The Emergency Ark near Port Austin Michigan was completed by sculpturing artist Scott Hocking in 2015. He has transformed a 1800s barn into a large object denoting sanctuary and safety. The Ark can be found about a mile south of M-25 at Oak Beach on Oak Beach road and Fehner.
Caseville County Park was, and is a premier beachfront park in Michigan’s Thumb. The park first opened in 1919 and has been a camping and beach destination for Southeast Michigan.
Vintage Camping with Tin Can Tourists
A beautiful Saturday morning at the Port Austin Farmers Market. One of the largest farmers markets outside of Detroit.
Besides farm fresh produce and vegetables local crafts and unique objet d’art can be found.
A blissful day on one of the many public parks along the shoreline of the Thumb. Playing in the sugar sand along the shore with kids is a favorite thing to do in the Upper Thumb.
Huron County Michigan is a ideal spot to find your favorite family get away. With the ability to enjoy a sunrise or sunset on over 90 miles of Lake Huron shoreline. The Upper Thumb have over ten public beaches in which to play and picnic.
Lady’s Slipper Festival – Join the Huron County Nature Center for their opening weekend festivities on Memorial Day weekend 2018. Enjoy two days of crafts, art, music, food, and wildflowers for the whole family! The center sits on 280 acres with a 1.8-mile Boardwalk March Loop trial. Hike the loop and see if you can spot the elusive flowers of the Lady Slipper and Trillium. Birders are attracted to the preserve for its Spring Warbler migration. The Nature Center is open all year round, from dawn to dusk and admission is always free.
Caseville American Legion Post #543 is commemorating our veterans with a Memorial Service at Caseville Cemetery. Port Austin American Legion Post #499 will be hosting a memorial service at noon at Waterfront Park. Harbor Beach is holding a Memorial Day Parade starting at 10am. Starting in downtown Harbor Beach, and ending at Memorial Park.
Remember to put the rake down for a couple of hours and relax. Take a stroll down to the beach and enjoy the sunshine, if we are lucky, and get some sand in between your toes. Grab a blanket, climb in a hammock and read a book by Michigan Thumb authors. These include Jackie Howard who wrote about the murders of Sparling men in “The Thumb Pointed Fingers” and David Collins who penned “Nightmare”, about what would happen if freshwater tolerant Bull Sharks somehow were released in Saginaw Bay.
Michigan’s west coast has the distinction of being the leader in micro craft brewing but the Thumb area can hold its own. At the tip of the Thumb is The Tap Room at Bird Creek Farms in Post Austin. This converted farm still produces food for the restaurant for a farm-to-table experience. They offer many fresh brewed local beers and can sell out-the-door growlers. Meanwhile, in Caseville, the Thumb Brewery has established itself with several years of brewing in the Cheeseburger Town. They typically have about a dozen or more guest brews along with 11 in-house brews including West Coast IPA, their famous Oatmeal Stout, and Pilsners. The selections change and you can always ask to take a sample of an experimental work if available.
Port Austin is continuing its new tradition of being the focal point for the arts and entertainment. Classical guitarist William Russell will be hosting a special Memorial Weekend show on Saturday, May 26th at the Port Austin Community Playhouse at 7:30pm. Over near the harbor at Port Austin Kayak (PAK) is live music in the PAK’s Backyard. Brett Mitchell will be playing from 2-6pm Sunday. Down in Caseville, the Historical Society is hosting an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, May 27. This annual Ice Cream Social at the Caseville Historical Museum starts at 1:00pm. Ice cream, strawberries, chocolate syrup, chopped nut and whipped cream will be waiting for you to add your own personal toppings!
#ThumbPic of the Day. Small villages dot the countryside of Michigan. This shot was taken at Bach Michigan. A general store, long since closed.
