Cadillac is located on the west side of Michigan's Northern Lower Penninsula between two freshwater lakes. Though we only have a population of 10,000, it's the biggest town for nearly an hour. It is also the county seat for Wexford County as well as the headquarters for the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

From the place names, you can probably see that the area has had a variety of influences over the years. The Native Americans and the waves of settlers and explorers from France, Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, and even Finland have left their mark in the names of cities and villages from Meauwataka to McBain to Kaleva. The city itself is named after French explorer Antoine Laumet, dit de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac who lead the party that founded Detroit. (And no, we don't make Cadillac cars in Cadillac, we make boats – though I'm told they are still making cars in Detroit.)

Unlike many of my international co-workers, my hometown has a relatively short history. It grew to prominence during Michigan's logging heyday under the name of Clam Lake. What is now Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell used to be called Little Clam Lake and Big Clam Lake. The lake I grew up on changed names as well. Berry Lake used to be called Frog Lake. Both names are equally apt, but the blueberries didn't keep me awake on early summer nights.

Currently, Cadillac is a popular year-round tourist destination. Winter brings people up to go snowmobiling, cross country or downhill skiing at Caberfae Ski Resort. Cadillac holds the North American Snow(mobile) Festival in late January/early February on the frozen Lakes. During the spring and summer people come to go camping, fishing or even just boating on one of the many lakes in the area. If you're lucky, you might even find some highly-prized Morel mushrooms in the woods or get a chance to taste some chestnuts from some of the trees in the area that survived the Chestnut Blight. Many people also come during the Fall for "Color Tours". Since Northern Michigan is still heavily wooded, the color change during the fall is often very dramatic.

All the outdoor activity can make a person hungry! There are a few good restaurants in Cadillac, but the one that stands out is Hermann's European Cafe. Chef Hermann is literally a chef who's served royalty! He once worked as the personal chef for the King of Nepal.

rabbit tracks on the frozen lake