Warm Up At The Lodge Without Leaving Town.

I would really be doing Downriver an injustice if I did not direct some attention to the Big Bear Lodge.

In November of 2001 the Cameratta's opened Big Bear Lodge with the desire to bring a slice of "UpNorth" down to the Metro area.  There desire was turned to reality when they opened the doors.  The decor coaxes you to relax, enjoy great food, and snuggle up to a warm fire.

Big Bear is simply not something that you would expect to find in Downriver Michigan.  The lodge looks exactly like its name.  The beautiful log building with high ceilings and warm fire places are an inviting escape from the hustle and bustle of the Metro area. 

Fire Roasted BBQ Half Chicken

Elk Burger with Swiss

The Menu selection is made up of the kind of comfort foods that will keep you coming back for more.  If you

Pizza Over Paczki On Fat Tuesday - Tomatoes

A friend once told me that pizza was the ambrosia of all food.  At the time I really was not completely sure what this word, "ambrosia" even meant, so I went on to question him about it.  Ambrosia in Greek mythology was the food or drink of the Gods, consider to be perfect food.  When he went on to explain, he said pizza is perfect because it includes all of the food groups in one simple package, "there is nothing better".   While I tend to not completely agree with him on the, "nothing better" part.  There is no doubt that when you have a really good pizza experience, it will be memorable one.

I was eighteen years old for my first one.  It stands out well in my mind and is one of my favorite memories of Paris as a teenager.  My family and I had spent a week in Scotland where my sister lived at the time, and then all of us headed to Paris for the following week.  Turns out that we were in Paris for the end of the Tour De France.  We did not do this on purpose, and it was rainy, so we watched it from our hotel room on TV.  This fact still horrifies my cycling enthusiast in-laws.  I had no idea though.  I was just a farm boy hanging out in Paris with my black cowboy boots and Mini mullet.