The Best of Winter--Dog Sledding, Snowshoeing and Hiking:

(Click here for the Dog Sledding/Ice Climbing Trip)

Tour Includes:

• The opportunity to drive your own team or ride in a dog sled

• Three nights of lodging at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn in Curtis, MI

• Dog Sledding Presentation "Behind the Scenes of Nature's Kennel"

• Snowshoe hike at Tahquamenon Falls State Park with State Park Naturalist Theresa Neal

• Exploration of Tahquamenon Upper Falls

• Dinner each night

• Full breakfast each morning

• Lunch at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery

• Geology Presentation by Steve Tchozeski of Great Lake Geoscience

• Ice Cave and waterfall exploration in the Pictured Rocks area of Munising, MI

• Special wine tasting and visit to End of the Road Winery, Germfask, MI

• Transportation during the tour

 

Not Included: Transportation to Curtis, travel insurance, items of a personal nature, meals not mentioned in the tour inclusions.

 

Chamberlin’s Old Forest Inn is nestled high on a bluff overlooking Big Manistique Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This incredible lakeside country inn offers charming accommodations and casual fine dining. Rich in history, this gracious 7500 square ft.,19th century-style lakeside dwelling was built by a railroad company to serve as a passenger hotel near the Curtis train station.

 

Nature’s Kennel, Michigan’s premier dog sledding destination, is owned by Michigan State alums Ed Stielstra ‘91, Lyman Briggs College and Tasha Stielstra ’98, College of Education. 

 

Trip Itinerary:

 

Sunday

6:00 pm - Welcome to winter with appetizers and wine around the fireplace at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn

 

6:30pm - Dinner at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn

Following dinner, you will get an introduction to Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures with owner Tasha Stielstra.  Tasha will give a short PowerPoint presentation about Nature’s Kennel Sled Dogs and her and Ed’s participation in sled dog races around the world.

 

Monday

7:30 am - Breakfast at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn

 

9 am - Dog Sledding at Nature’s Kennel

Try your hand at mushing your own sled dog team or take a ride in the dog sled with a guide.  Our dog sledding trip is designed for beginners.  You will meet our Nature’s Kennel winter guides who will give you all the instruction necessary to mush your own four to six-dog team on our scenic ten mile trail.  Or, if you prefer, you can ride in the sled with your guide driving the team.  Please let Tasha know your preference for participating as a rider or driver when you make your reservation.

 

1 pm - Lunch at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery, Tahquamenon Falls State Park

 

2 pm - Snowshoe Hike with Tahquamenon Falls State Park Naturalist Theresa Neal

Enjoy a scenic snowshoe hike at Tahquamenon Falls State Park (snowshoes and instruction provided).  Theresa will talk about the park’s history, winter in the Upper Peninsula and will answer your questions about Tahquamenon Falls.  You will also have time to explore the Upper Falls of Tahquamenon Falls on your own or as part of a guided hike. 

 

6 pm - Dinner at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn

Enjoy a fantastic dinner and relax in front of the giant fireplace after a great day of winter activities.  Following dinner, you will have a brief introduction to the unique geologic features of the Eastern Upper Peninsula in preparation for touring the Munising area on Friday.

 

Tuesday

8 am - Breakfast at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn. 

 

9 am - departure to Munising/Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Steve Tchozeski of Great Lakes Geoscience will accompany this portion of our tour as we explore the beautiful frozen waterfalls and sandstone outcroppings of the Munising area.  Weather permitting and ice-pack permitting, we will spend the day exploring the ice formations and outcroppings in the Munising area. All hikes will be guided by both Steve and Tasha.  We will have lunch at Falling Rock Cafe in Munising before heading out to visit Munising Falls and Wagner Falls. We will return to Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn at approximately 5 pm.  Please note that the hiking for this day is mildly strenuous but does not require any special climbing equipment or snowshoes.  We will do our best to select hikes that are scenic, safe, and within the capabilities of the group. 

 

6 pm - Dinner at Chamberlin’s Old Forest Inn

Enjoy a fantastic dinner and relax in front of the giant fireplace after another great day of winter activities.  We will have a slide show to highlight the week’s adventures and share our stories.

 

Wednesday

8 am-11 am - Breakfast.  Departure at your leisure.  

 

Trip Details

What is included: Three nights of lodging at Chamberlin’s Old Forest Inn in Curtis. Chamberlin’s is nestled high on a bluff overlooking Big Manistique Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  This incredible lakeside country inn offers charming accommodations and casual fine dining. Rich in history, this gracious 7500 square ft., 19th century-style lakeside dwelling was built by a railroad company to serve as a passenger hotel near the Curtis train station.  More than one hundred years later the inn continues to embrace travelers with warmth, comfortable lodging and stunning views.

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We will have a private welcome dinner and program on Wednesday night at Chamberlin’s.  You will have full breakfasts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Chamberlin’s. Thursday lunch is at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery, Friday lunch is at Falling Rock Cafe. Dinners on Thursday and Friday evenings are at Chamberlin’s.  Transportation is provided to and from all locations (Chamberlin’s, Nature’s Kennel, Tahquamenon Falls, and Munising).

 

Cost: $1550 per person.  Gratuities included.

 

Payment: A 50% deposit is required at the time of reservation.  The balance of the trip is due when you come for your adventure.  Payment may be made via all major credit cards or personal check. 

 

Cancellation policy: In the unlikely event the trip is canceled due to weather conditions, a full refund will be issued. If participant(s) request a cancellation, the deposit will be refunded if request is made more than three weeks before the start of the trip.   

 

Reservations:  To make your reservation, please contact Tasha Stielstra of Nature’s Kennel at 906-748-0513 or info@natureskennel.com. Please note that this trip is limited to 12 participants. 

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Contact information: 

Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures - 906-748-0513, www.natureskennel.com

Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn - 906-586-6000, www.chamberlinsinn.com

Tahquamenon Falls State Park - www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=428&type=SPRK

Eben Ice Caves - http://www.michigan.org/blog/guest-blogger/exploring-the-eben-ice-caves-in-michigans-upper-peninsula/

 

Getting Here:  Air transportation is available to Sault Ste Marie, MI (Chippewa County Airport/CIU) or Marquette Airport (MQT).  There are rental cars available from both airports.