<![CDATA[Vacation Homes on Lake Michigan - Blog]]>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 19:12:16 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[More beach as of April 2016!]]>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 01:37:53 GMThttp://www.relaxonlakemichigan.com/blog1/more-beach-as-of-april-2016
I'm happy to report the beach is currently wider than last summer...although no promises it will look like this all summer! The old remains of sea walls put up by previous owners    to control the beach have reappeared, adding a bit of "beachy charm", a gentle reminder of an ever changing shoreline.

So keep in mind, while Mother Nature  does what she wants, when she wants and at her own pace, life on the lake is a joy and embrace of a small corner of our wonderful world.
]]><![CDATA[Lessons in Lake levels]]>Tue, 05 Apr 2016 19:31:56 GMThttp://www.relaxonlakemichigan.com/blog1/lessons-in-lake-levels
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2009
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2012
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2015
Paraphrasing Clara Peller of Burger King fame, it's another year of "WHERE'S THE BEACH?"       I can assure you it's there in all it's 100% pure sandy self...just under a bit of water that's all!!  As you can see from the pictures above, the beach changes year to year....some years large enough to play volleyball on and others, barely room enough to walk. In 2015 it began to  rise again and looks like that trend is continuing in 2016 as well.  (http://tinyurl.com/lakelevelinmanistee)

So what does that mean for our beach house visitors?  No volleyball on the beach in 2016 but you can do every other beach activity! Walk for miles...although you may get your feet wet north of us where there is a house or two jutting out into the water...swim, sun, relax, have a bonfire!! And keep in mind that our sandy shoreline is very, very shallow out into the water for over 100'+/- making for fun times with the sand toys of your choice. Of course, always be careful since undertow is possible even in knee high waters.

So, just as in life which is ever changing and evolving, spending time on Lake Michigan is all about going with the flow and living in the moment of possibility!!



]]><![CDATA[Winter lessons]]>Wed, 15 Jan 2014 20:32:29 GMThttp://www.relaxonlakemichigan.com/blog1/winter-lessons
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Our guests staying at Sunset Shores for the winter have been posting some amazing photos. This one on the left was taken on a Saturday and...
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...and this one on the right was taken only 4 days later. Same spot but what a difference. The lake is frozen out a lot farther.
So how's your winter going? From frigid cold to snow and rain storms, winter sure seems to be living up to its' reputation for being "difficult"! Even the south has gotten hit with some "challenging" weather so it got me thinking about lessons learned over a life-time of having lived in the midwest....

Lesson 1: DENIAL doesn't make it so....Dress for the weather!!!
No wonder everyone complains about the cold...
they dress like its' summer! Maybe it's human nature but most complaining seems to be a result of denying reality and then wondering why things aren't the way you want them to be. So, please, just consider putting on a hat and coat and stop your complaining!

Lesson 2: And this too shall pass....Enjoy where you are right now!
Let's face it, change is inevitable and this wintry weather won't be here forever...really it won't! That gives us a couple choices: continue to complain or find the joy where you are right now. Either way, it is what it is. I just watched a TedX talk about an amazing young man by the name of Sam Berns who embodies what it means to live life fully IN ALL SITUATIONS. He shared a very appropriate quote from the infamous Ferris Bueller: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." 

Lesson 3: Take time to create....Stuck inside? Plan your vacation!
Or in the case of most people reading this, THANK YOU FOR PLANNING A VACATION WITH US!!! We have enjoyed sharing our homes over the past 10 years for a lot of different reasons and to a lot of different people and that is what I love most....how our guests share their stories and experiences of being on the lake, spending time with family and friends. Love your stories so keep 'em coming! We may have the mortgages :) but the reality is we are simply stewards of these properties...caretakers of the year long beauty of Lake Michigan and all the peace it bestows on whomever is willing to accept it.
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