Category Archives: Thompsonville

The Betsie Valley Trail in Benzie County

June 30, 2008 – 11:07 am

The Betsie Valley Trail is a 22 mile long, hard surfaced trail. The asphalt portion is six miles long and goes from Frankfort, through Elberta, along Crystal Lake to Beulah - perfect for biking, rollerblading and walking. From Beulah to Thompsonville the trail cuts through woods and farms. This portion is 13 miles long and is a compacted aggregate surface that is great for mountain biking and all kinds of pedestrian uses (it's. Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail's great trail tour page (with photos) begins:

The Betsie Valley Trail is built on the bed of the former Ann Arbor Railroad, which carried freight and passengers from Toledo through Ann Arbor, Owosso, Cadillac, Thompsonville and Beulah to Frankfort and Elberta. From 1892 until 1982 the freight cars were carried across Lake Michigan on car ferries to Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Passenger service was discontinued in 1951 and freight service in 1985. The railroad was abandoned in 1994 and, in 1998, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) bought the rail corridor. Benzie County and the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail have been working with the DNR since 1992 to build the Trail.

You can even ride the trail one way if you make reservations with the Benzie Bus service who will take you, your friends and bikes to any spot on the trail for $2 ($1 for seniors). For info and reservations call 231-325-3000 or visit BenzieBus.com. Here's the Betsie Valley Trail map and you can also check it out on the betsiebay.net map!

By betsiebay.net | Also posted in Beulah, Community, Elberta, Frankfort, Media & Internet, Sports & Recreation | Comments (0)

Benzie area golf course map

June 4, 2008 – 7:17 am

the 18th green

the 18th green, photo by numstead.

Our region is blessed with some amazing terrain and golfers know that when terrain isn't making you hurl your clubs, it's creating a challenge that sharpens your game and enjoyment.

In addition to our sponsor Champion Hill Golf Course (map), we have listed many more of the region's great golf courses including Crystal Mountain (pictured above), Bear Lake County Highlands, the Dunes Golf Club and Arcadia Bluffs.

Check them all out on the betsiebay.net map ans also see the Golf Benzie from the Benzie County Visitor's Bureau.

By betsiebay.net | Also posted in Lodging & Travel, Media & Internet, Photo, Sports & Recreation, Stories | Comments (0)
EVENT LISTING

Michigan Beer & Brat Festival at Crystal Mountain - Memorial Weekend

May 16, 2008 – 7:10 am

Crystal Mountain will host the 3rd Annual Michigan Beer & Brat Festival on Saturday, May 24 from 4-8 PM. This year the Michigan Brewers Guild will partner with Crystal, and the festival features more than 40 Michigan microbrews from Bell's, Short's, New Holland, Founder's, Arbor, Arcadia, Jolly Pumpkin and more. Specialty brats (jalapeno to tart cherry), Bavarian pretzels and live entertainment by Egon complete the day (check out that link - awesome rendition of Red House!).

Admission is $20 and includes a commemorative mug and tickets for beer and brats. Crystal is also offering Michigan Beer & Brat Festival package which includes free admission FREE admission to the festival.

Get all the details on the Michigan Beer & Brat Festival from Crystal Mountain.

By betsiebay.net | Also posted in Arts & Entertainment, Events, Food & Dining, Lodging & Travel, Stories | Comments (0)

EVENT LISTING

Featured Event: Lunafest and the Women's Winter Tour

January 9, 2008 – 8:57 am

Lunafest and the Women's Winter TourOn the first weekend of February, Crystal Mountain hosts a pair of events with a focus on women. The 10th Annual Madeleine Thomas Memorial Women's Winter Tour features cross-country and downhill ski clinics and demos, snowshoe tours through the Michigan Legacy Art Park, a chocolate appreciation class (I didn't know it required a class, but there you go), live music and dancing and more. All the info can be found at the National Women's Winter Tour web site.

The event is joined this year by Lunafest, a national touring event that seeks to promote women filmmakers, raise awareness for women’s issues, and support women's nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Visit that link above for details about featured films!

If you click the posters, you can see them lots bigger and get additional details!

By betsiebay.net | Also posted in Arts & Entertainment, Community, Events, Food & Dining, Media & Internet, Sports & Recreation, Stories | Comments (0)

Crystal Mountain TV - weekly ski report

December 19, 2007 – 7:14 pm

Crystal Mountain TVCrystal Mountain has released their latest episode of CMTV, a weekly ski report that is published every Wednesday.

From the video you can see what's readily apparent to anyone in the area - the snow is better than it's been for years in December!

Click to view Crystal Mountain's CMTV and check below to see Crystal Mountain on the betsiebay.net map.

explore with the betsiebay.net map!

By betsiebay.net | Also posted in Lodging & Travel, Media & Internet, Sports & Recreation, Stories, Video | Comments (0)