'Scrutiny on the Bounty' at Birch Lodge

Seasonal weather has returned,and Autumn is in full force -literally - with 40 mph winds. Quite a change from the sunny 70s we had just a few days ago. We're ready to throw in the towel on our attempt at UP agriculture. We tried a garden, but to be honest, our thoughts and efforts were generally occupied with that other undertaking on our 20 acres here in Trout Lake. Yes, in case you could not recognize it, that's a garden in the image to the left (with thornless raspberries behind).




So, how did we do? Well, you can be the judge from the pictures above. Pitiful. We'd be OK if we could live off the raspberries and the little apple tree that's producing kick-butt tasty fruit (in the picture below, right) near the motel.



In sum, looks like it would be rather lean times if we had to live off the "bounty of the land" as did the pioneers up here. Anyone depending on our "green thumb" would be perfectly justified if they'd mutiny. Heck, we'd probably join them! We have to hope and pray we are better stewards of historic buildings than of tomatoes, squash, and peppers.

"Peaking" at Fall at Birch Lodge

We enjoyed peak Fall color this week at the lodge. We were nearly fully booked as guests arrived to experience nature's artwork.





The view driving east to town was great as was the color heading west from our place along the county road.

The lake put on quite a show, with good color to the west and south over the lake, and our beach was also enveloped.


Perhaps the best show, however, was put on by the sun, with spectacular displays of light and texture. A little competition never hurts.

Which is better - the color of Fall or that of night-Fall?

Stop and Smell the Roses and Critters at Birch Lodge

With all the planning, budgeting, construction, and better-than-expected business at the motel, we sometimes forget what a wonderful place Birch Lodge is, because we don't take the time to just sit down and look around. Should a person feel guilty about watching a sunset?








If we tire of looking out on Trout Lake (Well, NEVER!!!), we can jump in our kayaks and paddle up the stream off the end of the motel to Little Trout Lake and look for nesting osprey and eagles. How many times have we done this this year - twice???






Every day we see all kinds of wildlife without even trying. We hear loons call most every day and have watched a pair raising its young. We were going to step out our cabin door, and were greeted by a Pileated woodpecker - impressive!





















Maybe we should take a hint from our domesticated family. They take the time to enjoy their "purrfect" surroundings and "lap it up".

Biking in Trout Lake and the Eastern U.P.

Birch Lodge is located on an officially designated bicycle route as presented at the Eastern Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission website (under GIS maps, MDOT Eastern UP Bike Map).

Since Labor Day we've had three bicycling groups pass through and stay at the Motel. Two of the groups have been from Adventure Cycling, a nationwide group that sponsors tours including several across northern Michigan (website: AdventureCycling.org).

All the groups enjoyed the funky motel and historic lodge as well as the grounds. Using different sets of muscles after a day on the road, some took the Birch Lodge kayaks out for a spin on the lake and others went to the Birch Lodge Swimming Beach for a dip.

At night, they sat around our fire pit and exchanged stories.





For a short time we were "tagged" at the road entrance - letting fellow bikers know we were the place to stay. We've been told they will spread the word about Birch Lodge to fellow bikers and to be ready for their return next year.

Birch Lodge Interior Progress

We have been scraping off old paint, washing as much of the underlying calcimine paint off the plaster as possible, and priming with EXPENSIVE sealer. Work has progressed on the second floor lobby that opens out onto the porch deck. And, Hoo-Boy, those were some ugly looking walls after the prep work for painting was completed!!! We don't know why the walls appear brown on the base layer - was it a function of the calcimine aging, or were the lobby walls originally a brownish tint? In some places it does scrub off. Same story in the dining room.


We've painted the walls a cream color for now. We will anxiously await to see if the new paint does adhere to the newly prepared base. Might make for an initeresting Spring!











And just when you thought the fun was over, we're also working on the dining room!!! The same scrape-scrub-rinse-seal-and-paint routine. (But, is anything about this Birch Lodge place ROUTINE???)

In addition, our electrician has begun rewiring the first floor, after our explicit instruction and supervision to disturb the lodge's historic fabric as little as possible.

SEPT-ember, Tanks for the Memories

Well, have you missed us? We have been somewhat remiss in our bloggly duties. A whole lot has been going on. Or, perhaps I should say a "hole lot" . . . We are the proud owners of a shiny(?) new septic field with not one, but TWO tanks, WOO-HOO!!!



The old Birch Lodge septic tank was metal and in poor condition. We decided while we replaced the brown water tank we'd also bring everything up to code and install a gray water tank in case we, or subsequent owners, decide to re-open the commercial kitchen. So, huge 1200 and 1000 gallon tanks and field were installed northwest of the lodge. Sadly, a few trees had to go.


We have to console ourselves with the fact we now have a simply dandy place to put up the steel gnome cut-out croquet wickets we found in the back of the barn.

Fall Colors at Trout Lake, MI

The calendar may still say it is summer, but we know it is now fall. The first leaves are starting to change, some subtle gold and burgundy are giving color to the backdrop of green that surrounds Birch Lodge.



The birch trees have not started to color, nor have the sugar maple that make such a statement with their orange and red colors, but we know it will come soon. The nights have been dipping into the forties and the sunlight has taken on that strong low autumnal glow as it sets, illuminating the bark on the birch with a Maxfield Parish-like glow.


The fall flowers are also now in full bloom.



The native goldenrod, asters and the joe pye weed along the lake rival any perennial bed.


Less showy, but still favorites of mine are the orange jewel-weed and white turtle head blossoms.


Birch lodge has always been a special place to see the colors in the fall. The wind often goes still in the morning, and the gold of the birches, and orange and red of the maples on the Birch Shores peninsula are reflected in the mirror-like water. So beautiful. Also, the fall is a time of quiet here, most of the cottages on the lake are summer homes, and after Labor Day, most of the owners close their cottages and head south.


Our season is slower after Labor Day, but we plan to stay open as long as weather permits, hopefully into November. The heat is on in the motel, and if you have a chance, come on up and see the beauty of fall here. The kettle is on, and I'm getting in the mood for some pumpkin spice cookies!