This weekend I attended the Once Upon a Book author signing in Frankenmuth, MI. Being broke-ish, I wanted to maximize my time away. Thus, this was an all-in-one conference/author signing/writing retreat/research fest. Bonus: cheaper gas. Thanks, Michigan and Indiana!

My current novel project requires some research into ghost towns and their surrounding areas. Specifically, what it must be like to live within walking distance of an abandoned place, where homes and businesses are somewhat intact but crumbling.

I stopped in Singapore (now Saugatuck) and Fallasburg, MI, on my way to Frankenmuth. Buried beneath the sand, all that remains of Singapore is a historical marker; the bustling lakefront town of Saugatuck surrounded its resting place. All was not lost, however: when research doesn’t pan out, get yourself an ice cream cone.

Charlie’s, photo swiped from Yelp; neat sculpture, photo taken by me.

I would have taken a picture of the cone itself, but the temp was just hot enough to melt it the second I stepped outside. I busied myself with hoovering the scoop before it turned to soup (and barely made it).

I encountered a different problem in Fallasburg. Many of its ancient buildings are preserved with historical markers. 

Old Schoolhouse (1867s); Post Office (1851).

People still live in some of the residences, and in the case of Misner House (Historical Society), the upper level is a museum. I had to backtrack for a picture of this one; I thought I saw a caretaker in the window. Nope. I also did not Google anything further.

Misner House / Historical Society (1830?)

Does it really count as a ghost town if it’s kept up as a tourist attraction? Possibly, but not for my purposes, so the hunt continues. Whatever you call it, I wish I’d spent more time on the bank of Flat River, basking in the profound silence, broken only by the huffs of a possibly irritable boxer.

Fallasburg Covered Bridge (1871)

Though my research didn’t entirely go as planned, it’s always nice to putz around someplace new and devoid of city noise. I sold more books at the signing than I had at Printer’s Row and connected with a bunch of nifty readers and writers. And in the snippets of time between events, I wrote three scenes on the WIP that I’m legitimately pleased with, after a stretch of hot garbage and vaguely defined voice. I’d call that a success.

If you know a great place to visit in the Midwest, please comment below!