• Cabbage – 1/2 Head, chopped
• 1 Medium Apple – peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 Cup Apple Juice
• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 1 tsp Ground Cloves
• 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
• Pinch of Nutmeg
• Garlic Powder – a generous sprinkle
• 1 Ring of Smoked Sausage – sliced

Cook the apple and cabbage in water until almost soft when pierced with a fork. Drain the water and add Apple Juice, Butter, Spices, and Smoked Sausage. Cook until soft.

This recipe seems odd because who mixes garlic powder with cinnamon and cloves? It is so good, though!

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Some of the pre-seasoned tenderloins are okay, however, the Hickory-flavored one, wasn’t. For the most authentic flavor, use a tenderloin that is not pre-seasoned. The Terriyaki Sauce is extremely quick and easy to make and is so delicious, you won’t ever want to buy it pre-made, again. Also notice, this recipe has no added salt or pepper. You absolutely won’t miss it.

• 1 Pork Tenderloin
• 1 Large can of Pineapple Slices (do not drain)
• 1/2 Onion (sliced)
• Terriyaki Sauce Recipe (see below)

Spray your crockpot with oil (Avocado Oil is my go-to). Put half of the Pineapple slices on the bottom and lay your tenderloin on top of them. Layer onion and then the rest of the Pineapple slices on top of the tenderloin. Pour the Pineapple Juice from the can, into the crockpot. Pour half of the Terriyaki Sauce over the top and cook on high for 3.5 hours until the Pork is fork tender. Remove the juice and use it half and half with water to make rice, if you like rice.

Shred the Pork and Pineapple and stir half, (or more, if you like REALLY juicy meat), of the remaining Terriyaki Sauce into the meat. (Save the rest for table use and/or store in the refrigerator for a few days for use with leftovers.) Cook on low for another half hour. Serve either on buns or with rice.

Terriyaki Sauce

• 1 Cup Water plus 1/4 Cup water, divided
• 5 Tblsp Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce (I use Reduced Sodium)
• 1.5 Tblsp Honey
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder (or 1 clove Garlic, minced)
• 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
• 2 Tblsp Corn Starch

Heat all ingredients except for 1/4 Cup water and Corn Starch in a sauce pot, until boiling. Dissolve Corn Starch into 1/4 Cup Water. Gradually pour the Corn Starch into the boiling ingredients, whisking until all is mixed and thickened. Simmer (very low boil) for 1 minute and then remove from heat. Start adding it to your dish!

*****

Oven instead of Crockpot (layer in a 13x 9 dish, cover and bake at 350 until the meat can be fork-shredded).

My website is supported by my users. This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. -Deb

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What I considered to be the Best Hike in the World was to hike up and then down the bluff on one side of the lake, and then hike up and then down the bluff on the other side of the lake, completing a loop back to my car (or campsite).

To circumnavigate the entire lake, park your vehicle in the North Shore parking lot that is farthest from the entrance and start with the East Bluff Trailhead. Take a right at the fork to stay on the trail and start climbing up the trail and steps. It’s steep, but oh so worth it for the views at the top.

Stay along the top of the bluff overlooking the lake until you get to the Potholes Trail. Turn right onto the Potholes Trail and start your descent down to the South Shore. Turn right onto the Grottos Trail and follow it until you get to the South Shore Beach / Day use area.

Walk all the way through the South Shore Day use Area, along the lake, until you get to the Boardwalk at the end of the beach. Take the Boardwalk to the Sidewalk and follow the sidewalk along the southwest side of the lake, past the boat landing, to the West Bluff Trailhead.

Climb the stairs and hike the West Bluff Trail until you pop out of the woods back at the North Shore Day Use Area. Then it’s a quick walk back to your vehicle on the other side of the beach and picnic area.

This hike around Devils Lake takes me about two hours. My guess is that it is about three to four miles? The rock formations and views of the lake are spectacular. There are many shorter loops from the North Shore and the South shore that will take you right back to your car if you don’t have time to do the trail completely around the lake going up both bluffs.

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• Carriage Tours – 7278 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757. The office / kiosk is located across from Dock 1. You can’t miss it. The rides are about 1.75 hours and cost $34 for adults, $14 for ages 5-12, and kids under 5 are free is they sit on someone’s lap.
• Cindy’s Riding Stable – 7447 Market St, Mackinac Island, MI 49757. Guided and unguided horse rentals start at $50 per hour.
• Jack’s Livery – 7754 Mahoney Ave, Mackinac Island, MI 49757. Drive your own buggy. Prices start at $80/hour.

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That being said, if you are going to have to plan way ahead, you might as well take the time to do some research. That’s where this article comes in handy if you are a first time Disney Park Guest. These are the rides at Disneyland (not California Adventure) that might scare your little one, or you, for that matter.

• The Haunted Mansion – A dark ride in a vehicle called a Doom Buggy through a haunted house and graveyard, including a seance scene. Fun and spooky for adults, maybe a little much for toddlers.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds – Easy, but sometimes fast rollercoaster ride through a mountain. A snow monster (Yeti?) shows up a few times which was the only scary part for my tiny tot.
• Splash Mountain – A log flume ride through singing animatronics. Most of it is very mild, however, a long waterfall / drop towards the end is a bit horrifying for some of us old folks and youngsters. I ride multiple times because I love the ride and tolerate the drop.
• Big Thunder Mountain – My favorite Ride even though I don’t really like rollercoasters and hate heights. The mountains that the tracks are set on eliminate the height factor so it’s just a fun, fast ride for most. The only person, besides tiny ones, that ever didn’t like it that I know of, is my Mom, although my Grandmother enjoyed it into her late 70’s.
• Space Mountain – Space themed rollercoaster that seems fast and steeply pitched in the darkness. I can only do it once in a trip.
• Pirates of the Caribbean – My Tot kept her eyes closed throughout much of this due to the darkness, the skeletons, and the (to her) creepiness. It is a slow water ride with one short, unexpected drop in the darkness that by the time you are surprised by it, it is over.
• Indiana Jones – Fast, jerky ride in a jeep-like vehicle that can be a bit intense and spooky for little ones.

Should you force your Itty-bitty onto a ride that will scare them? Of course not, however, the first time mine rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, we told her that it was a fast train ride, (she said that she didn’t like rollercoasters), and she loved it and asked to ride it again, right away. We knew she would like it if she got past the word, “rollercoaster”. My mother, on the other hand, came off the ride with murder in her eyes until she saw everybody laughing. Looking back twelve years after she died, watching her screaming with laughter and ducking into my dad’s chest on Big Thunder Mountain is one of my favorite memories of her.

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WISCONSIN

• Warnimont Park – 5400 S Lake Dr, Cudahy WI 53110. Designated dog exercise area.
• Grant Park – 100 Hawthorne Ave, South Milwaukee WI 53172. Dogs are not prohibited.
• Port Washington Beach – S Wisconsin St, Port Washington WI 53074. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
• Harrington Beach State Park – 531 Hwy D, Belgium WI 53004. Leashed pets only, and only on the South Beach.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park – 1020 Beach Park Dr, Sheboygan WI 53081. Pets on South Beach only, must be leashed.
• Manitowoc City Paws & Play Dog Park – 495 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc WI 54220. Fenced dog play area on the shorefront, not actually onl the beach.
• Lakefront Park – 1225 S Lakeview Dr, Manitowoc WI 54220. Dogs allowed.
• Memorial Dr Wayside Park – 1635 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc WI 54220. Dog park area.
• Neshotah Park – 2111 Pierce St, Two Rivers WI 54241. Dogs allowed in certain parts at certain times. I could not find more information. We usually just took our dog to a public access point on a town Rd, a few miles north of this park.
• Point Beach State Park – North of Two Rivers on Hwy O. Pet area is south of the Lighthouse. Pets must be on a leash that is no longer than 8 feet long.
• Crescent Beach Boardwalk – 1025 Lake St, Algoma WI 54201. Seasonal – Leashed dogs on the Boardwalk year ’round, on the beach from Oct 1 to May 1.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park – 3275 Clarks Lake Rd, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235. Pet beach is south of the 3rd Beach Access.

MICHIGAN

• Zoll Street Beach – Zoll St, Harbor Springs MI 49740. Dog friendly access to Little Traverse Bay. Dogs must be on a leash or under the owner’s voice control.
• Haserot Beach – Old Mission Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686. Pets must be leashed or under voice control. Signage is ambiguous. It also states pets must be leached per County Law.
• Good Harbor Beach – Good Harbor Bay Trail, Maple City MI 49630. Dogs must be leashed.
• Grand Haven City Beach – S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven MI 49417. Dog friendly before 10am and after 5pm.
• Kirk Park Dog Beach – 9791 Lakeshore Dr, West Olive MI 49460. Off leash dog beach (on leash on the trails). Limited hours May – September Before 10am and after 6pm. October – May any hours.
• Roadside Park – Blue Star Hwy, Coloma MI 49038. Dogs must be leashed.
• Grand Mere State Park – 7337 Thornton Dr, Stevensville MI 49127. Dogs are allowed on the beach if leashed on a 6′ or less leash.

INDIANA

• Kemil Beach – E Lakefront Dr, Beverly Shores IN 46304. Pets are no prohibited.

ILLINOIS

• Montrose Dog Beach – 4697 Lawrence and W Wilson Dr, Chicago IL 60640. Fenced, no leash.
• Gillson Dog Beach – Overlook Dr, Wilmette IL 60091. Park – on leash. Beach – off leash. Must have permit.
• Sunrise Park – Sunrise Ave, Lake Bluff IL 60044. Dogs must be registered and wearing Park District Beach Dog Tag. Lake Bluff Park District owners only.

I have not been to most of these parks, personally. The information given, is gleaned from Google Maps and the park’ web sites, if any. Please clean up after your pooch and take garbage with you. Please note that Lake Michigan does have Rip Tides. I would advise against throwing balls, sticks, frisbees, etc, into the water for your dog to swim out to if you are not familiar with Rip Tides.

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• Jackson Trail – Rocky with very little change in elevation. Easy hike. Trailhead is located on Jackson Trail off of McAlevys Fort Rd / Hwy 26 southwest of State College.
• Mount Nittany – Rocky, steep trail up to the Mount Nittany Nature Preserve. Not an easy hike. Trailhead is on Mt Nittany Rd off of Pike Street, northwest of State College.
• The Arboretum – $1 parking fee. An Easy loop hike in the Arboretum grounds on the Northwest boundary of State College.
• Musser Gap – Not an easy hike. Steep sections. Connects to other trails. Trailhead on Hwy 45 / Shingletown Rd south of State College.
• Benner Springs Trail – Creekside, easy hike about a mile long. Not a loop. Located off Rock Road, Bellefonte, PA. Northwest of State College.

Again, because of the abundance of trails in the State College area, this is a very short list of trails that are easy to get to from Penn State.

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I have moved to Sun City twice. Here are some of the mistakes, either I made or, I am afraid, others have made.

-Postponing your transformation. Sun City is an Active Adult Community. Don’t wait until you move to start your healthy living. Trying to start a physical body change while you are going through the stress of a major move and setting up a household is a recipe for failure. If you start eating healthy and moving your body a month before your move, you will already have the resources and mindset you need to keep going through the move. The second time I moved, I started ahead of time so I already felt like my stomach had shrunk and I wasn’t able to eat as much without feeling full. This helped enormously.

-Turning a blind eye. Sun City does have crime. Don’t be lulled into a sense of security by the beauty, serenity, and friendliness that surrounds you. You still need to keep your bikes inside, your garage door shut and your doors locked.

-Forgetting to drink water. Sun City, despite all it’s lush golf courses, pretty scenery, and sparkling lakes, is in the desert. Your body is going to crave water so have a water bottle handy at all times, even if you’re just going to the shops. If you are going hiking, take twice as much water as you think you will need. Hiking in Wisconsin, I never took water with me unless it was going to be more than a two hour hike (unless it was particularly hot out). The first time I did a longer hike in the Phoenix area, (five miles), I took one regular sized bottle of water. I had to start rationing halfway through the hike and was pretty miserable by the time I made it back to my car and it wasn’t a hot day out.

-Staying in the Air Conditioning. Your body will acclimate to the hot weather much more than you ever thought possible, but it won’t if you don’t spend some time outdoors. After living in Sun City for two years, I was spending the afternoon at a friend’s pool and got chilly, so I went inside to change out of my swimsuit. It was 92 degrees!

-Not using the Recreation Centers. They are amazing! Even if you are not an active or social person, there is something for you. I love the walking paths around the lagoons and waterfalls on the “island” at Lakeview Rec Center. The Walking Pool, (like a lazy river with no current), at Bell Rec Center is the most relaxing way to get exercise I’ve ever experienced, and the backdrop to the Lap Pool is a hillside with rocks, sculptures, a waterfall, and an occasional bunny.

I hope that sharing these mistakes will make the beginning of your life in Sun City a little smoother.

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French Dressing

• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Cup Oil
• 1 Cup Ketchup
• 1/2 Cup Vinegar
• Onion – 1/2 (that’s how Grandma wrote it – I use onion powder)

Blend in blender or shake in a jar. Yes, that’s it.

Orange Dressing

• 2/3 Cup Orange Juice
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 1 Tbsp White Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Salt

Blend in a blender (I use my personal-size Smoothie maker). This one is my favorite because it is tangy with a subtle orange flavor

Ranch

Okay, Grandma’s recipe is a bit vague but just keep tasting until it’s the right flavor and consistency.

• 1 Cup Mayonnaise
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper – mix into the mayo
• Milk – add to the mayo mixture until it’s the right consistency

I just keep tasting the mayo mixture as I am adding the spices until it tastes like chip dip and then add milk until it is a little bit runny. This is more flavorful the second day. Also it tends to thicken up the second day so I just add a little more milk.

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