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Located in western Michigan, on the shore of Lake Michigan at sunset, is the charming little town of Pentwater, Michigan. For years, you would see a common bumper sticker around town that read “Where the hell is Pentwater?” Anyone who has spent time here is sure to fall in love with the area and will return again and again, which is why the continued darkness of the city seems to be an enduring mystery. Most people in Michigan are still completely unaware of this coastal gem.

Allow me to introduce.

Visitors to Pentwater arriving from the more popular southern route are initially greeted by Pentwater Lake as the road winds its way along its northern shoreline, dotted with quaint and charming cabins, the silhouettes of fishermen, and the occasional swan or family of ducks. As the road turns right, then left, and then nears the village, the view opens onto a mast-filled harbor, lined with active marinas and charter boats, truly reminiscent of the coastal towns of Maine or Massachusetts. This is New England, but much closer to home.

The road then turns sharply north and becomes Main Street Pentwater, perfectly lined with art galleries featuring creations by local and national artisans, numerous antique shops, clothing boutiques, and restaurants with open-air patios featuring music. Live and delicious seafood. and cold cocktails. It’s always happy hour here, if not officially, at least in spirit. This is a scene to inspire Norman Rockwell himself, with the white church steeple on the outskirts of town. People drive slowly; They take a deep breath and smile, because at Pentwater you feel like you’re on vacation, even when you’re not.

Near the end of town, our village tour turns west, continues a few blocks, and then ends at the main attraction: the freshwater shores of Lake Michigan. Guests who have never been to the Great Lakes are always pleasantly surprised, and the locals born and raised here never tire of it. An endless water horizon with the most beautiful sunsets in the world, warm sand between your toes, dune grass swaying in the breeze, the sound of waves, seagulls, kites and ice cream cones; this is Pentwater, not California, not Maine, not Carolina or Hawaii, but Michigan! And after a long walk along the water’s edge, all the way to the end of the pier, around the lighthouse and back again, you’re in love with Michigan’s secret beach town. You will come back again and again.

He is waiting, on the way, to welcome you and yours this summer season.

As a dog lover and vacation rental home owner, I have often come across the subject of traveling with a beloved pet. While only a few years ago, it was relatively rare to find hotel accommodations that would accept, or at least put up with, my kind and friendly Boxer, Ouzo. Every now and then while traveling on Interstate 5 in California, we would stop at the beautiful Harris Ranch. One, because it’s a great stop with beautiful accommodations and great food, also midway for us on our trip. But they also treat Fido the same way WE treat Fido, with love and care! They even provide a little sign to put on the door so people know there is a dog in the room.

Personally, I know that one of the reasons I loved traveling with Ouzo (now deceased) is because he was so much fun to be with. It’s not a hassle, and it always behaves very well in any new place. So when I became the owner of a great beach vacation rental home, it was a no-brainer for me to accept dogs. I know that for the most part, if people want to be with their pets, it is because pets are nice and well behaved.

What should you expect as a pet owner who is traveling through California or looking to rent a fun vacation property? First, most hotels, motels, and vacation rentals in California will require a small pet deposit, which will be refundable upon departure as long as no damage has been caused. (We know your precious dog would NEVER harm anything, it’s like insurance is everything!) In over ten years of renting to dog lovers, I have never had to withhold the $ 50.00 pet deposit I charge.

Allowing dogs can mean different things to different people. Make sure you know exactly what to expect before booking your hotel room or vacation home. Ask questions about things like floor coverings, as this can be important for your dog’s comfort. Plan to bring some of your pet’s familiar things with you to make him feel at home, like toys or bedding, for example. Many pet friendly places provide dishes and water bowls for your pet, but consider bringing something familiar here too, to add comfort and lessen the strangeness of the new surroundings.

Find a good place to walk the dog in advance, the owner or booking agent should be able to provide that information. Our vacation home offers accommodation on the beach. If your visit is to a beach vacation home, make sure you know in advance that the beach is also dog friendly. Many California beaches do not allow dogs. Our beach, Dillon Beach in Northern California, allows dogs to run freely along the water’s edge, which they love! There’s nothing like a day chasing birds on the shore to turn you into a tired, happy dog ​​at the end of the day! Having fun together and relaxing at night is what I want for my guests and their “kids”, even the 4-legged ones!

The largest cities in Central Florida are Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford, and Daytona Beach. The most popular of these is the Orlando / Kissimmee area. Orlando is the most visited city in all of Florida. The main reason is that there is so much fun in this city that it is not possible to do everything. Orlando is home to Walt Disney World, including The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, and River Country. You can also visit Downtown Disney, which has great shopping, lively restaurants, and great nightlife, including Pleasure Island. Outside the gates of Disney you will also find International Drive and other great shopping venues. Full of outlet and retail stores, hotels and dinner shows, you could have a complete vacation on this street! You won’t want to miss Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The two amusement parks bring movie magic and special effects to life. Universal Studios is also home to Halloween Horror Nights, which brings the magic of Halloween every fall season. If theme parks don’t appeal to you, downtown Orlando and Winter Park are great places to see live entertainment, antique shopping, nightlife and clubs, as well as exclusive restaurants.

In just an hour’s drive, you can also visit one of Florida’s award-winning attractions – the Kennedy Space Center. See NASA’s space shuttles and enjoy activities and lessons on how space travel has evolved in recent decades. It is also located one hour northeast of Orlando, Daytona Beach. This beach is popular during the summer months and has a great promenade to walk around and enjoy the sea views. Daytona Beach also hosts Bike Week every year. Residents and visitors descend on this area to ride their motorcycles here and gather to watch old road shows and just chat with other motorcycle enthusiasts. It’s one of the busiest weeks of the year in Daytona Beach!

Central Florida is a popular place to visit and has continued to change over time to offer guests the best possible vacation destination. While many people come here to play games, millions also call it home. It is a large metropolitan area that has a world-class airport, financial districts and

other businesses that directly affect the hotel industry that thrives in this area. It takes a lot of great people to make every magical vacation happen here. So don’t overlook this city as an exceptional place to live, either. You could experience the magic all year round!