The National Cherry Festival 2008: US Navy Blue Angels!

When: Saturday, July 5 Opening Day Sunday, July 6 Start Time: 1:00 PM End Time: 3:00 PM

Join us for the 82nd National Cherry Festival Air Show, sponsored by Northern Michigan Toyota Dealers, Sam's Club and Charter Communications on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 for an exciting airshow. Friday July 4, will also be an active day with a full practice airshow as well as a festive Twilight Airshow event prior to the Fireworks display over West Grand Traverse Bay.

Join us in welcoming the 2008 Air Show performers...

The US Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Team, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, USMC AV-8B West Coast Demonstration Team (MCAS Yuma, Arizona), 2x McDonnell Douglas F-15D (114th FS "Eagle Beavers", Kingsley Field, Oregon),2x Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II (172nd FS "Mad Ducks", Battle Creek, Michigan), 4x USMC F/A-18 (VMFA-122 "Werewolves", MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina).

The flight pattern is over the Festival Open Space Park and West Grand Traverse Bay. The Festival Airshow will take to the skies at 1:00 p.m. both days.

Traverse City: Bicycle on the Ice - West Bay

Ok, you don't see this everyday! My first thoughts were that this gentleman was pulling a somewhat dangerous stunt for the kicks of others or maybe just for himself. That may be the case but it seems that this was his solution to a dreaded wet slushy walk from this fish shany to the shoreline over by Bryant Park. I spent most of my youth on the shores of Northern Lake Leelanau in Leelanau County and have logged may hours mostly playing on a frozen lake. I can tell you though, that it never crossed my mind, even as a young person, to drag by bike out onto the frozen h2o. As I continued to follow him across the bay with my zoom lens is if he was a passing satellite across the horizon, he did fall - once. Kicked from his bike he sat there for what seemed a full minute as his bike stood high upright, obviously with its wheels stuck in the slush - burr. He then got back on his feet (most likely restarted his heart!) and straddled his bike and continue on. I'm sure his bottom was now completely frozen. What a wonderful place Traverse City is...

Traverse City Riverfront Vacation Rental's - Downtown!

TC Riverhouse - New Listing!

- Location, Location, Location, You "Can't" Get More Convenient Than This!!! Vacation Rental's, Right on the River in the "Heart" of Downtown Traverse City, Michigan.Crawl to Everything, West Bay Beach, Restaurants, Bars, Shopping, Grocery, Movies, Farmer's Market, and all the culture and events all year long. Park the car and forget it! Fully Flexible Rates Based on Occupancy from 1 to 16 people.

TC Riverhouse Rentals
(231) 833-9299

TRAVERSECITYVACATIONER.COM

Big Wave Dave - Lakefront Living Show - Events

Big Wave Dave
March 28-30th, 2008 -Grand Rapids
When Big Wave Dave isn't wearing a Santa costume as his alter-ego, Big Wave Santa, he's building the most magnificent and elaborate sand castles Michigan beaches have ever seen.
Originally hailing from South Padre Island, at the very southern tip of Texas, he moved to New Haven, Michigan to be closer to his wife’s family.
Along with a string of local builds, he still flies back down to South Padre Island each October for Sand Castle Days, an event started by fellow famous builders, Amazin' Walter and Sandy Feet, over fifteen years ago. Some of the world’s best sand sculptors come to the festival each year to compete on one of the best beaches in North America. Though it is typically known as a Spring Break destination, Dave says October is the best month for weather and relaxation.
At the show, he will be building with his daughter and fellow sand sculpture expert, Sara Sunshine.
Take a look at some of Big Wave Dave's past work!

West Michigan Cottage & Lakefront Living Show - 2nd Annual - Grand Rapids

Cottage & Lakefront Living Show - Grand Rapids
Unspoiled, Timeless and True...
March 28-30, 2008
Say "the cottage" to almost any Michigander and memories rush forward like waves: the screech of gulls, or the squeal of old oarlocks; falling asleep to the rhythm of the surf, or waking to a chorus of frogs; sand in the sheets, or fish scales in the sink. Mostly, though, they're memories of family, because here in the Great Lake State the cottage is a tradition that's handed down from one generation to the next. Such an extraordinary part of life in West Michigan deserves to be promoted with an exceptional show.

Preston's Silver Lining - Silver Lake Paradise!

PRESTON'S SILVER LINING - Stay in this awesome, cool, upscale 3 level contemporary on 100' of all-sports Silver Lake. Imagine yourself relaxing on the deck right on the water or in the winter, be near winter activities. Only minutes to the Gaslight District of Traverse City, the Traverse City Film Festival and more. Shoreline is sandy with swim platform, dock, deck, gas grill and firepit. Spacious living room with expansive windows, gas burning "wood"stove, plasma screen TV,LCD TV in all bedrooms, surround sound stereo, DVD, wireless internet access. Lower level has wet bar and walk-out to deck and waterfront that features outdoor sauna, hot tub, and shuffleboard. 2 bdrms/2 ba home sleeps up to 7 with 1 King,1 Queen, Trundle and futon. In-floor heating for those chilly nights. Linens included. No Smoking, Sun-Sun. Available nightly in off season. Guests say when they stay here "this was an amazing, wonderful place to stay. The house is beautiful, the amenities heaven!
For more information visit:
TraverseCityVacationer.com/prestons_silver_lake.html

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The Bay View Condominiums in Suttons Bay, Michigan

MOONLIGHT BAY AT BAY VIEW CONDOS - Make this beautiful condo and yacht club your new vacation destination just north of the village in Suttons Bay. This spacious condo with sweeping views of beautiful Grand Traverse Bay features 2 bdrms/2 ba with lower level cabana room with bath and small sleeping area . Sleeps 6 with 2 Queens and a sofabed. Master bath features 2 person jacuzzi tub. Beautifully appointed with upscale kitchen, granite countertops, hardwood floors, gas FP and more! TV/DVD/Internet connection,no phone. Shared sandy beach frontage and fishing dock. Sit out on the upper balcony and sip your coffee while the sun comes up or watch the kids on the lower level patio while they swim at the beach. Indoor pool, tennis courts (racquets included)bikes, and spa/gym area for your relaxation pleasure. Other features include W/D, DW and luxury linens. Only a short walk to the village! Boat slip available for larger boats can be rented at separate nominal cost. Rates quoted do not include boat slip. Only 15 minutes to Traverse City too. Make this your perfect vacation destination. You will be very happy that you did. Condo accommodates 4 adults in the winter months.(cabana not available winter months) Linens included. No Smoking. No Pets. Sat-Sat.
For more information visit: TraverseCityVacationer.com/moonlight.htlm
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Fall Color Tour: Traverse City - Northport - Frankfort

Best Enjoyed: Late September to Mid-OctoberApproximate
Length: 190 miles

Fall is the season of the grape, where local vineyards harvest the future Chardonnays, Rieslings and Pinot Grigios. Combine a color tour of the region with a visit to Michigan's wine country - a feast for the eye and the palate.
Choose one or several of the 19 wineries of Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas for a very special fall vacation. Old Mission Peninsula has much to offer the autumn leaf-peeper: delicious apples can be found at roadside stands, charming restaurants, and the Old Mission Lighthouse. "Land of Delight" is the English translation of the Indian wood "leelanau," and it's easy to understand the reason for so naming the Leelanau Peninsula, especially in fall. Circling the perimeter of the place many call Michigan's "little finger" is a color tour that has been popular for decades. An easy and interesting route, M-22 takes you along the shoreline through the quaint villages of Suttons Bay, Peshasbestown, Omena and Northport, with water views almost the entire way. North of Suttons Bay the sign reads: Northport 12 miles. Northport, situated near the tip of Leelanau Peninsula, overlooking Grand Traverse Bay, is a picture-perfect town, with a marina, waterfront, unique shops, galleries and restaurants.

Each port town has its own unique charm, and each is a perfect place for shopping, dining, trying your luck at the casino or just breathing the crisp fall air. Tour the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a living museum. Along the western coast, Leland and Glen Arbor offer still more options, and spectacular autumn color can be expected in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a 71,000-acre national park that includes 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Go barefoot "one last time" when you encounter the massive sand dunes and stunning sunset beaches.
According to the National Park Service, many of the best spots for viewing fall colors at Sleeping Bear are easily reached by car or by a brief hike. The park's popular Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, for instance, gives motorists a bird's-eye view of areas like Alligator Hill, where brilliant fall foliage is set off by Glen Lake's tropical shades of turquoise, jade and cobalt blue.

The Frankfort-Elberta area has much to offer, and is the gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Benzie County, the Frankfort and Elberta communities encompass beautiful Betsie Bay, a historic sailing harbor.
The Point Betsie Light Station is one of the most visited and photographed in Michigan, and is considered to be the most popular visitor site in Benzie County. For mariners, Point Betsie (or originally: Point Aux Bec Scies), has been one of the most prominent and utilized lights on Lake Michigan.

Another great side trip is to the Gwen Frostic Prints Company in Benzonia (located between Frankfort and Benzonia). This 250-acre wildlife sanctuary on the Betsie River is home to Frostic's studio with 15 Heidelberg presses using the original Frostic blocks to print a variety of paper arts. Kids will love a stop at the Homestead Sugar House in Beulah, just five miles from the top of the hill on US-31. Open until November 30, enjoy delicious hand-dipped candies, fruits and even thick sugarless syrup.

You're likely to hear the sounds of music mingling with the rustling of fall leaves on a color tour of Benzie County. The Interlochen Center for the Arts offers year-round education for young people interested in the performing arts. Situated on Green Lake, the Center provides excellent professional entertainment, as well as student performances. The campus itself consists of tree-lined pathways that take on vibrant personalities during the autumn months.
For more information check out www.michigan.org/travel
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