I had business in Bellaire this afternoon and missed my lunch, so I was irresistibly drawn to MOKA, a bright new cafe on Bridge Street. Bill and Cathy Peterson have completely redone the corner previously occupied by a pizza shop. The coffee bar offers all the usual enticements, plus biscotti from Provisions in Traverse City. Cathy is the chef, turning out breakfast quiches and mid-afternoon pastries, while Bill takes care of the front of the house. A person will soon be able to have a civilized glass of wine. This pleasantly open spot is fully accessible. On opening day, a snowy Friday afternoon, it was full of happy customers. Looks like a winner to me.
MOKA 102 North Bridge Street in Bellaire (231) 533-6262You can brave snow and ice to get to the mall, where you can play dodge-em’ with all the rest of the shoppers, or . . . Read the rest of this entry »
Some people live in places with dusty palm trees, scorpions, wildfires, and rattlesnakes – and they think we have it rough. Ha. Snowy weather is fun if you pull on your puffy jacket and your wool socks and get outside where winter adventures are waiting for you.
Float the Jordan, the first river to be designated wild and scenic under Michigan’s Natural Rivers Act. Jordan Valley Outfitters will take the whole family on a guided winter rafting trip, complete with hot beverages and snacks – or a complete dinner, should you choose the romantic moonlight float. The river flows through deep woods sparkling with snow while you relax in the comfy raft and let the guide do all the work. Call (231) 536-0006 for details.
Stargaze. The stars never glitter so brightly as on a cold winter night in Michigan. Buy or borrow a copy of The Stars: A New Way to See Them by H. A. Rey, and learn to see constellations you’ve never been able to find before. Rey, who wrote the Curious George books, intended this work for children, but it is wonderfully appealing to the whole family. Once you’re hooked on stargazing with the naked eye, visit NMC’s Rogers Observatory to peer through its 14-inch telescope at the Orion Nebula. Members of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will host a free public viewing on Saturday January 12th from 8-10 p.m. Climb the stairs into the dome to reach the large telescope or, if it’s a clear night, stay on the ground to look through others that will be set up outside. The classroom, restrooms and outside telescopes are wheelchair accessible. The Observatory is located at 1753 Birmley Road in Traverse City, about half a mile south of Hammond Road, and half a mile west of Garfield.
Learn to track wildlife. A crisp morning with fresh snowfall is the perfect time to try wildlife tracking. The woods, meadows and wetlands of Antrim County are home to deer, coyotes, foxes, beavers, minks, woodchucks, muskrats, porcupines, bobcats and at least one bear. Even in town you can spot signs of raccoons, possums, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, chipmunks and voles. Begin by exploring your own back yard with a little help from these guides:
- Mammals of Michigan Field Guide, by Stan Tekiela, is packed with details on all 66 Michigan mammals. It features exceptional photos of the animals and their scat, illustrations of tracks and track patterns, and information on size, food, habitat, sounds, and behavior.
- Critters of Michigan Pocket Guide, by Wildlife Forever, is designed for children, but their parents will enjoy it too. It includes just 50 “critters” including birds and mammals, with photos, details on habitat, food, and predators, and diagrams of tracks and track patterns.
- Tracking & the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks & Sign, by Paul Rezendes, is a beautifully detailed work geared to adults.
If you decide you want to learn more, you can take a tracking class at Grass River Natural Area (near Bellaire) on Saturday, January 26 at 10 am. Reservations are required and there is a fee. Call (231) 533-8314.
