Honor Motel in Benzie County Michigan

Deer Hunting in Benzie County

2011-11-14T20:01:00.000-08:00

Deer Hunting in Northwest Michigan sliding puzzle game » sliding puzzle

2011-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

Michigan Morels And Golf Deals In Benzie

2011-05-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Where to find the queens morels !

It's mushroom season and every year the mushroom queen from Indiana comes to harvest her three favorite mushroom producing spots between Honor and Empire. According to her, each patch produces upwards of 50 - 150 morels each and every spring. Folks, the queen can't make it this year, so let me just remind you that the distance between the Village of Honor and Empire is only 11 miles, don't let them go to waste!

Here is what I know!

Two out of those three morel patches are somewhere along this National Park hiking trail. But the queens favorite and most productive patch is under some old Elm Tree somewhere near Honor not far from this Motel. No real surprise here, in our little village in the valley, you just never know where they might pop up! For more photos and morel updates visit our Facebook Page.

Morels aren't the only delicacy currently in season, you can also find roadside stands offering fresh, local Asparagus, some will offer freshly found morels as well!

Visit this wacky and fun 8th Annual Empire Asparagus Festival being held in downtown Empire this weekend May 20th, and 21st, 2011.

That's not all that's happening...!

On Memorial Weekend, Honor will honor our nations and native Vets with Honor Days. The new event includes a civil war reenactment, cannon firing demonstration and a community Pig Roast at Maley Park. View the Honor Days promo flyer here!

Take advantage of available savings.

Benzie County is once again offering the popular "Passport to Fun" coupon promotion, and if you stay at the Honor Motel for two nights (*Saturdays excluded), as an additional bonus, you'll get FREE breakfast for two at Papa J's in Honor.

Wait..., there is another bargain you should know about!

Crystal Lake Golf Club is voted Best Golf Course in Benzie County, it is one of Michigan's finest 18 hole golf courses with gently rolling hills and stunning views of Crystal Lake.

Who needs a golf package when you have "Dollar Day" rates at Crystal Lake Golf Club. Everything is a buck, $1 a hot dog, $1 a hamburger, $1 a soft drinks, $1 per hole... the locals think this is a steal!

Dollar Days are on Mondays and Thursday all Season long!

But remember, only during this time of year can you find that special souvenir, this dried little morel that sits on our shelf, was found on Crystal Lake Golf Course last year!

Mushroom Hunting and Fishing in Honor

2011-05-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

See Honor Motel Facebook Updates

Word search Spring in Benzie!

2011-02-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Winter fun in Benzie word search game » play word search

A Sleeping Bear Snowshoe Rhyme!

2011-02-03T14:46:00.000-08:00

We break away from daily captivity to enjoy our favorite winter activity. We like to call it trailblazing, the experience is always amazing.

Come along and see, why snowshoeing has a way of setting us free!

Enjoy your surroundings and try to relax, the beginners trail is easy, just stay off skiers tracks!

There is no such thing as winter blues when you own a pair of snowshoes, same if you cross country ski, by the way, using park trails is practically free!

The perfect activity on a nice winters day, you'll enjoy seeing others who feel the same way!

There are interesting places, dogs are allowed in some cases. Just follow park rules..., you won't see a crowd acting like fools!

Woodpeckers must love it and so do the deer, all grateful this national treasure is here!

Would you like a winter fling, but camping is just not your thing? No reason to fear, I can suggest a nice little Mom & Pop not far from here!!!

That's when it all fell apart, see what I got for being so smart; Instead of talking, I should have been watching where I was walking!

There is no rush, it's not like we're snowshoeing in slush, lets find a place to sit, fresh snow makes a perfect mold for a natural fit!

You bet we had the ability, but someone forgot to use the facility, we have no option, guess we'll have to try it again, we only had 0.8 miles to go and we would have made it to Lake Michigan!

Despite the personal pressure, walking the trails is always a pleasure, we simply followed our track until we found our way back!

What a great Nation, we Honor our National Park and the Ranger Station. We have this incredibly scenic reason why we are out here in the freezing, we love to see the Lakeshore during the winter season!

Great news, we're happy to rent you our snowshoes. The part we like the most, is that we are so close. We can point you in the right direction to an amazing collection of snow covered perfection!

And if you should run in to "Park Ranger Jim", tell him that his old friend Carol, "has a crush on him"!

Mix Snow Sports With Wine Tours in Benzie County Michigan

2011-01-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

Still the Best Outdoor Sports Destination!
A winter getaway in Benzie County can turn into a wintery adventure with endless possibilities for snow sports and winter activities. Some of the areas best natural ski and snowshoe trails are within minutes of our motel and Crystal Mountain, the #1 top rated ski resort in the Michigan, is only 15 minutes from Honor. Combine your winter sport activity with a tour of award winning wineries, and you have a great recipe for a romantic winter getaway.

Lets explore this a little further!
Snow Sport + Winery Tour = Romantic Winter Adventure

Go Snowshoeing with a Park Ranger!
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is offering free snowshoe hikes led by a park ranger. Snowshoers meet at the Visitor Center in Empire (11 miles from here) every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm during the months of January and February. This is a fun and educational experience for the whole family and everyone is invited. Fun for young and old, this winter activity has invigorating effects on body and mind!

Snowshoe Rentals For the Do It Yourselfers!
You can snowshoe the Sleeping Bear Dunes on your own without a ranger or the crowd, rent snowshoes right here at our Office, get a Sleeping Bear Dunes park pass and enjoy this great winter activity on your own, there are many trails to choose from. The Elberta Dunes and Arcadia Dunes are also near by and are great snowshoeing destinations. Trail information

Cross Country Ski the National Park

National Park trails with spectacular views of Lake Michigan await nature loving cross country skiers, all you need is a park pass and your ski equipment. There are several trails to choose from and depending on your skill level, you can enjoy a different trail each day. Snowboarding and sledding is also permitted on the Dune Climb. Trail information

Area Snowmobile trails are among the best!

Northwest Michigans snowmobile trails are fantastic. Try riding the most northern section of the trail near Honor, one of the best and less traveled snowmobile trails in the lower peninsula of Michigan. Honor has a snowmobile staging area just outside of town but you can ride your sleds to the trails from our motel. And while you are here in town, gas up your sleds and walk or ride over to Papa J's Diner or the LumberJacks Bar & Grill for great food and spirits.

The Vintage Sleds!
Riding the trails on a vintage ~~clunker~~ snowmobile has a certain "cool factor", but our ~~clunkers~~ sleds are a flashback from the 80's and after a good days ride, I can feel every bone in my body. However, I must admit, rushing through this beautiful snow covered landscape trying to hold on to that old clunker ~~sled~~ is very intense, view the video!

Check area snowmobile trail conditions, updated daily during snowmobile season by the Benzie-Manistee Snowbirds. The snowbirds do a great job grooming and maintaining our snowmobile trail system.

Some upcoming winter events!

Bay Racing Michigan Regional SnoCross Opener
Jan 8 -9, 2011 in Copemish, at Twisting Trails Off-Road Park.

TC-250 Vintage Snowmobile Race
Jan 15, 2011 at Interlochen Eagles, qualifying Jan 14

Benzie County Winterfest including fireworks on Crystal lake
Feb 11, 2011 downtown Beulah

Shiver by the River SnoCross Snowmobile racing event.
Feb 19-20, 2011 in Frankfort, organized by Bay Racing.

Snowshoe Hikes Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Center
Every Saturday and Sunday in January and February 2011

Get A FREE Lift Ticket?

Crystal Mountain Ski resort is only 15 miles to the south and the Homestead is only 17 miles to the north. Shell “SKI FREE 2011″, get a FREE voucher redeemable for one free lift ticket with the purchase of one full price adult lift ticket. To obtain the voucher go to a participating Shell station and purchase 10 gallons or more of Shell fuel. Yep, and you guessed it folks, we have a participating Shell station right here in town! We also have $5 off Lift ticket Coupons for Crystal Mountain available at our office.

Enjoy A Custom Wine Tour!

Northwest Michigan is Wine Country, this region of the State in particular has produced some award winning wines. This Organic Douglas Valley Winery has a wine tasting location right in Benzonia (6 miles from Honor). And now, Coastline Transportation will pick up small groups of 5 - 7 people from any hotel in Benzie County and take them to wineries in Leelanau or Old Mission. Customize your tour and experience 4 -5 wineries in a days trip.

If you are interested in a wine tour and you would like to make transportation arrangements, contact the Benzie County Visitors Bureau at 800-882-5801, they'll be happy to to help you. For room reservations, snowshoe rentals and update on current snow conditions, contact us at 231 325-3471.

Hunting Northwest Michigans National Park

2010-11-18T09:42:00.000-08:00

Deer hunting is a passion!
According to the DNRE, 75 to 85 percent of deer are taken during the first couple of days of firearm season. Those bucks that fell during the first couple of days of opening day are mostly the unlucky, the inexperienced, and less wary younger deer.

Bagging a trophy buck after those first couple of days of rifle season will require some old school hunting skills. Sitting in a hunting blind waiting for a buck to walk up on you is probably not going to happen. Those survivors, the smart ones, have retreated deep into the thick brush where most hunters wouldn't dare to go.

The hunter vs. the hunted!
Spotted several times, a smarter, more experienced buck with a trophy rack continues to roam the woods near Honor in Benzie County. Bob has been heading into the woods each day in hopes of bagging this big trophy buck, he is convinced that this is the same buck that got away from him during last years deer hunting season.

Michigans 2010 deer hunting season is in full swing and there is plenty of state land for public hunting. Places like Betsie River State Game Area in Benzie County are considered top public grounds when hunting in Northern Lower Michigan.

But the real prize...!
The ultimate natural big game hunting experience is just minutes from here, in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Many hunters are not even aware that hunting is permitted in the SBD National Park. This national treasure is located in Benzie and Leelanau County, you bet there are lots of deer roaming this 72,000 acre Park of which more than 32,000 acres is designated wilderness area.

~ Wilderness is a continuous stretch of country preserved in its natural state, open to lawful hunting and fishing, big enough to absorb a two weeks pack trip, and kept devoid of roads, artificial trails, cottages, or other works of man. ~ Aldo Leopold†

Good luck to all, be safe and enjoy the 2010 Deer Hunting Seasons.

Salmon Jumping the Betsie Dam in Benzie County

2010-09-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

Video was recorded on Sept 25, 2010 at Betsie dam in Benzonia MI.

River Fishing For Salmon and Steelhead in Benzie

2010-09-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

Honor thy Fish In Benzie

The word spreads fast, Salmon action has started in the rivers of Benzie. Tim and Liz, a couple of local kids, were among the first at the dam to try and catch a Salmon. The Platte River State Fish Hatchery on US31 just outside of town is Michigan’s primary salmon hatchery, they raise coho and Chinook salmon to be restocked in Michigan’s lakes. Each year these salmon make their way up stream, back to their birth place, right here near Honor.

Benzie County's Platte and Betsie River are some of the top trout streams in the State, but don't take my word for it, read about it from expert Dave Richey Outdoors. He says that the Platte River is among the finest in the nation. This husband and wife fishing team cast their lines for salmon as the first small run headed up stream. They reported "The fishing was very good"! You betcha...

A combination of Salmon and Steelhead eggs tied into little spawn sacks is the bait of choice for some of our experienced river fishermen. These eggs came from fish caught in the spring and were kept fresh in his freezer until now.

Success as usual, Russ caught this nice 32 inch female Coho and she is full of eggs. He will be using the eggs to make more fresh homemade spawn sacks for his next fishing trip to Benzie. Between now and November, Russ will attempt to fill his freezer with Salmon and then followed by Steelhead. The bounty should last him until next spring.

So if river fishing is your game, try it here in Benzie. Need help from a fishing guide? Recently honored Mark Rinckey is legendary, he hikes people in to very remote and scenic locations. He is a traditional walk-in guide to northwest Lower Michigan’s best river hot spots and many of his clients like to stay at our Motel during their Salmon and Steelhead fishing expeditions.

Although it is our wish, we can't guarantee that you'll catch any fish, but clean and comfortable rooms close to the action is our attraction!

So, FISH ON my friends, try it here in Benzie, come take advantage of this Salmon and Steelhead fishing frenzy!

The Best Lake Michigan Beaches Of Benzie

2010-06-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

The Best Beaches Of Benzie are near Honor

FYI, just in case you didn't know, Benzie County's beaches offer something that most beaches simply can't. If you prefer natural and unspoiled Lake Michigan beaches, you'll see why Benzie County is Northern Michigan 'Preserved'.

Preserved because of miles and miles of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore coastlines! These miles of Lake Michigan shorelines are open to everyone, easily accessible and enjoyable for all, some areas are even pet friendly!!! See Pet Owners Guide

The Sleeping Bear Dunes are one of the most beautiful natural areas in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. And the Best Beaches of Benzie happen to be right here, just minutes from Honor along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Check out these favorite beaches below!

1.) Peterson Beach

2.) Esh Beach

3.) Platte Point Beach

4.) Point Betsie

Just take a look at this Google Map and you'll see the direct routes to these spectacular Lake Michigan beaches located just minutes from our Motel.

If you would rather not walk the beaches, the Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruise can help you see the lakeshores from the comfort of a cruise ship. And get this..., if you sign up for the Benzie County's Passport to Fun package, you can get a Boat Cruise ticket for FREE.

So come spend a day on the beaches of Benzie and experience nature as it was intended. And just like the locals, you too will find comfort in knowing that this magnificent natural beauty is preserved and protected for generations to come.

Mushroom Queen Finds Morels In Benzie County

2010-05-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

Her friends and family call her the Mushroom Queen for a reason. There is no doubt, the queen is very good at what she does. Monica and Kim love to hunt morels in Benzie County and they always seem to find plenty of them.

So, I asked the queen this question, "How did you know that the morels are popping in Benzie County?" Her answer was, "you just have to pay attention"!

She also said with a smile, "and I like to try and get there first, before anyone else does"!

Monica and Kim enjoyed a FREE Breakfast, then put on their boots and headed for the woods a second time. On top of their game, they know that morels are up for grabs in Benzie. They are here to find and pick as many as they can.

Here is a quick tip from Monica the Mushroom Queen from Indiana. "It's all about timing, and NOW is the perfect time to find morels in Benzie County, Michigan".

Need help? Talk to Ray Stark, he is a local mushroom hunting guide and can help you find them. Or, for a lot of money, you can buy them fresh at the upcoming Mesick Mushroom Festival, May 7 - 9, 2010.

Morel Mushroom Hunting is ON In Benzie County

2010-04-27T03:22:00.000-07:00

Morel Mushroom Hunting has started in Benzie County Michigan

Once again, the smell of mushrooms is in the air. Ray Stark suspected that the morels would be popping after last nights rain, and Ray was right! Toby went out looking for them this morning and found these.

Toby reported "I found about a pound of mostly white morels just a few miles outside of town, this is enough for a delicious dinner tonight".

Toby's find had you know who all excited, and he immediately started looking around our Motel property for mushrooms. We have found morels in our own backyard before!

Then he came running with a big grin on his face, and said..... "come look and bring the camera!"

There you have it folks, morel mushrooms are definitely up in Benzie County.

Not only are they up in Benzie, but morels have popped right in our own backyard. We've found three of them just this morning. We do not intend to pick them, the morels will remain in our backyard for as long as they will last.

This calls for new rules at the Honor Motel :

No mushroom picking in our backyard
Please watch your step when walking in our grass
Never reveal more than "Honor, Michigan" as the exact location of our morels.

Need help finding them? Ray Stark is a local mushroom hunting guide, you can read more about him here. Ray is for hire and can help you have a safe and educational mushroom hunting experience.

Take advantage of the Honor Motel Free Breakfast Offer and Benzie County's Passport to Fun Travel Promotion, a great getaway value if you are thinking about visiting Benzie County for this years mushroom hunting season.

Find Petoskey Stones at Point Betsie in Benzie

2010-03-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

Rock Hunting @ Point Betsie in Benzie

Some of the best rock hunting in Michigan is done along the coastline of Lake Michigan. Benzie County has some great beaches for just such purpose. One great place to hunt for Petoskey Stones is just a few miles from our Motel at Point Betsie Lighthouse Beach.

Spring is the best time for rock hunting. During the winter the waters have churned up a new crop of rocks and has pushed them into the beach sand. With miles and miles of lake shore in Benzie County, rock hunting is a popular hobby and best of all, this fun activity is FREE!

WARNING....you might get your feet wet!

Experience miles of pristine Lake Michigan beaches while you look for unique rocks. These nice folks in the picture below are doing just that, they are amazed at all the beautiful rocks that have washed ashore.

The unpolished Petoskey Stone on the bottom is our newest addition found at Point Betsie Beach just yesterday. The other three were polished last year by the C & M Rock Shop just outside of town, they are gorgeous. You can read more about the Rock Shop in a previous post.

These locally found Petoskey Stones are on display at our office. Here are some tips on how you can find this State Stone of Michigan along Lake Michigans shoreline.

Read why Benzie County Michigan is the New Favorite Vacation Destination for 2010 and take advantage of Benzie County's outstanding "Passport to Fun" travel promotion.

Combine this with our FREE Breakfast offer and enjoy a great Northwest Michigan Vacation Destination at a price you can afford.

Steelhead Fishing the Betsie River in Benzie

2010-03-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

Steelhead Fishing is 'ON AGAIN' in Benzie County Michigan!

George loves Steelhead fishing the Betsie River.

This pic was sent from his cellphone yesterday when he caught this one.

You bet we love to see our fishermen catch fish!

In fact, George got a couple of them while he was here.

Seems George knows what he's doing!

People often leave things behind, common items are cellphone chargers, shoes, expensive tooth brushes, even medication. But darn, never once has any one of our fishermen ever forgot about their fish in the freezer.

Apparently fishing can be a dangerous sport, I heard today that one of the guys fishing the Betsie got whacked in the eye and had to go to the hospital...yikes! Just look what happened during Bob and Bruces last ice fishing adventure. No fish that day, just this...!

Bruce did promise, the next time that this happens, he will let me blog his step by step guide on how to self remove a fishing hook ;)

Yep, there are Steelhead in the river and some very good river fishermen are on their way to Benzie County.

Russ is coming, he likes fishing the Betsie, but he will be scouting the Platte River while he is here. Russ has been here many times, he is an excellent river fishermen and always catches.

Doak and Dennis have called in their reservations. We love this awesome Father and Son fishing team.
previous post

Check the weekly DNR fishing report
See the local Five Corners Bait & Tackle Shop fishing report

I'll be posting some pics on facebook and twitter for this years Steelhead fishing season.
http://tweetphoto.com/14186826

Looking back at winter fun in Benzie

2010-03-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

A recap of winter fun we had in Benzie

Winters are pure Michigan in Benzie County and there is only a short time left to enjoy the season. Whether you're into skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or ice fishing, you'd better do it quickly or say goodbye until next year. We take a look back at this winters fun and activities.

The Old Sleds
Everyone enjoyed the old ~~clunkers~~ snowmobiles. Yes, they are old clunkers but we like to think of them as vintage :). The guys had plenty of fun with them and I must say, the fun on the trails is worth having them, it is almost time to store them away for the season.

The Snowmobile Trails
The guys who own the sleds on the right have been coming here for years. They are familiar with the area and they are here to ride the trails one more time before the season ends. We love to have them here with us.

The Nicest People
These nice folks came to this area simply to play in the snow. They had a blast at Timberlee Hills and loved snowshoeing the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Conditions were perfect and we even got a little fresh snow overnight to enhance their 'play in the snow' experience. The snowshoeing will continue for a while yet, you should take advantage of our snowshoe rentals like these folks did and enjoy the National Parks trails before the snow disappears for good.

The Ice Fishing
The guys were rewarded with a couple of monster size Northern Pike, Platte Lake was an ice fisherman's dream that day. Since then, they have made themselves comfy and cozy out there on Platte Lake with shanty, heater and all. Although they are catching Perch and Walleye, they did not catch any more monster size fish.

The Ice Rink
Thanks for the help from the Homestead Fire Department and a few village volunteers, a small ice rink was created in Maley Park. The ice rink is just down the road from our motel and we've had a couple of guests actually use it. One guest said to me, "ice skates can easily be found at the resale shops around here and they are cheap". I loved it!

The Snowshoe Trails

Sleeping Bear Dunes snowshoe trails are wonderful and snowshoeing conditions should be good for some time yet. On one of our walks, my friend Carol and I discovered this tree gnawed almost completely through by a beaver. Incredibly hard workers those beavers are, amazing how much one can accomplish by just working at it.

The new rooms are one of the things I love about spring. Just like those beavers, we work hard during the winter months. We are proud to offer three newly renovated rooms this spring. Guests will love the new larger bathrooms and hardwood floors. Each winter we peck away at this building and over the last few years have made some great progress, we can finally see that soon, we'll have it just the way we want it.

The Super Nova (nickname)

No matter how much the kid struggles with those old rusted on bolts, he is determined to get that old muscle car on the road in time for Honor's Annual Car Show on June 4th & 5th at Maley Park. Check out the most complete and up to date list of Upcoming Car Show Events in Michigan.

Exciting fishing news, the Five Corner Store Tackle Shop in Beulah had reports of steelhead being caught in the Betsie River, a sure sign that spring is around the bend. We look forward to the upcoming Steelhead fishing season knowing that morel mushroom hunting is not far behind.

How to: Ice Fish Platte Lake in Benzie County

2010-01-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

Ice Fishing Advice by Bob and Bruce.

"Follow these steps below and you too can catch a monster fish in Benzie County". Read a previous post about how to fish Platte Lake.

Step 1: Drag your ice fishing gear out onto the ice.

Step 2: Find a spot, any spot to drill your hole.

Step 3: Fish for just a bit, ...then simply hook that 20 pound Northern Pike and pull him out of that hole!

Optional Step: Take a few moments to admire that huge catch.

Step 4: Repeat step 1-3 for each additional Northern Pike.

Step 5: Figure out how to get those huge fish AND all your gear back home!

There you have it all you ice fishermen. Until Crystal Lake ice is completely safe, we will continue to pull them out of the Platte.

These two Northern Pike were caught yesterday along with about 40 yellowbelly perch. One was 20 pounds, 41.25 inches, the other was 18 pounds, 40 inches.

This concludes Bob and Bruce's ice fishing advice

Ok guys, now I have some advice for Bob and Bruce!

Next time, check the DNR Master Angler & State Record Entries before you start cutting it up!

Northwest Michigan Snowmobile Trails How To: Break Down And Still Have A Fun Day

2010-01-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

The trip from Honor to Maple City on our vintage snowmobiles.

It's about a four hour ride round trip from Honor in Benzie County to the farthest point on Northwest Michigans Snowmobile trail system, Maple City!

Conditions were excellent and everything was just great as we were zipping along this beautiful trail. We were all alone out there and we were enjoying it immensely.

Then came the wake up call, that dreaded moment when you realize.... there is a PROBLEM!

Next thing you know, he is working on the "vintage" ~~sled~~ clunker, out in the freezing cold, in the middle of snowwhere.

As I was getting the tow rope ready, I was thinking to myself, this is the last time I'm taking a long trip on the "vintage ~~sleds~~ clunkers". That's when I heard him say, "it's a broken belt!".

Lucky we had two spare belts, one in each sled. It seemed to be a fairly easy fix and I did not have to listen to him cursing that old ~~sled~~ clunker. After several minutes, we were up and running again. Now a little spooked, we debated on whether we should turn around or continue on to Maple City.

We made the decision to keep going until we reached our Northwest Michigan snowmobiling destination. It could have ended badly, but we made it to Maple City on our vintage sleds that day!

The moral of the story: Always be prepared! Before you hit the trails, tell someone where you are headed, ALWAYS carry a spare snowmobile belt, some basic tools, drinking water, extra sparkplugs, a tow strap and a cell phone.

We made it back to the Motel with both sleds still running that night. We were tired and felt as if we had conquered some sort of a Snowmobiling challenge.

As we await the next snowfall, the vintage ~~clunkers~~ sleds are ready to head in the opposite direction, toward Thompsonville this time, for yet another snowmobiling adventure. I'll let you know what happens....!

Check Area Snowmobile Trail Conditions Here
Michigan DNR Snowmobile Trail Map, Benzie - Leelanau County

Snowmobile Trips Trails and Upcoming Events in Benzie County Michigan

2010-01-05T06:40:00.000-08:00

Snowmobiling is a Blast!

Check out the old clunker on the right... it's vintage! :) . Bob says, he has just as much fun on it, as the other guy on his big fancy machine. That's because everyone is having fun in the snow lately. Benzie County is covered in snow and our guests love it.

Upcoming events:
Shiver by the River snocross race - Feb 19 - 21 in Frankfort
Winterfest - always the second weekend in February

Bring the kids!

Bob D*** sent this over in an e-mail yesterday.

Thanks Bob and Chris, our stay was fantastic. The kids had a blast snowmobiling! Five days on the trail and a good nights rest at your Motel was fun for everyone. Hope to make it back soon. If you would like, post the pic on your website. Thanks again, Bob, Emily, Brittany D***, Bill and Blake B*****.

Awesome Snowmobile Trails!

The trails are groomed and in great shape. A scenic winter wonderland with plenty of distance to ride. It is such a rush zooming through these forests and trees covered in snow. View video of us riding the trails. Get to the trail from here and restaurants are within walking distance of our motel. The Lumber Jacks Bar & Grill is also open and within walking distance, the benefits of being located right here in town ;).

No Sled, Go Skiing or Snowshoeing!

Don't like to snowmobile, you'd rather walk the trails? The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is offering Ranger guided Snowshoe hikes every Saturday and Sunday during January and February. If you prefer to hike the dunes or trails alone or can't make the weekends, we can help! We offer Snowshoe Rentals for our guests. Snowshoe or cross country ski all the area trails and paths at your convenience.

Snowshoeing for a Northern Michigan Christmas Tree

2009-12-14T19:38:00.000-08:00

Let it snow in Benzie County

This last storm dumped about a foot of snow on us. Everything looks so beautiful, it put us right into the Christmas spirit. Who wouldn’t like to go play in the fresh snow for at least a little while. The snowshoes are ready and we are going to try them out. What a great day for our first snowshoe adventure of the season here in Northern Michigan.

Off to the Christmas Tree Farm

The friendly folks at the Christmas Tree Farm said we could drive our vehicle anywhere on the property. We put it in 4 wheel drive and drove up, down and through the hills, just like two tracking, it was fun but also a little bit scary. No, we did not get stuck, the Jeep did really good in the deep snow.

The snowshoes worked out perfectly

What a great way to walk and maneuver through acres of Christmas trees. One thing though! Don’t do too much turning around, you’ll step on your own snowshoes and fall into the soft, fluffy snow. This is how we made a couple of unexpected snow angels.

The chosen tree was cut and I’m following him while carrying the chain saw, I think it was heavier than that tree!

Check out the snowshoes … really cool! :)

Snowshoeing is a great winter activity, it is easy, fun and great exercise, anyone can do it. No skills are needed and around here, snowshoeing opportunities are everywhere. Take a look at the Honor Motel Winter Special where you can find links to area trails and take advantage of our FREE Snowshoe Rental Offer.

We had fun on our snowshoes choosing the perfect Christmas tree among those endless rows of trees. At only $18, this is the prettiest tree we’ve ever had. The tree is as fresh as it gets and is ready for decorations.

Our next snowshoeing adventure will be the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park trails. I can’t wait, trails are only minutes from here. Read more about snowshoeing and cross country skiing the Sleeping Bear Dunes on the National Parks website.

Steelhead and a Double Tagged Duck in Benzie County

2009-12-04T18:36:00.000-08:00

Steelhead fishing is “ON” in Benzie County

Ray from Starks Water and Woods stopped by today. Ray is the regional NBAA (National Bass Anglers Association) Director, an expert fishermen and an all around experienced sportsman. He says, “With temperatures cooling, the steelhead are finally coming in. They are catching them at the mouth of the Betsie and at the Frankfort Pier “. Those of you fishermen that know the area will know where to go, those of you that don’t, Bob and I can point you in the right direction -or- you can hire Ray as your fishing guide and be sure to catch!

Scouting the Platte River for Steelhead

Russ is an experienced fishermen, and when he comes, he always catches fish…(previous post). He is scouting for Steelhead in the Platte River. He is not seeing any steelhead in the Platte River yet, but he did catch a nice looking coho in the river yesterday. The guys are amazed at how good it still looks. Russ is also bow hunting and hopes to get a deer, he says ”it was too warm during rifle season”.

Duck Hunting can be rewarding on Platte Lake in Benzie County

Literally! A rare double tagged duck was shot on big Platte Lake Nov 29th, just 20 minutes before the duck hunting season ended. Bruce, the lucky hunter was very excited, this duck has a $100 Reward tag, all he has to do is call the 1-800 number to claim his reward. We’ve never heard of such a thing but all you duck hunters out there probably know what this is all about. For Bruce, this was a great way to end the duck hunting season.

The Snowshoes are ready
The snow is coming down and it’s accumulating. More is in the forecast and we are ready to strap on our snowshoes and go cut down a Christmas tree at the local Christmas tree farm. I’ll be posting about it.

You should try snowshoeing this winter, it is affordable, fun and…. Pure Michigan! See our Winter Promotion Page on our website.

Honor Motel Winter Special

Deer Hunting and Preparing for Winter in Benzie

2009-11-29T18:12:00.000-08:00

Hunting in Benzie

No luck deer hunting this year, Bob has been hunting the same buck since opening day. He has seen this big buck twice but could not get a clear shot at him. Chasing that big buck every day has been a challenge and it’s wearing him out, he is looking a little rough lately. There is a lot of areas you can hunt here in Benzie County, take a look at this DNR map of Lands open for public hunting. Although we were fairly busy during this years deer hunting season, many of our hunters came away empty handed. Everyone blames this past harsh winter and the “no feeding/no baiting” law.

Keep the fire burning this winter

There is plenty to prepare for the winter season in Northern Michigan. Having enough firewood for the fireplace is a priority, there is nothing like a cozy fire on a cold winters day. Last year was exceptionally cold and snowy, we ran out of firewood before the season was over. This year we have plenty of wood, the guys have been splitting and stockpiling it all summer. Now that the yard is clean and the building is all buttoned up, we await our first winter storm of the season.

Guaranteed that snow will be here soon

And once it has arrived, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are some of the snow sports outdoor lovers pursue in this area. There is no better place to xc ski and snowshoe than the Sleeping Bear Dunes, check out the National Park trails Sleeping Bear Dunes Trails. There are plenty of hiking trails and paths near by for all ability levels, take a look at the maps and details in this Trail-log .

To kick things off with a bang this winter season!

We will have snowshoes available for our guests!
http://www.honormotel.com/WinterSpecial.html

More details in my next post…

Northwest Michigans Fall Season brings Great Colors and Great Fishing

2009-10-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

The truth is, this old barn is a beautiful sight anytime of year. Autumn just makes everything so.. so... well, more beautiful! This picture was taken last year around this time just a few miles from here while on my way to Empire.

There is no better time to visit Benzie County. The nights are cool, the air is crisp and the days are filled with sunshine and beautiful splendid colors. And, there is still time to take advantage of the CVB's Passport To Fun Promotion.

Come enjoy Benzie Counties Fall Fest. Two Weekends of great activities, awesome Fall color, food & fun! The village of Honor is hosting the first annual scare crow competition, scare crows of all types are on display all over town. Come cast your vote and while you're here, experience the areas quiet beaches stunning sunsets, and breathtaking scenic drives.

Besides beautiful colors....
Fishing is what's happening .
Anglers come from all over to fish the Betsie and the Platte River here in Benzie County. They are after the Salmon, Coho and Steelhead that make their run upstream each year. This fishermen is happy with his catch. The fishing has been good these last few days. There are a lot of smiling faces among the fishermen.

The Platte River Point
This is where the Platte River runs into Lake Michigan. Part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the "Point" is only a few miles from here. Many of our fishermen love to fish the mouth of the Platte. A great many fish have been caught here. The river is clear and you can literally see if the fish are in the water.

Other guests enjoy the tranquility and the beautiful sunsets of Platte River Point. Sandy beaches stretch for miles. Be on the lookout, petoskey stones have been found here.

Doak and his son Dennis are experienced Salmon and Steelhead anglers, read more about them in a previous post. A couple of weekends ago, Dennis shot two Ducks on the Platte River during the Youth Duck Hunt. While duck hunting, they were of course scouting the river for Salmon. Dennis gives me updates on what's going on in the river. We love these guys and we welcome them again for this years fall fishing season.

Jesse shot a deer during last weekends Youth Deer Hunt. The local kid's fingers were going a hundred miles an hour sending and receiving text messages about who got their deer first that day.

He's on a mission! His plan is to spend all his time and money restoring this old Chevy Nova. My sister says "don't worry, there are worse things he could be spending his money on such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes... besides, he'll learn how to work on cars".

She made a couple of good points there but....

Milestones and Anniversaries

2009-09-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

This WWII Vet has found his lost love after 66 years. Sweet memories of Benzie County has brought them back to this area.

Their first vacation together was spent at this Motel exactly 50 years ago. Walt was once a Grand Traverse lighthouse keeper.

He almost thought he lost her. Thank God she recovered, he never wants to be scared like that again. Doug and Virginia have been coming here annually for 35 years.

Like clock work, for nine years Patricia has called to make her reservations. We look forward to their tenth wedding anniversary next year.

Finally retired after 40 years in the furniture business. This road trip and the Harley are well deserved.

Congratulations goes out to our guests!

The Honor Motel in Honor, MI appreciates you!

Salmon Fishing the Betsie River in Benzie County

2009-08-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

The word is that the Salmon have started coming up the river, the word spreads fast among the fishermen. The Betsie River Dam is a popular Salmon fishing spot and some fishermen have already arrived.

Mike has been fishing for Salmon in these rivers since he was 8yrs old. He prefers to tie his own flies before he starts fishing. He says "the Salmon are in the river early this year".

I could clearly see a Salmon in the water, can you see it....!

One of the lucky fishermen at the Dam let me take a picture of his catch. He says "I can't wait to have fresh Salmon for supper, my wife has a great recipe".

There you have it folks, Salmon are in the Betsie River here in Benzie County. And if they are in the Betsie, you know they'll be in the Platte. Most popular fishing spots are only a couple of miles from here, this is river fishing at its best. These King Salmon are from the deep waters of Lake Michigan and they are still very fresh.

Going Salmon and Walleye Fishing in Benzie County

2009-08-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

Fresh Salmon for Dinner tonight
Imagine my surprise when I opened the office door at 8am and there they were. The Fishermen who went on a charter fishing trip yesterday were out on the front lawn bagging up their bounty. There were big hunks of delicious looking Salmon all over the table and chairs. They had big smiles on their faces and the garden hose in hand when one of them said "don't worry, we will clean up any mess".

Everyone was in awe over all the fresh hunks of Salmon everywhere. Guests were asking me where they could go get some fresh or smoked fish. I sent them to the Port City Smokehouse in Frankfort.

Mike and John, our fun loving repeat fishermen in room #5 were just getting their boat ready to go Salmon Fishing on Lake Michigan that morning. Their mouths were watering, they couldn't wait to get out there. They also did well that day and took home a nice bag of frozen fish a couple of days later.

Walleye are yummi too
There are plenty of Walleye in Big Platte Lake and Bob and Bruce are catching them. I found these guys in my fridge again this morning. And thanks to Wanda who doesn't mind touching them, we have a nice clear picture of these walleye posted here today.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was here again.
Their mission is to research and control the Sea Lamprey to protect our fish population. John says "We stay at the Honor Motel because we like it here and it is conveniently located to all the places we need to be". We love these guys not only for the work they do, but also because they usually need multiple rooms for several nights :).

The Cherry Bowl Drive-In Fix in Benzie County

2009-08-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, Harry(the owner) had a technical problem at the Cherry Bowl Drive-In. Brad the Drive In technician rushed up here to fix it. When Brad comes to town, he feverishly works until the problem at the Cherry Bowl is resolved. Then, he comes to our Motel to get some sleep before he heads back home.

According to the Drive In technicians that stay here every now and then, the Cherry Bowl and it's equipment is one of the finest Drive In Theatres in the Country. They know, they have worked on most of them. The Cherry Bowl is the only Drive In Theatre in Northwest Michigan and it is located right here in Honor.

Showing the latest rated "G" and "PG" movies, a double feature each night, the Drive In offers great family entertainment at an affordable price. Only $8.50 per person and children under 12 are FREE.

When we got in line for the ticket booth, Brad was still working out an audio problem. The movie starts at dusk, he'd better hurry.

It was getting dark fast and time was running out for Brad, we walked up to the old fashioned Snack Bar to get some popcorn and soda. I also bought a Cherry Bowl Bumper Sticker for our office.

Suddenly we heard a loud voice over the loudspeaker welcoming all Cherry Bowlers. Horns were going off and people were whistling, cheering and clapping. The show was ON and all was working perfectly. Brad the technician had come through again. Now, he and Harry both can relax and get some sleep.

It was a great night at the Drive In. The next morning everyone agreed, a visit to the Cherry Bowl is a wonderful blast from the past. A unique fun experience for movie lovers of all ages.

The new Farmers & Flea Market in Honor, Michigan

2009-07-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

The Honor Farmers & Flea Market
Tuesday's 8am - 2pm
Maley Park in Honor, Michigan

Everyone in the village is very excited. Folks want fresh local produce and they felt the need for a Farmers Market more convenient and centrally located with easy access for all residents and visitors to Benzie County. The Village of Honor and it's Maley Park is the perfect location for such a Market. Vendors and Sellers from all over will be displaying their goods.

Not only a Farmers Market but also a Flea Market. Our customers will love it, I love it. So come join us on Tuesday's and pick up some local produce and products, baked goods or art work. You might even find a treasure at the flea market.

See you there!

Set Up is FREE, so if you are a vendor or need more information please contact:

Susan Lemon at 231 325-6692 or
Carolyn Roth at 231 325-7982

Sue's Cherries and The Rock Shop's Petoskey Stone

2009-07-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

It is Cherry Harvest Time
The Cherry Festival in Traverse City is over but the cherry crop is just now beeing harvested. Roadside stands are popping up everywhere with locally grown cherries for sale.

Sue's Cherry stand is located on US-31 between Honor and Interlochen. She has been selling local cherries during harvest season for 14 years from this same location. She has the cutest little Cherry Stand and offers all varieties, even the little yellow cherries. Sue will have local cherries for another two or three weeks.

The Rock Shop
You've got to see the Rock Shop. Just outside of Honor, the Rock Shop is a favorite among visitors familiar with this area. Not well advertised and no website but they are incredibly busy in the summer.

There are lots of items in the store, you will be amazed of all the cool rocks and jewelry they have to offer.

and if you can't find a Petoskey Stone on the beach...... pick one here, they'll polish it up for you.

Meet some of our Guests

2009-07-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

Ben and Dean
Canadian bicyclers on a 1000 mile Great Lakes bike tour. On this day, they had pedaled 120 miles before they stopped here at our motel. Dean came in alone and asked to look at one of our rooms. Ben kept riding, he was scouting out the town. When Ben returned, both looked at each other and nodded their heads for a clear YES. That was, YES for a clean room, and a YES for food near by. We signed them in and kept them here with us for the night.

Baby Boomer Bikers
Two couples and Ron from Ohio have been riding together for over twenty years. They decided to come and explore this areas well known natural beauty. While here for three days, they visited all the Wineries of this region. They enjoyed their stay immensely and promised to come back next year.

Carol and Reinhard
Business or pleasure trip, maybe a little of both. Carol creates unique gift boxes filled with Michigan Products Michigan Travels Gourmet Specialties. They stayed with us for the first time in early May. They are back, she needs more locally made Cherry Salsa for her wonderful gift box creations!

Sisters are fun
It was a pleasure to have these sisters and their nice families stay with us. Fun loving and friendly, I was drawn to these ladies as if I'd known them for years. These nice folks left us a great review on tripadvisor.com. We really appreciate that.

Tubing the Platte River
From what I heard, this trip down the Platte was somewhat unusual and off the beaten path. It turned out to be an adventure. The joke among the family was... "just around the next bend".

Escaping the mess
Their condo was repaving the roads, so these neighbors and friends decided to get out of the way for a couple of days. They brought their bicycles and got to enjoy both, our Betsie Valley Trail and the Traverse City Tart Trail System.

How to Fish Platte Lake in Benzie County

2009-06-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

According to Bob and Bruce

Kick back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings

set your poles and wait... and wait... and wait some more

hurry and hop to it when the pole bends

then, just simply bring in that big fat fish

and last but not least, place the freshly caught Walleye on fridge shelf so wife can find it and grump about the stinky dead fish in her fridge the next morning ;)

More People are Visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes

2009-06-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

There has been a 21 percent increase in visitors in 2009. The jump in attendance is remarkable and welcomed. Visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore only makes $cents. Many ranger guided programs are free and a trip to the dunes is a wonderful summer activity suitable for all ages.

Ranger guided late afternoon hikes and bicycle tours are being offered daily from June 28 - August 1st. Each evening in July at the Amphitheatre, park rangers will teach audiences about plants, animals, stories, and legends. A 7 day vehicle pass is only $10 and will let you take advantage of the lakeshore, the scenic drive, the dune climb and all of the free guided programs offered by the SBD National Park. To learn more go to http://www.nps.gov/slbe. For more information phone the park Visitor Center at 231 326-5134.

Since we are talking about a cheap vacation, while you are visiting the dunes, take advantage of the Benzie County Passport to Fun promotion for even more savings.

At the Motel
We were booked solid last weekend and many of our guests were hiking the dunes or canoeing the Platte River. We always recommend the Cherry Bowl Drive In to folks and a few of our guests went and loved it. They also enjoyed the little Flea Market and the Lions Chicken Dinner at Maley Park. It was busy weekend here in the tiny village of Honor.

The Lady Baseball Team
These Ladies stayed with us last year during the tournament and we loved having them here with us again this year. They play hard all day and come in late and tired. This time the ladies discovered the fire pit around back. Let me tell you, they know how to have a good time even when they don't win.

Juniors first real job... washing dishes at Papa J's
Finally he has a whole new appreciation for a dollar earned. We think it's funny. Keep washing them dishes honey, you want to put gas in your car don't you...!

Fee Free Sleeping Bear Dunes Weekends, a Brown Trout and Cursed Truck in Benzie County

2009-06-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

Three Fee FREE Weekends at the Sleeping Bear Dunes
Starting with this Fathers Day Weekend also July 18-19 and August 15-16, admission is free at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. What a great opportunity to experience the National Lakeshore at a price you can't beat. Climb the famous dunes, see the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and go to several Lake Michigan beaches. All this for zip.... zero..... zilch.... nada.... read more about this freebie opportunity here Fee Free Park. Combine this with the CVB's Passport to Fun promotion and you could save a lot of $$$ on this years summer vacation in Northwest Michigan.

Fishing News
Yesterday, this Brown Trout was caught in Big Platte Lake while fishing for Walleye. It was a big surprise for the angler, I'm told that it is very unusual to catch a Brown Trout in big Platte Lake, they are usually in the River. These local fishermen know this stuff, they've been fishing these lakes and rivers all their lives. When you ask them, they are happy to tell you some of their fish stories.

The Trout is a beauty don't you think. It was fun to see these guys get so excited about a trout in the lake. They also caught a couple of Walleye some Bluegill and an 11 pound Catfish. This was a good days fishing for a couple of locals who know how to fish. Fishing seems to be every ones favorite pass time around here.

At the Motel
Imagine this....Bobs cursed pick up truck broken down constantly with something else , and a 16 year old that just got his license... my truck was taking a beating!

Bobs old pick up truck is back together and running good for now. I wonder how long that old beater will run this time before it breaks down again. The good news is... the boy has earned enough to get himself a cheap but cute little car. It has a ton of miles on it but it seems to run great and amazingly lucky for him, the air conditioner still works.

Finally, everyone has their own wheels. I have my vehicle back all to myself and I couldn't be happier about it. I'll keep you updated on the case of the cursed pick up truck. Lets see what happens next.

Check out this video on YouTube. I hear that the kids at Benzie Central dig this old beat up Buick. Although the music may not appeal to all people, I think this video from some of our local high school kids is pretty creative.

Warm Weather and Late Night Walk Ins in Benzie County Michigan

2009-06-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

The weather has not been cooperating this first part of June. Cold temperatures, windy and wet has put a damper on area businesses.

Finally, much anticipated warm, summer like weather is in the forecast and it's here to stay for a while.

It has been too cold to golf, area golf courses must be in great condition. Take advantage of the $5 off golf coupons available at our office while supplies last. The Cherry Bowl Drive In is now open 7 days/week. Riverside Canoe Trips is ready to launch canoes, kayaks and tubes in the Platte River. The Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruise operates daily out of Frankfort. The Boat Cruise has a heated lower deck and offers a rare view of the dunes from Lake Michigan. They even offer FREE kennel service for those who like to travel with their pets. Get your Free ticket ($33 Value) for the Dunes cruise from the Benzie County CVB Passport to Fun Promotion. Also, this upcoming weekend is free fishing weekend, no fishing licenses needed.

Still worried about bad weather? Here are some rainy day ideas

At the Motel
We had a late night walk in last night, a senior couple on their way home from the Casino. I could tell they were a little apprehensive. I tried to make them feel at ease, I mentioned that it was dark and late and we would be happy to provide them with a comfortable room for the night. The nice couple confirmed that they did not like to be on the road this late at night but time had run away from them. I gave them room #3 the King bed, I assured them that we are always here and they could call or come up to the office if they needed anything. The next morning when I opened the office they had already left. Our questionnaire was completed along with a wonderful note on the back side.

Read it for yourself

And now for that sweet comment on the back side

I love these people...... :)

Bob is still struggling with his old pick up truck. He is determined to keep the old truck going. We need that old beater for around the yard.

This woodpecker has been coming around. We see him regularly and he helps keep the bugs off of our trees. He is so fun to watch.

The Hummingbirds don't like sharing the feeder, they like to fight and chase each other off.

The cold spring has done great for Irises. Butterflies like our Irises in bloom. I don't blame them, this Iris is gorgeous. It has a black licorice scent and smells good enough to eat. It was purchased a few years ago at the local Iris Farm. See more about the Iris Farm on our local news. You should stop by and order your Iris, the farm will ship them anywhere.

A Huge Morel Mushroom is on Display in Honor Michigan and Plenty of Fish are in Platte Lake

2009-05-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

I just got word that our neighbor across the street picked a huge white morel this morning. He said "that sucker must have weighed two pounds".

Can you believe this thing.... it is the biggest morel I have ever seen and it was found just this morning. Bruce gave it to us so we could display it, it has been carefully placed in a vase with water, and it will be on display in our office for the next few days. There you have it folks, the season may be winding down but the whites just have not had a chance to really pop. Last call for Mushroom Hunters, this weekend is most likely the last of it. You might even find a big one like this.

Fishing tip of the week. Small Mouth Bass and Walleye are plentiful in Big Platte Lake, they are catching them in the shallows. Plenty of Salmon are also getting caught in Lake Michigan.

Benzie County freebies and area businesses are in the news

2009-05-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

Wow.... 9and10 News decided to interview us after a successful Memorial Weekend. We became overnight celebrities in the small village of Honor. We ended up with about a 30 seconds of airtime on TV, it was very exciting and we are still having fun with it. Click on the 'video' link to watch the segment that aired on May 26th. The story Businesses excited over successful holiday weekend

This TV news story prompted a surprise visit from Bob's favorite aunt, Mary-Jane. Mary-Jane lives downstate and was visiting her friend Lois in Brethrens, MI when she saw us on the news. The ladies decided to stop by the Motel for a visit. It was such a nice surprise, we had a good time visiting, laughing and carrying on.

Folks are ready to get out of the house. With more than 60 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, there is no better place than Benzie County for a true Northern Michigan vacation experience. Here are a few upcoming FREE or low cost ideas for nearby activities you might find interesting.

Point Betsie Lighthouse is only a few miles from here and is now open to the public for tours($1.00) on the weekends. You can walk the lighthouse beach for miles, watch the sunset and have a fire on the beach for FREE.

Get a FREE ticket to the NEW Sleeping Bear Dunes Cruise($30 value) along with other amazing freebies. Cruise starts June 1st. Read more about it in the Detroit News. Get your goodies HERE

This flashback from the 50's is a miniature version of the Woodward Dream Cruise in small town Northern Michigan. The 14th Annual Honor Car Show and Cruise takes place in Honor on June 5th and 6th, 2009.

Take a tour of the Platte River Fish Hatchery located just outside of Honor. The hatchery grounds are open to the public at NO CHARGE from dawn to dusk. The hatchery is open to the public from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

It's always fishing season in Benzie County. Free Fishing weekend is coming up June 13th & 14th. All you need is a fishing pole and you're bound to catch some fish.

The morel mushroom hunting is winding down. We just had three days of rain and the lilacs are still blooming. Last chance for some fresh morels, what hasn't popped yet will do it now and this weekend will probably be the last of it.

When the Lilacs are in Bloom the White Morels are Peaking

2009-05-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

Today I had a conversation with our accountant about mushrooming. Each spring he hunts morels with a passion, he loves mushrooming and has been hunting morels for many years. He gave me this advice.

- When the lilacs are in bloom the white morels are peaking -

So, I got my camera and here is todays pic of the lilac bush near our garage.

As you can see the lilacs are just starting to bloom. This means, the white morels are up for grabs in Benzie County.

Our guest Bob says he has arthritis but he wanted to go mushroom hunting for a little while today. He found about a pound of white morels near an apple orchard. He was well satisfied with his find for the short time he was out.

The weatherman says we have some nice warm weather days ahead. Perfect for all those great activities such as mushroom hunting, beach walking, hiking or biking, fishing and so much more.

This photo was taken by J.R. Hancock. He captured this great shot of the Sleeping Bear Dunes this weekend while he and his lovely wife were attending the Empire Asparagus Festival. I heard that the fresh asparagus from the festival tasted wonderful with dinner that night.

Come experience this incredible beauty, it really is...

The morels are popping a little later than usual in Benzie County

2009-05-16T13:29:00.000-07:00

Monica and her husband Kim are experienced mushroomers, they hunt morels all over and know how to spot them. Last year was their first time here with us and we are happy to have them with us again this year. Monica says "Our first day was not so good, maybe 50 or so, but the second day was much better. We found them near Honor just outside of town, you just have to go deep".

I have permission from these nice people to show you some of their great photos they took during their morel hunt.

A beauty

A nice little cluster

A frog burrowed in leaves.

A pretty flower

Few early caps are still being found. Most are finding blacks, greys and few whites. Our mushroomers all seem to agree, the mushrooms are running a bit late this year. That's funny.... our spring steelhead fishing was the same way. Some of our mushroom hunters plan to come back next week or the week after. Ray Stark is a mushrooming guide, he is for hire and can help you find those elusive morels.

There is a lot of activity going on around Honor. We have been busy with mushroom hunters and visitors. The Cherrybowl Drive in Theatre is in full swing on the weekends. The Lumberjacks Bar & Grill is hopping, traffic on US-31 is increasing. The Ice Cream Shop and the Rock Shop just outside of town are open for the season. Did you know that The Rock Shop will polish your found Petoskey Stones? A great place to take your found beach treasures. Petoskey stones can be found along the lake shore, and you can also buy them at The Rock Shop, and they make jewelry out of Petoskey Stone as well.

I have already validated three "Passport to Fun Promotions" this season. You should take advantage of this great offer if you plan to visit this summer.

Oh, just one more thing :)

I received a wonderful email today from a long time repeat customer who was just here last week. The email reads like this:

I just wanted to thank you again for everything (including the mushrooms). I have been staying at the Honor Motel for the last 25 years and it looks better than ever. You make your visitors feel right at home, and you just don't see that enough anymore. We had a great time and I will recommend you to everyone!

Thanks again,

Vicki ******

Isn't this great...., it just makes it all worth while!

Hummingbirds, Mushrooms and Bluegill Fishing in Benzie County

2009-05-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers day to all the Mom's out there.
Seems everyone was treating Mom to breakfast at Papa J's this morning, they were very busy. No surprise, their great food, fun to choose from menu and comfortable atmosphere has made Papa J's a local favorite.

The hummingbirds are back.
Wanda said "put the feeder out, mine are back". So I did, I was surprised to see a little hummer already the very next day. I got my camera ready and waited for him to return. He did, do you see him on the feeder just sucking away?

Our mushroom hunters did find some black morels but nothing real exciting is happening just yet. A nice family from Indiana went home with a fair sack of mushrooms, this morel mushroom hunting trip was a Mothers day gift for the mom from her son, a polite nice looking young man. What a sweet Mothers day gift, don't you think? They all really enjoyed their stay in room #14 and even left a $20 tip for the housekeeping staff. That was very kind of them and very much appreciated.

A local business owner who loves fishing says "bluegill are biting like crazy in Little Platte Lake in about three feet of water". There are so many fishing opportunities here in Benzie County, all you need is a rod and a fishing license. No matter what time of the year, there is always some kind of fish to be had, just ask the locals, they'll tell you :)

Last Chance to Take Advantage of our $5 OFF Coupon
Check out the Benzie County CVB Special Promotion

Spring is... Magnolias, Cherry Blossoms, Morel Mushrooms and Northwest Michigan Wineries

2009-05-07T20:10:00.000-07:00

Spring is in full swing in Northwest Michigan and at the Honor Motel. The yard is cut and the air conditioners are uncovered and ready for the season. I love to sit out front and enjoy my Flower garden. The Magnolias are just starting to bloom now and have captured our guests attention ....such beauty.

They are absolutely incredible, the buds get huge then burst out of their shells to unfold into these big beautiful flowers. There are two quite large magnolia bushes in our flower garden, one on each side and when in full bloom, ...well, it doesn't get much better than that.

When the Magnolias bloom, the morel mushrooms are popping. We found a bunch of early's a few days ago. Today these blacks where found in a locals backyard without even looking for them. Yes, the mushrooming is ON in Benzie County. I had some Mushroom Hunters check in today, I'll keep you updated on their success.

Take advantage of our low pre-season rates at the Honor Motel. Come do some Mushroom Hunting then relax at the Cherry Bowl Drive In. See the Sleeping Bear Dunes and then walk to the LumberJacks Bar & Grill to see the band. Visit our great local Michigan Wineries and see the Cherry blossoms and Orchards along the way. Take a walk on the beach of lake Michigan and just experience this greening season in Benzie County, it's pure Michigan.

Morel Mushroom Hunting Adventure in Honor, Benzie County Michigan

2009-05-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

We went looking for morel mushrooms today. Ray Stark from Starks Water and Woods offered to guide us during our mushrooming adventure.

It was great, not only did Ray help us find them but he showed us where and how to find them. He pointed out lots of other interesting things in these woods just outside of town, he knows these woods like the back of his hand. The wonderful smell of leeks (wild onions) was everywhere, it was making me hungry. After just a short time in the woods walking the hills, Ray spotted a morel. He says, "where there is one, there is usually more". Just as soon as he said that Bob spotted another and then another and so on, it was very exciting. We had found a nice batch of early morels.

Ray showed us:

Where to find them
What to look for
How to spot them
How to pick them
How to prepare them
How to cook them
Other good edibles
False Morels
What not to pick

Ray really knows his stuff. We had a great time walking through the woods looking for morels. We picked about 40 or 50 of them, then we had to go back to take care of our business, the phones have been ringing with spring and summer reservations, I don't want to miss to many calls. We can't wait to have these mushrooms with our steak for supper tonight. I should have brought along a small shovel and dug up some wild leaks to go with dinner tonight, I wasn't even thinking.

Spring is a wonderful time in Northern Michigan, you should come and experience this incredible greening season in Benzie County, it is invigorating and will make you feel alive. There is nothing like a nice walk in the woods on a nice spring day like today. Take a look at some of the interesting things I found:

Beautiful trilliums everywhere

A critters home in a tree trunk

An old bucket

A beautiful flower getting ready to open

A red mushroom, I forgot the name

The guys searching for shrooms

A false morel, it was huge

Bob's cell phone, he almost lost it but we called the number and actually found it

Poison mushrooms, slimy looking - do not touch

Interesting old tree stump

A small cut tree stump with lots of new growth

Morels and Freebies in Benzie County and the Sleeping Bear Dunes Area

2009-05-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

Black Morels Are Up in Benzie County
Ray Stark is a local mushroom hunting and fishing guide. While scouting the area for mushrooms today, Ray spotted the first batch of about 30 black morels near the Village of Honor. Experts predict a bumper crop this year. Read more about it here TC Record-Eagle

May "Saturdays at the Lakeshore"
Spring is an excellent time to get outdoors. Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park offer five different FREE programs. Read more about these guided tours and take advantage of this great opportunity to explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Sleeping Bear Dunes May 2009

Benzie County CVB Promotion
Benzie County's 2009 Passport to FUN Package will load you up with lots of fun things. Package is available May thru October. Take advantage of these freebies if you are going to be in the area. We received great feedback from our guest last year about this promotion, don't miss out on these goodies.

The Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre is Open for the Season

2009-04-30T18:18:00.000-07:00

The Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre is open for the season this weekend Friday May 1st - Saturday May 2nd. The Cherry Bowl has survived and thrived for 56 years and is among the best family friendly Drive-In theaters in the United States. Showing only G, PG and PG-13 movies all summer long, a visit to the Cherry Bowl Drive-In is a summer tradition among locals and visitors. One of Northwest Michigan's finest attractions is located right here in Benzie County just outside of Honor.Cherrybowldrivein.com The Cherrybowl is pet friendly so you can bring your pooch.

Speaking of pet friendly, check out the newest attraction here in Benzie County. The Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruise out of Frankfort offers On Site Kennel Services - Free of Charge. A great way to experience the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, starting June 1st, the boat cruise operates rain or shine. SleepingBearDunesCruise.com

First Morel Mushrooms found in Benzie County near Honor Michigan

2009-04-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Bruce checked his secret spots a couple of days ago and did not find anything. This morning my husband Bob and his friend Kelly went to look for mushrooms, they found a few small morels on Kelly's 40 acre property just outside of town. I have included a pic of today's find. The back row are false morels, the front row are the real blacks, can you see the difference?

The morels are just starting to pop here in Benzie County. Locals are going to be scouting for mushrooms this weekend. I will keep you updated as soon as I hear more.

Trout, Walleye and Steelhead in Benzie County Lakes and Rivers

2009-04-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

We were fairly busy over the weekend with fishermen, local visitors and long time repeat customers. Doug and Virginia Monroe celebrated their 47th anniversary here. They come to stay on their anniversary every year, they are just the nicest Folks you ever want to meet.

A walk in fishermen showed me a few pics of some fantastic size Steelhead he caught and released today. He says there are plenty of fresh fish in the Betsie River... yes, the Betsie River. This means they are still running in the Betsie, this means they will continue to run in the Platte River for a while yet. Walleye are also spawning in the river, our fishermen are seeing them in the water as they are fishing for Steelhead. Fishing is exciting and happening in Benzie County. If you are looking for upcoming tournaments, check out the Benzie Bass Challenge

A couple of guys tipped their canoe in the Platte River yesterday. They came back soaking wet and cold. Brrr... I offered to dry their clothes for them. They took a hot shower to shake the chill, then they walked up to the LumberJacks Bar & Grill to have dinner and a drink. This instantly warmed them up and they felt much better upon their return :))

No word yet on any morel mushrooms. Some huge Beefsteak mushrooms have been found but no morels yet. It rained all weekend and spring colors are about to explode. As soon as a warm spell hits, I bet the morels will be popping. I'll keep you posted as soon as I hear something.

Fresh Fish, Morel Mushrooms and a glass of Michigan Wine

2009-04-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

It was really cold last night. Steelhead are in the Platte River but are not biting well this morning.

A single "tiny" black morel mushroom was found by a local in Benzie County. The rain must have brought it out. The smell of mushrooms is in the air. Hhmmm, fresh fish, fresh mushrooms and a glass of great local Michigan Wine .... yummy, you can't beat that.

Ray Stark will be offering training classes for morel mushroom hunting this season starkswater-woods.com, he is a great guide and can guarantee you a find.

Steelhead fishing and spring cleaning in Honor Michigan

2009-04-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

Ken and his buddy had a good day today. He says, there are plenty of Steelhead in the Platte River, the run has just started.

Same report I heard yesterday, Steelhead are running the Platte River here in Benzie County Michigan. The Platte River runs through the outskirts of Honor, there are plenty of fishing holes near by.

Spring cleaning is still going on at the Honor Motel. Actually in this case it's more like new construction clean up. Wanda is a big help to me and we just prepared our "new" favorite room. Room #1 is now ready, complete with a brand new bathroom(thanks to Bob), new bedspreads and new matching curtains. It looks great, Wanda and I just love the new bathrooms and we are sure that our customers will love them too. Brand new, sparkling clean and cute to boot.

Platte River Steelhead Fishing is just getting started in Benzie County

2009-04-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

These guys know fishing. When Doak was just a boy he'd come with his dad, now he comes with his son Dennis. They are experienced anglers who fish all over Michigan. They have been fishing the Platte River in Benzie County for many years, it's a tradition for them and we are proud to be a part of it. This time Dennis brought along his buddy David, they caught and released four fish today. Doak says "Steelhead fishing is just getting started in the Platte River".

They'll return a few more times in the next couple of weeks until the steelhead run is over. We'll wave goodbye and look forward to seeing them again in the fall for King Salmon and Coho.

Still Fishing for Steelhead in Benzie County's Platte River

2009-04-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

Russ had no problem catching them today, he was only fishing for a couple of hours and came back with these. Russ also stayed here with us in the winter when he was ice fishing, it was during a real cold deep freeze... Brrrr.

Our guys in #14 did not do so good today, they'll be leaving tomorrow with a few fish but they had a great time here.

Tom a long time repeat customer who likes to fish with Mark Rinkey a Steelhead fishing guide, they also had success this morning. Word is that the steelhead run is coming to an end in the Betsie River but they are still running in the Platte.

I keep hearing that Steelhead are really hard to catch fish. It must be a real challenge for these guys to be so after them.

The first daffodil flower is now in bloom many more are getting ready to brighten my day.

Our crocuses are starting to wilt, it's already time to say goodbye to them until next year. They are so beautiful and so welcomed when they appear, I'm sad to see them come to an end.

We still need rain badly. It is sooo dry, rain would help green up everything quickly. It will also help our elusive morels here in Northwest Michigan. I'll be posting when I hear anything. Meanwhile, here is a great Recipe for Leek and Morel Mushroom Soup.

Mark and Melissa in room #6 love the improvements in the room since last time they where here. We love it when the customers notice and comment on it. It is our fovorite room right now too. We are about to complete another room, I wonder if it will become our "new" favorite room.

Today, there are two Steelhead in a fishermens cooler

2009-04-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

Mark Rinckey is one of the best fishing guides you'll ever know, you can find his contact info on our website HonorMotel.com. He was out fishing this morning with little luck. He says that the steelhead are spotty today and are not biting. Our fishermen in room #14 did not have a great day today as they did yesterday. Today they caught two steelhead between the three of them, not a complete loss.

These fish amaze me, one day they are there and biting and next day they are not. How is that...? I wish that all of our fishermen would catch and I wish they could catch as many fish as they would like. Our plumber(who loves fishing) says, "then it wouldn't be called fishing, it would be called catching" ....guess he's got a point there. Clearly there is some real skill to fishing, how else is it that some do really well and others on the same day, do not.

Our Fishermen sure enjoy the convenience of the LumberJacks Bar & Grill. Bob and I love their Steak and Shrimp Dinner for $9.95 on Fridays. Walking distance from our motel, the LumberJacks offers great food every day and live entertainment on the weekends.

Steelhead are running and tiny tulips are growing in Benzie County Michigan

2009-04-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

Our local fishing guide Ray Stark starkswater-woods.com informed me today that the river is loaded with steelhead but they haven't started jumping the dam yet. The warm weather got them moving. Our fishermen in the cabin room had a great day fishing today and I quote "we nailed them all day" . So common up and get these steelhead while the getting is still good. Take advantage of our Coupon and make your fishing trip even more affordable.

None of our tulips are ready to flower yet except for one. Check out the tiniest tulip flower we've ever seen. The pencil is in the photo so you can judge the actual size of this tiny red tulip.

Ahhh...sweet 16. Bob teaching the boy how to parallel park for his upcoming drivers license road test.

Steelhead Fishing and Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips in Benzie County Michigan

2009-04-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

According to our fishermen and local fishing reports, Steelhead fishing in the Betsie River should only get better. Check the local Fishing Report for this Northwest Michigan area. Everything is running a little late this year. Nobody is surprised, this past winter was something else.

Good news in the paper for the upcoming morel mushroom hunting season, because of the hard winter mushroom hunters may find the mother load. Read about it in the local Traverse City Record-Eagle newspaper. A local mushroom hunting guide like Ray starkswater-woods.com can show you where and how to find them in Benzie County.

We had some morels growing in the yard last year. Couple of nice size morels got run over by the lawn mower before they where noticed. They really do grow in some unlikely places, a couple of small ones also grew in the rocks next to room #16 last year. You just never know where they might pop up.

Spring Flowers and Fish Tales at the Honor Motel

2009-04-10T19:24:00.000-07:00

My favorite place to relax is sitting out front enjoying the flower garden and the fesh air. It is still a little chilly but I've come out of hybernation. The crokus are the first to bloom, it is so nice to see some color. It won't be long before the flower garden is full of flowers and the humming birds are buzzing around. Our guests really enjoy them too.

Warming temperatures have opend up the lakes. No more Ice....yay. Our fishermen report spotty steelhead sightings, lots of suckers and some walleye in the river. According to our anglers and our local fishing guide, steelhead will run next week. Temps are reaching the 50's over easter weekend, that will get them moving. We still need some rain.

Bob got the Jackhammer stuck in the sewer pipe.... yikes. After some jokes, the problem was solved and the shower project in room #3 is moving forward. He's got 2 weeks to get-r-done. I just love these new bathrooms.

Steelhead Fishermen are staying another night

2009-04-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Our Steelhead Fishermen decided to stay another day. They are catching.... Dan says he seen about 40 of them by the Fish Hatchery just outside of town.

Crystal lake is still frozen and so is little Platte, we need some warm rain that would really get those fish moving. A local fishing guide can guarantee a catch. Our yard is starting to shape up after some more raking, so much to clean up yet. The rooms look and smell great and are ready for rent. Bob is still finishing a remodeling project in room #1. Each time he completes a project, it becomes our new "favorite room".

Steelhead fishing the Betsie and Platte River

2009-04-03T18:50:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite fishermen guest report they caught two steelhead in the Betsie River. Not to much out there but they seen evidence of a earlier small run. Locals also reported this during our last warm weather spell. Steelhead have started making their way in but no major runs yet. The early birds like it this way, catch them before all the other fishermen get here :)

Need a guide, you can find a local fishing guide on our website www.HonorMotel.com

Steelhead fishing in Benzie County

2009-03-28T19:23:00.000-07:00

It was a long winter up here in Benzie County Michigan. Finally, our tulips and daffodils are poking their heads out of the ground and just as we thought it was over, the weather forecast calls for 6 - 8 inches by tomorrow. No worries though, it'll melt quickly and warmer weather is on it's way.

The Fishermen report, there are steelhead in the Betsie River. Catch rates are improving as more steelhead move into the river. There will be some action going on the Betsie and the Platte River for while. I will try to keep you posted on the fishing and for the upcoming morel mushroom hunting season. You can get more information on mushroom hunting and find a local steelhead fishing guide on our website www.honormotel.com

We are happy to inform you that the Lumberjacks Bar & Grill is now open for business, walking distance from our motel the Lumberjacks offers great food and live entertainment on the weekends. The Motel has had many improvements over the winter including new mattresses and three brand new bathrooms, I just love them. Everything looks so good and is so clean, it just makes us proud.