BEULAH -- Cathie Bishop had a rousing good summer in her new business, and she's looking toward the upcoming color tour season with enthusiasm.
"We expect our weekends to be fantastic and have lots of foot traffic in Beulah," said Bishop, one of five family members who own and operate the Five Corners Store in downtown Beulah.
One reason for her optimism is a new Web site -- www.M22ColorTour.com -- dedicated to one of Michigan's premier color tours that winds its way through Manistee, Benzie and Leelanau counties.
The Web site features detailed maps of each county, along with county-by-county lodging choices and details on upcoming fall events, including fall festivals and wine-tasting opportunities. There are listings on dozens of dining options, ranging from casual family oriented cafes to fine-dining choices.
Rand McNally recently rated the scenic route as one of the five greatest driving tours in America.
"People that have already experienced it know that M-22 offers one of the most scenic drives not only in Michigan, but in the entire country," said Steve Campbell, owner of the Harbor Lights Resort in Frankfort. "Add the fall colors and you have something spectacular. Benzie County and Frankfort are perfectly situated to be the home base for many travelers as they journey along M-22 to take it all in."
The M-22 Color Tour promotion is a collaborative effort of the visitors bureaus in Benzie and Manistee counties, along with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The three organizations pooled resources and marketing dollars to spread the word about the color route.
In addition to the Web site, the groups printed about 10,000 rack cards that are available at their respective offices, at Michigan Welcome Centers and at businesses along the route.
"We had a stack of them and they went fast," said Bishop, whose eclectic store has a blend of outdoor clothing, watches, clocks, cottage items, fishing tackle and bait. It also features a seasonal walk-up Cantina window that dishes up Moomer's ice cream and a second-story rental suite that offers a sweeping view of Crystal Lake.
"We're a four-season destination, but there's no question that autumn is a personal favorite of many locals and visitors alike," said Judy Ball, executive director of Manistee County's Convention and Visitors Bureau. "There's just something special about the changing of the seasons in northwest Michigan and we hope people will visit us to experience it for themselves."
Meandering through the quaint harbor towns of Manistee, Frankfort, Beulah and Glen Arbor, the M-22 Fall Color Tour route skirts the Lake Michigan shoreline and the bluffs, dunes and beaches of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Along the way, visitors have a chance to visit unique art galleries, vintage antique shops, taste-tempting restaurants, award-winning wineries and historic farms and orchards.
Many guests will take advantage of recreational opportunities, including championship golf, biking, paddling and fishing.
"In addition to the color tour, Benzie County offers a wonderful fall festival spread over the first two weekends in October, giving people another reason to make the short drive to our area," said Campbell, whose resort is poised for a solid fall season following a solid summer. "Bringing more attention to this region through promotion and special events will only help our business and the many other businesses that rely on tourism."
The new Web site already has sparked interest among southern Michigan residents who are planning fall trips.
"We ran an ad announcing the Web site in downstate newspapers on Aug. 24 and we had over 5,000 hits on the Web site," said Mary Carroll, director of the Benzie County Visitors Bureau.
To make visitors feel welcome, many resorts are offering money-saving seasonal lodging rates and special packages. There also are several fall festivals and harvest celebrations.
At a time when many folks are watching their gas gauges, one appeal of the M-22 Color Tour is that it's a one-tank trip for many in Michigan and across the Midwest. That makes it an appealing day trip or weekend getaway for those who want to savor autumnal beauty.
"Visitors will find interesting shops, galleries, wineries, exquisite dining, superb recreational activities and comfortable accommodations along the way," said Jamie Jewell of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau. "It's a wonderful way to enjoy fall color in northern Michigan."
