Super 8 Houghton Lake Mi

Artistic Creations and Cultural Awareness

by janetanne

Houghton Lake and the surrounding small towns, are renowned for their antique stores and flea markets, yard sales and church thrift stores. From these sources, one can find all sorts of objects that can cheaply be purchased and 'redone' in various Arts and Crafts projects. All it takes is a little imagination. Many Arts and Crafts fairs are held throughout the summer in outdoor venues where local artists and crafters show their wares.

Here is a recent creation of mine, made from antique buttons that were found in a store in Westbranch, 18 miles East of Houghton Lake.

I love to spend my free time creating artistic things such as jewelry, fabric designs and painting pictures of local objects.

Art is needed in this chaotic world. It gives our minds freedom of expression and is an extension of each unique cultural's experience.

One of my favourite ways of learning about the local people whenever I travel, is through their unique artistic expressions. I hope you too, search for the 'Art' in your travels.

Wildlife Restoration Area - Houghton Lake Flats

by janetanne

Having grown up in Michigan, I have always been in awe when thinking about how Michigan must have been before the white settlers came to this wild land of many lakes, wild animals and Ancient Indian Tribes.

Michigan was once covered in thick forests, and marsh lands, which were homes for many a fur covered animal, feather flying fowl, and fin swimming fish. With the vast destruction of these natural habitats, many species have nearly or completely disappeared. Thanks to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, some of these places have slowly been brought back into existence. The once, almost extinct American Bald Eagle, once again builds its nest high in the trees of the Houghton Lake Flats.

You can see these beautiful birds flying high above the lake on a clear day, and if you are lucky, you may see the magnificent sight of one Bald Eagle making its high dive straight down into the lake for a mid-day snack, as I was so blessed one day.

As well as the Bald Eagle, you may also see the Osprey, a cousin of the Eagle. Similar in size and colour, they can be differentiated by the Bald Eagle's distinctive white head and the L-shaped angle of the Osprey's wing in flight. Both birds are hunters of small land game and have even been known to have preyed on small domestic animals such as dogs and cats..so, keep you pets inside with they are commanding the skies above!

Nick's Great Big Fat Fish

by janetanne

"'You can take the Greek out of the Country, but..."

...you can't take the country out of the Greek...or the sea!

From the time I was a young girl of 10 until I moved to Greece, every summer I can remember had been spent fishing in the largest fresh water inland lake in Michigan. Houghton Lake is 35 miles around and 5 miles across; a fisherman's dream for pike and bass; but in a second a strong wind and piercing rain has driven many a small boat sailor to the shores with their daily catches in jeopardy. Only the true diehards, determined to catch that last 'big one,' have weathered the mighty storms of this big but shallow lake's sudden squalls. For those with patience and persistence however, the 'big catch' is worth the lost bait taken by the ones that got away....
If you look closely in the lake, you might see what looks like the 'MiniMichigamiNess Monster?'