Spring Will Finally Be Sprung, Think Gardening in the Thumb!

Our one-day taste of sunshine and temps above freezing got me thinking about one of my favorite Thumb hobbies, gardening. Travel in my neighborhood and the home without a garden plot is the exception. By late August, people have tables out in their front yards with veggies to be had for free, the excess fruits of their labor. Some gardens are huge acres of manicured tilled land and some are small plots with a few rows of plants. It wasn’t long after I moved here that I wanted to try my hand at vegetable gardening.

Tomato Plants in My Garden

I am no professional, but I learned that trial by error is part of the fun. Each year I try to grow new things and it’s so rewarding to sow those little plants in early June and then watch them grow all summer and finally eat the fresh veggies. We don’t have a large area of cleared land so we planted our garden in raised beds. This is a great way to grow things if you don’t have a large backyard, you will be amazed at how easy it is to build the beds and how much you can grow in them. Here is a short video so you can get the idea of raised beds.

 

 

 

I have a friend who made the process even easier, she used old tractor tires for her raised beds. I have had great success with many things I have planted, cucumbers and tomatoes have done well and are very easy. If you don’t have room for a raised bed you can even plant these in a container and place it on a deck or patio. I have also done well with squash, potatoes and peppers. Pumpkins were a struggle as they need lots of room. The list of veggies to plant is almost endless, I stick with our favorites.

Some people are what I would call professional gardeners; they start seedlings in the winter, they test their soil, till the land, compost, etc. and that’s cool. But, I am much more casual. We rent a small mantis tiller in the spring and add some manure to the soil. Then, one of my favorite parts, shopping for the plants. Oh, what fun it is to choose all the baby veggies each year. Wojo's Greenhouse in Ortonville is great, a huge selection with beautiful plants. But, if you are on a budget, Walmart, Home Depot, even your local grocery can be a source. But, do remember to look for healthy plants that look cared for; many times the old adage you get what you pay for is very true with garden plants.

 

 

Garden Beds at Planting Time

 

Although I am so anxious to plant as soon as I have my new baby veggies at home I have learned from experience for most plants it is best to wait until after Memorial Day. Before that the soil is much too cold for tender plants and the risk of frost is still there. Planting is very easy, if I have ever have any question about how to plant a specific veggie I just look for video on the internet. Then, it’s true therapy for me to venture out to the garden each morning and check the progress of the plants. Watering, weeding, fertilizing, checking for pests; it’s not a chore but so relaxing.

 

Wow! Look how my babies have grown!

By late July the cucumbers are usually the first veggies to be ready. The freshness and the taste directly from garden to table is unbelievable. Then it’s tomatoe time, fresh salsa is the best! Like most other gardeners I am usually looking for friends and family to take some of the extras, we always plant too much. But, sharing is also part of the fun. No matter what and how much you plant, how serious you are, what works or doesn’t work, the most important thing to remember is to not be intimidated, have fun with it!

 

 If I can do it, you can too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Olympics Have Me Thinking, Let the Thumb Games Begin!

Living in the Thumb has given me lots of opportunities to try new sports; it has been awesome to get outside and get some exercise while having lots of fun. My hubby, Rod, and I have spent many an early morning fishing off the docks at the Holloway Reservoir or standing on the banks of the Cass River. $20 at Walmart gets casual catch and releasers like us all you need to spend some time in the peace and quiet of dawn at the water’s edge. Just don’t forget your fishing license!


Fishing near Holloway Reservoir Dam

 

If you want to be on the water kayaking is a great way to work those arm muscles and see the world from a different perspective. Kayaking is splendid on the Holloway reservoir or on Lake Huron near Port Austin. Both areas have rentals or you can get an affordable boat at Meijer or Walmart when spring arrives.

Kayaking near Port Austin

 

 

We also love to go ice skating, it is actually very romantic! With tons of inland lakes and ponds, ice fishing and ice skating are big around here. Hoyt Park in Saginaw has a huge rink that sits in one the city’s beautiful old neighborhoods, it’s free and very cool. We were having so much fun ice skating that we actually put a  rink in our backyard. A little fire pit nearby and it is so awesome to just throw on the skates and head out; only steps from the backdoor. I have found it’s a great workout and lots more fun than hanging out in the basement walking on the treadmill. A rink in your yard is actually easier than you might think. Some families build their own with a wood frame and thick plastic lining. We actually bought a kit that has a PVC pipe frame and liner. Put her together, add water and you are on your way. They come in all sizes, ours is actually almost as large as a hockey rink.

Hoyt Park in Saginaw

 

Truly my favorite sport that I have embarked on since moving to Mayville is cycling. I go every morning from spring to fall.  I just love hoping on the bike and wandering the miles of back roads near my home. The scenery is beautiful with acres of woods and farmland. It is so peaceful early in the day when the only other souls out and about are the cows, deer, turkeys and all the other critters that roam at sunrise. I ride around 20 miles a day and it never gets boring when you can find a new route each and every day. One of my favorite parts of riding near my home is the Southern Lakes Trailway. The Southern Links Trailway is a 10.2 mile trail that connects the communities of Columbiaville, Otter Lake, and Millington. This non-motorized trailway is paved with asphalt and is great for hiking and biking with a separate path for those on horseback. It is a beautiful ride with scenic views of open fields and wetlands, wooded forests and farm lands.

 

 

 

 

Just a few ideas for sporting fun in the Thumb!

 

Explore the Thumb and Enjoy the Adventure

 

Welcome to the Thumb!

 

 

I know the snow is deep now, but think about a day when you might want to take a drive and see  unique sites in your home state. Michigan has the well-known peninsulas - Lower and Upper – but there’s another one. It’s the peninsula that sticks out into Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, Michigan’s great Thumb Area. It truly is a travel destination rich in natural scenic beauty, strong cultural heritage and plenty of year-round activities. When you visit the Thumb Area, you’ll find more than 150 miles of shoreline, 2,100 miles of rivers and streams, 51,000 acres of public recreation land, 49,000 acres of state game/wildlife areas and plenty of hometown festivals and events all year round!

 
I would love to share all of the sights and sounds of the Thumb. We have lighthouses, orchards and cider mills, wineries, antique shopping, museums, golf, parks, camping, farmers markets and more. This week I will focus on four of the most unique sites to give you a taste of what is in store for you when you travel to the Thumb!

 

Sanilac Petroglyphs State Park in Cass City
 

Visit this 240 acre historical site and find the Sanilac Petroglyphs, Michigan’s only known prehistoric rock carvings attributed to Native American workmanship in the Lower Peninsula. The carvings are etched into a sandstone outcrop and are a fascinating mystery, they give a glimpse into the lives of early Native American artists.

Sample of the Petroglyphs

Thumb Octagon Barn

 

Take a step back in time when you visit the Thumb Octagon Barn and Agricultural Museum located just outside of Gagetown in the heart of Michigan’s great Thumb Area. Built in 1923 by a local businessman, James L. Purdy, the Thumb Octagon Barn is a true epitome of agricultural life. Registered as a Michigan Historical Site, the Thumb Octagon Barn provides visitors with a glimpse into the livelihood of a Michigan Thumb farmer in the early 1900’s. The landmark sits on a 26 acre complex that includes the barn which stands 70 feet tall and occupies 8,718 square feet. The attraction also includes a “Craftsman” style house, a powerhouse building, one room schoolhouse, saw mill, covered bridge, blacksmith shop and more.

 

Wind Farms in Elkton and Ubly Areas

You can find over 615 wind turbines in the Thumb where the wind is strongest and most consistent. Seeing the enormous structures can turn a scenic drive into a jaw-dropping experience. Along Bay City-Forestville Road near the border of Huron and Sanilac counties, swaths of turbines churn away as dairy cows graze and sugar beets grow.

As you drive closer you can notice their size — as tall as 410 feet. You can hear their hum and see their slow-moving blades, each half a football field long. Visit Thumb Wind.com for a Michigan Wind Farm Map.

 

 

 

Lighthouses in the Thumb Area

Your trip to the Thumb must include a shoreline drive to see the magnificent lighthouses that dot the Lake Huron shoreline and the sunrise side. Port Sanilac, Harbor Beach, Port Hope and Port Austin are the towns to explore if you are a lighthouse fanatic. Check out this video for a small taste.

These fun destinations are just a sample of what’s in store for you when you visit the Thumb of Michigan, we look forward to welcoming you to our neck of the woods!

Thank you to these sources:

ThumbWind.com, Freep.com, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Thumb Area Tourism Council, Inc.









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Thumb!

City Girl Gone Wild

 

Take a girl who grew up in Detroit with all the trappings of urban life and drop her in the middle of the rural Thumb and its bound to make for some craziness as she learns to adapt. I learned quickly to be cautious about sharing stories of my follies with my co-workers; they took great joy in affectionately calling me a “cityiot”.

It’s a 15 minute drive to the grocery store, heck to anywhere. And let’s be clear that store is not the 24-hour mega-mart kind of deal. No more middle of the night Dorito runs for this girl. More troublesome was my yearning for the fabulous cuisine I once took for granted. Strolled into said grocery one day with a hankering for a large bagel, cream cheese and lox, ah, my memories of Southfield. Passed by the deli and looked for those lovely, fishy, pink treasures, not a salmon in sight. I stopped an employee and inquired where the lox could be found, “in the hardware section”, he responds. Oh my, locks would be all I could find that day.

 

My first Fall living in the Thumb was going very well, it is truly a pleasure when you have acres of your own forest to explore. In the back yard playing with my beloved dogs when I heard gunfire. I about had a stroke and hit the deck. That was really close. Laying on the ground and fortunately had the cell phone. Also, fortunately, I did not call 911, thank God for small miracles. Called the husband, screaming, “someone is shooting”! “Well, of course they are”, he calmly responds, it is opening day of hunting season. Oh.

On our way home from Vassar one morning, a town about 20 minutes west. The hubby and I are talking and driving just a relaxed Sunday afternoon. All of a sudden he slams on the brakes, a cow in the road, yes, a cow. So, I am merely glad we and the beast are ok. Figured we would be on our way. Not a chance, the hubby has to play bovine Good Samaritan. He sees the broken fence in a field to the right where the cow made her escape and the little farm nearby. So, me and the man get out of the car and somehow manage to guide the massive beast back to the barn, very comical for Mrs. Cow. I am sure stubborn must have been her middle name.

Cows are quite the thing here. But, a normal thing for my husband as you see he is the one who grew up in the Thumb and dragged his wife to live in the land of open fields. Some of his relatives have a dairy farm and take much joy in calling their cows hamburger, roast and such, just about ruined it for me. But, you get used to it. Later that summer when I went out to get the mail and the neighbor’s black and white beauty was strolling up the drive it was not even a thang.