On the drive on M-37, we conveniently passed a multitude of cherry stands just as our stomachs were starting to grumble. We pulled over when we entered Buckley and opted to squash our hunger with two bags of cherries. Dark, sweet cherries and slightly tart white ones. They were so fresh and delicious and I'll be honest...it felt great to help a local guy out. We could have just as easily gone to a fast food place for a burger, but there are few things that beat the taste of a fresh-picked cherry. Besides, I have made it a Project Michigan goal to avoid fast food whenever possible. I'm not sure how much time I'm going to have to work out and besides, I can hit up a McDonald's anywhere in the world. Why not go somewhere that's an area exclusive instead? :)
When we got to the downtown, we parked across the street from the waterfront and did a little shopping. Among the highlights was Cherry Republic, a business I will be exploring in depth in my next entry. Since I was scheduled to interview the president and founder the next day at the flagship location in Glen Arbor, I thought it wouldn't hurt to re-familiarize myself with the atmosphere and the products.
One of my favorite things about the Cherry Republic are the generous portions of samples. By nearly every display there are usually heaping bowls of salsa, chips, jelly and chocolate covered cherries not far behind, making your shopping experience a little like a treasure trove to try everything you can. So imagine my excitement when I spotted a new product.
The Chili Chocolate Covered Cherry. Emphasis on the Chili./Samantha Franz
Now, how many times have you read a label for a "hot," "spicy," or "flaming" product, only to discover that it was mild at best? Those were my expectations as I popped one of those puppies in my mouth and waited for the milky chocolate coating to melt over my tongue. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see an older gentleman, who had been thinking of trying one of the chili cherries himself, waiting for my reaction.
Holy. Crap.
I flashed back to many years ago to the time when I bit into a dried chili pepper after my mom accidentally missed fishing out one in her Franz famous pot of chili. My eyes welled up with tears and I could feel my face turning a shade of crimson. I couldn't taste food, just that needle-like burn that comes with eating something that is, well, made with a chili pepper.
The man came over to me and asked, "Well, are they hot?" knowing darn well that the answer would be. Fanning my hand in front of my mouth, I was able to muster up a nod and a yes. "Okay, well I won't try them then," he replied as he moved on to the much safer cherry white chocolate peanut butter. My mouth felt the spicy aftermath for more than 10 minutes after, so heed my warning, food-lovers. These are not for the meek.
We drove around the area more, but after living on cherries, potato chips and Teddy Grahams since about 1 p.m., we were craving something a bit more fulfilling. So we opted to drive back to Cadillac and eat someplace where some of my mom's fondest Michigan memories lay: the Sun-n- Snow.
The Sun-n-Snow in Cadillac/Samantha Franz
Lakeside Charlie's at the Sun-n-Snow/Samantha Franz
When my mom was growing up, she came from a rather large family of nine children, though most had already moved out of the house by the time she was born. Nonetheless, raising four girls left my grandparents without much time to relax. But they always blocked off one week every summer where they would rent a cottage at the Sun-n-Snow for my grandpa to fish and for the girls to relax and play on the beach. Lakeside Charlie's, which at that time had been a bar, evolved to a waterside restaurant and it was there we decided to eat dinner our first night. Over white wine and a delicious stuffed pork tenderloin, we talked about our trip thus far, as well as her childhood memories at the Sun-n-Snow.
After dinner, we drove around Cadillac in an attempt to find a perfect spot catch a timeless Michigan sunset, since our cottage didn't face the sunset side of the lake.
Saw this little guy having a joyride in downtown Cadillac./Samantha Franz
After making the loop, we came back to none other than the good old Sun-n-Snow and man, did we get there just in time.
Gorgeous./Samantha Franz
The plan of attack the next day? Drive both the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, all while making stops in Glen Arbor, Historic Fishtown, the Pierce Stocking Drive, the Sleeping Bear Dunes climb, Old Mission Lighthouse and Leelanau Cellars winery, at the very least. Look for updates soon!
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