Some stops are about the food, some are about the photo ops — and Gustafson’s Smoked Fish in Moran, Michigan manages to be both. Known since 1978 for smoking Michigan fish to perfection, they also stock jerky in every flavor imaginable, plus a mix of snacks, souvenirs, and “just passing through” essentials. On our visit, …
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We took a beautiful hike along the Cut River Bridge this morning 🙂 Super cool and very quiet! We got to hike up a ridiculous sand hill, then “run” back down it — pure kid‑level fun. Somewhere along the way, we even stumbled on a geocache without really trying 😄 And yes, the 264 stairs …
Sometimes the best travel discoveries are the ones you stumble into without much of a plan. That’s exactly what happened when we found ourselves at Call of the Wild in Gaylord, Michigan, located at 850 South Wisconsin Avenue. Now, I’ll be honest – this was one of those stops where we wandered through, enjoyed ourselves, …
We found Agnes Andreae Nature Preserve Michigan early in our bus journey — back when hiking was constant and silence was rare. This spot along the Pigeon River became one of those places that stuck. Not because it was flashy, but because it felt like ours. Quiet trails, weird sculptures, and just enough mystery to …
Garlyn Zoo | Naubinway, Michigan We stopped at the Garlyn Zoo and Wildlife Park during one of our Upper Peninsula drives a few years back — one of those spontaneous “why not?” detours that ends up being a highlight. I didn’t write about it at the time (rookie mistake), but I’m fixing that now so …
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🦌✨Where roadside randomness meets actual elk We weren’t planning to see elk, Zach was just trying to find a decent parking spot. But Gaylord, Michigan had other plans. Turns out, the Elk’s Lodge Gaylord Michigan elk viewing setup is not just a fluke — it’s a full-on roadside jackpot. You park once, and boom: lodge …
Giant Chairs, Spicy Humor, and a Quick Roadside Detour The Bear Store Hale Michigan is parked right at 6787 M‑65 in Hale. You can find more details here if you want the official scoop — but honestly, just pull over when you see it. Why Bear Store Hale Michigan is Worth the Stop We …
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A Must-See Roadside Attraction at Fanning 66 Outpost – 5957 State Hwy ZZ, Cuba, MO On our Route 66 adventure, Zach and I couldn’t resist stopping at one of Missouri’s most charming roadside attractions – the World’s Second Largest Rocking Chair! This magnificent giant red rocker has been welcoming travelers since the 1940s. It continues …
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Checkmate on the Sidewalk: The 20-Foot King of St. Louis Let’s be real: Zach and I aren’t chess players. I couldn’t tell a Gambit from a Goalie, and Zach is more likely to be found knitting a Waldo hat than studying a chess board. But the World’s Largest Chess Piece in St. Louis? That was …
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The Journey Begins!! For most of my life, I felt like I was on a perpetual non-journey journey. Moving, but going nowhere. I have a fantastic Aunt that always says to step out on the way, and the way will appear. Well…. Back in January, I met this really great guy at a mutual friends …