East Tawas is a GREAT town to take Grandma and/or Grandpa to! The sidewalks are evenly paved with bricks, making it easy to walk or roll over, but textured enough to not be slippery. ALL of the shops, and businesses we encountered today on Newman Street, the "main drag" were easily accessible with my rolling walker, although some were a bit of a tight fit. Elevators are available for the second floor spaces, and public restrooms are plentiful and clearly marked. I would avoid Norman's, the big green monstrosity on the corner of Newman and Bay Streets, however. It's cluttered enough to be a fire hazard.
Besides Newman Street, the state dock and adjoining day-use park are also easy to get to and pleasant. There is also a sidewalk along the bay side of US-23 from East Tawas all the way back to Tawas City, with many benches along the way if you need to stop and rest.
Several of the East Tawas eateries have outdoor dining available. Just today we noticed G's Pizzeria, Marion's Dairy Bar, Barnacle Bill's and Jacks's with outdoor seating. It was just a touch on the chilly side today, though, so only Marion's actually had diners outdoors. But we did notice on Newman Street several of the decorative benches were occupied, as people enjoyed the weather and visited.
We were excited to see that several of the "gift shops" carried unique items that you just don't find in your run-of-the-mill tourist trap shops. Our favorite stop of the day was Brew Crew. My sister was intrigued by several series of unique figurines. One group was some freaky frogs, and another series were just regular people. I fell in LOVE with a mirror/art piece that I thought would be great to put on the wall of the living room to serve as a "last glance" before heading out or a place to fix your hair when you took your hat off. BUT it was over $90 so I had to pass. I did buy a bag of cherry dog treats, made in Michigan, not China, so I feel perfectly safe feeding them to my beloveds.
The other side of the store sold wine and wine-related items, spice mixtures, bottled sauces, and spiffy kitchen tools. They had a section of Michigan wines, and I was delighted to be shown two labels I'd never heard of before. The staff were all so helpful and knowledgeable; a real pleasure to browse!
There were at least two antiques shops on the main drag, and who doesn't love antiques? There is also a small restaurant on US-23 between Tawas City and East Tawas called Augie's On The Bay. Good "home cooking" type place with a wonderful view!
Bottom line, take Grandpa fishing at the state dock, Grandma to the antique store, and on a hot Saturday afternoon take them to the matinee at the Family Theater. In the evenings, look for shows at the Playhouse, band concerts at the park, or for a drive out to Tawas Point or Lumberman's Monument/Iargo Springs when the wildlife starts stirring before dusk. I'm sorry I have no idea about the accessibility of any of the family-owned motels or cabins, but there are several chain motels between the Tawases and Oscoda.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Downtown Mt Pleasant
One of my many physical weaknesses involves my vision. I am completely blind in my right eye. The left eye has a narrow field of vision, does not see colors the same way other people do, and is sensitive to bright light. Having sight in only one eye makes depth perception difficult, and 3-D movies are wasted on me. Then there's the whole problem with driving.
I love driving on wide-open two lane highways through farmland. I generally don't mind driving 25 mph through residential neighborhoods in town. But freeways, particularly in heavy traffic; busy city traffic; driving after dark; and driving through wooded areas where you drive in and out of the sunlight is difficult for me and makes me very nervous. And since nearly everywhere I might want or need to drive involves traveling east to get there and west to get home, or at least part of the trip is, I prefer to make appointments in early afternoon to avoid driving into the sun when it's low on the horizon.
My LEAST favorite place to drive is Mt Pleasant. Mission Road makes even my friends from metro Detroit cringe to drive. Downtown is peppered with one-way streets, stop signs along streets lined with parallel parked cars. Also the city is densely populated with young, silly adults, especially during the school semesters, and these people tend to step of the curb into traffic, ride their bicycles erratically and drive out of side streets with little or no regard to traffic many times more often than old people drive into farmer's markets.
So! Yesterday I drove into downtown Mt Pleasant for my first visit to my new shrink, Lynn. Downtown meaning almost right on Broadway, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. There is much more free parking downtown than I anticipated, and there is a good sized lot right across the street from Lynn's office. The downtown sidewalks are very smooth and have sloped curbs with some kind of anti-slip texturing at each corner. Lynn's building is easy to get into, as well--no steps, stairs or steep slopes, and the door stays open when you swing it open.
I'm looking forward to visiting downtown Mt Pleasant a few times per month during the summer. Maybe I'll do a bit of "spinorting" before and/or after each visit. It looks very handicap and foot traffic friendly from what I've seen. I know the theater is easy to navigate, but there are other buildings like Gray's furniture that are impossible for the differently-abled. As I find out more, I'll report on it.
I love driving on wide-open two lane highways through farmland. I generally don't mind driving 25 mph through residential neighborhoods in town. But freeways, particularly in heavy traffic; busy city traffic; driving after dark; and driving through wooded areas where you drive in and out of the sunlight is difficult for me and makes me very nervous. And since nearly everywhere I might want or need to drive involves traveling east to get there and west to get home, or at least part of the trip is, I prefer to make appointments in early afternoon to avoid driving into the sun when it's low on the horizon.
My LEAST favorite place to drive is Mt Pleasant. Mission Road makes even my friends from metro Detroit cringe to drive. Downtown is peppered with one-way streets, stop signs along streets lined with parallel parked cars. Also the city is densely populated with young, silly adults, especially during the school semesters, and these people tend to step of the curb into traffic, ride their bicycles erratically and drive out of side streets with little or no regard to traffic many times more often than old people drive into farmer's markets.
So! Yesterday I drove into downtown Mt Pleasant for my first visit to my new shrink, Lynn. Downtown meaning almost right on Broadway, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. There is much more free parking downtown than I anticipated, and there is a good sized lot right across the street from Lynn's office. The downtown sidewalks are very smooth and have sloped curbs with some kind of anti-slip texturing at each corner. Lynn's building is easy to get into, as well--no steps, stairs or steep slopes, and the door stays open when you swing it open.
I'm looking forward to visiting downtown Mt Pleasant a few times per month during the summer. Maybe I'll do a bit of "spinorting" before and/or after each visit. It looks very handicap and foot traffic friendly from what I've seen. I know the theater is easy to navigate, but there are other buildings like Gray's furniture that are impossible for the differently-abled. As I find out more, I'll report on it.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
I'm BAAAAAAAACK!
I stopped blogging for a few months because I busied myself with animal rescue efforts. But now that my page is established I needn't treat it like a full-time job anymore.
But I have some news on the Gimpfront! If you need to take Grandma, Grandpa, or any differently-abled loved one somewhere nice, take them to Gladwin! Start with the city park, with their nicely paved trails along the shady river. A person with a rolling walker, a motorized scooter or a manual wheelchair can easily stroll along the riverbank. Many benches are provided if you need a lot of rest breaks. The sound of the river is soothing and drowns out the traffic on M-61.
Need a relaxing lunch or dinner? Head across the street to Riverwalk Place. The parking lot features easy parking with amply handicap spaces near the front door. The entire parking lot is on level with the front door, and the Riverwalk Grill entrance is on the same level. They feature everything from daintily delectable salads to hearty full meals, have Sunday dinner buffets and special buffet dinners available for holidays such as upcoming Mother's Day. Some of the seating is on an upper level, but the same-level seating is along the window side. You can call ahead and let them know you have a party with one or more member who can't use stairs, and they will happily have a window table waiting for you. But if you are merely going for a weekday lunch, you won't even need to call ahead.
After lunch, the women of your party may wish to visit the Oasis Salon and Spa--and you need appointments for this. The spa offers the usual massages, body treatments, and soaks; facials; pedicures, and a variety of packages to choose from. The Salon can work wonders on your hair, give you a makeover, and teach you how to keep it all up yourself at home. Although most people use the wide, elegant stairway to reach the Oasis on the second floor, there is also an elevator for those who need it.
Riverwalk Place offers weekend, overnight, golf, and girls-only packages that take advantage of the condos, hotel rooms, the grill and the spa. The prices may seem high, but in terms of what you get, they are worth it for special occasions! I was there twice in April to have my hair styled (finally! I got the cut I've been wanting for years!), and colored (much more "natural" and believable than the color job I had from another business last year!); and later for a spa afternoon. I have another hair appointment a few days before my birthday in May, and plan to take my sister there for her 50th birthday.
But I have some news on the Gimpfront! If you need to take Grandma, Grandpa, or any differently-abled loved one somewhere nice, take them to Gladwin! Start with the city park, with their nicely paved trails along the shady river. A person with a rolling walker, a motorized scooter or a manual wheelchair can easily stroll along the riverbank. Many benches are provided if you need a lot of rest breaks. The sound of the river is soothing and drowns out the traffic on M-61.
Need a relaxing lunch or dinner? Head across the street to Riverwalk Place. The parking lot features easy parking with amply handicap spaces near the front door. The entire parking lot is on level with the front door, and the Riverwalk Grill entrance is on the same level. They feature everything from daintily delectable salads to hearty full meals, have Sunday dinner buffets and special buffet dinners available for holidays such as upcoming Mother's Day. Some of the seating is on an upper level, but the same-level seating is along the window side. You can call ahead and let them know you have a party with one or more member who can't use stairs, and they will happily have a window table waiting for you. But if you are merely going for a weekday lunch, you won't even need to call ahead.
After lunch, the women of your party may wish to visit the Oasis Salon and Spa--and you need appointments for this. The spa offers the usual massages, body treatments, and soaks; facials; pedicures, and a variety of packages to choose from. The Salon can work wonders on your hair, give you a makeover, and teach you how to keep it all up yourself at home. Although most people use the wide, elegant stairway to reach the Oasis on the second floor, there is also an elevator for those who need it.
Riverwalk Place offers weekend, overnight, golf, and girls-only packages that take advantage of the condos, hotel rooms, the grill and the spa. The prices may seem high, but in terms of what you get, they are worth it for special occasions! I was there twice in April to have my hair styled (finally! I got the cut I've been wanting for years!), and colored (much more "natural" and believable than the color job I had from another business last year!); and later for a spa afternoon. I have another hair appointment a few days before my birthday in May, and plan to take my sister there for her 50th birthday.
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