Bay City, Michigan: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Breweries, and more

We have visited the beautiful riverfront town of Bay City several times, and you can find more information about the area by clicking on the Bay City label at the bottom of this post. You can find more information about the DoubleTree Hotel in my March 2019 blog post.

Sunset from the riverwalk behind Real Seafood Company in Bay City

 November 2022, weeknight, one night, suite 431

Other than the fabulous suite upgrade, this stay was similar to previous stays. I have previously stayed in this hotel with gold and diamond status, and have always received an upgrade to a river view room. This time, when I looked on the app before arrival, our room assignment was a suite on floor 4. I had noticed that there is also a suite on floor 5; however, I did not try to exit the current room assignment to see if that one was available. I did not want to take a chance of losing the suite we had been assigned! 

Suite 431 in DoubleTree Hotel in Bay City, Michigan

We stopped at the front desk to get an extra key, cookies, and water when we arrived. The front desk agent did not say anything about breakfast, so I asked if I just needed to provide the guestroom number for breakfast. She said yes, although she did not recap how much I would receive. Our entire meal was comped the next day.

Balcony and view from suite 431 in DoubleTree Hotel in Bay City, Michigan

Hessel and Cedarville, Michigan: Kewadin casino campground, Les Cheneaux Distillery, and more

September 2022, 1-night, weekend

Kewadin casino campground in Hessel, Michigan

Kewadin casino campground in Hessel, Michigan

After camping in Mackinaw City with no facilities, we needed a place to recharge our camper and dump our holding tank. Although we are not huge gamblers, this seemed like one of the better options available for just a one night stay. We paid $20 for a campsite with electricity, and I see the rate on the Kewadin website now says $22. We joined the players club after we checked in, and each received $10 in free play.

Kewadin casino campground in Hessel, Michigan

This campground has vault toilets, and a sanitation station on-site. I am not sure why the website says the dump station is off-site. We were on the first campsite against the woods on the right, although I do not recall the campsite number. The only other people in the park the night of our stay were a few campers together in the center lots. Apparently, there are no rules about how to park campers because the campers in the center were not actually parked within their sites, and they had their fire in another fire pit, which was not on the campsite of any of the campers. 

Mackinaw Bay Nature Preserve in Cedarville, Michigan

Grayling, Michigan: Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground, Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Local Breweries

May 2022, 3 nights, weekdays-weekend

Picnic/beach area from road in Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground

Arrival at Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground, campsite 5

This campground is about 1½ miles off M-72 west of Grayling. The picnic and beach area is located across from the check-in spot before the campsites.

Campground map of Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground

The campground has three loops. If this is your first visit, I suggest stopping at the check-in board to view the map (photo above) to see how the park is laid out, because there are no sign posts with lot numbers or info at the drives in. The only signs at the campsite loop entrances and exits are one-way signs. This was our first visit, and fortunately, our instincts took us to the last loop in, and the first waterfront site was vacant.

Campsite 5 in Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground

Battle Creek, Augusta, and Galesburg, Michigan: Fort Custer Recreation Area, Biking, Breweries

May 2022, Weekend-weekdays, 4-nights

Campsite 23 in Fort Custer Recreation Area

Fort Custer Recreation Area, Campsite 23

We arrived at this campground from Waterloo State Recreation Area without having dumped our tank or filled with fresh water, since the sanitation station in that park is not near the campground we stayed in. Upon arrival at this park, we learned there had been a construction issue a few days before our arrival, and there was no water at the sanitation station. We were able to dump our tank with no rinsing, and then had to drive a mile back out to the ranger station to fill our water tank. It would have been nice, if the state had sent an email providing this info to incoming campers before arrival! I mean, they do send us many confirmation and reminder emails before arrival. 😳 In talking with the staff member at the check-in booth, we learned that the campground host would be delivering fresh water to campers that needed it later that evening. I was glad I had learned about this, and then observed the host delivering the water, because he did not stop at our site. He stopped to give a case of water to campers across the road from us, who already had water from the days before, and then prepared to exit on his cart. I walked up to talk with him, and then we received a case of water, as well. Nice that our state park provided this; sad that the campground host was not doing his job.

Campsite 23 in Fort Custer Recreation Area
Fire pit on the right in the bottom photo is on site 21

Most of the campsites in this campground are quite nice with shade and privacy trees. We made our reservation last minute, and site 23 is just an okay site, in my opinion. It is secluded on the two backsides, and open to the road and campsite 21. It is level, and the ground covering is mostly dirt. Fortunately, campsite 21 was not in use during our entire stay. Two different campers stayed for only one night each during our four-night stay.

 Whitford Lake picnic area in Fort Custer Recreation Area

Howell, Michigan: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Breweries

 March 2022, 1 night, Friday-Saturday, king whirlpool suite 322?

Reservations, platinum perks, check-in

I do not remember our guestroom number for sure, and I do not have a bill to check it because we used points for this stay. We made the reservation online the day before our stay using only 17,600 points. I previously stayed in this hotel 10 years ago in January 2012. 

Before we arrived, I noticed on the IHG app that our room had been upgraded to a whirlpool suite. The agent also informed me of this during check-in. She provided efficient and professional assistance.

Howell, Michigan Holiday Inn Express whirlpool fireplace suite

King whirlpool suite

This spacious guestroom is located on the top floor next to the elevator. We did not hear any noise from the elevators during our stay. There is a large window in the bedroom and in the living room. Both windows could be opened a few inches, and they both faced toward Tanger Outlet Mall and the expressway.

Howell, Michigan Holiday Inn Express whirlpool fireplace suite

Grand Rapids, Michigan: Downtown Dining, Breweries, Happy Hour

December 2021 4-days

Bloody Mary special at Slows Bar-B-Q downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan

We visited Grand Rapids Downtown Market a couple of times this week. The market is less than half a mile from Canopy by Hilton, where we stayed for two nights. Local foods for sale included things like bakery items, seasonings, cheeses, meats, beverages, and more. The market opens at 11 AM, and was fairly busy both days we visited. Although all of the food looked amazing, we did not make any purchases in the market. We had Bloody Mary specials ($6 each!) at Slows Bar-B-Q in the market during one visit. The beverages were made with their own mix, which, unfortunately is not bottled for sale. Slows Bar-B-Q opens at noon.

East West Brewing Company in Eastown Grand Rapids, Michigan
Vegetable Pakoras and beers (below) from East West Brewing Company

We visited Elk Brewing Company (opens 2PM) and East West Brewing Company (opens 3PM) in eastown. This is an easy 4-mile walk roundtrip from Canopy by Hilton, if you do not mind walking. If you prefer public transportation, The Rapid has a couple of stops close to both breweries. Elk Brewing Company is listed in the HopPassport. This brewery honored the half price discount on tier 1 and 2 beers. East West is in The Reel Craft Pass, and they honored the discount on any draft beer. Their food is delicious, although we thought the beers were a bit odd.

Both foods from New Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker

Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan: Marriott at Eagle Crest, Hiking, Dining & Breweries

December 2021, Weekend-weekdays between Christmas and New Years

Sunset from guestroom 834 in Marriott Ypsilanti Eagle Crest

Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest king concierge guestroom 834

We had a great stay at this hotel in 2014, so we chose it again for this trip. Unfortunately, this stay was not as impressive as last time. As a gold member, I did not initially receive any extra perks or an upgrade, even though the hotel was not very full, and the app had said I was eligible for an upgrade, when I checked in. I received a notification the afternoon before our arrival saying that guestroom 518 was ready for us. I then sent a message to the hotel to ask about a concierge room upgrade (I had already checked online, and knew there were rooms available). I received a reply telling me there were plenty of rooms available, and that I would receive a new key shortly. The next mobile key I received was for guestroom 834 on the concierge floor.

Concierge guestroom 834 in Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest

The bed was comfortable with the usual good quality Marriott linens. Along with the king size bed and nightstands, this guestroom contained a large flatscreen TV, work desk and chair, small table, and one soft chair. A small fridge, ice bucket, and coffeemaker were located under the TV. There were no cups in the guestroom; none for coffee nor with the ice bucket. We had to make two trips downstairs to get these items. I like the small reading lights in many Marriott hotels on the bed headboards; however, neither of the lights above the bed in this guestroom worked. I tried all the switches in the guestroom to make sure the lights were not also connected to something else. 

[Non] connecting room door in guestroom 834
in Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest

I had requested a corner quiet room away from the elevator; guestroom 834 is located next to the concierge lounge and across from the elevator. We could hear the elevator ding every time it stopped on our floor. There is a large gap at the bottom of the guestroom door. This guestroom overlooks the parking lot, and has a closed off connecting room door to the lounge. I felt like we had been given one of the worst guestrooms on the concierge floor. 

A few additional disappointments with this room: The heater in the guestroom did not work when we arrived, and we waited over 20 minutes for someone to come and fix it (the batteries were dead, so the control panel was not working). When I inquired about a robe, I was told the hotel no longer has them. The caulk around the bathtub was peeling, and the seal was so poor, that there was a puddle of water on the floor in the corner next to the tub after every shower, even though we had the shower curtain in the tub properly. Apparently, housekeeping is only offered when requested, because no one came to our guestroom during stayover. We requested fresh washcloths and coffee supplies via the app after realizing this when we returned to our room that evening. 

Concierge lounge in Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest

The concierge lounge is a spacious and comfortable room. I was able to print a document from the computer and printer when it opened on Monday. It was not open when we arrived on Sunday evening. It was open with only snacks and beverages starting Monday morning. Items included coffee, tea, bagels, yogurt, instant oatmeal, granola bars, chips, nuts, package cookies, and cold beverages. I called the front desk on Monday evening to inquire about food in the lounge, because in addition to snacks, the website says concierge rooms also include: "Complimentary food - Hot buffet breakfast - hors d'oeuvres - dessert - Cocktails, for a fee." The agent I spoke with said they have not been offering anything except the grab-and-go items since COVID. When I made our reservation, concierge rooms were available for $20 more per night. At the time of this post, just a few days after our stay, concierge rooms are no longer available to reserve. Possibly, I was not the only to inquire about lounge offerings. 

Closed pool and whirlpool tub in Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest

The pool area was closed for renovations during our stay, which I had not noticed when we made our reservation. This information was not on the Marriott app; I saw the note on the website a few day before our stay. This was another disappointment, as the pool area is spacious, and we had enjoyed the spa tub during our last stay.

Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest from North Bay Park island trail

North Bay Park trail below 

Northern Michigan Color and Brew Tour: West Branch, Harrisville, Alpena, Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Afton

 October 2021, three days, weekday - weekend

View of Pigeon River
Bridge in the distance goes to Andreae Cabin and Nature Preserve parking lot

We decided to combine our HopPassports with a northern Michigan color and hiking tour. Although we visited a bit past peak colors, this was still a great trip! I am sharing info about some of the places we visited. See my two posts before this one for lodging information.

Hiking, trails, parks, rivers, colors...

We recently learned about Nature Megaphone in Boyd B. Banwell Nature Preserve in Afton, Michigan. This is a structure designed to magnify the sounds of nature. Unfortunately, it was raining lightly when we visited, and there was not much activity in the forest. It was still very cool! The rain in the video above sounds louder than it actually was. There is a bird chirping about 14 seconds in that is also magnified. We did not see any birds during our entire hike, and I am not sure how far away this bird was. I suggest playing the video on full screen with the volume up.

Nature Megaphone

The structure is about 5½' tall at the widest point. I am 5'2" tall, and I could easily stand up inside. The hike from Agnes S. Andreae Nature Preserve parking lot at the end of Riverwoods Trail was under 2 miles round-trip, and it was pretty easy. The only hill was on the way back up to the parking lot after crossing the river, and there are a couple of small hills, if you take the longer path along the river.

View from inside Nature Megaphone above
Trail map in parking lot below

The hike from Boyd B. Banwell Family Nature Preserve parking lot on M-68 is a longer hike. We would have hiked from this area, if the weather had been better, because the roads back to Agnes S. Andreae Nature Preserve are dirt.

Downtown Cheboygan above
Thunder Bay River looking toward Rotary Island Mill Park in Alpena below

In Alpena and Cheboygan, there are riverwalk trails along Thunder Bay River and Cheboygan River, parks, locks in Cheboygan, preserves, and more. In Alpena, you can get to Lake Huron walking most of the way along the river, and in Cheboygan the route has more sidewalk/town walking. 

Tawas Bay

The bay was beautiful the day we drove by Tawas Bay! There are great trails in Tawas Bay that we biked when we camped at the state park here a few years ago.

Entrance door into Alocona Brew Haus below

Breweries and dining

Our favorite brewery this trip was Alcona Brew Haus in Harrisville, MI. I was impressed with the building preservation from the moment we entered. We got a building tour from the owner, and I took way more photos than I am able to post here. I am sharing a couple more below.

Eastern Upper Peninsula in Michigan: Cedarville, Sault Ste. Marie, Drummond Island

June 2021, Weekdays - weekend

Following is information about some of the places we visited during our stay at DeTour State Forest Campground.

Displayed at Les Cheneaux Distillers

Cedarville

We had a fabulous visit at Les Cheneaux Distillers just south of M-134. Great beers, spirits, food, atmosphere, gift shop, and service. Everything was impressive! We were lucky to find the place mostly empty when we arrived in the afternoon after lunch time, because it was filling up fast before we left. 

Some of the delicious items we had at Les Cheneaux Distillers:
Bloody Mary, beer sampler, pretzel knots

We learned about this location because they are listed in the HopPassport, and they were happy to honor the discounts (unlike Tahquamenon Brewery in another recent post). 

There is a decent grocery store in Cedarville on the corner M-134 and M-129, which met all our needs for a few items we needed to restock. 

Photo taken from Rotary Island Park in Sault Ste. Marie

Paradise, Michigan: Tahquamenon Falls State Park & Brewery

 May - June 2021, Weekdays, 2-nights, Campsite 66

The last time we stayed in this campground was in May 2015 on site 11. That site overlooks the river, and you can find more information and photos by following this link to my previous blog post.

Upper Tahquamenon Falls

Reservations and arrival

When we stayed here in May 2015, there were a few small piles of unmelted snow, so this time, I chose a sunny site. Also, the view of the river from the sites along the bank is not fabulous. You pretty much have to walk to the back of the sites and look down to see the river. My husband did miss that part a little bit though!

Tahquamenon Falls Campsite 66

We arrived just after checkout time, and fortunately, the staff member I spoke with let us check in early. I did not initially think she was going to until I told her we would park in the picnic area (it is spacious enough for trailers), if the site was still occupied. We thought this would be easier than returning to check-in later.

Tahquamenon Falls Campsite 66

Campsite 66 - lower falls portage area

We loved this campsite! It is spacious, grassy, sunny, level, and somewhat private. There are no trees between sites 66 and 68, and site 68 was empty during our stay. 

Tahquamenon Falls Campsite 66

There was a tent on site 65, which was behind our trailer and truck. We enjoyed privacy our entire stay.

Kayaking near island on Tahquamenon River

Recreation: hiking, kayaking

We launched our kayaks in the picnic area and took them out to the island the day we arrived. There is a kayak launch ramp at the left/southeast end of the picnic area.

Lower Tahquamenon Falls from island