What do Deborah and Dave Burgdorf have in common with Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin? They’ve all launched successful businesses from their garage. In the wine industry, the Garagiste refers to a European concept of making wine out of a garage. Garagistes produce limited production wines called “Vin de Garage” or “Garage Wines.” The… [Read More]
Medora, North Dakota: A Weekend Getaway
Medora, North Dakota, is an off the beaten path, seasonal town. Often North Dakota remains the last state visited by those earning the “Visited All 50 States” badge, as North Dakota is the least-visited state in the union. But a second look reveals Medora, North Dakota, as a hidden treasure for history buffs, outdoor lovers,… [Read More]
Lansing, Michigan: 5 Must-Have Foodie Experiences
While the Greater Lansing area is known for the three Cs, the Capitol, the Campus (Michigan State University), and cars, I add a fourth, cuisine. Lansing features a lot of great local foodie experiences, from scratch-made Mediterranean cuisine to romantic inns. So, whether your objective is to cross off another capital from your bucket list,… [Read More]
Midwest Road Trip Adventures: Plan One Today
From the Great Lakes to the Great Plains, a new anthology helps travelers re-discover their home state — even during a pandemic. A new travel anthology titled “Midwest Road Trip Adventures” available on Amazon, retails for $19.95. You can find it in bookstores across the Midwest. The authors who penned the anthology live and work… [Read More]
Lansing Michigan: 12 Fun Facts
Most people know Lansing is Michigan’s capital city and has an automotive heritage. But here are some fun details about Lansing that are sure to make you want to visit. In the meantime, these fun facts will come in handy at your next cocktail party, Trivial Pursuit game or Jeopardy challenge. If you live in… [Read More]
Deciding Dessert First
Life is short and unpredictable. Eat the dessert first! Helen Keller While Helen Keller made a great point, I am not talking about eating dessert first. I’m speaking of deciding which dessert first. In most restaurants selecting the delicious ending comes after you finish your meal. Most likely, you’ll choose and eat three courses, including… [Read More]
Olivia’s Chophouse in Jonesville, Michigan
This summer, we explored some of Michigan’s highways and byways. We ended up on US 12 Heritage Route, an east-west corridor, from Detroit to New Buffalo, which leads history buffs and automotive enthusiasts on an adventure through time. About mid-way, near Jonesville, the family and I decided it was time for lunch. That’s when we… [Read More]
How to Cook a Restaurant-Style Steak at Home
To help offset the costs of running FollowThePiper.com, you’ll find affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to purchase through one of these links, there’s no additional cost to you, but I’ll earn a small commission. You can read the entire legal disclosure on the full disclosure page. Thank you to Visit Omaha who provided the author with… [Read More]
Traverse City, Michigan: A Luxury Destination
Traverse City, Michigan, sits on Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay. Located in the Midwest region of the United States, it features Lake Michigan, one of Michigan’s Great Lakes, wineries, world-class restaurants, and year-round outdoor activities. Traverse City has plenty of must-do activities for a weekend getaway. For gourmets, it’s Aerie with its local farm-fresh ingredients;… [Read More]
The Great Wildebeest Migration
A cloud of dust swirled around the Land Rover as we raced over the washboard-ridged packed dirt road. I pulled my buff up over my nose and mouth, while sunglasses and a beige safari hat protected the rest of my head. Awash in the dust, it left the landscape with a pale watercolor quality. I… [Read More]