Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore Drive, Manistee, Michigan ~ May & August, 2022

Do you want to see a giant sequoia tree without traveling to California? This is the place 😊

Sometime around 1900, a Danish immigrant (John Marius Petersen) purchased several acres of land north of Manistee and created a very successful orchard. In 1936, Petersen sold the property to Gertrude and Eddie Gray who transformed the orchard into a working farm. They also built a two story brick home there. In 1948, the Grays planted six small (6 inch) sequoia seedlings and three of those trees survive today.

Down a short trail we found the Champion.

We visited again in August and had more people with us 😊

The other two sequoias can be found a short distance from the Champion.

There are a few labels here and there but otherwise you are on your own for tree identification on the grounds.

As the name implies, the property is on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, and the view is spectacular.

Off of the small parking lot is a path through a meadow that leads down to Lake Michigan.

When we were here in May, all access to the beach was fenced off.

But in August, the fencing was gone and someone had hooked up a rope.

We did not use it 😊

Back at what was the family home, we found the Champion Sycamore Maple tree.

Around 1987 or 1988 the Grays donated what was now 75 acres to the Michigan Audubon Society who ran it as a bird sanctuary until 2016. It remained closed until 2021 when the Audubon Society transferred seven acres to the newly formed non-profit Lake Bluff Farms, Inc. Michigan Audubon retains ownership of the rest of the acreage, including 1500 feet of beachfront.

Overall, the property is in rough shape but it's still a beautiful location, and you can wrap your arms around a giant sequoia tree.

Curwood Castle Park, 224 Curwood Castle Dr, Owosso MI

Built in 1923 by author James Curwood (1878-1927) as his office and studio, this unique structure is the center piece of the park.

Curwood was a top selling writer in the 1920s with his novels and short stories of adventure, some of which were made into films. His writing studio was located in one of the turrets. He later became a leading conservationist and the City of Owosso claims he was Michigan's foremost conservationist. I'm not sure how you would prove or disprove that 😏  

The yellow stucco holds random fieldstones allegedly selected by Curwood.

After his death, the castle was bequeathed to the City of Owosso, which turned it into a museum. Hours are limited and it was not open when we were there.

The oldest still standing residence of Owosso is also located in the park (and also not open).

Elias Comstock built the home in 1836 (not its original location) and the city restored the 20 x 30 foot, one room log cabin.

Just behind the cabin is a very picturesque suspension foot bridge spanning the Shiawassee River.

Scenic views of the castle can be had from the bridge.

This is a lovely little park, even if you've never heard of James Curwood 😊