Jordan Valley Pathway

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker. 

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures. 

To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to 

http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/

With colors peaking Up North, I headed to the Jordan River Valley to do a 2-day hike as the leaves began to let loose and flutter to the ground.

This hike is located east of Torch Lake near Alba.

More info from the DNR HERE.

Check out the brilliant colors:

This loop hike is listed as 'moderate.' 
It was just over 21 miles...

...with a total climb of almost 2,400 feet.

A wonderful walk in the woods.

Bay Books in Suttons Bay

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker. 

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures: 

A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach  [A Heartland Indie Bestseller]

A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Walk   [Winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads Award] 

A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure  [Long-listed for the Chautauqua Prize]

 

To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/

I love a good indie bookstore, and I'm always thrilled when a new one opens near me.

Bay Books opened this May in the lovely town of Suttons Bay. This community has been without a bookstore for several years, so this is an important addition to the stores there. 

BAY BOOKS, 419 N Saint Joseph Street, Suttons Bay, Michigan 

[I don't know about you, but I need to visit a bookstore when I'm exploring a town!]

Tina Greene-Bevington (L) owner of Bay Books and Me (R)

The store has a homey vibe since it is housed in a former house. Books are shelved in several rooms and you can wander from room to room. 

Nicely curated selection of books

Notice the small sign on top of shelf that reads: 'SWEAT IS FAT CRYING'

The front room is where the great selection of children's books are kept. 

Children's books in front room

I found a great book for a gift, and Tina said she'd order and stock a book I asked about 

(Florida a short story collection 

by Lauren Groff).

After reading about Groff's work as she ordered the books, Tina got as excited as I was about the new book. Indie bookstore owners and workers have such passion about their stores and for literature. 

Next time you're in Suttons Bay, stop in at Bay Books. Next door to Martha's Table restaurant.