Arlene and Harold Ripple
Accommodations:
4 cottages on 3 acres of land along the Huron Bay of Lake
Superior
Extras:
Equipped kitchens with microwaves, private
baths, wood burning fireplaces, ceiling fans, TV, VCR, queen and twin beds,
linens provided. Wood decks. Swimming beach, boat dock.
Rates/Payment:
Daily: $55-$75. Check.
Open:
The Upper
Peninsula’s night sky is as black as the eyes of a bear and the light
from Aurora Borealis provides direction and solace to travelers. An appropriate
name for the resort owned by Arlene and Harold Ripple. From a historic 1850s
log cabin to a newly built cedar shake cottage with all the charm of a little
country home, Arlene and Harold have added their special touch to brighten this
traditional UP resort.
As you enter
the resort’s grounds, you’ll note the lovely, natural flower
gardens scattered about which are Arlene’s pride and joy. Then look ...
quick ... did you just see a
little bear run up the tree, or was that a larger than life skunk? Probably yes
to both and much more. Harold, a skilled wood carver, has imaginatively created
and placed one to two foot carvings throughout the resort and along trails
within its wooded grounds. These delightful creations include a miniature
Noah’s Ark with a full complement of little critters ready to take their
first voyage. But don’t worry, these little guys aren’t going
anywhere soon. The clear waters of Huron Bay are in no great hurry to take over
the earth.
Resting
along the sandy shores of the Huron Bay of Lake Superior, the resort offers a
very nice beach. This area is great for those who dare to swim in the cool,
blue waters. It’s also very
well known for boating, fishing enthusiasts.
The lodgings range in size from a one-room cabin to a two
bedroom plus loft cottage. Each features ceiling fans, private baths, equipped
kitchens, TVs (no cable) and VCRs. The oldest lodging is a historic, one
bedroom, log cabin. Built in the 1850s, its solid, interior log walls and wood
ceilings reflect its authenticity. This log cottage was very clean, pleasingly
styled and comfortably furnished with a blend of old and new. A large window
and a Franklin-style wood burning fireplace provided added warmth and
cheeriness. A second cottage, most probably built in the 1950-60s, had recently
undergone renovations and had been expanded to two bedrooms. It too was
thoughtfully decorated and very clean.
Next on our tour was the one room cabin. Though not large,
we were impressed with its cozy, well-styled interior. A centrally placed wood
burning fireplace and comfortable furniture created a very pleasing northern
ambiance. Area rugs were scattered about the hardwood floors and, tucked in the
corner, a log post queen-size bed with very restful mattress. The very
cheerful, patchwork quilt covering the bed is the handiwork of Arlene.
Newest and largest addition is the two-story cedar shake
cottage. Built only a few years ago, this delightful cottage features
contemporary, north country styling with plank board floors, bright walls and inviting
interiors. It features two bedrooms with
loft (sleeps up 6 or 7) and 1-1/2 baths. Warm colors and thoughtfully selected
decor make the living area inviting. There’s also a spacious, wrap around
deck with ramp making it handicap accessible (two other cottages also offer
handicap access).
The resort is very centrally located to the west side of
the Upper Peninsula that is highlighted by the Porcupine Mountains and Copper
Harbor. Just minutes away is Mt. Arvon, Michigan’s highest point at 1,979
feet. Snow is the king of winter months, and there’s plenty of great
skiing as well as snowmobile and snowshoe trails. For bird watching/nature
enthusiasts, there’s over 230 species of birds in this part of the
country. Adding to this is more than 300 varieties of wild flowers.
Houghton/Hancock, major college towns, with restaurants, entertainment and
shopping are also nearby.
Under the skillful hands of Arlene and Harold, this
friendly little resort has been rejuvenated into a delightful retreat. So come
on up and enjoy your next UP adventure in the comfort and solace of the Aurora
Borealis.
Aurora Borealis Resort is a
Featured Property of the “Michigan Vacation Guide: Cottages, Chalets, Condos,
B&B’s” book and Web site. Check out our family of on-line properties
at
http://www.MiVG.com/
For a complete listing
of our more than 2,000 lodgings, purchase your copy of our book today.
Go to:
http://www.michiganvacationguide.com/
And Click On “Purchase MVG”
