoor spaces offer patio seating and breathtaking views of the sunset. All of their patios are lit with string lighting as well as solar lanterns throughout the property. An added touch is the rustic fire ring they offer for cooler nights.

CREDIT: Something Blue Berry Farm

1 Lincoln Ave, Holland, MI

Capacity 201-250

Windmill Island Gardens is a picturesque 30-acre park in the City of Holland, Michigan. This venue is often a destination site for couples looking for a colorful, quaint backdrop where they can host an outdoor wedding in a beautiful, relaxed environment. Enjoy Windmill Island Garden’s neatly manicured grounds that sits right near the shores of Macatawa River. Couples who enjoy historical sites, regardless of their culture, will find the venue and town of Holland to be friendly and welcoming towards out-of-town guests.

CREDIT: Windmill Island Gardens Source Article

Read full post at: http://www.mcloonesrunningstores.com/2017/12/22/10-west-michigan-wedding-venues-every-bride-wants-to-book/

[carddeliverbusinesstewfq]

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