Postcards From the Lake: Elking

Every summer when I was a kid, on a lovely evening, my mom and dad, her two sisters and their husbands, and my three cousins would pile into the old station wagon and go "elking" in Michigan's north. This activity found the six adults on the bench seats in the front and back and the four of us kids in the rear end of the car. It was close.

And of course, the environment wasn't made much better by the volume of second hand smoke coming from the front two seats! The car windows were open (which was a good thing). It's likely this was before or in the early days of car air conditioning and it probably was for the best! 

We would drive (it seemed for hours) on dirt roads, back roads, places, where cars probably shouldn't go, my uncle making odd sounds which he said were "elk calls." We were supposed to be quiet. I doubt we were. I don't recall ever seeing an elk during those rides. But if we were lucky, we might get to stop at A and W after for a root beer after!

Now, people visiting Gaylord don't need to go elking to see the elk. They are found at the Elk Park (conveniently located next to the Elks Lodge). 

 

Late in the day they tend to come up close to the fence to eat and generally stay within good viewing distance.

We took Rick's mom out to see the elk during her visit. They're fun to watch -- large and majestic.

Many of the males had impressive antlers. 

Although we missed the close-up dining view, it was good to see such a large number of them (and more, no doubt, down the hill and out of view).

I hope they stay there always!

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