Northern Michigan Lakefront House:
This lakefront three-bedroom, three-bath home in Northern Michigan, is a great all-season get-away for families and groups up to twelve people. The Bavarian style home is on Ess Lake, a special all-sports lake in a quiet neighborhood adjacent to state forest, and offers many amenities, comfort and privacy. The loop-circle driveway leads to a large two car garage that is open for guests. Spacious decks on both sides of the home, with plenty of outdoor seating, make it easy for summer guests to spend most of the day outdoors. Grill burgers and hotdogs in the late afternoon, and make s’mores at the fire pit after dark. Morning and afternoon bird watching is also very good with regular sightings of eagles, loons, many species of ducks, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, orioles and more – many times without even stepping foot outside.
The private setting features 80 feet of lake frontage, a sandy beach area, dock and tree-lined view. Ess Lake is 115 acres of clear, blue-green water that offers all types of recreation. In the summer the water temp hits 80+ degrees and is an excellent swimming lake. Fishing (with a valid license) is very popular, and the lake features Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass and some pan fish.
Water toys can be available for use, and include three kayaks, one canoe, floatation chairs and rafts, all paddles and vests, and a 40 horse aluminum pontoon boat. (Tip: use the pontoon boat as a mobile swim platform and head to the middle of the lake). Paddling is the purest way to enjoy the lake and can be done at a brisk pace for that morning workout, or leisurely to observe fish and turtles in the shallows and close-ups of the deep-diving loons (if you’re patient). A great way to wind down the day is that evening slow lap (or two) around the perimeter on the pontoon boat, watching the light slowly give way to the moon and stars. If you have your own boat, a launch is available at the local state campground, which also features an inviting wide open sandy beach.
Nearby Amenities:
Ten minutes from the home is the town of Hillman, MI which offers groceries, gas, dining and drinks, sporting goods, hardware, dollar stores and ice cream shops. (Tip: grab a Dairy Queen and check out the elk viewing East of town off Carrier Road.) Trails for bicycling and hiking are nearby as well. The state forest borders the neighborhood and holds many animal species, offering various hunting opportunities and awesome fall color.
Within fifteen minutes are two golf courses, one of which is the highly rated and beautiful Elk Ridge. For those golf enthusiasts, many other famed Northern Michigan courses are within an hour’s drive, including the four courses at Garland and the many courses in and around Gaylord.
Many snowmobile trails, which double as ATV trails in the summer, are at hand and represent a great way to enjoy the wintery wooded outdoors. Other winter activities include ice skating and ice fishing on the lake, cross country skiing and snowshoe adventures. Downhill skiing is less than an hour away, or travel twenty-five minutes further to get to Boyne Mountain.
The charming town of Alpena is a thirty minute drive East and offers many modern shopping conveniences as well as the picturesque Thunder Bay. Atlanta, the Elk capital of Michigan, is twenty minutes to the West and South and Gaylord is thirty minutes more to the West. Less than an hour to the South is the mighty Au Sable River, the birthplace of Trout Unlimited, and it also offers a variety of float trips for those hot summer afternoons.
Other Comforts:
Carpeting is brand new throughout the home, and fresh bedding and towels are provided. One of the two upstairs bedrooms features a sliding door and balcony. Other conveniences in the home include phone*, Internet* and cable*, with three televisions and a DVD player. The living room features an open floor plan, large bay windows and a sliding door for an open view to the water, plus a fieldstone wood burning fireplace and seating for several. (Tip: Rent a couple movies from Morrison’s IGA in town for a rainy day or low key night).
*seasonal availability May to October
The fully furnished kitchen leads to the dining area with a country style oak table and chairs for six. Additional chairs plus stools at the kitchen counter will accommodate up to a dozen at a time. Outside on the decks are a variety of bird feeders and hanging flowers, folding and wicker furniture, a picnic table and a propane gas grill.
