A radio show and Podcast since 2015, tastemakers John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman just re-launched their award-winning, statewide travel radio show after a three-year hiatus.

On Episode 2, John and Amy visit Gaylord, Michigan, a popular destination for outdoor adventure and fun, especially in the winter time for snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing and more.

"Gaylord is hands down the best Winter vacation destination in the state of Michigan, if not the Midwest, because of the variety of things we have here and the quality of that variety," said Paul Beachnau of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau, who added the area typically generates 150 inches of snow each season. "If you're going to live here, you have to embrace it."

Here is the show run down from the "All Outdoors Studio," presented by Gaylord Tourism:

This episode aired Jan. 16, 2022. It was recorded at Snowbelt Brewery in Gaylord.

Show Notes:

Segment 1 (0:00): Paul Beachnau, executive director of Gaylord Convention and Tourism Bureau, runs down all the fun things to do in Gaylord. Learn more at https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/.

Segment 2 (10:00): Ever wonder how snowmobilers get around? They have a trail system with maps, just like normal roads. We are joined by Kevin Henley, general manager at Beaver Creek Resort, who teaches us about the snowmobile culture in Northern Michigan. He said there are four rental places in Gaylord if you don't have a snowmobile. "Just make sure you dress warm and you're ready to go," he said. Learn more at https://www.outdooradventuresinc.com/beaver-creek/

Segment 3 (19:00): John and Amy are joined by Paul Beachnau and Barry Owens, general manager at Treetops Resort. Along with a number of activities - from dog sledding, to skiable feast, skiing and snowboarding - they recently doubled their extreme tubing runs. Paul Beachnau calls it "the best family resort in Michigan. It's such a welcoming resort for the state of Michigan." Learn more https://www.treetops.com/

Segment 4 (29:05): Gaylord is only about one hour from the Mackinac Bridge, and we open the segment talking about our love for the Upper Peninsula. Paul talks about how Michigan got the Upper Peninsula in the Toledo War. That leads into our new segment - "Above the Bridge," with Mr. Fancy Jay Clancey. The rest of the show is devoted to our friend Jordan Awrey, the Snowbelt Brewery marketing manager. We talk about the brewery's history, as well as Taste of the Week "Sunnyside Hop," which is a NEIPA. He said this is a "true New England IPA" with no additions. It's one of the brewery's flagship beers since it opened 5 years ago.

Learn more about Snowbelt at https://www.snowbelt.beer/.

Learn more about Gaylord at https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/.

BTM airs:

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw.
*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and (106.9) in Grand Rapids.

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BhindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

Email them suggestions or places you want them to visit at behindthemitten@gmail.com.