Great Lakes Adventure Travel

Just a Couple of Ducks...

2012-03-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

I finally understand how a duck feels. Truly. On the surface, calm and serene, floating on top of the water. Underneath, his little feet are moving lightning fast just to keep him afloat and, hopefully, steer him in the right direction.

For the last few months, we've had to take a serious look at our future. And the overwhelming truth is that the business we've been planning for almost a year is one with scary steep start up costs, equipment, staff, supplies, insurance, etc. So we came to a fork in the road. We could go left, stay stubborn and push this business with barely any capitol, experience and little-to-know bank support (apparently adventure travel companies carry a bit of risk... who knew...) or we could take a step back and find a way to insure the success of this company by taking an alternate route.

So... we're starting with a parent company.

Bobby's always had another dream (can you tell we're a family of dreamers??), to open a military surplus/outdoor recreation shop. The Reader's Digest version is that by starting under this umbrella, we'll have a location to run GLAT out of when the time is right. It's like that old saying "The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing". Or something to that effect. Anyway, it makes sense for now.

So that's where we've been! Checking out properties with realtors, meeting with banks, talking to investors,... even Scout's cramming for his Canine Good Citizenship Test (to become the ultimate Shop Dog!).

So don't worry. Great Lakes Adventures isn't going anywhere. Its just taking a backseat for a little while. Stay tuned for more info about our new project... Alpha Troop Supply.

Holiday Craziness!

2011-12-21T08:43:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a month of crazy holiday parties, long work days and shorter days. Which is why it is easy to get distracted from time in the great outdoors and other passions. However, at Great Lakes Adventure Travel we stand firm in the belief that whether you have 30 minutes or 30 days you can get outside and enjoy this time of year.
In fact we are planning a section of the Coast to Coast trail after the Holiday Season has ended. If you are unfamiliar with this trail system that is not uncommon. In fact I only learned about it a few years ago and have been interested in doing some winter hiking/nordic skiing along its terrain. The trail is broken up into approximately 3 sections and the one we are planning on hiking starts in Oscoda, MI and follows the Au Sable River, which is known for its trout and steelhead fishing.
We are planning on this trip lasting 3 day and 2 nights and will be an experience that we are looking forward to.

Thanksgiving in the Backcountry

2011-11-21T10:29:00.000-08:00

photo: Backpacker Magazine

As we approach this festive season of eating, I can't help but long to grab a backpack and a tent and head out into the beautiful crisp fall air. Granted, the leaves have all fallen and it feels as if snow is *about* to fall at any minute, but isn't that the fun of fall camping?

The only thing I'd miss about a backpacking Thanksgiving would be the pumpkin pie. But we did try a Thanksgiving dinner one trip- rustic style, of course. A variation of the Backpacker recipe, we boiled water and added it to savory stuffing mix with diced apple, dried cranberries, crushed walnuts and a packet of chicken. Let me tell you, after a day of hiking in the rain in West Virginia, it seemed like the most delicious meal we'd ever eaten. Had I the forethought of that pumpkin pie, it would have been heaven.

As we ate, we talked about how fun it would be to take the whole family camping on Thanksgiving. Maybe not rustic backpacking (not everyone is as adventurous as we are, I know...) but with preset tents, cots and blankets. A truly cozy campfire, lounge chairs and a hearty Thanksgiving feast... Campfire Roasted Turkey... Cornbread... Cranberry Relish... Baked Potatoes... Pumpkin Pie... Sounds like a dream to me! And a bit more true to the first Thanksgiving, don't you think??

True "glamping". Probably the only way my family would even consider it.

A note on "VIP"s

2011-11-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

VIP: "Very Important Person"

n. A person of great importance or influence, especially a dignitary who commands special treatment.

I know it's a fairly common practice to treat certain clients differently. They get special perks, discounted pricing, the royal treatment. And in this world of actors getting a hand slap when they're instead of jail time, universities covering up crimes for fear of scandal and people becoming celebrities for absolutely no reason, it seems our whole moral code has gone out the window.

This is definitely a pet peeve, but it goes deeper than that. Why give someone special treatment over another person? Because they have money? Because they're famous? Because they travel in the right circles?

The wonderful thing about starting a business from scratch is being able to identify your company values. And one of our most important beliefs is that everyone is a VIP. It doesn't matter if you're taking a trip with your family or you're the President of the United States, everyone will be treated the same. We will work hard to provide an amazing experience for every single person who travels with us, no matter who you are.

We're one small company but, maybe, if we stand firm in our values, we might make a difference.

Whoa, we have a website!

2011-11-16T13:41:00.000-08:00

That's right! We have a website!

Ok, so it's only one page... but it's a start!

And the flood of enthusiasm we're receiving as we pursue this business more and more is incredible. From the talented friends offering to help with logo and website design, to the skilled adventurers offering to lead tours, to the family and friends who are there just to chat and offer their love and support. Thank you everyone! It makes this potentially-scary venture so much easier.

And what comes from this outpouring of support is all of the new ideas gathered! Everyone brings something new to the table. "Have you thought about trip...?", "Would you consider doing this...?". I constantly find myself looking for my notebook to jot down all these amazing ideas! Fly fishing in Canada, an urban bike trip from Chicago to Ann Arbor, backpacking on Isle Royale...

Something tells me we're never going to run out of ideas for this business...

Cross State Cycling

2011-11-09T13:32:00.000-08:00

This idea has been on the back of our minds for awhile now.

It started from the lifelong dream of cycling cross country- taking a few months off and just exploring this amazing nation. But since Bobby and I aren't closet millionaire, trust fund babies or completely irresponsible, it's going to continue to simmer on the back burner of our fantasies for a little while.

But it's how our cross state idea came about. We were walking along the Huron with shop dog, talking about our 30 Before Thirty lists. One of his is to take a motorcycle/backpacking trip with a couple of his Army buddies when one of them gets back from Afghanistan next year.
And in the midst of the bungee-jumping and wine-tasting-in-Italy fantasies, we both came up with biking across Michigan. From Ann Arbor, up the east coast, all the way to Mackinac Island.

The 340 some miles sounded daunting, but soon visions of small town charm, local eateries and inns along the way, horseback riding and ice cream on the island filled our heads. This could be incredible!

At a leisurely pace, we could comfortably ride 60-70 miles in a day, with frequent stops for dining, exploring and relaxing, making it a 5-6 day ride with a day or two days on the island. Add transportation for the trip home and I think we're onto something!

The only question is... are we the only crazy ones? Would anyone want to take this trip? I guess we'll find out as we dive into it further!

oh, Mackinac Island, how I love you!

So sorry...

2011-11-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
Sorry for the lack of posts lately! It's been pretty crazy in our neck of the woods. Work, business planning, family, traveling... and a root canal, to top it all off.

I've been ignoring this pain in my mouth for months now, hoping it would go away. After all, I'm a busy girl! I've got things to do! Places to go! People to see! Mountains to climb! No little toothache could slow me down!

Until Tuesday. When the pain became so unbearable, I could hardly walk. I couldn't eat or sleep. All I did was lay on the floor crying in pain. After staggering to the dentist, he suggested an emergency root canal. But before I could have a chance to freak out, the nurse had me sucking in nitrous oxide and it was off to la-la land for me! I vaguely remember a drill and dreaming that I was in a Super Mario game.

Suffice it to say, I'm feeling much better thanks to rest and my personal pharmacy next to me. :)

So onward and upward! Time to keep dreaming and keep planning! What's next? WINTER TRAVELS!! Looking forward to cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hot cocoa and all things Christmas!

En guard!!

Wine & Bike Tour

2011-10-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend was one of the best we've had in a long time.

Perfect weather, beautiful autumn colors and really delicious wine to sip.

Add to that a 40 mile bike ride, our favorite shop dog, beaches and camping and we're in heaven.

The trip is a perfect ode to everything Michigan. The colors, the flavors, the scents, the scenery.

We start our adventure at a local state park. In all fairness to our backpacking ways, I will tell you it is a fully modern campsite. But for the trip we're taking, it was perfect. After a day of cycling in 70 degree sunshine, a nice shower in a cleaned-once-a-day locker room was just right.

This was shop dog's first real camping trip and he was pretty geeked about it.

Our first night kicked off with a casual ride around town, in search of an outdoor restaurant that was Scout-friendly. Alas, being October, many had already put away their patio tables for the season. So we dined (happily!) at House of Doggs and chatted with visitors making friends with Scout.

After a bonfire and a few beers back at camp, we fell into a blissful sleep under the stars.

The next morning, after a quick patio breakfast at Morsels (homemade breakfast sandwiches, espresso and bite size cake "morsels"... oh wow... too good for words), we set off for the vineyards!

First stop was Black Star Farms... let me just say, how they get the pears into the bottles of Spirit of Pear liquor is astonishing.

The rest of the trip was a fabulous blur of wine tastings, flying down hills on my trust Peppermint Patty bike and waving at travelers as they "awww"ed at Scout in his trailer.

Sitting on the patio of Bowers Harbor, with a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio in my hand, a dog at my feet and a view of the autumn colors and winding vines... all I can say it, this feels like Heaven.

The wine stewards are such cool cats; hip, funny, warm and honest. They have extra tasting tables set up around the property to avoid lines and crowds.

"How's the hard cider?" I ask and the fiesty woman behind the counter shoots back with "I only like red wine, so here, try it for yourself!" and pours me a big glass. Love that. The other gentleman, who appears to have stepped right out of a mid-1940's jazz scene, seamlessly pours from different bottles, taking care of the crowd of wine-hungry guests with ease.

Of all the vineyards we visited, this cozy little place felt like a vacation home. Our dog got to hang with Brix, the winery dog and we felt like we never wanted to leave.

As we grow this business and take on new adventures, we know in our hearts that we've found the epitome of Great Lakes Adventure trips. This is to become our signature, our classic.

The food, the wines, the people,... this is what it's all about.

This, as they say, is pure Michigan.

Michigan Apple Picking

2011-10-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

The perfect fall escape on a lazy Sunday afternoon...

Autumn Flavors

2011-09-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

Autumn is the season that makes me fall in love with Michigan all over again. The beautiful colors, the crisp air... and the food!!

After an hour of wandering our local market (and spending way too much!), Bobby and I returned home to get cozy in our pajamas and cook a flavorful autumn meal together.
He made an incredible Plum Mascarpone Bruschetta... crispy baguette with a spread of honey & whiskey sweetened mascarpone... a layer of homemade peach-plum jam topped with fresh sliced plums. It was out of this world incredible.

I tackled a Butternut Squash Risotto. It was the perfect blend of an Italian classic, with Parmesan and sage, mixed with Michigan flavors of creamy butternut squash and caramelized onions.

Eaten on the floor of our new house (we're still working on the whole "furniture" thing...), listening to the rain outside in the trees... it was perfection.

Picture (and recipes) to come!

Bicycling Thoughts

2011-09-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

As we settle into our new house, one of the first things to be unpacked was my trusty bicycle. A sage green Trek Allant lovingly nicknamed "Peppermint Patty".

Being closer to both of our jobs makes commuting a breeze. Six miles of cornfields and dirty roads, passing children waiting for their school bus and horses freely munching on grass. It is ideal.

Which got me thinking about biking, in general. No offense to the spandex-wearing speedsters I see all over Ann Arbor- but that just isn't my style. The world opens up to you on a bike. It makes me want to slow down and take it all in. Whether in jeans or a skirt and heels, biking is the perfect ride.

In a couple weeks, we'll be setting off for our next adventure- biking Old Mission Peninsula in northern Michigan. Wine tastings, eclectic restaurants and amazing views await in this hidden gem of the Great Lakes. So why would we want to speed by it all? We've got two days to enjoy seven wineries and meet the incredible folks who run them. Urban bikes, a trailer for Scout, a tent and sleeping bags... we're really looking forward to this one. And we plan on enjoying every minute of it.

Labor Day

2011-09-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

With the weather officially turning crisp and chilly, we snuggled in for a taste of autumn. Raking leaves, a smoky fire in the backyard, hot apple cider, cinnamon dusted donuts... we wrapped ourselves in fleece blankets and spent hours outside. Talking about our future, the company, the trips we would take. Bicycle rides through multicolored vineyards. Hiking and photographing the fall foliage. Exploring quaint inns along the west coast. Tasting farm fresh treats at rustic roadside stands.
Here's to a new season, a new start. The kick off to our company, as we begin our journey during the most beautiful time and in the most beautiful place of all. Here's to Michigan...

Breaking Out of The 9 to 5

2011-07-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Years ago, when I was plugging away in college- training to be a chef with pastry, meat cutting and mixology classes- I never thought I'd be where I am today.
Part of the reason I wanted to get into kitchens so badly was because I had a hard time sitting still! I would fidget, get up, stretch, walk around... always thinking about the next thing to do.

Yet, here I am, years later and I spend my days at a corner desk from 9am to 5pm every single day. Lunch is at noon. Midday stretch is at 3. And every day for the past four years, I think how unnatural it is. We're given strong legs and feet to carry us around the world, a sharp mind to think both analytically and creatively, arms to reach for the impossible... and they aren't used here. In this chair.

A big part of the reason Great Lakes Adventure Travel is happening is because of this kind of passion. The kind that makes you feel like an ADD kid who can only think about skiing the minute that first snow falls. Or spending a week in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a backpack and a camera. THIS is what I'm meant to do. THIS is the reason we're creating this business.
Because I know I'm not alone. I don't know how the "business world" came to be this way, this 9 to 5 thing that it is. But I'd like to change that.

Business meetings are no longer sit-on-your-ass-and-sip-coffee-for-four-hours. They are out there- in the actual "real world". We'd like to create a culture where colleagues can discuss new business strategies over some kayaking in our beautiful lakes or with hot chocolate after a long day on the slopes. Like real people.

There's a lot I could say about what needs to happen or how the world needs to change. But instead, I'll choose to change it.

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." - Maya Angelou

Summer Grilled Fish

2011-07-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

After a few weeks of craziness... moving, summer vacations, buying a house and training a puppy... we're starting to get back into the swing of things. More trips are being planned, moving ahead with this business. The next to come will be a tour of Michigan wine country (specifically, Old Mission Peninsula). And of course, a Foodie Tour of Traverse City (recently voted the #1 Foodie City in America, What What!)

But for now, I will leave you with a fabulous recipe for a good summer fish...
Yellowtail Snapper from the Florida Keys
Have your fishmonger remove the scales and gut him first. If you aren't eating him right away, wrap the fish in parchment paper and place him on a wire rack inside of a baking pan. Place crushed ice on top (so the excess water will drain into the pan and not on your fish. Replace ice every 6 to 8 hours.

Chop a handful each of basil, dill, parsley and chive. Slice 1 lemon into thin wheels. Slice 1 onion into thin slices. Season the whole fish with good olive oil, salt and pepper and stuff the cavity with the herbs, lemons and onion.

Throw directly onto the grill (with the head closest to the highest point of heat.... er... the opposite of the picture shown). Since the tail end is thinner, it will cook faster.
Cook for 12 minutes on each side (or 10 minutes per inch of pre-stuffed thickness). While grilling, brush with melted butter and the juice from one lemon with sea salt. I really go at it- coating it liberally every two minutes. Just watch out for flame ups!
Serve with a really yummy Caprese Salad (fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and sea salt) and fried zucchini sticks (lightly breaded with cornmeal and deep fried). Enjoy!

House Buying and Business Starting

2011-06-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

Arguably two of the most stressful projects one can undertake in their lifetime... and we've decided to tackle both of them- head on- at the same time!! Crazy? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely!!

The house buying came about when we checked the calendar, saw that our apartment lease was mere months from ending and we knew we needed our own place. A space just for us
Great Lakes Adventures has been five years in the making (well,... technically 25 since this is something we've both wanted to do since we were kids!). But the actual STARTING of the business is a lot easier said than done.

Manitou Day Three

2011-06-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Alas, our short lived adventure was coming to a close.

After breakfast of bananas, hearty granola oatmeal with dried berries and slices of fried summer sausage with instant coffee, we took one last walk around the island to purify water for the trip back and take some last snapshots of our beautiful, private island.

The beauty of the water ahead held promise for a smooth, safe ride back. We loaded up our kayaks one more time...

The bright blue skies and calm waters were the perfect was to say goodbye. Friendly waves pushed us toward our destination, which took less than three hours this time. We paddled into shore, all smiles! Tourists walking the beach couldn't believe we'd just come from the other side- now a faint blip across the water.

As we loaded up Lola (our yellow Jeep) for the trip back, never have I felt so calm and accomplished. My only regret being that I wish we could have stayed longer (and brought our puppy!). But maybe next time.

Oh, and since we were in one of the best places in the world for food... we couldn't resist...
Cherry Republic Chocolate Covered Cherries...

and Leelanau County fresh roadside asparagus...

It's good to be in Michigan. :)

Manitou Day Two

2011-06-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

The next morning, we woke up to the most beautiful blue skies. Friendly temperatures kept it comfortable and the breeze from the lake made it just heavenly.

After a breakfast of Pop Tarts and instant coffee (don't judge me!), we threw some items in our knapsack, grabbed our cameras and took off to explore.

This island is INCREDIBLE. Not only is it a backpacker's paradise, it is full of such rich history. It had it's own people, way of life; farmers, schoolteachers, families, fishermen... the remains of a life lost still linger in every corner.
The scenery shifts so beautifully, from mock-tropical beaches to lush forests to wheat filled farmlands.

We made friends with the locals...

And explored the shipwreck of the Francisco Morazan...

The long road connecting farms, homes and the beach...

We took in the sights at the top of a bluff, with a hot lunch of pizza wraps (hot sauteed peppers, onions, gouda cheese, pizza sauce, pepperonis wrapped up in tortillas). With an apple and two bottles of water each, nothing tasted better.

As the sun started to lower in the sky, we watched the last ferry leave for the mainland. There's a certain calmness that settles over you when you realize you are the only ones on the island. Obviously, a ranger was there, as well as some maintenance staff and there may have been a couple campers- but we would never know. We never saw a single person after that ferry left.

That night, we settled in with a tiny campfire to watch the stars come out (10:15pm before it was actually dark enough to see them!)

Our dinner was Teriyaki Salmon, Mashed Potatoes and Whiskey Sours. Let me just say, this was not one of my finer moments. I actually bought the prepackaged marinated salmon steaks (next to the canned tuna). But hey, everything deserves a chance, so we went for it!
One bite later, we were downing whiskey to desperately get the taste out of our mouths. Two words: Cat Food.

So we may or may not have gotten a little tipsy that night, with our stomaches holding only mashed potatoes, some starbursts and homemade beef jerky. But at least I learned my lesson about packaged salmon...

Manitou Day One

2011-06-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Apologies for taking so long to post this!! Life has gotten crazy since we've been back! In between Ann Arbor Summerfest, buying our house and raising a well balanced puppy, I've barely had a chance to think!

So let me tell you a bit about Manitou Island...

Day One
We drove from Ann Arbor up to Glen Arbor and camped out in the car. Not on purpose, we just left too late and didn't feel like checking into a hotel for a couple hours.
Much to the dismay of Camp Dog, we couldn't bring him to the island with us. (Although, I will say, we definitely saw some puppies on that island!)

Taking off was a bit of a trip. 50-some degrees, swarms of stoneflies everywhere and our gear was soaked from the downpour we slept through overnight. But we were determined! (Although, if I'm being completely honest, we both had a moment where we looked at each other and mutually thought about a nice warm hotel and some tourist shopping in Traverse City for the weekend...)
We prepared our trusty steeds for a rough ride on the waters.
It should be noted that our kayaks are NOT sea kayaks. And before you pummel me with "OMG!"s and "You are crazy and could have been lost at sea!"s... we survived just fine. In fact, I am convinced it was the way to go.

Moving on- as we started across, it was exhilarating! The freedom of backpacking with the nautical bliss that only kayaking can bring.
Suddenly, in the middle of Lake Michigan, just as we were getting into the stride... the skies opened up. In the middle of the rain, our destination started to get hazy. Until suddenly, the clouds moved in and it disappeared entirely.
I'll admit, I started to panic. We're in the middle of the lake who's fatal shipwrecks mimics that of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by nothing but water. Luckily, Bobby was prepared with his compass and directions (I was about to whip out my cell phone's gps!). We talked about it for a minute and decided to skip North Manitou and head for South. It was closer, we were exhausted and hypothermia was starting to set in (no joke).

Finally, after four hours of open water, we banked on the east side of South Manitou Island. Shivering and tired, we changed out of our wet clothes as fast as we could and chowed down some granola bars and water.

After setting up camp on a bluff about 300 feet from the water, I quickly whipped us up a yummy dinner of chicken fajitas. Packaged chicken breasts, taco seasoning, red and green bell peppers, onion in a tortilla wrap with queso dip... it was beyond delicious!

We explored the island for a bit and decided to make it an early night. Wrapping ourselves in our Cats Meow sleeping bags, we played a few hands of Yahtzee before passing out until morning...

Nature Calling

2011-06-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just find it hard to focus? You know what work you should be doing, but you just can't seem to actually DO it?

Yeah, iI'm in that place right now. Since we're still working second jobs while building Great Lakes Adventures, it's difficult to focus on my other job... all I want to do is be out hiking, swimming, canoeing... I'm so not an office person.

Getting back to nature is where it's at. I crave that feeling of outdoor bliss. Of the breeze flowing in the trees and the icy cold rush of a dive into a lake. We took the pup hiking for his first time yesterday. Too much fun! He couldn't get enough- diving through the trees and flowers, leaping in and out of the Huron River... A few times he tried to lead the way, but since his directions weren't that great, we decided to have him fall in line. (photos and video to come soon!)

This weekend cannot come soon enough. Kayaking to North Manitou is going to be a blast! I'll keep you posted! In the meantime, here's a recipe I'm working on as we speak (as in... it's in my oven right now.) Enjoy!

Asian Beef Jerky
1.5 lb flank steak, trimmed
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp sake

Trip Plans: North Manitou Island

2011-06-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

We're planning our first official trip of the season- to North Manitou Island. It's a small, remote place off the cost of Leland in Michigan's northern lower peninsula. 8 miles long by 4 miles wide with 20 miles of shoreline.

There is a ferry that takes you straight to the island, and we'll be bringing our kayaks with us to paddle around. Since it's so remote, this week will be spent double checking our gear list and figuring out how to make everything waterproof.

Bobby decided to test out his beloved kayak in the pool...

And, for scientific purposes, also wanted to find out what would happen if he flipped in Lake Michigan...

As you can see... we'll have some waterproofing to do... But I'll leave that up to him while I focus on the food and fun!

Still making menu decisions (after all, we're all about the gourmet backpacking!). It will definitely involve fresh caught fish, if we're lucky. If not, a backup plan is necessary.
My only regret about this trip is that Scout can't join us. The island doesn't allow dogs, since they feel it disturbs the wildlife (fair enough). He's definitely coming on the next trip, though!

Will keep you posted with trip updates! Can't wait to share our photos and thoughts after next weekend!

Happy Thursday!
CC

Grill Out Follow Up

2011-05-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

After the yummy grilled veggies and chicken, we realized we had an abundance of leftovers! So instead of gnawing on a veggie platter for three days, I turned it into a pasta primavera...

Chop all items into bite size pieces.

Cook up a potful of your favorite pasta. I like penne best for this- the bite size pieces blend well with the other small bites.
Once cooked al dente, toss everything together with juice from 1/2 a lemon, 1 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, a handful of basil chiffonade and salt and pepper.

Oh, but watch out for pasta thieves... they may look cute, but they're really just after your lunch!

Long Weekend Grill Out

2011-05-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day was the perfect chance to work on recipes for Great Lakes Adventures (and to also lounge by the pool with Shop Dog for hours on end!)

Starting with garden fresh vegetables, I had zucchini, summer squash, scallions, bell peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and asparagus on hand.

A summer grilled platter was definitely just the ticket...

Shallot Vinaigrette
1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
Juice from 1/2 lemon
2 shallot cloves
1 garlic clove
Mixed herbs (I chose mint, basil, oregano, chive and parsley)
Pinch of sugar
Sea salt, to taste

Whisk all ingredients together and season to taste with salt.

Then... get to grillin'!!

As you do, brush the shallot vinaigrette over the vegetables (watch out for flame ups!). And cook each until tender.

Also, it helps to have a friend to grill with you (and catch any scraps that may fall...)

I had some chicken thighs marinading in a garlicky delicious olive oil reduction that I decided to grill up as a last minute addition. A few minutes on each side, finished in a hot oven and we're talking perfection.

Shop Dog

2011-05-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

When we were young and foolish, we dreamed of owning businesses where we could surround ourselves with the things we love. Years later, after office jobs, kitchen crews, crazy bosses and underpaid grumblings... we're finally getting there.

One of the biggest pillars of our mission is our love for dogs. Big, small, smart, dopey- we love them all!
But dogs don't understand 9 to 5. They are full time buddies who wait patiently while we trudge to our offices 5 days a week. Which is why we believe in Shop Dogs. Those crazy critters you find in quaint stores, boutiques and even some small restaurants. Great Lakes Adventure is all about "Bring Your Dog to Work" day... everyday!

Meet Scout. Our official Shop Dog.

At 12 weeks old, this rescued Black Lab mix puppy is training like a pro- learning how to heel, sit and stay- as well as the ins and outs of tents, sleeping bags, backcountry trails and how to run alongside a bicycle.

Keep an eye on our future trips- because there will definitely be some dog-friendly travels in our future!

Springtime Picnic

2011-05-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

The backbone of any trip, no matter where you go, is good food. And that's where we begin our journey. At the heart of Great Lakes Adventures will always be really good food. And here is where those recipes get tested, tasted and photographed for your viewing (and commenting!) pleasure. We'd love your feedback- always!

Let's start with springtime in Michigan! Bright purple lilac bushes, honey bees, lemonade and cool breezes... we tried a picnic this past weekend off a woodsy trail north of Whitmore Lake. A big muffuletta (truly, the best sandwich in America), fresh fruit salad, crackers and cheese and a bottle of crisp Holmes (ahem, "Pinot") Grigio from the Spotted Dog Winery. Nothing fancy, just solid good food.

Michigan Muffuletta
serves 4 (or 2 if you're really hungry!)

1 round loaf of sourdough bread (thank you, Zingermans!)
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 vidalia onion, sliced thin
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove
2 tbsp marinated artichoke hearts (I love Delallo)
Drizzle of balsamic vinegar
3 oz mozzarella cheese
3 oz smoked turkey breast (deli-style)
3 oz honey glazed ham (deli-style)
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1 oz fresh basil, chiffonnade
Cut the top off of the bread (about 1/2 inch from the sides and 1/2 inch deep). Remove the lid and pull out all of the inside bread. Set the filling aside and use for something yummy. Set the now hollow loaf aside.
In a nonstick saucepan, head olive oil over medium high heat. Add red peppers and onion and cook for 6-8 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a food processor, blend garlic with marinated artichoke hearts and a drizzle of balsamic. Taste and season as desired with salt.

To assemble the sandwich, spoon half of the artichoke blend into the base of the bread. Layer the cheese, turkey, ham and cucumber on top. Add red peppers and onion, followed by cucumber, basil and remaining artichoke mixture. Add the lid, wrap well in plastic and let sit in a cool place for at least an hour before slicing and serving.

Great Lakes Adventures

2011-05-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world of Great Lakes Adventure Travel. We're all about the basic pleasures of life... good food, wonderful company and breathtaking scenery. Our travels take us all over the midwest, from bicycling to backpacking, wine tasting to shipwreck scuba diving! And we do it in style with gourmet al fresco cooking and luxury campside arrangements.

There is so much more to come- and we hope you're just as excited as we are to take this journey!