Discover how Pure Michigan autumn is…on Beaver Island

The fall season is the perfect time to discover – or revisit – Beaver Island, Michigan’s largest, most-inhabited island. Hop aboard the Emerald Isle for a relaxing and colorful ride across Lake Michigan as you soak in the colors on the trees that shirt the lakeshore along Michigan’s lower peninsula.

Once on Beaver Island, its natural wonders await exploration, where a variety of eco-tour options are available. Whether it’s camping, paddling, pedaling or hiking, the crisp cool autumn air and the fresh breezes of the lake welcome you to slow down and relax, just for a bit. Bring your camera, because the colors and the wildlife this time of year are abundant. The contrast of the red, yellow and orange hues of the leaves set against the backdrop of the brilliant blue waters of Lake Michigan are sure to capture your eye. While taking a stroll along one of the back roads, you’re likely to see a fox or deer cross your path, or any number of birds soaring in the sky above.

The West Michigan Tourist Association even has a turn-by-turn color tour route mapped out at http://www.wmta.org/autumn-color-tours-19/ (#26) which starts at the ferry dock in downtown St. James and travels the perimeter of the island.

If your visit takes place the first weekend in October, you’ll enjoy the festivities of the Bite of Beaver Island and the Island Boodle 5k Run – which both take place October 2. With the Bite, see what the best professional and amateur chefs on the Island have to offer - sample a wide variety of treats. The Boodle, now in its 8th year, starts in scenic St. James and offering a fast, beautiful lakefront-and-trails course.

Beaver Island Boat Company has been providing the most relaxing, affordable transportation for people, pets, vehicles, and freight to Beaver Island for over 25 years. Reservations for passengers are never required. A trip to Beaver Island aboard the Emerald Isle or the Beaver Islander adds to the overall experience, reinforcing the adage that in life – it’s the journey as much as the destination!

For a complete schedule, rates and package tour details, call 888-446-4095 or log onto www.beaverislandboatcompany.com. Become our FAN on Facebook: www.facebook.com/beaverislandboatcompany

For information on Beaver Island: www.BeaverIsland.org

Ferry Service to Beaver Island Resumes April 7 for 2010 Season

The Beaver Island Boat Company will resume its 2010 ferry service between Charlevoix and Beaver Island, beginning Wednesday, April 7 – with limited runs through the end of May. Daily service begins May 24 and runs through September, with limited service returning for the last three months of the year.

Beaver Island Boat Company has been providing the most relaxing, affordable transportation for people, pets, vehicles, and freight to Beaver Island for over 25 years and reservations for passengers are never required. The distance from Charlevoix to historic Beaver Island is 32 miles across Lake Michigan and takes approximately two hours.

Once on the island, visitors can arrange for a guided tour to discover the rich Mormon and Irish history by visiting the St. James Light at Whiskey Point and the Beaver Head Island lighthouse; Donegal Bay – with views of High, Trout and Garden Islands; Dr. Protar’s home and tomb; and other sites of historical significance. Tour package, which include ferry service and the guided tours, are also available – June 3 through September 2.

As the most remote inhabited island in the Great Lakes, Beaver Island is an eco-travelers dream, offering pristine woods, hiking and biking trails, uncrowded rustic campsites, SCUBA diving, fishing on inland lakes, nature watching and paddling through the archipelago. There are over 100 miles of scenic roads that travel past abandoned homesteads and farms, offering a glimpse into the history of the island’s past residents.

A trip to Beaver Island aboard the Emerald Isle or the Beaver Islander adds to the overall experience, reinforcing the adage that in life – it’s the journey as much as the destination!

For a complete schedule, rates and package tour details, call 888-446-4095 or log onto www.beaverislandboatcompany.com

For information on Beaver Island: www.BeaverIsland.org

Become our FAN on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beaverislandboatcompany