(energetic music) - [Announcer] On this edition of "UTR," it's our first ever autumnal bundle where we rake up some cool stuff to see and do.

We'll squeeze some apples into cider, devour some Polish food at the end of a tunnel.

We'll see stars in Traverse City and fall for some falls.

Heck, we'll even go trick or treating in Romeo.

Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make Michigan in the fall the best of all.

(energetic music) (mellow music) (lively music) (lively music) - [Announcer] A visit to the Stahls Auto Collection will take you back to a time when cars were more than just a way to get around.

A fantastic assortment of gas pumps, neon signs, and automated music machines dating back 150 years that must be seen and heard, info at stahlsauto.com.

- We've been around the world, but there's one place we keep coming back to and the more we explore, the more we realize it's the place to be.

I'm Tom Daldin.

- I'm Jim Edelman.

- And this is.

- [Jim and Tom] "Under the Radar Michigan."

(energetic music) (energetic music) (hand swooshes) (energetic music) (screen swooshing) - It seems that round here, pumpkin spice explodes in the fall and we can't get enough.

Well, in this episode, we put on a new sweater and show you things that make it easy to fall in love with Michigan.

Hmm, pumpkin spiced tacos?

Two, please.

(screen swooshing) - Now they say an apple a day makes the UTR guys get out and play.

So we headed south to St. John for exactly that.

Hey, how'd you like to see a cider mill that's so big, you can see it from space?

Thought you'd never ask.

Behold Uncle John's Cider Mill, a colossal place that's so full of fruit and fun, you just might wanna move in.

If you're looking for a classic family fall activity and edibles, everything you need for an awesome autumn is right here.

Now to make sure we left no Apple unturned, I met up with Mike Beck.

He's a fifth generation family farmer who helps keep Uncle John's jumpin'.

Have you checked the Guinness Book of World Records, whether or not this is the largest cider mill on the planet?

- (chuckles) It is not.

I'm sure it isn't.

- It's huge though.

How many apple- - It is pretty big- - How many apples you grow here?

- Well, we have like 35 different varieties.

Some of 'em you'd never see, we use exclusively for cider or hard cider.

But all the typical ones that you're familiar with as far as apples, you know, the Yellow Delicious, Galas, Honey Crisp, and McIntosh, and things like that.

And plus a few unique ones that we sell that, in the shop, like a Winesap or a Northern Spy.

- Now I read somewhere that you are fifth generation to be growing.

- Yep.

- On this property.

- Correct.

Fifth generation, yes.

- That's outstanding, to be able to carry on a tradition like that.

And you, I'm sure there's a sixth generation just waiting- - Yeah, there's my daughter and a couple of nieces that are around as a sixth generation, so.

- And I have to tell you, I'm so envious of you, because you live right behind us right here on the grounds, so your commute is like, and I'm there.

- Yeah, that's correct, yep.

- That's wonderful.

- Yeah.

- This is a great family place.

You look around and you see, this is almost a vacation destination.

- [Mike] Yes, we've done a lot of things to try and keep people here for a full day at least.

We have lots of kids activities.

We have lots of adult activities.

- Yes.

I'm holding one.

- That's right, and so, and, you know, several barns that you can do shopping in, and so lots of different places to explore and have fun here.

- Well, this is, this started, obviously, many, many years ago as just, what, a fruit and vegetable farm?

- Correct, yep, and just some roadside sales, you know?

- Right, and it's turned into this, and that's outstanding.

- Yep.

- You guys are go-getters.

- Yeah, yeah, well, we have a great location here right on the highway, so that's helpful.

But, yeah, it started out slowly with just cider and donuts years and years ago.

And we've been adding more things every year.

- What is that big orange thing the kids are jumping on?

That is so awesome.

I want one in my yard.

- [Mike] That's the jumping pillow.

That's open, at least when we're open, kids can enjoy time on that, or adults.

- It's probably a good thing to do, if you're an adult, before the hard side.

- That's right.

- Right, right, right.

And your corn maze is outstanding.

- [Mike] Yep, yep, about a 12 acre corn maze.

But it's not terribly difficult, at least.

- Thank gosh, yeah, because I'm gonna, I plan on going in there later.

Any tips on how to find my way out?

- (chuckles) Just look for the edge of the field and just walk.

You'll get there eventually.

- Anything I shouldn't do before I do the corn maze?

- (chuckles) Well, don't do too many shots of vodka, so- - Oh, okay.

Okay.

So if you're in the mood for some down-on-the-farm fun and food, heck, you may as well have a lot of it, and Uncle John's is the place to find it.

Now back to that corn maze thing.

(lively music) Corn maze, hah!

This will be easy.

(lively music) Oh boy, left, right, right, left.

Hello, hello, oh.

(chuckles) Corn nuts.

I don't even remember this part.

Little help here.

Anyone there?

Oh boy.

(lively music) Now I can't remember how or if I even got myself out of there, but if you wanna make some classic Michigan fall family memories, take 'em to Uncle John's Cider Mill.

I promise you'll be a-mazed.

(lively music) (engine roaring) (screen swooshing) Tahquamenon Falls, you know about it.

I know about it.

We all know about it.

Ah, but have you been there yet, hmm?

Just west of the little town of Paradise in the Eastern UP is one of the most beautiful places in Michigan.

And, yep, I've never been there.

So to finally get up close and personal with Tahquamenon Falls, I met up with Park Ranger Theresa Neal who started off by showing me Tahquamenon's incredibly awesome Lower Falls.

This is an absolutely exceptional experience.

I had no idea you could rent row boats and row up to the falls.

- Oh yeah.

You get a workout.

It's a super interactive location, the Lower Falls.

- Yeah, I was gonna say no- - Lots of cool things to do.

- A lot of people don't know, 'cause I always thought it was just the Upper Falls, but there's the Upper and Lower Falls.

Explain the difference.

- [Theresa] Correct, so the Upper Falls is about four miles upstream from here.

It's a big waterfall.

- Yeah.

- So about 50 feet tall, 200 feet wide, lots of water, but the Lower Falls is way prettier.

So as you can see, we have lots of great fall color this time of year.

It's a series of six cascading waterfalls that go around an island.

So you have a better chance of seeing wildlife here.

You have a better chance of getting in the water.

A lot of people fish here.

- Yeah.

- So it's right near the campground too, so it's walkable.

- So you can rent these rowboats and row over to the island and hike around and see the falls up close and personal?

- Correct, yeah, and that's how everyone wades in the falls and they get much better photographs.

- [Tom] Now, I didn't realize it, and I apologize, but this is a state park.

I thought it was just a, I thought it was a little trail you walked and saw a waterfall, but this is an actual state park.

- It is, yeah, so our park has just under 50,000 acres, and the most popular areas are the Upper and Lower Falls.

But there's a lot more to this park.

We have about 30 miles of hiking trails, lots of snowmobile trails.

There's a lot to explore.

People are hunting this time of year.

So there's a lot of wilderness north of the falls that people are welcome to go check out.

- Well, this totally reminds me of being out west in Colorado or something.

- Yeah, and you had no idea that you could get road to the island.

- Oh, thank you by the way.

- Yeah.

- Yeah, lemme know if you get tired.

- Yeah.

- 'Cause you see these guns.

I can more than handle it.

(Theresa chuckling) Once you're on the island, you're literally surrounded by tons of cascading waterfalls.

And the natural beauty along the quarter mile trail around the island is breathtaking.

I had no idea that on this hike you can get so up close and personal with the waterfall.

I mean you can, I can touch the waterfall.

- You can touch the waterfall, definitely.

- And this rock we're standing on, what is this?

- This is a sandstone that's actually quite ancient.

It's 500 million year-old Precambrian age sandstone.

So in some areas you can still see some of the rippling from back when this was kind of a shallow salt water sea.

- [Tom] Yeah.

This is exceptional.

- [Theresa] It definitely has a unique smell to it.

Here at the falls, at Tahquamenon, you know what gives the water that rusty color, is the tannic acid from, well, many of the trees, particularly the hemlock trees.

So as these trees are decomposing, they're releasing tannic acid into the water, which gives it that yellowish tint.

- [Tom] So there's not a root beer plant north of here- - Unfortunately, no.

- Oh.

Okay.

- No, although Lark does say this is where her beer water comes from.

(Tom chuckling) - It is pretty though.

- It is, yeah.

And it gives it a unique smell also, I think.

It's not really gross, but it's definitely unique.

- [Tom] The Lower Falls is something a lot of people miss entirely.

And that's too bad.

It really is a beautiful place to be and totally worth the trip.

Next it was time to go visit the granddaddy himself.

So with the help of a little TV magic, Theresa and I hiked about four miles west to the beautiful Upper Falls.

And I was impressed.

Now the first thing I'm gonna tell people when I get home is the Upper Falls looks so much bigger than it does in pictures.

- Yeah.

That's always the case when you're here in person.

Much bigger in real life.

- How much water's coming off that thing?

- Today there's about 4,000 gallons per second coming over the waterfall.

So from where we're standing, we're about 100 feet above the river's edge.

And the waterfall itself is 50 feet tall, so you're still kind of looking down on the falls from here.

- Right.

This is pretty spectacular.

- Yeah, it is pretty big.

Definitely the largest waterfall in Michigan and one of the largest east of the Mississippi.

- [Tom] You know what's amazing to me?

For only $11, you can get the passport for your license plate and get into any Michigan State Park and see stuff like this.

- It is a heck of a deal.

The Recreation Passport funds all of our infrastructure here, our maintenance, everything.

So it's a great deal for Michigan residents.

- I would pay $11 just to see the... Well, I'd even pay $12 to see this.

- Ooh, good to know.

- Right, there's a plethora of places along the gorge to view the falls.

And as we check them all out, I couldn't help but think this is something your family really needs to see.

Next time you're planning a trip, skip the airport, and check out Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the UP.

It's a tremendous sight to see, but to see it, you gotta get up here.

(screen swooshes) Now when it comes to the spookiest of all holidays, there's Halloween and then there's, well, Halloween, if you know what I mean, I'm ascared.

And if you'd like to experience the latter of the two, trick or treat yourself to Terror on Tillson Street.

(Tom chuckling) This is Halloween in hyperdrive and people come from all over the Midwest to see it.

And believe me, you won't believe it either until you see it for your ascared self.

(lively music) That's right, this street is full of some of the biggest and most scariest Halloween displays you'll ever see, but it's also full of people with some of the biggest hearts you'll ever know.

And that's because they use the power of Halloween to give back to this great community.

I took some pre-trick or treat time to talk with the heart and soul of this spooky street, Vicki Lee.

Now a little Halloween bat told me that you just might be the person who's responsible for making this entire spooky wonderful thing happen.

Is that true?

- I don't know.

They blame it on me.

(Tom chuckling) - Well, well, okay.

Well said.

But you've been here, what, 35 years on the street?

- Yes.

Yeah.

- How did it all start?

- Well, I think it was normal Halloween.

My birthday's Halloween, so I would, my mom would always decorate for me a little special.

So when my kids were little, I did the same.

And it was maybe a couple corn stalks, pumpkins, scarecrow, that was about it.

And then hit about 300 trick or treaters at that time.

And then younger families moved on and it just- - And saw what you were doing?

- Yeah, and then it just grew more and more each year.

Now it's almost the whole street decorates and 2,000 trick or treaters we prepare for.

- Well, they say you can almost see it from space from all the lights and all the- - [Vicki] Well, I'd think so.

You should.

(chuckles) - Well what was it like having your birthday on Halloween?

- Well, that was the whole point of my mom doing a little special, because it's kinda like a birthday on Christmas, you know?

- Right, right.

- Everybody's having fun.

So I'm probably one of the few people that can say I've got 10,000 people at my house on my birthday, so.

(chuckles) - [Tom] I was just about to ask you, how many people come out to see this?

- [Vicki] Over the last couple weeks, I'll bet you we have over 80,000 to 100,000 thousand people down here.

- [Tom] Really?

How much candy?

You must go through tons of candy.

- Well, trick or treating, we, you know, it's not big treats.

Can't afford it when you have 2,000, but I don't think they're here for just the treats.

- [Tom] And nobody's giving out toothbrushes, right?

- No.

- Oh.

(chuckling) - [Vicki] Cough drops one year, the doctor did down the street.

- Why do they always do that?

- I know.

- But what I love about this event is you've taken something that's normally could, just fun and good cheer and, you know, scary for the kids.

But you do a lot of good with this event too.

- Yes, we have the Buzz Lee Memorial Scholarship, which is named after my husband.

He had started it as a vocational scholarship and when he passed away, we put it in his memorial.

- Right.

- And now we have a pay-to-play scholarship, two vocational scholarships and Wounded Warriors.

- [Tom] Right.

- [Vicki] We do an event, which was last Sunday, Kids Kicking Cancer.

And these are kids that are being treated and can't trick or treat with the normal public because of their treatments.

So that, we had 120 kids here that day.

And then we have a food drive.

Normally the last Friday and Saturday before Halloween.

- [Tom] Another thing you do that I love is you actually block off the street so there's no cars going, it makes it safer for the kids.

- [Vicki] Halloween night.

- [Tom] Right, and you've got something called the Bulldog?

- [Vicki] Bulldog Security.

- [Tom] Right, what is that?

- [Vicki] Well, my boys, when they were, I think they were like 14, 15 years old maybe, they still wanted to be involved, but felt they were too old to do the trick or treating and all that stuff.

So what they did, because they were athletes, they got a group of their fellow athletes to come.

And because of kids being, candy's stolen at one time or this or that.

Now my son's one of the coaches at the high school and he still brings some of his old football players, they come home from school or whatever, and they're still involved.

A lot of 'em are alumni or little brothers of, you know, the athletes, and they love doing it.

And they come out and they patrol the street, but they also go and hit the next two streets on each side of us.

- [Tom] Now nobody has to decorate, right?

- No.

- There's no street meeting or neighborhood meeting where you have...

It's just a good spirit, people saw but you were doing it and it slowly got bigger and bigger and bigger to the point where these are the most spectacular exhibits I've ever seen.

- [Vicki] And most of 'em, 90% I'd say are handmade.

- Really?

- Yes.

They make all their skeletons over there.

Those are all handmade.

That's our cost.

You know, you go around and you find what you need.

I had some blockade fence that I wasn't using and figured, there's gotta be a way of using it.

- [Tom] (chuckles) Do you look forward to this every year or is this just like, oh gosh, it's comin' and... - [Vicki] Oh yeah and, you know, we get together with our neighbors all the time year round, we... - Plot and plan.

- Oh, yeah.

No, we just, we call 'em porch parties and we end up on somebody's porch or visit, kinda go a little dormant in the winter months, but we still see each other.

And it always turns around to some Halloween thing, you know, but we don't...

There's nobody forced to do it.

We all enjoy it.

For us, it's a free family night.

And it's wonderful to see all these families: moms, dads, kids.

And the only cost is if they wanna buy a shirt or... - Right.

- You know, that type thing.

And it all goes to scholarship.

- It is all for good cause.

- Yes.

- [Tom] So that's what I love about this.

It's not just about Halloween.

It's about helping so many people and helping kids and, so that, I have to commend you for that, that's awesome.

- We enjoy it.

- Yeah.

One last question.

- Sure.

- What's the day after like?

- Well, some of these houses, it's amazing.

They will go home at Halloween night.

- Yeah.

- Next morning, you'd never know there was any decorations.

- It's all gone?

- Yeah.

(chuckles) Yeah.

I don't.

Next morning's kind of a slow morning normally.

- Well, I'm going out tonight.

Guess what my costume is?

- What is it?

- TV show host.

- (gasps) It's a pretty good costume.

- Nice.

- Yeah.

- It cost me nothing.

Like clockwork, as the day grew dim, the crowds of candy-collecting kids and families converged on this classic community.

So I got into full character and set out to scare up some spooky testimonials.

You guys are all here for what reason?

- Trick or treating.

- We're shaking.

- Well, to get what?

- [Kids] Candy!

- There you go.

- And money.

- And money.

(chuckling) - Is that on?

- So how's your Halloween going so far?

You got kind of a grim attitude, don't ya?

So did you bite this board?

- Oh yeah.

Took a big chunk outta the board and her.

- Right, and you're still hanging out with him?

He bit your board.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

- Yes.

- So you're Batman?

- Yes.

- Where are your muscles?

(participant chuckling) Where are, and this is... Oh, so this is Mini Batman.

- This is Batman in training.

- Batman in training?

Did you decorate the bat cave this year?

And cut.

Perfect, thank you.

Lemme get this straight, you're a beer?

- Yeah.

Oh yeah.

- You know, I know a really good dermatologist.

I'll get you his number.

Yeah.

Are those real swords?

Okay, I was just, I was just wondering.

Now show me your muscles, ah!

Ah, look at those muscles.

Hey, wait a minute.

Everybody stay Tillson Street.

Say "Under the Radar."

Ooh.

- "Under the Radar."

- Hi.

Hi.

- Happy Halloween.

- Thank you.

Whoa, you're a crocodile.

- No, I'm a dinosaur.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

Okay.

I know, I guess, I can guess your costume.

You're dressed as a cold parent.

- That's me.

- (chuckles) I knew it.

I was that last year.

- Dead giveaway.

- If you wanna treat yourself to a spectacular and charitable Halloween next year, the trick is to get your family to Tillson Street in Romeo.

And speaking of Romeo, if you wanna step way back in time and even sample some sensational sushi, spend a day in this historic town.

And who knows?

In a couple hundred years, they may be talking about how much fun you had here.

(playful music) (screen swooshing) The final part of our "UTR" outdoor palooza adventure took us to a place that literally blew our collective minds when it comes to log cabin comfort.

Say you're searching for a luxury lodge for your next fishing trip, outdoor excursion, or even family vacation, the Barothy Lodge in Walhalla will knock your waders off.

It's a collection of classic lodges that are rustic enough to make you feel real, but comfortable enough to make you almost wanna stay inside the whole time.

From pool tables and indoor jacuzzis to incredible kitchens and fantastic fireplaces, every cabin is completely unique and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

Heck, the river even runs right through the property.

Bonus, Owner Rodney Hall was nice enough to set us up at Duffy's Tavern, a perfect fit for the "UTR" crew and a perfect place for us to get a good night's rest before the next day's doings.

(screen swooshing) Well, it was time to get both us and our bottles of Brys back on the bus.

And this time we headed back down onto the mainland and up M-22 onto the Leelanau Peninsula for our final and possibly most opulent wine-filled forage.

That's right, this is Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.

It's an absolutely beautiful award-winning winery and inn where you can even get married.

It's a definite destination for anyone looking for fine wine and elegant surroundings.

So once again, as my fellow students went on a tour and to wet their wine-worn whistles, I literally went underground with winemaker extraordinaire, Lee Lutes.

Lee, I'll be honest, I feel like a kid who's at Disneyland for his very first time.

I've always wanted to go into a wine cave.

This is so amazing being in here.

And you're a real winemaker, which means that your X-Men power, and you're my hero, but how long have you been a winemaker?

- Well, I've been a winemaker in Northern Michigan for just about 30 years.

- Wow.

- Next year it'll be 30 years.

We'll be celebrating 25 years here at Black Star Farms next year.

So it's gonna be a big year for me personally, but for us as well.

And, you know, it's always a big year for the region.

- And you guys actually grow all your own grapes on the peninsula, correct?

On both peninsulas.

- On both peninsulas, yep.

Between Old Mission and Leelanau, we grow 95% of what we use.

We do buy some from other local growers, but we're really proud of the fact that we make our wines from all local fruit.

- [Tom] It's hyperlocal.

- Hyperlocal, you know, in an industry like this, you really wanna try and put forth the flavors of that region.

Of this region, and so in order to do that, you've gotta be working with the local fruit.

And these wines are distinctive, you know, from wines throughout the world, and it's because of that.

- You guys do major events here.

You do weddings here, you've got a cafe here, you've got a wine club here.

You can actually stay here.

It's an inn, correct?

- Oh, absolutely.

Absolutely, yeah, one of the big things we really wanted to make sure people appreciated early on is that they could stay on a working farm.

- Yeah.

- I mean, this doesn't look like a typical working farm, but every day there's something going on here with agriculture.

And that doesn't happen enough for people.

- [Tom] It's agritour opportunity.

- It's agritourism.

Absolutely.

And agritourism is what is going to save farming in a lot of these smaller agricultural regions.

- Well, I've been to vineyards in France, I've been to vineyards in Italy.

I've been to vineyards in Spain.

I've been to Napa Valley.

And still coming here, this is some of the most beautiful wine country and some of the most beautiful wineries and vineyards on the planet.

So people who haven't gotten up here yet, they don't know what they're missing, 'cause it's right here.

- It's right here, well, we often say to people, "You know, you've got wine country."

If you're in Detroit, you've got wine country four hours north.

If you're in Grand Rapids, we're two and a half hours north.

- Right.

- I mean, wine country, literal wine country is right in their backyard.

And so many people just don't think of Northwest Michigan as a wine-producing region, even though we've been doing it for close to 50 years up here.

- Yeah.

- It's just that most of what is grown, made in this region, is consumed here by the tourism public and by the locals.

- Well, thanks for letting me come into your wine cave.

You ever catch Batman in here sneaking wine on one of these barrels?

- (chuckles) Not Batman, but every now and then somebody's down here.

- Yeah.

- Yep.

With a thief and... - I think I know who it is.

(Lee chuckling) Well, much to my surprise, after our comprehensive conversation, Lee actually offered me the chance to burp open a barrel and try a little wine before its time.

Yeah.

This is so cool, Lee.

You see guys in wine shows and other shows do this.

And I've always wanted to do this.

Now that's called a thief?

- This is a thief.

- But you bought it.

Right?

- So this is, we bought this.

- Okay.

(chuckles) - This is a tool that allows you to actually get into the barrel, get somewhat deep into the middle of the barrel.

- Right.

- So you're not just tasting the wine that's close to the wood surface.

- Now what kind of wine and how long has it been in the barrel?

- Well, this is one of the hybrid varieties that's being grown more and more up here.

- Yeah.

- The grape variety itself is known as Marquette.

- Marquette.

- Which is coincidental to Northern Michigan because it was actually bred in Minnesota.

- Oh, okay.

- But as you will see, the interesting thing about Marquette is it is extremely dark.

- [Tom] Oh my gosh.

- And... - It's like... Yeah, it's like grape juice.

How long has it been in the barrel?

- So this has been in the barrel for about two weeks.

- I smell licorice.

Right away, I smell licorice.

(lively music) Like berries and like toasted plums.

(lively music) - Yeah.

Dark fruit.

Soft of tannin.

- Really soft tannin.

- Yeah.

Really soft tannin.

- Very dry.

- Absolutely.

- Very dry.

- Absolutely.

(lively music) - This would be great with pizza.

I wanna order a pizza.

(lively music) Oh my...

This is wonderful.

And the smell is changing as I area...

It's changing just in the couple of minutes I've had it in the glass.

- Well, and it's part of the beauty of tasting these wines when they're really young is that they're starved for oxygen right now.

And so once you get them out and get them in a glass and let them open up a little bit- - They're like, "Oh, thank you, thank you- - Just swirl.

- Thank you, thank you- - Yeah, (chuckles) they do tend to open up rather quickly and... - I hear breathing, mm, cheers.

- Yeah.

Cheers.

(glass clangs) - I've always wanted do that.

(Tom chuckling) (lively music) I'll be honest, I had been waiting to visit Black Star Farms for a long time, so I'm glad it's finally off my bucket of wine list.

It really is a beautiful reflection of the amazing wine culture we have here in Michigan.

(screen swooshing) - I don't know about you, but this episode has me in the mood for fall.

I mean, come on, cider, wine and ghosts in the same episode, how could you not be in the spirit?

(mellow music) (lively music) (lively music) - [Announcer] A visit to the Stahls Auto Collection will take you back to a time when cars were more than just a way to get around.

A fantastic assortment of gas pumps, neon signs, and automated music machines dating back 150 years that must be seen and heard.

Info at stahlsauto.com.

(energetic music) (energetic music) (energetic music) (energetic music) (mellow music)