March Break was fast approaching. I had no intention of doing anything specific for the break, but an invite came to me to join a friend and her kids at her sister’s cottage in Michigan’s UP. It’s quite a long drive, but it was an easy one.

After a few days away, I realized that this was a much needed break that I didn’t know I needed.

We skied at the nearby ski hill. I was impressed to discover that blue squares, and black diamonds were true. The runs were fun to explore.

We were lucky enough to hit a powder day.

We stopped for a snack at the Eagle’s Nest, a retro circular cafe perched at the top of the main run the day we went night skiing. I’m a sucker for vintage circular fireplaces and great views.

One day we went into Boyne City to get groceries and check out Shaggy’s Custom Skis. You can upload your own art to their site and have build you your own one of kind skis. Something to add to my bucket list.

Another day we went to Stonehedge Fiber Mill. It was more of an adventure than we bargained for.  Travelling along the snow covered, single lane farm roads that took us there we reached a steep incline. Even with snow tires this was going to be challenge. I crossed my fingers, stepped down on the gas and hoped no one was coming in the opposite direction.  My car struggled but we made to the top. On the return drive I down shifted to save the brakes. As we plateaued at the bottom, a truck slowed down and came to a stop near the intersection ahead. A man in trucker hat, denim overalls and Carhartt coat got out of his car and flagged us down. I slowed and he approached with a clipboard. “Excuse me. Are you a land owner in Wilson County?”, he asked. “No. I’m from Canada”, I replied. My Ontario license plate supporting my claim. “Do you know if anyone is home in these surround Wilson County farms?”, he further asked. “I’m not sure where Wilson County is, but I just bought yarn from Stonehedge Fiber Mill. The owner is there. It’s just up that hill behind me. Turn right at the stop sign and it will be on left soon after”, I responded. He looked up the hill and sighed, like it was a daunting task. He turned back to me and said, “You have a good day now.” And, that was that.

Stonehedge Fiber Mill was worth the effort. The Fiber Shed, pictured below, is over 100 years old. Stocks are low at this time of year, and because it costs so much to heat, with little foot traffic, no one man’s the shop.  The owner, however, can watch for visitors from her office in the mill. She immediately came out, opened the shop and then encouraged us to check what was available in the mill itself. Though she has beautiful solid colours. I was after something distinctly unique – her Stonehedge Crazy yarn.  It’s made up of ends of colours all plied together into a unique unpredictable skein. I can’t wait to knit these.

Back at the cottage, we enjoyed great company, yummy food and the ever changing light on the trees and lake.

Sadly, we had to go home again.