Northern Michigan (A Winter Wonderland)

Northern Michigan encompasses a broad range of landmass. Not to be missed is the unique Upper Peninsula which is a world of its own. One of the grandest Great Lakes (Lake Superior) is located in the Upper Peninsula. On the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in the Northwest corner of the state lies a popular city known as Traverse City.

Traverse City like much of America this winter is experiencing heavy snowfall and lots of cold weather but that doesn't stop the locals and tourists from enjoying all the attractions the area has to offer. Below is a list of activities to enjoy and melt away the winter blues.

If you like to ski than Shanty Creek Resort and Mount Holiday Ski and Recreation area are the answer to downhill skiing. Hickory Hills is a popular place to ski too.

You always have a chance to play and win at Turtle Creek Casino or Leelanau Sands Casino.

Over on Front Street in downtown Traverse City you can warm up in the historic State Theater and watch first run movies and classics. The City Opera House on Front Street boasts national,local, and regional talent and the entertainment here is top notch.

A drive on the Old Mission Peninsula will reward you with great views. Places to check out on the 22 mile long Old Mission Peninsula are Haserot Beach, Old Mission Lighthouse, Old Mission General Store, Scenic Overlook, and the seven wineries that dot the peninsula.

The Leelanau Peninsula is world famous for it's #1 top attraction: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Even in the winter mouths the beauty of this area will mesmerize you. The Leelanau Peninsula is 30 miles long. On your scenic drive you can visit one of the many wineries, Inn at Black Star Farms, Leelanau State Park and idyllic villages; Empire, Leland, Northport, and Suttons Bay.

If you like the outdoors than you'll love the outdoor actives offered in and around Traverse City.Traverse City (cherry city) has no shortage of cherry trees so if you're craving cherries you can get them year round. Right now as I write this post I'm snacking on some local cherries that I just unfroze. They're extremely tasty and shortly I'll be making a homemade cherry pie.

Enjoy this recipe for Traverse City Cherrie Pie!

MOUTH-WATERING CHERRY PIE

Make enough dough for two homemade 9 inch pie crusts.

Filling:

2 cups pitted cherries 
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg yolk

Drain the cherries reserving 1 cup liquid from the cherries. In a saucepan combine sugar, flour, and salt. Stir in the cherry liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil. When mixture is thickened add the butter, almond extract, and cherries. Cool the mixture and refrigerate one hour. Pour the cooled
cherry filling into a half baked pie crust. Roll out extra dough and cut out some strips to put on top of the pie. Place a few strips of the dough horizontally than vertically over the filling.
Brush the dough strips with egg yolk.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

You can freeze leftover dough and use it later to bake another cherry pie.