4 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Things to Do in Cedar Springs, Michigan in the Summer
Located 20 miles north of Grand Rapids, Cedar Springs is a great small town in Kent County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. Cedar Springs is a northern city of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
Cedar Springs is home to numerous beautiful attractions that are hard to resist. No matter where you go, there’s something new to experience.
There are numerous:
● Recreational Areas
● The Kent Theatre
● Trails, such as the White Pine Trail (which runs from Grand Rapids to Cadillac)
● Lakes in the City
If you’ve never been to Cedar Springs, brace yourself for a long ride because you’re about to lose track of time.
Whether you’re new to Cedar Springs or maybe bored and looking for something to do, check out our top five things to do in this wonderful town.
Things to Do in Cedar Springs, Michigan
Whether you’re looking for exciting outdoor activities, looking to travel with your family, or simply wanting to explore the city, Cedar Springs has something for everyone.
Cedar Springs is a city you’ll fall in love with at the first sight, from world-class stay-in options to amazing people and tradition. Visiting Cedar Springs means you get to enjoy a plethora of luxury activities offered.
The city is loaded with many great places, from shopping areas, resorts, and restaurants, to spas that ensure that your trip to Cedar Springs is hassle-free.
If you love water sports, summer, and fun, Cedar Springs, Michigan is the place to be.
In Cedar Springs, there are many golf courses and churches nearby, and downtown Grand Rapids is precisely 17 miles away.
So be it family fun, a friends reunion, or a solo trail at White Pine Trail to feed your wanderlust, these activities in Cedar Springs are a must-try for a leisurely vacation:
Visit Deer Tracks Junction
Deer Tracks is located at 7850 14 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.
There’s more to Deer Tracks than meets the eye. It’s one place you and your family can make unforgettable memories (family fun). For example, you’ll get a chance to experience wildlife, but if you’re thinking of interacting with animals, it’s always a good idea to buy some food for them.
From the children’s play area, the petting farm, homemade ice cream, and picnic area, to the gift shop, Deer Tracks is armed with lots of goodies for you.
In fact, Deer Tracks is one of the most visited parks in Michigan, as such, it’s only reasonable to make plans before your official visiting day.
We recommend you call ahead and ask as many questions as possible to get a clear picture of where you’ll be visiting.
Things to Know Before You Go to Deer Tracks Junction
While thinking of visiting Deer Tracks in Central West Michigan, there are certain things that you may have to consider:
1. As a guest, entering Deer Tracks is at your own risk.
● As such, Deer Tracks will not be responsible for any damages.
2. You should not expect a return.
● Once the sale is done, that’s final.
3. Smoking is prohibited.
● Perhaps you should avoid the temptation of carrying your smoking items inside.
4. Outside food is also not allowed.
● Don’t think of carrying any food items, save yourself from some embarrassment.
5. If you’re expecting birthdays or party packages, you’ll be sad to hear that they offer none.
● However, they encourage you to maximize the picnic area which is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
6. For everyone’s sake, don’t come with your pets.
● One of their policies is that they prohibit any visitor from tagging along with their beloved animal.
For more information, contact their offices to inquire about your planned visit.
Visit Cedar Springs Historical Museum
The Cedar Springs Historical Museum can be found in Morley Park, just off South Main Street, at 60 Cedar St NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.
Visitors to the Cedar Springs Museum, or tours of the one-room Payne School, which was dislocated to Morley Park in 1971, allow Cedar Springs residents to travel back in time.
When you visit the Cedar Springs Historical Museum, you can learn about the city’s rich history. Since its commencement as a timber city in 1856, it has boasted a plethora of timber and shingle manufacturers.
The city served as the northern terminus of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad and as a crossing point for the Toledo, Saginaw, and Muskegon (Grand Trunk) Railroad, which ran east-west.
The exhibits at the museum reflect this logging and farming heritage.
The Cedar Springs Museum is accessibly located, and if you get hungry, there are several cafes along the main road.
The Red Flannel Festival
To say the Red Flannel Festival is a great festival is an understatement! To put it in the right atmosphere, the celebration is one of the longest-running in all of Michigan.
The well-known celebration can be traced as far back as 1939, when it all started. Most people celebrated the old-fashioned “union suit” long, red flannel undergarments!
What many don’t know is that the celebration is Michigan’s 16th oldest festival.
If you are gracing the festival in Cedar Springs, the following are what you should expect in return:
● Children’s Parade
● Lumberjack Supper
● Car Show
● Queen Scholarship Pageant
● Arts and Crafts Show
● and Much More!
Want to Know How it All Started?
During a particularly harsh winter in 1936, a New York columnist was reportedly inspired to lament the scarcity of red flannel. Editors from a local newspaper, however, had different ideas.
They retaliated with an editorial, which was later picked up by national news, and orders began to pour in quickly. People began to like the idea of celebration after that. Red Flannel Festival Day was then first observed three years later.
Visit Rogue River State Game Area
If you enjoy hiking, the Rogue River State Game Area, located off of 20 Mile Rd. in Cedar Springs, has a number of excellent trails.
The Rogue River State Game Area is found in the Lower Peninsula, in northwest Kent County, sitting on a land area of about 6,200 acres.
Are you planning a trip to Cedar Springs? Rogue River State Game Area has a variety of trails to choose from.
After visiting the area, many hikers and campers have given positive feedback. That alone can give you a good idea of what you’ll be putting on your to-do list.
Target shooting enthusiasts, on the other hand, will be disappointed to learn that their favorite activity is now prohibited.
One of the major contributors to the restriction is the constant reports of stray bullets striking homes, children, and parents nearby in Algoma Township. As such, it led to the Department of Natural Resources closing down the target shooting activity in the area.
The upside of this is that people can explore the place without fearing stray bullets from target shooting.
There’s plenty of wildlife, so you may want to tag along with your whole family so you can experience unforgettable moments at Rogue River State Game Area. And if you want to go fishing, you get your wish instantly!
In simple words, the Rogue River State Game Area has a beautiful natural setting, walking trails, a river, and peaceful, serene beauty.
Before visiting the Rogue River, make sure to make a plan for the activities you’ll do.
Ody Brook Nature Sanctuary
Ody Brook Nature Sanctuary is located at 13010 Northland Dr, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.
Ody Brook Nature Sanctuary is a nature sanctuary that is a wonderful place to observe wildlife and admire the beauty of nature, as its name suggests.
This location has a diverse range of birds, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching.
What makes this place thrilling is that it has beautiful trails passing through a surprising variety of habitats. It has a floodplain and the headwaters of Little Cedar Creek. Please note that parts of this area are muddy in the spring, so be prepared with the proper shoes that can get muddy, or skip that trail after spring rains.
While locating Ody Brook, you may be a bit confused when Google Maps seems to be sending you up a private driveway, but that is correct!! Venture up and get a parking spot, then take a walk on a wonderful nature trail.
What is the Best Preparation in Planning Outdoor Activities
Going for outdoor activities is an exciting venture; however, it requires adequate planning. Cedar Springs has so much to see, and you don’t want to waste time working without a plan.
As such, whether you’re hiking, climbing, or paddling, here are some tips to help you prepare for your adventure:
Be Well-Informed
It’s a great idea to research where you are planning to visit. Think of it like a previsit!
If you overlook the research stage, you might miss a flight, or fail to get the most of your trip.
You will want to call in advance and ask as many questions as possible to get to know your environment. Besides, you might want to know the pricing, activities to do, and much more before you visit.
Make Room in Your Budget for Unexpected Purchases
Well, no one goes on a successful trip and fails to find something exciting to carry home. So you should be ready to make room in your budget for such.
Carry some backpacks or luggage, if you can, it can be a lifesaver when you make your unexpected purchase. The upside of it is that it’s almost weightless and, thus, there should be no hassle of carrying it. Also, Grand Rapids’ downtown area is just a few miles away, and you might get something interesting from there to carry home.
Ofcourse, an extra budget will give you room to go to other places than the planned one. For example, if you want to take your route downtown to Grand Rapids, it will cost you roughly $2.00 in gas money. The quickest way from Grand Rapids to Cedar Springs takes only 21 minutes.
Self-Care is Important
We encourage you to be proactive about taking care of yourself during the summer months. Drinking plenty of water, putting on sunscreen, and so on are just a few examples.
Also, pay attention to how you’re feeling. When you go to bed at 3:00am vs. 10:00pm, how do you feel? What happens if you don’t drink enough water or forget to apply sunscreen? I think we all know the answers to these questions.
Also, wear light clothing in the summer instead of heavy clothing.
Maintain an Open Mind
You are more likely to enjoy your experience if you are willing to accept and adapt to various circumstances. You’ll be ready to learn and laugh if you start with an open mind from jump.
Have Fun
The fun part of any trip or tour is one that is graced with butterflies. The anticipation is what defines the beauty of any outdoor activity.
With that said, start counting the days. Mark your calendar and let the fun kick in a little. You’re about to go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Outdoor Activity
There are times when all you want to do is relax and take in the sights and sounds of nature. Outdoor activities generally improve mental health, but deciding which ones are the best can be challenging.
You don’t want to start something only to get bored halfway through, do you? Consider the following factors when selecting an outdoor activity:
Your Ultimate Goal
Your end goal should drive the reason for choosing an activity. Are you looking to achieve body fitness? Or maybe you want to pass time. Whichever the goal is, align that to why you are picking certain activities.
Some activity goals along the may be to help you achieve a healthier body. For example, cycling is not just fun to engage in, but can work on your lower muscles and open up your chest.
Also, swimming can be another fun activity to do, but what’s the upside of it? It involves all of your muscles, as such, you will evade muscle cramping.
To get the most of your time, establish what you want to achieve and select the activities based on that. If it’s camping, then plan for it. For camping, most sites are generally large and each has its own picnic tables and fire ring. As such, you can be guaranteed lots of fun.
Your Budget
In general, some outdoor activities are free, while others require payment.
You must weigh your options and your financial resources. Conduct basic research and make your reservations early to avoid the last-minute rush.
With that said, you should keep in mind that it is more important to plan and select the appropriate activity than it is to save money.
Time Available
Some activities take minutes, or sometimes a few hours to complete, while others take several hours.
Some people, for example, camp for the entire weekend, whereas others can go biking for 30 minutes and still have a great time.
To determine your free time, consider your schedule and family commitments, then choose an outdoor activity that will help you make the most of this session.
You’ll never run out of things to do in Cedar Springs, which is just a few miles from Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, on the other hand, is also a fantastic city to explore.
Cedar Springs is served by US-131, which connects the city to the rest of Grand Rapids.
Final Thought
Cedar Springs is a northern city of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, about 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Grand Rapids, and boasts several attractions.
Whether it’s your first time in Cedar Springs or you are a resident, Cedar Springs has several things you can do during your free time, including a memorial park, nature trails, and birdwatching, just to name a few.
If you’ve never been to Cedar Springs, finding a guide may be necessary to help you move around a lot easier. Otherwise, you risk losing a few hours roaming without tracing your path.
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4 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Moving into a Mobile Home During Summer: 5 Tips
During summer, moving into a new home is often convenient for several different groups of people such as families, students, and busy professionals.
Whether in mobile homes or stick-built homes, many Americans relocate between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Even though moving during the summer is convenient for the majority of people, still, it can be downright miserable, mainly due to the oppressive season’s heat.
It can be overwhelming and, therefore, it is only ideal if you know some crucial tips on making your transition smooth.
When moving during summer, you’ll need to give a little bit of extra thought to logistics and how to keep cool.
Ask any expert, and they will tell you that summer is the most popular time of year to move.
Moving into a Mobile Home
Even though the relocation process is stressful whether you plan to hire professional movers or not, moving into a mobile home with or stick-built home is quite exciting.
With that said, you need to be aware of a couple of things if you want a successful relocation to your new mobile home.
For example, you may have to make sure your mobile home (single-wide, double-wide, or triple-wide) is working and operating as advertised. There’re so many things to take care of that making a checklist can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, we’ve researched everything you need to know about moving into a mobile house in the summer.
Here are the top five tips:
1. Plan Ahead of Time
For many homeowners (whether stick-built homes or mobile homes), summer is the prime time for moving into a new home.
As such, you’ll need to plan everything. From looking for a logistics company to the actual moving day (to your new home), you need to have a clear blueprint for who will do what, and what will go where!
For moving companies, the demand is high, and they expect to fill up their schedule quickly. If you can, start looking for professional mobile home moving companies like the moving boxes Sydney as early as six to eight weeks before the actual moving day.
If you want to avoid the blazing heat, you may also want to pack up your mobile home belongings several days before your move and be as organized as possible.
With so much to do on a moving day, planning ahead of time will give you room to breathe and avoid the final rush to get to your mobile home.
In addition, it is crucial to research market analysis, statistics, trends, data rates, and forecasts on moving services. All of these need room for adequate research.
If you have to sell your current mobile home before moving, then that needs the proper research time allotted for. Selling a mobile home is not a quick venture. You may want to research “selling your property fast,” for more tips.
Besides, this is also the time you may want to use for selling any extra house items you don’t need. If selling isn’t an option, then at least you will have the time to figure out the alternative.
2. Meet the Mobile Home Park Management
As we all know, moving is quite overwhelming (the risk of property damage and so on), no matter if you are moving into a mobile house or a stick-built home; so finding someone who can make your life easier during this time can be life-saving.
It is crucial to figure out where the mobile home park owners operate, whether from their mobile home or office. With this information, you’ll know where to go in the community if you have any burning issues.
Most mobile home communities (trailer park or leased-land community) have strict regulations. As such, you may want to know the inside-out of your new community.
Familiarize yourself with the mobile home park rules and regulations. You don’t want to begin your new life on the wrong foot by breaking the manufactured home park rules.
Ask as many questions as possible. For example, questions regarding mobile home utilities, community rules, and mobile home lot rent payments are something you may want to be quite familiar with. You don’t want to interfere with other people’s lot space.
It may be easier to ask these questions in-person, rather than asking them via email, text messages, or phone call.
3. Move on the Least Busy Day
Weekends are always packed because most people are free to do other things, apart from their daily jobs. As such, you may want to plan your mobile home move during weekdays since most people have to work.
With this in mind, you can beat the high prices many people pay on weekends and the busiest days. Besides, the beginning and the end of every month are also packed, so you may want to avoid these days as well.
If you have to move on a particular day, like Friday or Saturday, or the first or last day of the month, chances are it won’t be an easy process to find a mover, especially if you book at the last minute. This means that latecomers are forced to pay steeply hiked-up prices.
4. Expect to Pay More
As a rule of thumb, winter is the cheapest time to move because the demand for professional moving services is at its lowest.
During winter, prices can be discounted 15 percent or more, compared to the peak summer months.
With that said, there’s no getting around the fact that summer is the most expensive time to move. Everything from moving containers to moving companies is in high demand during the summer months, and hiring them will cost you more.
Why the high demand?
- It’s the time of the year when schools are out for the summer
- The majority of the families with school-age children are simply keen to move during this time
- College students are also moving into and out of their dorms during the beginning and end of the summer
For this reason, owners of stick-built homes and mobile homes consider summer to be the right time to relocate. As such, you’ll likely have to pay more to move during these months.
When you’re moving on a tight budget, it’s only natural that you will be looking for good ways to reduce the moving cost. Relocating on the least busy days will be one of those tricks to help you reduce those costs.
5. Start the Move Early in the Day
If you want to beat the heat, start your move early in the morning.
It’s a good idea to book your mover to arrive early in the morning, while it is still relatively cool. This is when temperatures and humidity levels tend to be lowest during the summer months.
Heatstroke is a real danger when moving in the summer. Remember to stay hydrated if you’re doing strenuous activity, and wear light clothing, so you don’t overheat. Moving day is not the day to worry about being stylish.
It’s also not the time to be uncomfortable. If you’re moving in the summer heat, you need to wear light materials.
In addition to beating the heat, you’re also more likely to beat the traffic by starting the move early. Aim to begin around 8:00 am, or earlier if possible.
If morning hours are not okay with you, moving late in the evening may be another choice, when the temperatures cool down again. Moving in the late afternoon or evening hours may have its perks and drawbacks, too; weigh them before making the choice.
Why is My Mobile Home so Hot?
Suppose you ever thought of such a question. In that case, the issue of energy-efficient mobile home heating and cooling is much larger than you might think, considering that over 20 million Americans live in mobile homes, according to the latest Census figures.
If one person asks “why is my mobile home so hot?,” you can believe many others have, too.
To figure out the answer to your question, begin finding out when your mobile home was manufactured. Older mobile homes built before the HUD Code came into effect, lack the technological advantages that newer energy-efficient mobile homes bring.
If your mobile home is older, then it may need more work to upgrade it to the current standards or, in other words, make it energy-efficient.
The essential problem with hot mobile homes in the summer, despite air conditioning, is that thermal energy is being allowed to transfer at someplace or places throughout the home.
The heat from the outdoors is getting transferred either directly, maybe an air leak around the door or windows, or indirectly through solid surfaces such as windows, floors, ceilings, walls, and doors.
To solve these mobile home problems, you may want to perform caulking and weatherstripping to create air-tight seals around doors, plumbing, and ducts.
Ways to Keep Your Mobile Home Cool in the Summer
For some people, summer is the time for basking in the sun and going on holiday, while for others it’s the time to focus on relocating. Either way, it’s convenient for each party, but when the heatwave hits, day after day of high temperatures can take its toll.
While in your mobile home, the summer heat may not let you enjoy going about your daily life. With that said, there are plenty of measures you can put in place to keep yourself cool, even in the height of the hot weather.
Air Conditioning
Installing air conditioning in manufactured homes could be a significant investment. It has worked for many traditional homes and mobile homes.
In that case, opt for a heat pump system that can be used to warm your mobile home in colder weather.
If you only spend a part of the year in your holiday home, then a mobile home, coupled with some sturdy fans, should get some cool air moving around your home.
Add a Veranda
A mobile home veranda could spell the difference between enjoying your summer or the heat turning your summer into a nightmare. It gives you an outdoor space for resting.
If your mobile home doesn’t have a veranda, now’s the time to add one to escape the summer heat. This could be a simple off the peg wooden or metal structure, or you could build something bespoke for your home.
It’s essential to add a cover for shade. Some pergolas come with a material roof or a more casual, beachy look; you could even rig up a sail.
If you’re a permanent resident, consider creating a shaded outdoor room, but be careful if you decide to use glazing; you will need to ensure that the glass is treated to prevent heat build-up.
In addition, after moving in, you may want to apply elbow grease on most surfaces, from kitchen surfaces and bathroom tiles, to fabric and even machinery, just to give your home the best look.
Reassess Your Interiors
You may want to add fly screens to your manufactured home windows so you can keep them open during the day, creating a flow-through of air in your living space, without you getting bitten to death!
You may also want to think about your mobile home light bulbs. Mobile homes with LED lights generate light more efficiently, while also saving on mobile home energy bills at the end of the month. Besides, they generate less heat than incandescent bulbs.
How to Find the Best Moving Company
Logistics is one of the most important factors when moving into manufactured homes. Of course, you need someone to help you pack and unpack, as well as load and unload the household property, to and from the truck. And lastly, transporting the household property to your next new home.
This is where moving services come in. They help make your transition as smooth as possible. However, finding the best services can be overwhelming, especially for beginners.
The good news is that we have tips on how you can locate one quickly, without wasting much time:
Start Early
Moving day is stressful enough without scrambling to find a mover at the eleventh hour.
Start your market research early, so you have plenty of time to compare companies and estimates. As a rule of thumb, if a mover is available at the last minute, it’s probably for a reason.
Experienced Companies
Nothing beats experience when it comes to services. Choose reputable moving services that are known for their excellent services, within your location.
Being the summer, you don’t want delays that could eventually expose you to the hot blazing sun, when your initial plan was to move in the morning hours.
However, this doesn’t mean that new entry companies aren’t good enough for the job. So don’t be surprised that the new moving service within your location offers the best deal.
An experienced company will guarantee you the safety of the property to your new home.
Referrals
It’s one of the best ways to know if a company is the right fit. The referrals could be from friends, family, or even professional help. Following their lead could be a chance to meet the best moving services.
A good mover will have a great crew that can empty your living room space quickly and load the stuff up in the truck.
Search Online
Doing a quick search online will spoil you with choices.
Draw a shortlist of prospective candidates you feel are within your budget, and eliminate one after the other until only the best remain.
You may want to check their ratings, as well, to gauge their ranking and customer reviews. Online reviews and word-of-mouth are the best places to start when choosing a mover.
Ideally, you read reviews on trusted sites like Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau. Reviews provide a reliable, unbiased look at a company’s level of service in action.
What’s Included?
Do you have to pack everything up yourself, or will your movers take care of it for you? Will they provide boxes, blankets, and other moving supplies?
Is fuel included in the cost, or will it be an extra charge smacked on at the end? Ask the right questions to avoid unexpected costs on moving day.
Get Estimates
Moving into a mobile house needs budgeting.
Once you have a list of prospective companies, it’s time to get the estimates. As a golden rule, if a mover doesn’t give you an on-site estimate, you shouldn’t hire them!
You may want to get at least three in-person estimates; this way, you’ll have sufficient options to consider when making your final choice.
Final Thought
Mobile home living is growing in popularity. The number of mobile home residents continues to grow, with many people downsizing (selling their property) or choosing mobile home living to be their retirement homes. Or simply, others stop renting to have their own home.
Moving into a mobile home is exciting, but the process can be tedious during summer. Known as the prime time for many people (site-built home and mobile homeowners alike), you may want to plan ahead of time and have a clear blueprint.
With a clear plan, you’ll have an easy time moving to your new mobile home.
To make your moving easier, hire the right moving company for the job. After all, you’re trusting people you don’t know with your most precious items, during one of the most stressful experiences of your life!
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