Why do they usually go there every weekend? What kind of things do they do there? Are they expensive? It's always been a mystery to me.
2006-10-29 17:11:36 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Detroit
Well, in the past, the real-estate market for cottages up north boomed in the 40s and 50s when people were looking to invest in property that could be kept for years and years. Since the northern part of the state was very under-developed (no running water, no stores, poor roads), land was literally dirt-cheap as the economy was booming after WWII. Now, usually families with cottages generally have them because a grandparent or great-grandparent was wise enough to invest up north... it's very difficult to buy a cottage or land up north because it all got snapped up... you either have to pay a lot more, or inherit a cottage basically.... the one cottage I've gone to had a market value of $350,000 for a beachside, two-bedroom, one bathroom cabin on a very clean lake.
Michiganders go there every weekend for a variety of reasons... men go to deer hunt mostly, families like to go for weekend getaways, and holidays are very popular for people to get away from the cities and "rough it" in the wilderness. There's lots of lakes, so in the summer, swimming and boating and fishing are very popular, and in the fall, there's apple orchards, hiking, and bonfires to go to. There's also attractions like Mackinac City, Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula, and Traverse City in the northern Lower Peninsula and they're all great touristy towns, small, quiet, and romantic.
Basically, if you live in Michigan and your family doesn't own a cottage up north, you probably know a family that does, it's just maybe they've never invited you. Not everyone gets to enjoy the up north atmosphere, and if anyone ever invites you to go up there, do it at least once... there's nothing like waking up and seeing the sun rise over the forest on a cool autumn morning... you just have to see it to believe it.
2006-10-29 17:30:16 · answer #1 · answered by Paris P 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Not just cottages, my family always had a camper. We always preferred the camper because you could spend the weekend or a week in several different places around the state. Mostly to spend time outside of the city with family and friends. Very relaxing... especially if there is no cell phone signal!
We do lots of things; my personal favorite is floating down a river in a tube, canoeing, boating, beach activities, campfires and campfire sing-a-longs, bar-b-que, bon fire parties, fishing, ice fishing, hunting, History and legend (Sleeping bear dunes, Mackinac Island, Sue St. Marie, lighthouses, Shipwrecks, pictured rocks), petosky stone hunting, bike rides... picturesque landscapes (rolling hills, lush forrests, vast lakes with sandy beaches, clear rivers, wonderful storms, distinct changing seasons), the winter is mostly drinking to stay warm...Lots of fun stuff!
Man I love Michigan!
2006-10-29 17:51:15 · answer #2 · answered by Keif 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Because it's so nice up there! Once you get about 100 miles N of Detroit, it's like you enter a new, slower, more old fashioned world. It's like night and day, and allows people to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. And the nature, fishing, hunting, golf and beauty of Northern MI is certainly among the best in the world. It's a short trip which gets you totally away from the city, in both body and mind. And that's why people love to go up N, to free their mind and get a new perspective on life. And it works.
2006-10-30 00:39:32 · answer #3 · answered by MrZ 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
well anything north of detroit is considered up north. its just the farther you go up in the state. up north is for the lower section and the upper pensulia is for going across the mighty mac. upper michigan is great in the summer. just visit anyone of our grreat campgrounds. there are ghost towns, beautiful beaches, quant towns and great places to go. we had a cottage at houghten lake in the 1980-1990's and the land sold like hot cakes. now you cant unload up there. the expensive houses are lakefront. go across the street and get a good deal.
2006-10-30 08:28:00 · answer #4 · answered by knowitall 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My grandmother owned a cottage up there. We loved it. Got to watch all the frieghtliners on the horizon through my grand daddy's telescope. Just like any other cottage area. Beaches, bonfires, boats, skiing, fun.
2006-10-30 10:38:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think for change in scenary. i am not sure b/c it's not as prevelant for black families as it is other families. certainly my family doesn't have any property up there, but i remember visiting family friends at their cottages. i remember taking the ferry and how they had a limited water supply. and the sign in the bathroom that said, "if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down" :)
2006-10-30 14:32:19 · answer #6 · answered by sexy law chick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to get away from the "city". It's like a vacation or something. There is usually something to do every season. Lakes and beached in the summer and snomobiles & skiing in the winter. slower pace a chance to relax.
2006-10-30 06:35:23 · answer #7 · answered by jfer0142 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are cheap as hell because its on property no one wants.
They are shacks, usually with no water or electicity...its like going camping...
They like to drink beer and shoot deer
They clog up the highways when the weather is decent on sundays and fridays driving to their shacks
2006-10-30 12:40:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Up-North is colder. Just joking!
Up-North there are sandy beaches (sleeping bear dunes), woody woodland forests (For hunting), and lots more.
2006-10-29 17:22:21 · answer #9 · answered by husam 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They fish, waterski, boat, hunt, shoot, shop, ATV, snowmobile and drink beer.
2006-10-29 17:14:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋