Tip Up Town
Watch Josh as he takes the Polar Bear Dip
On Friday January 28th, Tim and I took off for our first winter festival, Tip-Up-Town (TUT), Houghton Lake, MI. Our Volksy, MaryJane, was loaded up with all the essentials: heaters, fuel, sleeping bags, power auger, fishing equipment, and consumable anti-freeze (Crown Royal). This was a first for Tim and I. It was the first time ever Tim had been ice fishing and the first time for the both of us at TUT. Willie and Jason met us there later that night charged with covering the fishing report by spending the day fishing in the shanty that we had rented from Lyman's on the Lake, http://www.houghtonlakefishing.com/ Houghton Lake's oldest premier bait and tackle shop.
Our ice fishing gear was provided by Infinity Roll Form http://infinityrollform.com/. Infinity Roll Form is a great loyal sponsor of Festival Fanatics. They keep our gear and equipment in good repair by manufacturing gadgets and altering MaryJane to our specifications when needed . Our camp was provided by West Houghton lake campground, http://www.westhoughtonlakecampground.com/
TUT celebrated its 61st anniversary this year and the Fanatics were excited to join in on the fun. Houghton Lake has been a fishing hot spot for Michiganders for years. Northern pike, walleye, bass, perch and hand-sized bluegills are just a few of the many species of fish that are available to the sports f
isherman at this beautiful northern Michigan lake. The festival began over a half century ago when local fisherman got together and decided they should turn their ice fishing experience into a party and advertise to others to come and enjoy the great outdoors and great fishing at Houghton Lake. Along the way, festival planners added a carnival on the ice, helicopter rides, live entertainment and the Polar Bear Dip, which has turned into THE main event of the festival. Sixty-one years later, TUT has turned into Michigan's largest winter festival. According to Lyman Foster, owner of Lymans on the Lake, "it started with the fisherman bringing their wives, and having chilli cook- offs, soup cook-offs and soon they started bringing their kids and it turned into a regular festival." And what a festival it is! Lymans on the Lake has been in business for 45 years and Lyman has spent the last 24 years offering full-service fishing to his customers that attend Tip-up Town. Lyman still works every day in his store with his granddaughter and other courteous staff. They make it possible for anglers of any skill-level or amount of equipment to enjoy the fishing at TUT. Lyman's is thoroughly committed to providing a unique fishing experience to all that discover this little piece of Houghton Lake in the month of January. Thanks Lyman for a great experience.From Lapeer, we took M-24 north to M-46 west to US 127 north in an attempt to avoid all of the snowmobiler traffic heading north on I-75. Our route turned out to be the best decision we had made that day. With virtually no traffic (except through Saginaw), we were able to enjoy the beautiful winter scenery that mid Michigan and Northern Michigan is famous for. With some new-fallen snow covering the white pines, cedar and birch trees, it was the perfect winter back drop to our trip as we drove north.
As we arrived at West Houghton Lake Campground, located on old US 27, we discovered the challenge of winter camping was going to be a little bit harder than we expected. The campground was covered in new-fallen snow but the trails through the property leading to our cabin were plowed. Wintertime is always a difficult time to camp, and finding a campground that is open year-round is sometimes very difficult indeed. However, as usual MaryJane brought us a double-dose of good Karma as we found our way to a year-round campground that offered excellent amenities. West Houghton Lake Campground offers year-round hook-ups, (no water in winter), bathrooms and showers located in a peaceful 33-acre wooded paradise. Located directly across from Houghton Lake's D.N.R. boat access and just minutes from downtown Houghton Lake, the Festival Fanatics rate this campground as top notch with clean facilities and excellent hospitality.
Although Tim and I were planning to stay in MaryJane the entire trip, we thought it would be a good idea to have a base camp. We usually use the 10' x 12' expando-tent attached to the side of MaryJane for a base camp, but due to the cold and snow we decided it would be best to have a solid structure for our gear. The small cabin that we rented came in very handy. The four of us had a nice warm and clean place to hang out while we planned what to do and Willie and Jason had a nice warm place to sleep.
Scott, the owner of West Houghton Lake Campground greeted us and pointed us in the right direction to our cabin. He had already taken the time to preheat our cabin and make it comfortable for us, making us feel right at home immediately. After telling Scott more about who we were and what our mission was, he insisted that we just stay on the cabin site and not pay for a separate camp site for the Volksy as we had planned. A true camper and outdoors man himself, he gave us some good advise on how to enjoy the festival and our stay at Houghton lake. We highly recommend this campground to all of our readers. If you stay there, tell Scott we said hi.
At this point, I would like to reiterate that for some reason, no matter how much we plan, we always arrive at our destination just at dusk and have to set up in the dark as the next picture shows. As we began to set up camp and move gear to the cabin, we hear a familiar voice burst through the cold night air over the 2-way radio, "mobile II to Volksy I, do you copy?" It was Festival Fanatic side kick, Willie Miller. "Copy mobile II, report your location." I responded. OK, OK... the central command talk is a little immature, but if I had grown up completely you probably would not be reading this right now. Willie informed us that they had just rolled into Houghton Lake and I gave them directions to our site. Minutes later they arrived and I already had a quick dinner prepared, Jewish sloppy Joes. We ate and with some testosterone-packed stories, a little guitar, and a few hands of poker, the night passed quickly.
The next morning (Saturday) we awoke around 8 AM to about 4 inches of freshly fallen snow. Tim and I were elated to realize that we had survived the cold night sleeping in the van and that our On board Portable Heating System (O.P.H.S.) had functioned properly. For Volksy enthusiasts like Tim and I, figuring out how to keep our MaryJane warm in the winter is essential because attending festivals without her just isn't the same. We decided to celebrate our survival by going to breakfast at a local restaurant instead of cooking in the cold. Our restaurant of choice was a hometown favorite.
Tim and I like to avoid fast-food at all costs when we travel. Instead, we like to feast at the mom and pop-style restaurants that we stumble across as we travel off the beaten path. This time we give two thumb- up to Little Boots Country Diner. This little restaurant rocks with quick service and good food. When Tim and I are at a restaurant and we arrive at the busiest time of the day and see our hostesses rushing to take care of all of their customers, our hearts go out to them. Even though we know they are rushed and probably dead on their feet, they are still full of energy and still have the desire to provide great service. The staff at Little Boots Country Diner definitely wins our favor and we will make it a regular stop on the way through as we travel to festivals in the north country.
After breakfast, Tim and I dropped off Jason and Wille at Lymans on the Lake to begin their fishing adventure. We planned to meet up with them later to fish. We figured giving them a good head start was only fair. Tim and I needed to hurry to the carnival to register myself in the Polar Bear Dip. After purchasing our TUT badges, we headed off in search of the big hole in the ice.
The carnival is great for kids and adults with rides, a large snow pile for the kids to play on and a variety of great food. The smell of Italian Sausages, BBQ pork, and Kettle Corn filled the air as we walked through the crowd of people dressed in arctic wear. On the mid-way the kids were enjoying the rides. I looked up at the kids on the Ferris wheel and couldn't help shuddering from the cold as I watched them go round and round. But they weren't thinking of the cold, they were all dressed warm and having the times of their lives. If you do get cold, there is a family warming tent to go in, get warm and be entertained. We found the Polar Bear Dip site and were surprised at the long line of people standing in line to participate. The only way I could get that warm blooded southern boy sidekick of mine to even think of going to a winter festival was by promising to do the Polar Bear Dip! Tim and I watched as other "Polar Bears" took the plunge. Tim even offered me an out and said I didn't have to do it because the line was so long, but I was bound and determined to get my Polar Bear Dip sweatshirt.
As we stood in line we met some other people who were going to take the plunge into the icy water in order that they may join the exclusive Polar Bear Club. First timers, repeat offenders, men, women and children were all lined up and shivering in the cold. Some were already dressed in their swim wear and I felt sorry for the ladies in their bikinis standing there because it was so cold.
Tim, not our Tim, but Tim of Fort Wayne, IN made the drive just to do the dip for the first time. I turned around and met Jim the cow man, from Bay City, MI, who was there to make the dip one more time and definitely wasn't "milkin" it. He was dressed in a cow suit and definitely stood out in the crowd.
After about forty-five minutes the moment Tim had been waiting for had arrived and even though he did offer me the opportunity to back out there was now turning back at this point. A quick stop at the changing tent and there I was dressed in nothing but a swim trunk and socks and my new Russian hat that I had purchased at Lymans.
The coldest part really wasn't the water, but standing in line on the ice to take the plunge. Tim managed to get down on the ice to video the event even when he was told he couldn't. Way to go Tim. You gotta be aggressive to get the shot.
I approached the open water not knowing what to expect. I whipped up the crowd into a frenzy as I stood poised on the platform. Running through my head at the time..."hmmm is my life insurance paid up?" Tim had my health insurance card in my wallet and there was an ambulance and paramedics standing by so on the count of three...I jumped. The stabbing needles of cold pulsed through my body as I surfaced and I tried to swim but realized my muscles weren't working. I had thought that the water was only five to six feet deep, but it was slightly over my head. Once I realized I couldn't touch bottom, I started to swim for my life with the assistance of the guy pulling slightly the rope that was tied to me. Hey, I have to say its not that bad. The jokes on Tim, I survived and now there are more winter festivals planned in the future.
After the dip we returned to Lymans on the Lake to meet up with Jason and Willie at the Shanty and get the report on the days catch. Although the fishing was slow and most of the pike were hammer handles we found a great time being had on the ice by both of them. Tim and I joined in the fun and took our turn at pulling a few through the ice ourselves before calling it a day. As awesome as fishing Houghton Lake was, watching the thousands of snowmobiles and ATVS roar by was definitely something to see. As the sun set the ice was filled with the headlights of the sleds and ATV's. It looked like an endless line of off road vehicles traveling a frozen highway.
Our pick-up guy arrived right on time and we packed up and headed back to shore. We were about 500 feet out and it didn't take long to reach the store. It was dark by this time and as I stood on the bank looking out at the twinkling lights of the shanties and snowmobiles, a burst of blue appeared in the sky as the fireworks display began. We stood and watched the fire works for a while and then headed back to camp ready to call it a day. The Festival Fanatics weren't ready to end the day just quite yet, however. Every festival has its night life and Tim and I would be derelict in our duties if we didn't report back on the action after the sun goes down.
After convincing Willie and Jason that their wives would be disappointed if they didn't attend the night life events with the Fanatics we all loaded into MaryJane and hit the town. Our first stop the Limberlost, home of the BudBash. It started to snow again as we walked to the entrance. The Limberlost offered a great mix of people of all ages dancing to the live band that was rocking the joint out.
We people-watched for a while and listened to a few songs and then we moved on to the next packed-out watering hole, the Long Branch Saloon. The Long Branch Saloon was packed with people like sardines in a can, but we struck gold. While Jason was tearing up the dance floor and Willie found a seat at the bar, Tim and I ran into an old friend. Faith, our camping neighbor at the Cow Pie Festival. She lives in Houghton Lake and we got a picture of her before she left. It was nice seeing a fellow festival fan. Outside on a smoke break I met a regular to TUT who introduced herself to me in German. After our brief bi-lingual introduction she explained that she and her group of friends had been coming to TIP-UP-TOWN for twenty five years collectively. When she told me who she was with and I told her who Tim and I were, a bond was formed. She had seen us on Facebook and new we were on our way to TIP-UP-TOWN. This called for pictures and of course Tim got all the attention.
The night was getting late and as the day was long it was time to head back to camp. However, as we got close to West Houghton Lake Campground, I saw one last happening place that called to us, Skips Karaoke Lounge. This laid-back, home-style bar was just what the Festival Fanatics needed to end their day. Besides, Tim hadn't had a chance to perform yet on this trip and both of us lilke to entertain the festival crowd whenever we can on our trips. Shelly and Rich of Rich's Karaoke offered us a great time and the friendly crowd there offered warmth and comfort to four cold weary travelers. Tim brought down the house with his Elvis voice and I followed up with a little "Sunday Morning Comin' Down" by Johnny Cash.. From a fabulous crowd to hang out with, to fast, friendly service, Skips Karaoke lounge was a perfect end to a night on the town.
We slept a little longer the next day, putting off the inevitable...packing up and heading home. It's always the time that we both dread, but Monday morning would be upon us soon and we would be forced back into the rat race that is life. As the sun climbed in the morning sky over Houghton Lake and we turned off onto US 127 south, the Festival Fanatics gave one last look back at the town that had treated us so well. We headed home with one more festival under our belts and a ton of fond memories in our souls. Thanks to the people of Houghton Lake. Tip-Up-Town is definitely a must do. Take care.
Josh & Tim
