Douglas Lake Tour

Another gem located within the Inland Waterway sits atop the north shore of Burt Lake in the northwest portion of Cheboygan County. I'm referring to Douglas Lake.

One could overlook a place like this because of the attention the Inland Waterway receives but you'll discover character here and nearly 3,400 acres bordered by some of northern Michigan's finest resources. A public launch provides water borne access to Pells Island. A major influence on both land and water is the University of Michigan Biological Station. Near that launch you'll find a century old building that today houses a fine establishment called the Douglas Lake Bar and Steak House. A second public launch is located on the lakes east edge adjacent to the Michigan Biological property.

The nearest community is actually Pellston, located along US-31 in nearby Emmett County. This small community is serviced by a fine regional airport providing the ease of travel throughout the region and country.

Black Lake and Surrounding Environs

Though managing to acquire a certain bug this week, I did make the most of sunny skies and clear roads Monday and traveled around Black Lake. This body of water is the third of three within the Inland Waterway that covers more than 10,000 surface area acres.

At 10,130 acres the lake is the seventh largest inland lake in Michigan. It's the final lake in the 45 mile-long Inland Waterway beginning with Pickerel Lake near Alanson, running through Burt, Mullet and Black Lakes before moving their watery contents into the Cheboygan River and eventually Lake Huron. Like those other lakes in the Waterway, the State of Michigan has several launches, public access sites and campgrounds to compliment a variety of ownership opportunities. Many that are affiliated with the automotive industry will be aware of the UAW Family Education Center located on the southest shore of Black Lake. There's also a world class golf course opened in 2000 called Black Lake Golf Club.

The community of Onaway, Michigan, lies a few miles south of the lake at the intersection of C-68 and M-211. The counties of Presque Isle and Cheboygan divide the lake.

Winter Reprieve

Residents of Michigan and the Great Lakes Basin become accustomed to constant weather related change; non more welcomed than last Friday as five days of spring-like conditions stormed the region. Sun, blue-skies and glorious afternoon temperatures provided a welcomed break from this very cold winter!

During this time I've been in Grayling, Gaylord, Wolverine, on the Pere Marquette, Burt Lake, Indian River, Pellston, Brutus, Oscoda and Lovells. My writing responsibilities may have suffered but my spirit has soared. This winter reprieve has come at just the right time.

While it's known throughout the world by name, the University of Michigan has a tremendous facility in the heart of my coverage area along the north shore of Burt Lake. The facility actually is based on Douglas Lake to the north of Burt Lake though facilities are located on both. A land bridge seperates these bodies of water and Douglas provides its flow to Burt via the Maple River and several small creeks. If you're willing to delve somewhat deeper into the local history you'll find the namesake for the entire watershed in a local band of Native Americans called the Cheboiganing Tribe.

Mullett Lake Tour - It's Fun just getting there!

As reported earlier; I've tried to set aside Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for travel through-out the Cheboygan River Watershed. An area that encompasses all of Cheboygan County and portions of four others found within the Tip of the Mitt.

A wonderful benefit associated with this area is the state forest known as The Big Wild, or the Pigeon River Forest. A 105,000 acre marvel consisting of rivers, lakes and wildlife unmatched in all the mid-west! It also happens to be a primary travel corridor for many of my day-long investigative treks and I'm not certain I should call it work even when day-time highs struggle to reach double-digits after evening lows of -20! The scenery and solitude here offer sanctuary to the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi River and Monday evening I saw a cow and her calf making their way from a low-land feed lot to an upland bedding area. They were crossing our road about to settled in for a frigid night under northern stars.

My camera didn't perform very well as I hurriedly tried to capture evidence of my chance encounter but Drake was my witness and I'm certain they'll be other opportunities before winter departs these environs. One can't blame my regular co-pilot for failing to capture the moment once you realize the natural limits of his talents...

Today we were fortunate to have good roads, sunny skies and little wind as we made our way from Indian River along the east side of Mullett Lake to Cheboygan. We visited many of the residential outposts and public access sites while traveling north along this spectacular resource. The bounty we enjoy up north is unrivaled as evidenced by our travels on Monday to the Black River via the PRSF. One needn't travel far up here to be surrounded by natural beauty in a wonderful setting.

Imagine brook trout and summer among these cedars while you await the last hour of daylight in June! The Black River lies frozen now in January.

Beginning with Burt Lake...

The plethora of information now available is amazing and at times overwhelming. Which may help explain my lack of consistent contributions to this forum; though I'll try in earnest to remedy that situation beginning today!




We're in the midst of an arctic blast that's driven evening temps well into the -20 degrees range without considering any factors for wind chill; and that's had an impact on day-to-day business activities though there's reason for excitement and optimism throughout our company!

The first of those reasons has to be the state of current interest rates; 5% for fixed periods of 15 years. Simply astounding numbers if you've been considering jumping into the buying market as prices and values have corrected and other investment alternatives have been pummelled. One simply needs to ask " Why Not?" Especially as the benefits of owning that special home or cabin on your favorite body of water builds memories unlike funds sitting in an account managed by some faceless enterprise with little control over international economic matters.

A strong second reason for buying now? Simply, Time. Just how much are we allotted, not just "is it the right time?" We can talk about the investment potential of property in these wonderful environs and I'll gladly provide sales studies to any interested individuals; but the emotional attachment customers have for their "cabin" or property up north becomes very difficult to measure or quantify. So if not now; when?

A third reason... The Season! Yes, it is winter and several fantastic opportunities are coming to market. Some, there now are worthy of a look before spring has sprung and sellers become complacent for the summer selling season and its giddy optimism. Motivation can be a powerful force when the days are short and the lake is frozen. Negotiations often have a special earnestness about them for all involved. There's real beauty in stark, cold numbers once the woods are silent under winters burden.


Monday, Wednesday and Thursday are travel days between now and the Vernal Equinox. I'll post general updates on Tuesday or Friday going forward into the spring and summer season.