Just one of the many great times I've been able to have in Leelanau County has been in the 'Sugar Shack' on my brother's property.   It's in a wonderful stand of tall maples near the west arm of the bay, a tad cluttered, but well-seasoned and perfect for hand-crafted maple syrup. 

The bottles are carefully stored until Christmas where each year's vintage is presented to family. It seems selfish to be able to just sit, relax, talk and tend to the fire and the sap without being hurried through the shack so the next group can get in.

I've also been fortunate enough to enjoy many vacations on the shore since I was a young boy in the 70's.   One of the most enchanting things to me is the sunsets.  As children, you really could hear the hissing of the sun as it fell into Lake Michigan, it was that real to you.   Now, much older, the hiss is replaced by the joy of watching children and friends play and the contented smile of a man who can't get enough sunsets.

– Jim Haynes, Grand Rapids/Northport wanna-be