Almont's Country Smoke House

Interested in wild game jerky or sausage? The Country Smokehouse in Almont is known throughout the nation for their excellent meat products.  The store is huge and on a mid-week afternoon, there were tons of customers. They do very little advertising as it is all word-of-mouth. You can't miss the venue with the giant bull out front and the moose splayed on the PT Cruiser rooftop. Summertime weekly barbecues are well attended as they crank up their giant smoker and dish out giant turkey drumsticks, buffalo burgers, pulled pork sandwiches and slow cooked barbecue ribs.  All their sides are homemade also.  And to think, they started some 25 years ago out of a one car garage. It's the American dream come true. Their manly gift boxes make outstanding presents.

Haunted Dark House in Brown City

You'll do a double take when you pass the Dark House on Van Dyke in Brown City.  The Bruce Mansion looks like something straight out of the Addams Family. October weekends, this scary 1876 home is open from 8-11pm. They take you on a tour of a cemetery as well.

Clifford's Hickory Hill Farm

Cousin Don and family farm the 80 acre Hickory Hill in Clifford, the center of Michigan's thumb. It's been in the Hobson family since 1888 and offers eggs, rhubarb, jams, maple syrup, strawberries, asparagus and other vegetables. Cousin Don is a character in his signature orange shirt and has been spotted on the Martha Stewart Show. We can buy his delicious produce at various local markets (Birmingham, Rochester) promoting going local.  Ask him about his bush hogging or his grandpa's elderberries.

Imlay City Historical Museum

There is a restored caboose at the Imlay City Historical Museum. Although trains no longer stop at their depot, the 1927 building has been lovingly restored and serves as a museum. Today 45 minute wagon rides are offered by the museum to explain the history of the area. The Blueberry Festival is coming up where the Historical Society serves up special homemade goodies made with this wonderful local fruit.

Ferndale Mural by Daniel Cascardo

Fabulous Ferndale features a great piece of street art by Michigan artist Daniel Cascardo. His colorful, whimsical works can be enjoyed through this Saturday, April 28th at gallery 194 in Lapeer where he has transformed the walls. If you've gotten a tote recently from Macy's by purchasing True Religion "Hippie Chic" or Ed Harding fragrances, well, that's Daniel's "Love Garden" on the bag, the proceeds for which went to help out Turning Point, the Mt Clemens non-profit which helps abused women.

Skyline Retreat in Almont

Skyline Retreat Center in Almont has been providing excellent services for campers and retreat groups since 1964.  The 156 glorious woodsy acres were donated by a very generous lady and more than 10,000 kids have enjoyed these facilities and communed with nature. Week long camps provide fishing, canoeing, swimming, drumming, nature hikes, lots of games and outdoor activities as well as help build self-confidence and form wonderful friendships through teamwork and conflict resolution. Sunday, May 1, there is an Open House and all are welcome.

Honeyflow Farm in Dryden

Michigan may experience more than its share of dark and dreary days, but we have learned to make our own sunshine. The Honeyflow Farm in Dryden raises bees and sells their own honey and pure natural beeswax candles (with 100 styles to choose from). It is also the largest producer of grapes in Southeast Michigan. People buy them to make their own jelly, juice and wine. Some buy the honey to make mead! We purchased their candles on-line, but they gave us the option of saving shipping by picking it up at the farm. We couldn't resist taking a peek yesterday!