Thankful today! For our little (socially distanced)Thanksgiving. We broke away from camp this year & are camping out in a historic landmark lodge tucked away in Lakeside, Michigan.10 things to do when you skip town:1. STAY: Lakeside Inn a 1920s lodge time capsule. We booked the treetop suite. (8th shot here, looks the same)2. SHOP: Pick up the local best of favorites at the adorable @whistlestopgrocery in Union Pier.3. DRINK: Grab ribs to go from @TravelandLeisure fav Red Arrow Roadhouse. 4. HIKE: 6 miles of winding trails at Warren Dunes state park 5. VISIT: Organic @granorfarm (farm store curbside pickup)6. HEAR: Radio Harbor Country All-volunteer community run station7. BOOK: A private chef catered family dinner for 8 from @thestorehousemi8. TAKE OUT: Responsibly sourced @patellies pizza9. SEE: The epic dining room in the Grove at the historic Gordon Beach Inn (used to be a private club)10. DRIVING TOUR: The side streets around the area. the winding lanes along the beachfront are packed with tiny cedar shingle cottages. Much of this area was developed in the 20s – the quaint little stone houses lined with picket fences and striped vintage awnings are the best inspiration.Thanks friends Karen @FrostHouse & Anna @johallaprojects for the great reccos (still trying to squeeze it all in before we head back to camp)The mantel in the Lakeside Inn main lodge Is inscribed: All passes. Art alone endures- The prior owner here responsible for restoring the Lakeside to its 1920s historic condition was also the founder of the Chicago Art Fair similar to Expo. He started hosting artist in residence programs here decades ago (a tradition that continues today in their converted stable garages)It could have been sold off a dozen times over the last century (in many cases the land value far surpasses income potential in small family owned hotels these days).So today (among too many other things to list)we are grateful for small businesses like these- who put art & history in front of commerce.

November 26, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt