tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2616084574992868052011-10-10T04:02:17.395-04:00Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-61762183411515184602010-12-03T14:57:00.007-05:002011-02-21T19:24:10.885-05:00

When I was a boy, it was my routine to get home from school, throw my book bag behind the door, leave my shoes on the landing and turn on the TV to consume a diet of reruns: stuff like The Flintstones, Brady Bunch, and Gilligan's Island. I don't remember local networks ever showing anything but reruns back in the day. (And the more I contemplate the differences between TV then and TV now, I am

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-49256755331967952602010-11-15T12:17:00.002-05:002010-12-05T20:21:21.642-05:00

At lot of McDonald's franchise owners go the extra mile with a decorating theme and really make it their own. As a kid, the McDonald's in Bloomfield Township made hay from the nearby movie theater (now a Target, I believe) by filling the store with cabinets full of movie memorabilia. Looking for ice tea this weekend in Independence, Ohio, we stumbled upon the most dramatic McDonald's yet. The

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-75210359180540152702010-11-11T14:17:00.005-05:002010-12-05T20:24:55.866-05:00

It's a beautiful day here in Michigan. Sun is shining, and there's a warm breeze blowing. It's hard to imagine we're in the middle of November. Given this, it was a great surprise this morning to find myself in a funk. What's the solution? Why, build a balsa wood airplane and let 'er fly, of course.

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-78350295302063855422010-10-20T13:13:00.002-04:002010-12-05T20:22:30.974-05:00

It's finally done. Best Tent Camping - Michigan has been written and sent to the publisher (Menasha Ridge)! Highlighting what I believe are the 50 best places to tent camp in Michigan, you can expect to see the book on shelves next spring. A lot of people helped me research for this project, and I can't wait to send them all copies of the book when it comes out. In the meantime, it's fall in

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-63055902916833314592010-10-05T21:37:00.005-04:002010-12-06T21:38:17.429-05:00

We like to go Up North in October. A lot of people don't get it. The cottage has no insulation, and electric heat should be used sparely. It rained and drizzled. It dropped near (or below) freezing at night. And we had the best time ever! In October most everything is still open in Traverse City. All over shops are trying to unload the last of the summer's merchandise. We don't do much shopping,

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-6474451272228977072010-09-05T10:09:00.006-04:002010-12-06T21:38:47.528-05:00

It looks like work is going to allow me to spend even more time in Colorado over the next nine months or so. Plans for a second edition of Colorado: An Explorer's Guide were confirmed earlier this summer, but I've been working on another project, and I am just now turning my full attention toward the Rockies. Should be a great fall/winter/spring!!

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-54927510707269489522010-09-03T08:15:00.005-04:002010-12-06T21:54:58.316-05:00

Researching for next year's book, Best in Tent Camping: Michigan, I got a chance to explore the Pines Point National Forest Recreation Area Campground,  southwest of Hesperia. I have to say I love this spot. National Forest campgrounds, to start with, are always top-notch. No rickety outhouse with a plywood floor that sags under your weight, here. Nope. Flush toilets and warm water.  But that's

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-50786897151766441562010-08-23T09:14:00.022-04:002010-12-06T21:40:37.297-05:00

A little while ago, my wife and I went camping to celebrate our tenth anniversary. Camping might not seem like the proper anniversary event, but we've never been much for the traditional pleasantries. In fact, I think this might have been the first year presents were bought and a plan was made. Anyhow, to get to our campground we passed through Midland and Mount Pleasant, and we decided make

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-50778807187655900972010-08-16T15:10:00.007-04:002010-12-06T21:41:07.803-05:00

I will make no bones about it. I am not a huge fan of Genesee County. Say what you will for the small-town charms of Grand Blanc, Fenton, and Flushing. Argue the case that Flint once knew glory days and will again. I will concede to all your points and will not argue. It comes down to a matter of taste, and as a current resident, I am wishing there was more on the menu. So this weekend when my

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-4733026012278668032010-08-09T13:00:00.006-04:002010-12-06T21:41:30.919-05:00

I can't say I loved the food at the Legs Inn in Cross Village. Either Polish cuisine eludes me, or they just don't do it very well. (I will leave that decision up to folks who know better.) I will say, however, I've not found a finer patio for dining. We ate inside, and on this bright sunny day, I felt a little like a troll in his cave. Passing clouds were causing intermittent sprinkles when we

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-43132639034931411052010-08-02T10:06:00.001-04:002010-12-06T21:42:01.907-05:00

If you know anything about Henry Ford, the tinkerer, and anything about Make magazine, the sponsor of Maker Faire, then you will quickly realize bringing this carnival of invention to The Henry Ford was a no-brainer. Which is ironic because for a no-brainer, there were a lot of brains involved. Sort of a festival for gear-heads, garage diy-ers, and engineers, the Maker Faire had a ton of

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-7577663711581970462010-06-23T12:56:00.002-04:002010-12-06T21:42:30.210-05:00

Last week was a big week for me. My first travel app, "Up North! Grand Traverse" went live on the iTunes App Store on June 15. I am, of course, very excited and hope thousands of people who have an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad use it to discover more about the Grand Traverse area.  For about five days, the app was a "New & Noteworthy" pick on the Travel App page, and Examiner.com already has an

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-31648629465115706172010-06-21T12:33:00.012-04:002010-12-06T21:42:48.360-05:00

These past few weeks, my wife's family was in town for a visit. Grandma and Grandpa were there to see the kids, and later Aunt Nikki and Uncle Mark came with cousin Mary. For an afternoon's activity, we decided to see what all the fuss was about at the Kensington Metropark. The visit began at the farm center. The kids roamed around looking at animals, while I talked to a delightful old man who

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-11355396415062131032010-06-11T12:56:00.009-04:002010-12-06T21:43:16.542-05:00

I was driving through Brighton yesterday around lunch time, and I noticed a little restaurant at the back of another shop, facing the back parking lot. The sign on the place read, "Coney Joes" and claimed to be "World's Greatest / Since 1972." Now, a challenge like that can't go unmet, especially when you have a  penchant for hot dogs, in general, and the classic Michigan Coney, in particular.

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-79348892713788878122010-06-01T21:41:00.007-04:002010-12-06T21:44:05.682-05:00

I stumbled upon this short video this evening. What a hoot!

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-14103084463506437632010-05-03T11:31:00.006-04:002010-12-06T21:45:18.467-05:00

We found this beach at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. It's Peterson Park, opposite the peninsula from Northport. The guide said "sugar sand beach," but the guidebook was about three years old. I am curious to know whether this shoreline feature is the result of a couple winters, or whether the guide author never hiked down to see what the beach actually was like.  In either case, the rocks

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-12945893827580183102010-04-26T10:08:00.004-04:002010-12-06T21:46:34.446-05:00

It's likely you've never heard of Burnham Road in Leelanau County. I hadn't. We were driving from Empire back to Traverse City this weekend, with stops in Burdickville and Cedar. My wife was on navigation and found a short cut from Empire to CR 616. Another day we may have balked, but not today. Not when we have AWD. And not when the road appeared to be recently graded. (In the end, the road

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-22340204654979358552010-04-21T09:35:00.007-04:002010-12-06T21:47:00.445-05:00

Tourist season hasn't hit Michigan quite yet, but it's just around the corner. Traverse City draws visitors all winter with Great Wolf Lodge and a bustling downtown. Nonetheless, there is a distinct "gearing up" feel in town. New shops and art galleries wait, poised for the busy season like anxious boys at the junior-high dance during "ladies choice." Driving north up Old Mission Point on a

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-58006540449048553622010-04-06T10:42:00.039-04:002010-12-06T21:47:18.456-05:00

I am always hesitant to blog about a chain restaurant, but I can't resist this once. And in this case, I think I am justified: Olga's Kitchen has some serious Michigan roots, and their menu is far from the ordinary. Spinning off from classic Greek dishes, Olga's is known for their Olga Bread (a sweeter and softer take on the traditional pita) and the Olga Sauce (rumor has it that this is simply

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-24490792963103699402010-03-16T11:01:00.001-04:002010-12-06T21:47:44.269-05:00

Spring has come to the Midwest, my friends. And I, for one, am ready to get walking.Last year my buddy Jim Dufresne launched a new Web site: Michigan Trail Maps. Jim knows the best places for hiking in Michigan, and this site offers a nice summary of trails across the state. You can also download PDF maps to take with you on the trail. This is a great resource for every kind of hiker, from the

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-474631633665994762009-12-01T16:47:00.001-05:002010-12-06T21:48:02.796-05:00

Every year we spend four days near Charlevoix for Thanksgiving. A highlight of the weekend is a visit to our favorite "Up North" gallery, the Bier Gallery. Ten years ago now, during our honeymoon actually, we started collecting Tami Bier's nativity pieces. Over the years we've continued to add to the set, piece by piece. One Christmas my parents gave us an angel; another time it was some animals.

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-84627352172452951502009-10-29T17:01:00.000-04:002010-03-17T08:28:33.794-04:00

Many argue that Christian culture has taken a bit of a nose-dive in recent decades (dare I say centuries?). The tradition that once produced vast churches and cathedrals, the art of Michelangelo and Rembrandt, the music of Bach and Handel, now cranks out kitschy key-chains, cheesy T-shirts, and a plethora of "slap a cross on it and see if it sells" merchandise, all made in China by anonymous

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-76982278218512546332009-08-30T16:55:00.001-04:002010-04-19T10:07:26.731-04:00

On page 26 of my book Backroads & Byways of Michigan, you will find a blurb from the feature on Clarkston. Just as the book was being produced, the Clarkston Cafe closed its doors and a sign appeared in the window stating the restaurant was closed for "retooling." I was tempted to stop the presses and remove this paragraph, but in interviews with the local newspaper, owner Curt Catallo

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-15431240589708600372009-08-27T16:56:00.002-04:002010-12-06T21:48:48.057-05:00

Can it be that summer is really over? It certainly feels that way here today, coming up on the last weekend of August. In the past Michigan has always had that faithful Indian Summer sweep in later in September, but who can count that this year? Record lows have put the damper on the heat and humidity, but in some ways it feels as if we've been cheated a little.I am hesitant to ring out the

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-23074473324817544962009-08-19T16:57:00.000-04:002010-03-17T08:34:28.723-04:00

NPR recently posted a piece on cheap travel in the United States: "Vacation U.S.A. For Less Than $100 A Day." There are ideas for trips around the country, but Michigan scores with four. West Michigan, South Haven, Warren Dunes, and Cadillac are all boasting plenty of fun for little cash. If you're farther west, Colorado comes up with a lot to do in Colorado Springs for under $100 a day. Check

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-17755968355736224692009-07-16T17:35:00.001-04:002010-12-06T21:49:37.202-05:00

Now is the time for seeing the Rocky Mountains in full bloom. In places like Ouray to Crested Butte, companies offer four-wheel-drive tours of the mountains' high meadows. For a more accessible trip, take a hike on your own.About eight years ago my wife, Kim, rode in a shuttle van with Dr. Ruth from Denver to Vail. The good doctor recommended a nearby trail, and Kim took her advice, coming

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-49867242009044459082009-06-29T17:36:00.001-04:002010-12-06T21:50:02.132-05:00

The Denver Post ran a piece last weekend on picnicking in Colorado. The article has a recipe for Bhel Puri, an Indian dish suited for a more thought-out picnic, and top picnic spots as recommended by Colorado travel writers (including yours truly).

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-77821901172403369512009-06-28T16:53:00.000-04:002010-03-17T08:35:36.626-04:00

Fall is one of the best times of year for hiking in Michigan. Mosquitoes and flies are nowhere to be found. The wind might bring a sliver of cold, but often the sun is shining. For obvious reasons, September and October's changing colors make it one of the most scenic times of year for a walk in the woods. Personally, I like to get out as long as the weather holds. This might mean late

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261608457499286805.post-22257596389966193352009-05-26T19:26:00.000-04:002010-03-17T08:36:27.726-04:00

Colorado: An Explorer's Guide hit the bookshelves of bookstores around the country in spring of 2008. So far, the response has been great. In a matter of months I hope to begin working on the second edition, which means I get to spend even more time exploring Colorado.

Matt Forsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13358934894482192772noreply@blogger.com0