Colonial Motel

07/20/2026

This is what it’s all about. When you find a stuffed animal that looks like a lamb and looks well loved, you know it’s important to someone. It was left in a bed in room 16 at the Colonial Motel. Sure enough, the father of a six year old boy called asking if I had found it. He was elated when I told him I had. I agreed to ship it back to him promptly. Several days later, I received a thank you letter from the six year old boy, named Otto, personally thanking me, “Mr. Mike” for returning his stuffed animal, “Lambie”. 🙂❤️

05/03/2026

I just got news this morning that Bonnie Vincent, Bob Vincent’s widow and former owner of the Colonial Motel passed away Thursday morning. I knew she was sick so it’s not a surprise but she will be missed. Her and Bob were both wonderful people and I’m sure she’s reunited with him now. She would have been 84 in June. Rest in Peace Bonnie. I will always remember how you would refer to me as “young man”. 🤔😂

08/22/2024

04/28/2024

I love exploring the historic Fayette ghost town in the Upper Peninsula. I especially like that they buildings are open for visitors to explore. There is one that is secluded in the woods outside of town that was used as the Doctor’s House.

Curtis J. Bellows MD, was a Civil War veteran from Ohio. He came to Fayette in 1870 and practiced medicine in Upper Peninsula town until his death in 1882. He was a popular public speaker, raced horses and studied electricity. He must have been an interesting character in the remote iron smelting town. Visitors can tour the home and see the way the doctor lived back in the town’s heyday.

If you love exploring Michigan, I hope you will take a look at my new Michigan ghost town book. You can find a link to it in the comments.

02/26/2024

(The Center Square) – The latest Tax Foundation report on sales taxes details how Illinois is now home to the highest combined state and average local sales tax in the

11/23/2023

This one never gets old. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

09/24/2023