We love going up north for any reason at all. In fact, one time I drove one hundred and sixty miles to get what was supposed to be an incredible deal on coffee pods. Turned out not to be such a great buy and I spent thirty-five dollars to save eight. I didn’t complain, though, at least I got to drive up north.

Recently, we took a day trip to one of our favorite places in all of Michigan’s great Up North – Houghton Lake. We did actually have a reason for the drive. We wanted to buy a set of outdoor rocking chairs we saw at a local chain store. When we finally decided to buy them, none of the area stores had any left. I searched online and was happy to discover the store in Houghton Lake had the chairs we were looking for. So! Off to Houghton Lake we went!

As you might have guessed, when we arrived at the store in Houghton Lake, they told us the website was wrong. No chairs. But! The same store in Cadillac had them! So, we drove another thirty-five miles, and were finally able to get our chairs.

Any time we go to Houghton Lake, we stop to eat at our favorite restaurant in town, Powell’s Family Restaurant. Powell’s has been a fixture for great food in Houghton Lake for over forty-five years.

Even if it weren’t for the food, just going into Powell’s Family Restaurant is a treat. I love log cabins! The cabin has been beautifully restored and is obviously loved and carefully maintained.

Can you imagine the conversations that have taken place between folks sitting on these vintage snack bar stools? I can. The stack of coffee mugs behind the counter proves conversation is just as important as the great meals prepared in the kitchen.

When we were eating breakfast, there were two gentlemen sitting at a table near us. I honestly don’t normally strike up conversations with strangers, but I couldn’t pass them up. I asked if they were from Houghton Lake. One lived in town, the other did not. They were obviously good friends, and Powell’s Family Restaurant is a favorite meeting place.

The walls in the restaurant are attractively decorated with antiques and collector items, such as the line of model cars and trucks on the shelf. I am fascinated by antiques, especially the ones that I recognize as having been in our own home, which makes me an antique.

I didn’t do a good job of keeping my reflection out of the photo, but I love the picture of the old man praying over his meal. My grandmother had that same print in her home. Those are ceramic morel mushrooms on either side of the picture. I’ve never found a morel that large, but I suppose some folks have.

The welcome sign is painted on a huge daredevil fishing lure. I don’t think I would want to fight with a pike the size of one that might grab it.

If a person can go into a restaurant and be completely happy with just a cup of coffee and several refills, then that’s a great place to go. The ambiance is just as important as the taste of the coffee, and Powell’s Family Restaurant has both.

I invite you to make Powell’s Family Restaurant your number one location for great food in a wonderful place the next and every time you visit Houghton Lake, Michigan. I know we’re going to keep going!