Every year when our wedding anniversary rolls around, we pack up the car and head north for a long weekend at the Leelanau State Park. We always mark our calendars for 6 months out in order to guarantee that we can get our favorite site #18. For us the weekend includes seeking new roads to get places, cooking over a campfire featuring locally sourced ingredients, relaxing and loving one another. Our trips are typically a 4-day weekend which means that we have to be selective about what we see and do, but some things we absolutely have to do- otherwise it just wouldn’t be the same.
Things we have to do include a visit to see our friend Sara at Tandem Ciders and enjoying a pint of fresh hard cider and a pickled egg. We also have to have one beach day at Christmas Cove and finally it wouldn’t be the same without a pre-sunset paddle on Omena Bay.
The best part about the past few years is that we’ve gotten into the routine of looking at property. There is nothing more fun than driving the countryside, listening to music, and dreaming about how we might turn a 2 acre lot into our future dream home. For us, the perfect formula for retirement is a summer home in the Leelanau Peninsula for 6 months out of the year and a winter retreat in a warmer climate. With restaurant and hospitality experience, we are both able to continue working part-time at a winery, brewery or beach-side bar!
This year it happened! I picked a few interesting properties for us to drive by prior to heading up north. We also grabbed a real estate guide to the area which is something we always do. Each day, we picked a part of the peninsula to explore and set out in search of the perfect scenario. Then one day we stumbled upon this tiny little writer’s cabin. As we pulled in the driveway, we both looked at each other with excitement. We had barely put the car in park before we both jumped out. We knew we had found it!
Little Leelanau 
Amazing write up!!
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So This is the first time I read your blog. It’s great and I think really impressive. I was at the meeting you cried and couldn’t believe how poorly the board members (2 guys) handled it.
So my only comment is that for me, it would read better if the beginning of this journey came first not last.
So can you email me your mailing address? I want to send y’all a check for Tim’s campaign.
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This is the first time I read your blog. It’s great and I think really impressive. Photos are worth s thousand words.
I was at the meeting when you cried and couldn’t believe how poorly the 2 board members handled it. But also wondered why the other board members didn’t intervene
My only comment is that for me, it would read better if the beginning of this journey came first, not last.
So can you email me your mailing address? I want to send y’all a check for Tim’s campaign.
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Hello!
Thank you for taking the time to read through our bog. I wish it could read in chronological order but unfortunately that is how blogs are set up. I am new to this though! I appreciate your words in regards to the board meeting as that was probably up there as one of the most upsetting moments I have ever experienced. I was just completely caught off guard and we had literally just gotten the keys to our new home a week earlier. They really should have spoken to us in private about any concerns and not aired everything out in front of the membership. That still has never happened. I know that Tim would appreciate the help for his campaign so here’s our address:
Timothy Claflin
10197 Van Kal Rd.
Mattawan, MI 49071
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I noticed that you two have installed a new sliding glass door on the west side of your tiny cabin. You should update your blog to contain these activities! Also I heard you have passed your rough electrical inspection, way to go!
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Welcome to paradise! So glad you’re here!
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Thanks Melody! We are excited to be here!
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