Mike Sonnenberg, Author at Lost In Michigan

Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes Boekelodge

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places, Houses, Sleeping Bear Dunes .

The Boekelodge is in the southern part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The cabin was originally built in the 1930’s and then left abandoned after a few years. In 1945, the cabin was purchased by the Boekeloo family and updated. A canal was dug from the plat river to flood the low-lying areas for a cranberry bog. The cabin overlooks a pond and is now owned by the National Park Service. A seasonal road off M-22 leads back to the cabin where you can hike the area including a trail that goes to Lake Michigan. It’s a lesser-known part of the National Lakeshore, and you have to know where to find Boekeloo Road, since there is no sign along M-22 telling visitors there is a lodge hidden in the woods. You can find more info and a detailed location of the Boekelodge and many other interesting locations in the Lost In Michigan book available on Amazon HERE

If you rely on Facebook for post updates, I have been using it less since they want me to pay to boost all of my posts, I hope you subscribe to email updates so you won’t miss any new posts,

Upcoming Lost In Michigan Presentations

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in presentations .

I hope you will come out and see me at my upcoming presentations. The second week of October I will be talking about my travels around Michigan at two Mid-Michigan libraries. I hope you will join me to listen to some of my stories and how I got started doing what I do. I will also be selling and signing copies of my new book which will be coming out in the next few weeks. If you can’t make it you can purchase books and calendars from my website HERE

October 9th

Caro Area District Library 6:00-7: 00 pm
840 W Frank St, Caro, Michigan 48723

October 11th
Tamarack District Library 6:00-7: 00 pm
832 S Lincoln Ave, Lakeview, Michigan 48850

If you rely on Facebook for post updates, I have been using it less since they want me to pay to boost all of my posts, I hope you subscribe to email updates so you won’t miss any new posts,

[fbcomments]

Upper Peninsula Color Report 2018

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn .

I was in the Upper Peninsula over the past weekend ( Sept 7-11, 2018) and I traveled along the Lake Michigan shoreline over to Menomonee and then up the Keweenaw and then along the Lake Superior shoreline to Brimley. all the days I was there it got into the upper 70’s and I think the warm weather is holding off the trees from changing colors. There were a few random sparklers as Bob Ross calls them, but other than that it was all green. With the temps getting into the 80’s this weekend I am thinking the trees will wait even longer. I am no expert but I am thinking the trees will start the last weekend in September and maybe peek in the first half of October.

If you planning a trip to leaf peeping in the U.P. you still have a few weeks until the color will be spectacular.

by the way, if you are looking for a place to sleep, here are some of the hotels I stayed at while I was up there.

The White House motel near Calumet.

Munising Motel

Travelers Motel near Bessemer

If you rely on Facebook for post updates, I have been using it less since they want me to pay to boost all of my posts, I hope you subscribe to email updates so you won’t miss any new posts,

[fbcomments]

The Tip of the World

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Nature .

I went out this past weekend exploring the Upper Peninsula and I made it all the way out to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula to see the rocket range. I was awestruck by the beauty of the red copper rocks and blue water of Lake Superior. It was a long drive but well worth the effort. While I was there I noticed a white spec off in the distance. I guy and his young son was there and he told me it was Gull Island Lighthouse.

I wished I could get to the lighthouse but for now, the best I could do was take a pic with my telephoto lens. It looks so eerie on a small rock way out there offshore.

I am looking forward to sharing my photos and stories with you this fall and winter. I know I said that the last post and then bailed on you for a trip to the Upper Peninsula but I figured I better go while I get the chance. I was up there for 5 days and took a lot of pics. I will stay closer to home now and will have time to post more. and yes I will be doing a post on the rocket range if you are wondering what that is be sure to subscribe to email updates so you won’t miss it.

To help me pay for the “Go-Go Juice“I burned in the jeep calendars are on sale this week. you can look at them HERE

If you rely on Facebook for post updates, I have been using it less since they want me to pay to boost all of my posts, I hope you subscribe to email updates so you won’t miss any new posts,

[fbcomments]

Lost In Michigan Calendars Now Available

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in calendars .

The 2019 Lost In Michigan wall calendars are now in stock and ON SALE. A lot of people have been asking for them and they are finally here. Thank you so much to everyone who got one last year and I know a lot of you get them every year and I can’t say thank you enough for your support. I don’t get any funding other than the books and calendars I sell. They help me to continue my journey around Michigan so I can share stories with you.

CLICK HERE to order your calendar

P.S. Now that my son is in college and my daughter starts school I am looking forward to sharing with you all the interesting places I have been this summer. Thank you so much for subscribing to my website and I do my best to send you emails you enjoy reading.

P.P.S. If you are wondering, I hope to have Volume to of my book available by the end of September.

The Pie Stand

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Restaurants .

A few years ago I went to the Grand Travers lighthouse and I passed a stand selling pies and baked goods on the side of the road. The sun was setting and I did not stop so I could get some pics before the sun went down. I went back and the stand was gone and I thought maybe it was a figment of my imagination. I was up in the Leelanau Peninsula not too long ago and there it was the pie stand I saw. I have seen people selling firewood, vegetables and fresh eggs on the honor system on the side of the road, but a stand with pies now you have my attention. I had to stop and get a pie for the road and it was awesome. next time you are near the lighthouse at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula keep an eye out for this patriotic stand on the side of the road.

Lost In Michigan Books are ON SALE at Amazon. You can see more by clicking HERE

If you rely on Facebook for post updates, I have been using it less since they want me to pay to boost all of my posts, I hope you subscribe to email updates so you won’t miss any new posts,

The Note In The Cemetery

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Cemetery .

While I was on the west side of the state I made a trip to the supposedly haunted Mouth Cemetary near Montague. I can’t say it was haunted but I can say it was a beautiful old historic cemetery hidden in the woods. The earliest marked grave dates back to 1851 and the lighthouse keeper William Robinson is laid to rest here. He was the keeper at the nearby White River Lighthouse and his spirit supposedly haunts the lighthouse. you can read about that HERE. In the center of the cemetery stands a rustic wooden cross and at the base of it, I saw a note someone had written.

in case you can’t see the photo clearly it read:

7-9-18 Today is our first visit to this beautiful cemetery! We came across this amazing cross on the tree stump and couldn’t help to wonder did something happen here? So we wanted to leave something special. I was saving it for my brother who passed in 2003 in GR MI so I left it here under this note. Love Sheri and Joshua 2018

I did not look to see what they left I figure their brother knows and that’s all the matters

P.S. I figured I would be the only one at the cemetery but I met a really nice couple while I was there, I guess I am not the only one that goes to the old cemeteries. I would say there were ghosts but I don’t think ghosts can drive an SUV.

P.P.S If Sheri or Joshua is reading this, now you know that someone noticed the note you left.

If you rely on Facebook for post updates, I have been using Facebook less since they want me to pay to boost all of my posts, I hope you subscribe to email updates so you won’t miss any new posts,

[fbcomments]

Still Lost After Five Years

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Uncategorized .

It’s going on my 5th year of doing Lost In Michigan. I would have never guessed where this journey would take me. It’s been lots of fun and I am so thankful you have been along for the adventure. The best part about doing this website is all the support and people I have met. I can’t say thank you enough for all your help and kindness. I am still not really sure what I am doing but I am doing it anyway.

Here is a link to MY FIRST POST I like to think I am getting better at my writing and posting from when I first started maybe after another 20 years I will start getting good at what I do.

I hope you will continue to follow me around the state I love to get lost in.

Mike Sonnenberg

P.S. one thing that has changed over the years is Facebook. They don’t show my posts like they used to so if you want to make sure to see what I post to be sure to subscribe to email updates so you know when there is a new post.

[fbcomments]

The Festivus Express

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Train Depots .

I was in Grand Haven and I saw an enormous steam locomotive on display and my first thought was, ” that looks like the Polar Express” but I knew it wasn’t since the 1225 is in Owosso. I looked at the number and it was the Pere Marquette 1223. I wondered what holiday that was and looking on Wikipedia it says that December 23rd is Festivus. Maybe someday the old train will be restored to working order and I can air my grievances on the Festivus Express, I wonder what town it would go to on its journey.

I hope you will subscribe to email updates since facebook prioritizes your friends a family they will not show you many of my posts, I promise I won’t email you a bunch of junk email, it’s only to notify you of a new post which will be two or three times a week.

[fbcomments]

Good News and Bad News

Posted on July 7, 2018 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Detroit .

You have probably been asked the question before ” do you want the good news or the bad news first?” I am gonna give you the bad news first. The old Boblo Island boat the SS Ste Claire caught fire yesterday where it was docked and was destroyed. you can find out more at the Free Press HERE I have fond memories of riding this boat in 7th grade on a field trip to Boblo Island. I took this pic a few years ago when it was on the river near Dearborn. I was hoping to get a photo of it at its new location but not after the flames took away this grand old ship. I am thankful I got a photo of it when I did. It’s sister ship the SS Columbia is being restored in New York and hope she will sail into Detroit someday. you can check out the website HERE

In good news, the James Scott Castle’s restoration project is progressing along well. It’s hard to believe that a build in such a dilapidated state could be brought back from the dead. The mansion sits on the corner of Peterboro and Park near Wayne State University. I have not seen it yet since the exterior was restored but I am looking forward to it. you can read more about the restoration HERE

They say the only constant is change, sadly some of the places I have photographed are gone but it’s also nice to see some of them have been restored. If it’s gonna change I prefer change for the better.

P.S. if you got a 2018 Lost In Michigan calendar my photo of the SS Ste Claire is the photo for the month of July.

P.P.S. I have not been posting a lot since I have been out taking more photos and spending some quality time with my family on summer vacation at some of Michigan’s state parks, you can see more about that on my Camp Michigan website HERE and facebook page HERE I have lots of great photos and interesting stories to share and I can’t wait to share them with you.

[fbcomments]

« Previous Page