Learn to swim.The best thing anyone can do to stay safe is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy;never swim alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of all ages. Contact a local Red Cross chapter.

Swim in areas supervised by a lifegaurd on public beach areas.

Children and inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S.Coastguard approved personal floatation device.

Watch out for dangerous “too’s”. Too tired, too cold, too much sun from strenuous activity, too far from safety.

Set water rules for the entire family.

Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and the potential hazards, such as deep & shallow areas, current and depth changes.

Pay attention to local weather conditions. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

Do not use alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs judgement, balance and coordination. It also reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.

Watch for signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is life threatening. The body’s temperature control system which produces sweating stops working.

Wear foot protection.

Never leave a child unobserved around water.Adult supervision is recommended at all times.

Keep your cell phone or cordless nearby in case you need to call 911.

Considering water safety rules can help ensure a safe and happy vacation!

This 81-mile-long trail system winds through the Pere Marquette Forest south and east of Traverse City. It is composed of three individual sections: North Trail, East Trail and West Trail. Entry is from Dollar Lake, Kalkaska or from the High Lake Spur staging areas.

Starting at High Lake Road south of Supply Road, the five-mile-long High Lake Spur runs east to Rasho Road and on to the North Trail. This trail brings snowmobilers directly into East Bay Township and has three nearby staging areas.

Peegeo’s Restaurant on High Lake Road is the official home of the Traverse City Snow Spiders Snowmobile Club and is just south of the trailhead. The second area is located on Rasho Road and has plowed parking, while the third staging area is at Dollar Lake on Supply Road.

The East Trail links Kalkaska to the Manistee River Bridge. Enter at Fife Lake or Walton Junction.

The West Trail is southwest of Traverse City around Hoosier Valley. This trail offers several opportunities for riding at a quicker pace. It extends east to Fife Lake, southeast to Manton and southwest of Mesick and the Cadillac trail system link. Access is found at Beitner Road or Hoosier Valley Road.

Boardman Valley Staging Areas

High Lake Spur — Peegeo’s Restaurant-parking, food, nearby gas and trail access. 525 High Lake Road, a mile south of Supply Road, or at Rasho Road–parking and restrooms. Located on Rasho Road one mile south of Supply Road.

Dollar Lake — Parking just west of the intersection of Supply Road and Williamsburg Road. Approximately 10 miles outside of Traverse City.

Hoosier Valley — In the Northwestern Michigan Fair Grounds parking lot, approximately 1/4 mile East of M-37S on Blair Townhall Rd. Approximately 10 miles south of Traverse City.

Fife Lake — Staging area off M 186 at Pierce Road.

Ranch Rudolf — Although not an official staging area, it’s a great place to stop for warming up, meals or accommodations.

Kalkaska Area Trails

This group of trails offers connections to the trails in the East Jordan area with links to Grayling and other northern and northeastern areas of the state. The scenery is spectacular and the riding is great.

The Blue Bear Trail has 45 miles of groomed winter fun. Enter 11 miles east of Kalkaska on M 72.

The Mis-Kal Line Trail runs east and west between Manton and the Higgins Lake area and connects with trails to other statewide destinations.

The Cranberry Lake Trail links the Mis-Kal Trail with the Blue Bear Trail for extended riding. The Mis-Kal Line Trail may be entered at the staging area in Fife Lake, and the Cranberry Lake Trail begins seven miles west of Higgins Lake or between Kalkaska and Grayling on the Blue Bear Trail.

Kalkaska Trail Staging Areas

Kalkaska – Warming station and parking area located in downtown Kalkaska just off of US 131 on First Street.

M 72 East – Parking area off M 72 approximately 11 miles east of Kalkaska on the north side of the highway.

need to rent a snowmobile? Snowblitz has the perfect machine to play in the snow. Contact them at 231-932-1800.
http://www.snowblitz.com

Hickory Hills
2000 Randolph Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-4910
Located on the west side of town, Hickory Hills is a community run, hometown ski area that offers limited downhill facilities with rope tows only. Slopes are beginner to intermediate, with a 240-foot vertical drop. Owned by the City of Traverse City.

Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area
3100 Holiday Rd.
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 938-2500
Join us for all the family fun! Skiing and snowboarding on 16 runs, beginner to advanced. Also snow tubing with express return lift. Lessons for everyone from beginner to advanced levels, individuals and groups. PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors Association) certified. Season passes are available — call for prices.

The Homestead in Glen Arbor
Ask us for information about ski in- ski out condos that we offer and ski passes

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville
Discount lift tickets available when you stay with us and ski at Crystal. Long Lake and Davis Lake properties are a very easy drive to Crystal Mountain!

. Enjoy a Weekend Getaway
Go away. But don’t go away far. You will spend less time traveling and more time enjoying yourselves. And you’ll be part of a nationwide trend of people who take shorter but more frequent vacations. Find out what they know. Stay at a place that’s serene and truly peaceful. No ringing phones, no screaming kids, no distracting activities. To nurture mind, body, and spirit, spend your next vacation at a bucolic cottage retreat. Ask the concierge to plan the day for you. Don’t worry about what to buy. Let the experts have everything ready when you walk in the door. Make it a late night and afterwards count the stars together.
Go green and save energy. Light candles, the fireplace or the firepit and let the glow of the fire brighten your night.
Have a barefoot dinner on the beach.
Have a barefoot dinner in front of the fireplace if it’s winter!
Need more ideas? Contact Visit Up North!
www.visitupnorth.com

Leelanau State Park -15310 N. Lighthouse Point Rd. Northport-Located at the tip of the little finger on Leelanau Peninsula. Over 1300 acres are waiting for your visit. Museum,Lighthouse, 8.5 miles of hiking/skiing trails and picnic/playground area.

Traverse City State Park-1132 US 31 North Traverse City-Traverse City State Park is a completely developed 47 acre,urban park that features a quarter mile of sandy beach on the east arm of Grand Traverse Bay.

Kehl Lake Natural Area- Kehl Road Northport-Leelanau Conservancy’s www.theconservancy.com/kehl-lake.php 180 acre preserve contains shoreline along the county’s last private undeveloped lake. Includes a two mile hiking area.

Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve-Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore www.michiganpreserves.org/manitou.htm The Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve offers divers a variety of Lake Michigan attractions-from historic dock ruins to fascinating shipwrecks of two centuries.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore-9922 Front St. Empire-Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore encompasses a 60 km(35 mile) stretch of Lake Michigan’s eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. Includes forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena. Alligator Trail is three loops of 2-3 mile trails. Horses are permitted on this trail.

Muncie Lake Pathway- Rennie Lake Road Traverse City-11.5 miles of groomed ski, hiking, bike trail. Five loops in trail.

Antrim County Barnes Park-Barnes Park Road M-88 & US 31 Eastport- Located in the northwest lower Michigan on Lake Michigan. Park features camping, 1200′ sandy beach, picnic/play area.

Need a map? Stop in and pick up your free map at  ”Visit Up North Vacation Rentals” 441 East Front St. Traverse City.