Texans beat the heat in Michigan

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Two weeks before packing up her deluxe fifth wheel for the long drive north, Susie Baker of Argyle is dreaming of lazy July Mondays in Michigan when she’ll kick back on a pontoon boat on Torch Lake.

That’s typically a “play day” for Baker and about 100 others who gladly leave the Texas heat behind and compete each year in a monthlong equestrian festival, Horse Shows by the Bay, near Traverse City in northwest Michigan. The eighth annual event runs June 30-July 31, overlapping the National Cherry Festival (July 2-9) and the Traverse City Film Festival (July 26-31).

“It’s crystal clear and stunningly beautiful,” Baker says of the turquoise lake that inspired Kid Rock’s 2008 love anthem, “All Summer Long,” and whose legendary southern-end sandbar is a hotspot for the Texas contingent. “It’s one big party. People bring fried chicken and enjoy the local wines and beer. There’s even pizza delivery right out to the boat.”

When they’re not dipping their toes along Traverse City’s 180 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline or dozens of small lakes or touring nearly 30 local wineries and brewpubs, some of the nation’s best riders will compete for $550,000 in prizes in the festival’s newly expanded schedule of show-jumping (July 6-31) and dressage (June 30-July 2).

Baker’s two hunter/jumpers, Tell All (barn name “Ruby”) and Time Away (“Emma”), are among 1,500 horses entered in the events, which last year drew 16,000 attendees, many from Texas, the Southeast, Nebraska and Missouri, says festival co-founder Alexandra Rheinheimer. She credits Traverse City’s summer resort vibe and family-friendly festivals, challenging golf courses, lively restaurants, casino and boutiques for making it an equestrian vacation destination a la Palm Beach, Palm Springs and the Hamptons.

Many Texans fly into Cherry Capital Airport in private planes and stay in waterfront condos, she says. Others, like Susie Baker, arrive in fancy motor homes and spend several weeks at Traverse Bay RV Resort, an upscale manicured condominium park with tennis courts, fitness center and pool. Baker’s husband, John, an orthopedic surgeon, has plane tickets to join her for two weeks in July.

Between horse show events, the couple plans to go boating, golfing and restaurant-hopping — their favorites are Red Ginger, TraVino in Williamsburg and Trattoria Stella. They’ll also sample mounds of fresh cherries. “They sell them by the bagful on the side of the road — they’re fabulous,” Baker says, adding, “I’ve been looking forward to driving back up there since I left the grounds last year.

Finding a Hotel in Traverse City | Personal Site

Traverse City, Michigan is an interesting city that you should include in your itinerary for your vacation. Traverse City is famous for its quality vineyards and several exotic beaches. The National Cherry Festival which has been held there for more than 80 years becomes the most prominent attraction for all visitors who come to Traverse City. A number of attractive activities that can be performed during this festival are quite many such as cherry-spitting, air shows and pie-eating contents. There are many more exhilarations and excitements that can be experienced in that festival.

When you are traveling to Traverse City, two things that you will mostly need is transportation and lodging accommodation. Transportation accommodation in Traverse City is something which doesn’t need to be worried about because there are many bus tours that you can use to reach many interesting places in that city. Finding a comfortable place to spend your nights in Traverse City is also not a difficult thing to do because you can always find a comfortable Traverse City hotel where you can spend your nights cozily. When you are looking for a hotel in Traverse City, you may want to contact the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau through its hotline phone call at (800) TRAVERSE. You may also want to stroll around the city to find a good hotel to stay. Traverse City comprises a number of luxurious hotels that can provide you with complete comfort and lavishness. A number of places in the city where you can find luxury hotels are Park Place, Center Road and North Lake. In those places, you can find a number of exotic hotels that combine modern amenities with antique furnishings.

You may also want to check several hotels located near beaches and golf courses so you can always have a good access to those exciting recreational spots. If you love jet-skiing, you can find a good hotel to be chosen in Lake Leelanau or Lakeview Road. You can find more luxury hotels in Traverse City if you search for them online.

Traverse City, Michigan is an interesting city that you should include in your itinerary for your vacation. Traverse City is famous for its quality vineyards and several exotic beaches. The National Cherry Festival which has been held there for more than 80 years becomes the most prominent attraction for all visitors who come to Traverse City. A number of attractive activities that can be performed during this festival are quite many such as cherry-spitting, air shows and pie-eating contents. There are many more exhilarations and excitements that can be experienced in that festival.

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