Road Trip

Travel Thursday: Iargo Springs

Up in northern Michigan is a hidden treasure! Back in July, I went home to see my family, and we took a morning and explored the gorgeousness that is Iargo Springs. If you’re heading up to the Northeastern Lower Peninsula, check it out! It’s not something you will want to miss.

There are several natural springs in the area, and some waterfalls, that feed the local pond and river. It’s also a great place (as is Lumberman’s Monument up the road) to learn about and see the evidence of the logging done in the area long ago. It’s quite an interesting history as they’d roll the logs into the river and run them downstream.

If steps aren’t your thing, you might want to stay at the top as there are over 300 stairs. Going down isn’t so bad, but coming up is more challenging. However, there are plenty of areas with benches to sit and rest and enjoy the natural view and the peace that this area provides.

From the USDA Forest Service site:

“Lying off of River Road National Scenic Byway, Iargo Springs provides a panoramic view of the Au Sable River. Used as a drinking water source since pre-settlement times, dams were constructed on the springs by early loggers before the turn of the century. The dams were useful in diverting water to the logging camps nearby. Most of Cooke Pond was dry land then.”

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18990
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Snippet Saturday: June 8

One week until release of First Blood! Okay, I’m a bit biased, but Raven is one of my all-time favorite male leads, just saying. Hope you enjoy him too!

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By the time I’d set my suitcase on the bed, I was exhausted and ready to call it a day. Staring at the clothes and items inside made my already tired muscles and brain feel fried. It was time to hit the sack. There was no doubt in my mind Raven started his day early, which meant I was likely to join him. He’d probably want to torture me more before breakfast.

“Pajamas. Of course I’d forget pajamas,” I moaned, throwing a pair of jeans onto the bed as I rifled through the suitcase to find my sleep clothes. Yes, I’d packed comfortable clothes and sweats, but I was pretty sure I’d need all of those for training. There was no way I would risk running out of clean workout clothes so I could sleep in them, and I wasn’t going to bed in my birthday suit, especially with Raven living down here with me. Jeans and a hoodie it was going to be until I could find a way to purchase something more comfortable.

Raven cleared his throat, and I turned to find him standing in my open doorway. Apparently closed doors didn’t mean much down here. “Don’t you know how to knock?” I almost shrieked. “I could’ve been half naked.”

He shrugged. “I heard you say you forgot something to sleep in. Will this work?”

I eyed the clothes he held up and narrowed my gaze at him. “You just so happened to hear me or were you eavesdropping?”

“I was walking past your room, and I have excellent hearing. You will too when you finally mature. Now, do you want these or not?”

“What is it?” I held out my hands and he handed over a large t-shirt and a pair of workout shorts that would be way too big on me around the waist. But they were better than nothing. “Yeah, these will work. Thank you.”

“Get some sleep, and be up by five. Training starts no later than six.” With that, he was gone, closing the door behind him. Of course there was no lock on the door handle. Privacy appeared to be a thing of the past.

mybook.to/FirstBlood1

 

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Travel Thursday: Cooper’s Rock State Park, WV

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West Virginia, USA is one of my favorite states of all time, and I will always consider it home. I lived there for a year and a few days (not even a week), but it made the biggest impact on me. It’s beautiful. Seriously, one of the most beautiful states I’ve ever been to, and I’ve been to quite a few. When they say Wild And Wonderful, they mean it!

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If you’ve read my Series, The Weregal Chronicles, then you already know that this series is set in West Virginia. Cooper’s Rock State Park and areas round about it were the basis for me setting the books in this area. After I moved away, I was missing the state and my friends, so there was no other choice but to set the book there. What better place is there for rogue tiger shifters to hide???

 

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This map, taken from the Cooper’s Rock State Forest website, shows exactly where it is. If you see south of Morgantown the city of Fairmont, that’s where I lived. I miss those windy mountain turns and the forests and rock outcroppings beside the road. However, I don’t miss the fact that most West Virginians don’t know how to drive in the snow like I do since I’m from the North.

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SANYO DIGITAL CAMERAA few years ago, I was able to go back to West Virginia on my way to Virginia (yes, they are two separate states), and my best friend, Evie, and I explored Cooper’s Rock and went “Weregal Hunting”. It was awesome! We didn’t find any weregals, but we did find a few areas that they could’ve hidden, and a possible passage to Fairimorr. ;)

 

If you love nature, you don’t want to miss this state forest, especially if you’re passing through. The views are amazing and the rock formations are stunning. You can stare from the top down, which is fun if you aren’t scared of heights as several places don’t have a barrier to keep you from the edge. Staring up at how large those formations are really puts their height into perspective. I can’t wait to go back and visit the area again. If you make it to Cooper’s Rock, keep an eye out for weregals, and let me know if you spot one!SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Also, it’s a great place for a picnic, but if you plan to do some hiking, make sure to wear long pants, appropriate foot gear, and watch out for snakes in the warmer months. There are several trails to follow, and you can easily spend a full day adventuring. Oh, and don’t forget your camera!

For more information, check out: https://wvstateparks.com/park/coopers-rock-state-forest/

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Travel Thursday: Hale, Michigan, USA

I’ve been wanting to add more topics to my blog, and this begins one of those topics! I love to travel, but I don’t get to do a lot of it…yet. While thinking about this topic, I realized there’s so many fun and interesting places that I’ve been that most of my readers have either never heard of or haven’t had a chance to go, so this is me traveling again via the internet! There are also so many other places I want to visit, and if you happen to live in the area I discuss, feel free to comment on the posts! I’m excited to do these, and I hope you get a better flavor of what I’m like.

Today’s Journey: Hale, MI

Map of MI

That little red dot is Hale.

On today’s trip around the world, we’re starting off a little closer to home. My home, to be exact, or rather, the home of my childhood and young adult years. I grew up in a little town in the northeastern lower peninsula named Hale. (For those who may not know, Michigan has two peninsulas, the Lower and Upper.) Both peninsulas are beautiful! What I love most about Hale is that it’s surrounded by forests, lakes, and farms.

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Google maps screenshot of downtown Hale!

Before moving to Madison, WI, I’d lived in a few bigger cities, but nothing prepared me for Madison’s size and living here. It’s honestly a breath of fresh air to go home where life moves a bit slower and you can avoid and weekend traffic by taking the back dirt roads. Seriously, traffic in Michigan moves in two directions on summer and holiday weekends: North on Friday night and South on Sunday. If you want to avoid the rush, go the opposite direction. Once Hale started getting busy, we always took the back roads where we needed to go.

One of my favorite things to do was to walk in my grandpa’s woods. I’d also play with my sisters and cousins in them. We’d get lost, get our feet wet, and give a pint of blood each to Michigan’s state bird: the mosquito. Because of this, I’ve grown to love nature so much. My goal is to eventually own a house out in the middle of the woods. Living in the city is killing me slowly. It’s also why you’ll find that so many of my stories’ settings are rural and in forests. If I could spend my time anywhere, it would be the forest, first and foremost.

If you’re ever in the area and feel like stopping by Hale to check it out, here’s a few things to note:

*You’ll need to purchase a Kocher’s doughnut

*Grab an ice cream cone at The Victorian Cafe

*Attempt to run up all the stares at Iargo Springs (not far out of town and totally worth it)

*While you’re at Iargo, check out Lumberman’s monument just up the road

*Buy some bacon from Alward’s Market

*There are about 60 lakes in the vicinity, so take a swim or go kayaking!

*Visit my dad and sister at Bernard Building Center (Bonus points if you let Tasha design your kitchen/bath)

*Finally, check out the small town restaurants. You won’t want to miss them!

http://www.halemi.com/

http://www.haleyes.org

Hale Downtown