The second of three largemouth bass, caught on consecutive casts. Photo by Chris Engle

Fishing & exploring Waters’ overlooked camping hotspot

Posted on October 12th, 2018

Out See Go
By Chris Engle, contributor Otsego County’s southernmost state campground overlooks a small body of water seen by thousands of people every day but visited by almost no one. Lake Marjory is a juxtaposition of northwoods cabin life and the hub-bub of interstate travel, and floatin…

A German Shephard looks down the trail at Dead Man's Hill in the fall.

Top 5 Scenic Fall Vistas in the Gaylord Area

Posted on September 29th, 2018

By Christy Walcott As autumn approaches each year, you can’t help but feel excited when you see the first leaves melding from their usual green state to varying shades of red, orange and gold. It’s those peek-a-boo moments through the lush greenery and the sudden crisp air filling your lu…

Beating the banks for bushy tails

Posted on September 20th, 2018

Out See Go
By Chris Engle, contributor An acorn’s toss across the county line sits Shupac Lake, the northernmost state-forest campground in Crawford County and the place where we took one final summer camping trip for some hunting, fishing and paddling. For most of the campers there with boa…

Sending the kids to wander

Posted on August 31st, 2018

Out See Go
By Chris Engle, contributor “She may be growing up in Hawaii, but she’s got Michigan blood,” Chelsea laughed as we watched our 4-year-old niece charge through the hardwoods. The daughter of my brother and his wife, Konoha found herself in the middle of a sprawling oak f…

Live Here, Play Here

Posted on August 20th, 2018

By Christy Walcott Gaylord is my hometown and while I do enjoy venturing out and seeing what other communities have to offer, it goes without saying that my heart is always at home. I make it a priority to take some time off during our perfect northern Michigan summers, but instead of venturing n…

A fine fishing and swimming hole on the Upper Manistee River.

Trading trout for blueberries in Deward Area

Posted on July 20th, 2018

Out See Go
By Chris Engle, contributor The plan was simple: catch one or two brook trout for lunch. We had the stove, we had the frying pan, the butter, the salt and pepper. We had the appetite. Paige was all excited for her first shore lunch, but the fish apparently were not. Nestled in the southwest corn…

Sleeping dog floating in a raft down the river

Waggin’ Tails and Happy Trails

Posted on July 10th, 2018

The Otsego Resort welcomes your four-legged friends Ready to have a pawesome adventure with your four-legged friend? Pack your bags and head to Gaylord to enjoy the dog days of summer! Where to Rest Your Paws: Campgrounds are always a great place to stay with your furry friends, but if y…

A true-color photo of a smallmouth bass caught on Otsego Lake

Catching the colors of summer

Posted on June 23rd, 2018

Out See Go
By Chris Engle, contributor Spring officially ended this week but ask just about anyone who lives and fishes here and they’ll tell you summer kicked off sometime in May when temps went above 60 for a few consecutive days. I’ve spent the last month telling my out-of-state frien…

Independence Day Celebrations in Gaylord

Posted on June 20th, 2018

June 30th Fireworks Over Otsego Lake Boat parade begins at 2:00pm at the Otsego Lake County Park.
Otsego Lake residents decorate their boats with 4th of July flair and parade them around the lake.
Fireworks over Otsego Lake at dusk! July 4th Johannesburg 4th of July Celeb…

Letters from fishing items used to spell out Christy

Nature Has Something to Say

Posted on June 6th, 2018

By Christy Walcott Since meeting my husband, Andy, I have attended countless antique car shows. Don’t get me wrong, classic autos are intriguing from their unique designs to history filled with character, however, a girl can get antsy at times. A good friend let me in on a little secr…