/ INSIDE: NORTHERN HOME & COTTAGE /
DREAMY TRAILS AND SECRET STOPS FALL HIKES WORTH THE DRIVE
OCTOBER 2O26
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THE GREAT LAKES’ BIRD HIGHWAY
Follow the migration to one of its most remarkable stopovers
CHECKING IN AT THE DEXTER A first look inside Elk Rapids’ newest boutique hotel
$6.5O
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BRAND NEW
PRO SHOP • CLUBHOUSE RESTAURANT GROUP & COMPANY RATES SCRAMBLES BIKE CART & GOLF CART RENTALS DAILY DRINK & FOOD SPECIALS WEDNESDAY NIGHT CONCERTS
PRO SHOP • CLUBHOUSE RESTAURANT GROUP & COMPANY RATES SCRAMBLES • GOLF CART RENTALS
BRAND NEW TWINBIRCHGOLF.COM
PRO SHOP • CLUBHOUSE KALKASKA, MI RESTAURANT
DAILY DRINK & FOOD SPECIALS LIVE MUSIC WED - SAT ALL SUMMER
GROUP & COMPANY RATES SCRAMBLES BIKE CART & GOLF CART RENTALS DAILY DRINK & FOOD SPECIALS WEDNESDAY NIGHT CONCERTS 1026_TVM COVER.indd 2
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Here, you don’t need a compass to fin d your true north. When it comes to what matters, it’s easy to find it here.
IT’S KINDA UNREAL.
SKYBRIDGE MICHIGAN AT BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT
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PetoskeyArea.com
9/1/26 6:31 PM
Experience Shop & Shop Studio Step Into Our Our Curated European-style 413 E Eighth Street - Traverse City, MI 413 E Tues Eighth- Fri Street 11-5- Traverse Sat 10-4City, MI TuesCommongrounds - Fri 11-5 Sat 10-2 (Across from Building) (Across from The Alluvion)
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Our Services • Deep Tissue
• Ashiatsu Bar Massage • Sports
• Integrative • Relaxation • Pregnancy
231-632-2309 zenmassage-tc.com
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Build this storybook in-town Leland cottage with J. Peterson Homes. Located just two blocks from the beach and three blocks into town. Designed by J. Visser, this modern village residence features an open main floor concept with a large kitchen and island, dining space, living room and game area. The upper level offers three bedrooms including a large private primary suite with vaulted ceilings. Contact Joel for information at 616-291-1816.
SOLD
Celebrate your Tradition 231.994.2168
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features
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Point of Return
At Whitefish Point, hundreds of thousands of migrating birds converge each fall, creating a spectacular stopover along the Great Lakes flyway. BY N I C O L E L A N E
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Fall Color Tour
Four perfect trails we’d clear a Saturday for, plus where to linger afterward for lunch, cider, coffee or a sunset beer. BY CA R A M C D O N A L D A N D N I C O L E L A N E P H O T O S BY T I M H U S S E Y
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Caterpillar Diary
A roadside monarch chrysalis leads one Northern Michigan writer into an autumn of wonder, heartbreak and the irresistible urge to protect what is fragile.
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BY A N N E - M A R I E O O M E N
I L L U S T R AT I O N S BY E L L I S F OX
SPECIAL SECTION:
Northern Home & Cottage
n ks
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT UP NORTH PEOPLE, PLACES, FOOD AND EVENTS.
h or .
photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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OCTOBER 2026
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Let us help you choose the perfect ring!
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Serving Northern Michigan for over 30 years.
Specializing in custom design & designer collections wexfordjewelers.com • 231-775-1289
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10101 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 7 acres with 150’ of West Bay frontage Expansive sandy beach & private dock Stunning West Bay views & sunsets Spacious main-floor living 4 waterfront bedrooms & 3 baths Walkout lower level with family room Minutes to Traverse City
MLS #1948771 l $2,750,000
ANN PORTER
ASSOCIATE BROKER / REALTOR
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231.944.4959 Ann Porter Ann@AnnPorterTC.com ASSOCIATE BROKER
231.944.4959 Find detailed listing information at www.AnnPorterTC.com Ann@AnnPorterTC.com
departments
Visit AnnPorterTC.com 521 Randolph Street, Traverse City, MIfor 49684 more information.
521 Randolph Street, Traverse City, MI 49684
11 | Editor’s Note 13 | Up North
The booksellers who just couldn’t quit, plus what we’re loving this October.
21 | Travel
This surprising new hotel in Elk Rapids is a love letter to Northern Michigan makers.
25 | Outdoors
Chasing the fall blooms of native witch hazel.
77 | Culinary North
A French-inspired wine bar comes to Traverse City; a duck confit for the ages; plus, how to make crispy squash-filled ravioli.
photo by Dave Weidner
88 | Love of the Land
Find blazing tamaracks at Ingraham Preserve.
ON THE COVER
Old Mission Point Park photo by Tim Hussey
Grocery • Deli • Bakery Beer/Wine • Spirits • Curbside Xpress W Bay • E Bay • 14th Street Interlochen • Northport toms-foodmarkets.com
OCTOBER 2026
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Traverse
NORTHERN
MICHIGAN A MyNorth Media Publication
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
Vol. 46 | No. 5
SENIOR EDITOR
Cara McDonald S. Nicole Lane
PROOFREADER
Caroline Dahlquist
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Allison Jarrell Acosta Meagan Francis Lissa Martin Kandace Chapple Emily Betz Tyra
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Tim Hussey Theresa Baehr
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR, SPECIAL SECTIONS
Rachel Watson
ART DIRECTOR
Lisa Froning
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Karley Curtis Wendy Deno-Fascetti Sabrina Haskell Heather Houdek Carrie Iverson Paul Marek Steve Moss Kathy Netzley
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT/SUBSCRIPTIONS
Asher Considine
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR
Ashlyn Korienek
7 Days a Week 10am - 5pm gwenfrostic.com
The Daily Splash
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES
415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: 231-775-3478 | Email: info@mynorth.com SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Visit MyNorth.com/Account to renew your subscription, change your address or review your account. Subscribe to Traverse Northern Michigan at MyNorth.com/Subscribe. Please email other subscription inquiries to info@mynorth.com or call 231-775-3478 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.
Traverse Northern Michigan, (ISSN10713719) is published monthly by Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan, 415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Periodicals class postage paid at Traverse City, MI 49684 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Traverse Northern Michigan, 415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Advertising rates available upon request. Subscription rate: $39.95 for 12 issues. Single issue price: $6.50. All rights reserved. Copyright 2026, Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
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OCTOBER 2026
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