My Road

I, recently, ran across an article about a couple in Hillman, Michigan who run an unusual resort. They cater to those who are interested in seeing elk in their natural habitat. If you have ever looked at an elk you have appreciated their unusual beauty and size. When I hear of accidents involving a deer I often think how much worse it would be to hit an elk. Calves weigh between 30 and 40 pounds at birth, and 225 to 275 pounds at weaning about 6 months of age.

Their antlers have a felt like substance growing on them similar to velvet. They get new antlers each summer. Elk were nearly hunted into extinction in the late 1800s. Michigan launched a restoration program and now has a wild elk population that averages 1,000 head plus several domestic elk farms.

The Elk Antler Log Cabin is a beautiful lodge built from Norway pine and is decorated with antiques. It holds a large dining room that can seat 100 hungry people. Reservations can be made to take elk rides which are taken in custom-built rigs. A cross between a sleigh and a carriage, the axles can be changed to meet the needs of the terrain.