innkeeper's blog

Sometimes, some serious retail therapy is needed during our travels and the Tawas area offers a whole host of artisan makers and craftsmen that make shopping an exciting time to discover something new or find our old favorites. In Tawas, shop the artisan-made ceramics of Summerfield Pottery for a truly unique memento worth taking home.

You’ve heard the word before but what does it really mean? Formed from a combination of two Sanskrit words that translate to ‘I bow to you,’ namaste is a meaningful greeting or salutation of respect that expresses acknowledgment from one soul to another. In other words, the phrase is used as way to recognize another person’s spirit and is often spoken while the palms are pressed together at the center of your chest. This is where your heart chakra is located.

The drive west to Hale for the township’s annual Winterfest is half the reason why you should go. With twenty miles on River Road, the National Scenic Byway that follows the Au Sable River, you’re guaranteed to catch sight of some breathtaking views of our pristine winter landscape. Snow-capped trees and untouched, snow-covered ground along the shores of the scenic Au Sable River will make you want to stop (even in the cold!) and take in the view.

On full moon nights, locals ski through the paths lined with snowcapped trees and when daylight is its brightest, adventurers stop to soak in the breathtaking view of the Au Sable River Valley. For Tawas and Oscoda, the Corsair Ski Trail System makes snow days extra special. Comprising 44.5 miles of trails, the system is one of the best that the country has to offer.

Few things can compare with a Sunrise Side bike excursion along the shoreline of Lake Huron. As one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the entire state, the Huron coast features marshes, cobble and sand beaches, low dunes, meadows, ferns, conifer forests, islands, and swamps providing critical habitats for rare and endangered species. So, whether you’re in it for the scenic views, majestic wildlife, or just plain love biking, the Huron Shores Greenways is a system of trails that won’t disappoint.