The process for icicle formation is actually quite simple: heat is rising throughout your Home and through the roof, leading to snowmelt. As the water accumulates to the edge of your roof and to your gutter where it will re-freeze into icicles.
WHY ARE THEY A PROBLEM?
The problem breaks down into two parts: you’re losing your precious heat, and your roof and gutters can be damaged.
As heat rises throughout your home you don’t want to lose too much of it through the roof–there is an energy bill to consider, here! This is usually a sign that your roof and attic have poor insulation, resulting in a loss of heat. This doesn’t always apply to the whole top part of your house. They may form only in certain areas of the house and can be a guide for where to start your finding your solution.
As for your roof and gutters, you might find more obvious destruction from the buildup of icicles. When they become too heavy or too large, it could lead to more snow accumulation. Over time, your roof or gutters may not be able to hold up all the weight and fall apart as a result–and that’s just damage from snow.
As the snow melts, a lot of the water will also pool on your roof. Many homeowners experience the water seeping into their home, leading to further damage on their walls and the wood within them.
What Are the Dangers of Ice Dams?
The more snow and ice accumulate, and temperatures rise and fall, the larger the potential for ice dams. And ice dams can cause a lot of damage both inside and outside of your home. You may see damage on your roof and gutters and this may lead to meltwater getting into your ceiling or attic, says the Insurance Information Institute. Once that happens, insulation may get wet, paint may peel and the structure of your home may become damp, says Focus on Energy.
How to Remove Snow to Help Avoid an Ice Dam
It’s best to remove snow from a heavy snowfall immediately to help prevent the buildup of ice dams later. Though you might hear about people doing anything from using a snow blower to remove snow or an axe to help chip away at an already-formed ice dam, both methods may damage your roof. These methods may also be dangerous to your own personal safety, EnergyStar.gov warns.
A push broom with stiff bristles can be used to help remove snow off flat and low-slope roofs, while a roof rake can be the right option for sloped roofs, the National Weather Service says, because you can remain on the ground and still remove snow. Of course, you can also contact a professional to do the job.
In the event that an ice dam does form, the weather service suggests keeping the attic well ventilated — the colder the attic, the less melting and refreezing on your roof, the weather service says.
How to Help Prevent Ice Dams in the Future
According to This Old House, a simple way to help prevent ice dams is to keep your roof and eaves the same temperature. Here’s how:
Add extra insulation in your attic floor to help keep the warm air inside your home and out of the attic.
Relocate or remove heat sources (recessed lighting, for instance) in the attic directly under your roof.
Insulate attic access doors with a cover, or seal an existing hatch with weatherstripping.
Check the exhausts. Make sure all ducts from bathrooms, kitchens or other living areas exhaust to the outside, not the attic.
Check the flashing around the chimney. Over time, the flashing may crack and separate from the roof, causing hot air to potentially escape and allowing water to trickle in along the chimney. Have your chimney or roofing professional check the flashing and, if necessary, repair or replace it.
Preventive steps like these can help preserve the health of your home by stopping ice dams — and maybe even those icicles!
Tom Stachler is a Michigan licensed real estate Broker and Builder working in the Ann Arbor, Saline and Dexter Real Estate markets. Please refer to the helpful Links above for more information about Buying or selling real estate, homes and condos when searching for one of the area's best real estate brokers.
Finished Basement - First Floor Master Suite - Just 5 minutes from I94 & US23
Located in one of Saline's most popular communities providing ease of commute and low York Township Taxes. This Home has been freshly painted and updated throughout. Private sprawling yard, back deck and patio with a view out finished basement adding another 1800 sq ft of living space. Watch Video Below.
Timber Ridge is a beautiful subdivision that offers easy 5 minute access to the I94 & US23 exchange and is popular with those commuting to both Ann Arbor and Toledo Hospitals, Metro Airport and work destinations in Dearborn and Detroit. Ann Arbor Briarwood is just 9 minutes away for convenient shopping as well as close proximity and centrally located to downtown Saline, Ann Arbor and Milan. Click here for more Photos
This beautiful home has White Bay updated kitchen cabinets with tasteful granite counters, glass tile backsplash and SS appliances. This is a 1.5 story home (meaning it only has the second floor on half the house) so the first floor and foundation footprint is bigger like a ranch. This eliminates the needs for stairway usage for most of the home and allows for soaring ceilings throughout the home with a much larger basement and first floor living spaces than one would find in a traditional two story home.
The View out Basement is huge and finished with a kitchenette, full bathroom, work out room and storage area sporting an updated high efficiency furnace and wired for a portable generator.
Contact Us to get on the First to View list or for additional information. Stop back for more photos and Video as we get closer to putting this wonderful home on the market for showings.
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Finished View Out Basement
High Efficient Furnace
First Floor Master Suite
Soaring Ceilings
Updated Kitchen with Granite
Extra Unfinished Bonus Space to Add More Future Living Space
Fresh Paint and Carpet
Hardwood Flooring
4 Bay Garage
1.5 Story Style or Elevation
Commuters Dream Location
Tom Stachler is a licensed Broker working in the Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti, Dexter, Chelsea and surrounding areas real estate market offering homes and condos for sale. Click the contact link for more information or assistance.
So do you think there is a market for a upscale subdivision in the Ann Arbor or surrounding communities for a small development of smaller homes? Maybe singles, couples or smaller families that would normally be a condo buyer, but might like the option to garden or fence the back yard for fido? Save on energy costs etc without giving up some style and first class finishes?
Let me know what you think in your response below. Maybe we will develop one.
The best part of building your own house has to be determining right from the outset, the architectural style you most love to come home to. For many people, that ideal style is entirely European.
Echoing days gone past, adding character to the property with ornamental embellishments and making something sturdy to last out of stone; all hallmarks of a European-style build. All of these elements and more are included in our round-up of tasteful European-style tiny home plans.
At 581 square feet (54 square meters), this charming stone country cottage is reminiscent of Old World England. With a cozy open-plan living, dining and kitchen area complete with characterful niches and wide windows, the layout suits a couple perfectly. One double bedroom leads into a full bathroom and had access to additional storage space in the linen closet.
This delightful Tudor-style cottage comes in at 300 square feet (28 square meters) and suits a couple or downsizing single dweller. A completely open-plan room features a dinky kitchenette and a large walk-in closet for storage. The full-size bathroom is accessible off of the main room, which itself features a fireplace for cozy evenings. A small entrance porch is an architectural detail to add a whimsical feel to the cottage.
This floorplan measures 976 square feet (91 square meters), although there is the option to extend it with an additional upper floor, which adds 630 square feet (59 square meters) to the plan (and the expense)! Highly modifiable, the original floorplan comes with one double bedroom, a kitchen, bathroom, living room and dining room, as well as a spacious entry porch. You can add on another bedroom and a garage to the ground floor if required.
At 566 square feet (53 square meters), this property has been designed to be affordable as well as energy efficient and eco-friendly. The standard features can be incorporated in a number of layouts to modify the plans as needed. This model shows an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area ideal for entertaining, as well as a double bedroom and an additional single bedroom.
This gorgeous 972 square feet (90 square meters) property just sings of the Italian plains of Tuscany thanks to the creamy render and authentic looking terracotta tiled roof. An entrance foyer leads onto a central hallway, with open-plan living around the kitchen, living and dining areas. A fireplace bisects the space and there are storage closets and a laundry cupboard built-in. The double bedroom has access to a shower room, as well as built-in storage space for clothes.
This unique property calls to mind the houses in Puglia, Italy. With its conical roof and rounded walls, it brings a contemporary feel to the rustic inspiration for the design. Measuring 968 square feet (90 square meters), it is well suited for a couple. With a large, open-plan entertaining space combining the living, dining and kitchen areas, the house can be built on a basement foundation if needed. The plans include a laundry room, entrance foyer, single bay garage and a wall of curved windows. The bedroom has spacious walk-in closets and is adjacent to the full-size bathroom.
At 940 square feet (87 square meters), this Victorian-inspired build is smart and functional. Ideal for a couple just starting out, or downsizing, the large double bedroom has large walk-in closets and is situated right next to the full bathroom. A central entrance hallway can be modified to include stairs to a basement foundation, and leads into an open-plan kitchen and dining room space. The spacious living room features a bay window area and a cozy fireplace.
Many dream vacations involve lounging on a beach in the sunshine. There is nothing more relaxing than hearing the waves lapping lazily against the sandy shore while you get a tan. If that sounds like your idea of paradise, check out this list of the 25 most incredible beaches in the world to inspire your next big trip.
Venetico, Sicily, Italy
CREDIT: ROMAN BABAKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Venetico is a small, uncrowded city in Sicily where many families have lived at the edge of the sea for centuries, visiting the beach every day for generation upon generation. The water is a beautiful cerulean blue and the seemingly endless beach is covered in thousands of different types of colorful rocks and shells for you to collect as you stroll along the shoreline. On a clear day, you can see Mount Etna, Stromboli and several other volcanoes and islands across the water, and the only time the beach really gets crowded is in August, when the locals who have moved abroad come Home for their summer vacation.
The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
CREDIT: BLUEORANGE STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
This beautiful beach in the British Virgin Islands is hidden behind a mountain pocked with lush, swaying palm trees, but that is not its biggest appeal. The most interesting thing about The Baths is that the entire thing is basically a garden made up of enormous, smooth rocks. No one knows how these granite boulders got here, but it is not hard to imagine that they were placed there thousands of years ago by a mystical being in a legend or a seafarer's tale. If you want some added privacy, you can go inside several caves created by the large rock formations, and hide away wit
Makena, Maui, Hawaii
CREDIT: CHRIS HOWEY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
No list of incredible beaches is complete without at least one mention of Hawaii. Hawaii is home to some of the United States' most gorgeous beaches, including Makena on the island of Maui. The warm, pinkish sand here contrasts perfectly with the beautiful blue of the water, and is especially breathtaking at sunset. For the more adventurous, there are actually two beaches that make up Makena - and one of them is a nude beach.
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece
CREDIT: TURTIX/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Navagio Beach is also known as "Smuggler's Cove" and "Shipwreck Beach," which really sets the mood for a fun pirate adventure. Located on the island of Zakynthos, this secluded beach is one of the most photographed beaches in all of Greece, and is home to something very special: a genuine shipwreck. According to TheWholeWorldIsAPlayGround.com, the rusted ship in question is called Panagiotis, and there are two theories for how the ship made it onto the shore. The first (and more exciting) one is that the ship was trying to escape from the Greek Navy, which was pursuing it for smuggling cigarettes, and wrecked onto the shore in the 1980s. The second (more plausible) theory is that the ship simply ran into bad weather and mechanical problems and washed up onto the shore. You can make up your own story when you visit the wreck - but be advised that it takes a lot of walking and climbing to get to it.
Cala Deia, Mallorca, Spain
CREDIT: VULCANO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
This is not your typical suntanning beach. Cala Deia is a city located right on the water's edge - so close that when you eat at one of the fresh seafood restaurants nearby, you are basically eating in the water. The surrounding villas are right on the water as well, and make for a fantastic place to stay. You can still play on the rocky shores, but the main attraction of this unique beach is the incredible turquoise color of the water.
Hidden Beach, Marieta Islands, Mexico
CREDIT: FERRANTRAITE/ISTOCK
Hidden Beach, also known as Playa del Amor ("Beach of Love"), is one of the most fascinating beaches on the planet. Located an hour north of Puerto Vallarta in the Marieta Islands National Park, Hidden Beach is a white-sand beach located within an enormous cave. To make it even more interesting, that cave opens up to the sky with a huge, round hole in the top, so you can still get some sun while being completely hidden away. According to Vallarta Adventures, this Hidden Beach is only accessible when the tide is low, and after going through a tunnel of water. You can make it through the tunnel by either swimming or kayaking, which adds an extra layer of seclusion (and a feeling of reward!) to your beach adventure.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia
CREDIT: TANYA PUNTTI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Whitehaven Beach is stunning to look at on its own, but when the tide mixes the blue-green water with the clean, white sand of the cove, it creates swirls in the water that look like clouds of snow or a watercolor painting. It is hard to believe something so beautiful exists.
Ölüdeniz, Turkey
CREDIT: DENIS BELITSKY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Ölüdeniz may be hard to pronounce (which is why many people prefer to call it "Blue Lagoon"), but the beauty of this Turkish retreat more than makes up for it. The clear blue water of the lagoon adds to the peacefulness of its secluded spot, located near an equally stunning national park. If just sitting on the sand soaking up the sun isn't enough adventure for you, you can also go tandem paragliding as you take in the views of nearby mountains. According to Lonely Planet, it has become quite a tourist hub, so you may have to compete with some crowds.
Piha Beach, New Zealand
CREDIT: TOMKLI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Piha Beach in New Zealand is incredible for several reasons. First, it is a black sand beach, meaning the sands on the shore are made up of volcanic ash and minerals. Second, it is one of the best places to surf in the Pacific. Third, it is home to a 16-million-year-old stone called Lion Rock, which is so beloved that it has made it onto both postage stamps and the cover of the Auckland, New Zealand, phone book.
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
CREDIT: BLUEORANGE STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos was voted the number one beach in the entire world by users of TripAdvisor in 2016. It is one of travelers' favorites because of its stunningly clear water, white sands and relaxed atmosphere. You can chill on the beach in the sun all day, or you can go sailing or even snorkeling in the beautiful green-blue waters.
White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
CREDIT: ANDREI GONCHAROV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
White Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Boracay (and the world). Why? Because not only is it adjacent to all sorts of great nightlife, restaurants and luxury hotels, it also has the perfect water for swimming. Normally water from a sea or ocean tends to get a bit rough at times, but here the water is calm and smooth - ideal for even those who aren't the best swimmers.
Anse Intendance, Seychelles
CREDIT: HAVESEEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Anse Intendance has sands that are incredibly white. What makes this beach extra special, though, is that it is located right in front of a lush jungle that seems like something straight out of a story. If you visit between October and February, you can have the added honor of watching sea turtles searching for homes and laying eggs during their nesting season.
San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily, Italy
CREDIT: MARZOLINO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Sicily has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but surprisingly few tourists make their way there to enjoy them each year. If you are looking for a particularly gorgeous, unspoiled paradise, San Vito Lo Capo is the beach for you. With clear water and soft brown sands, this beach is perfect for both swimming and laying out in the sun.
Railay Beach, Krabi, Thailand
CREDIT: ESB PROFESSIONAL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Railay Beach is not your typical beach. Sure, it has breathtakingly blue water and white sands, but according to CNN Travel, it also has something most other beaches don't: enormous limestone rock formations. Rock climbing enthusiasts will be in heaven here as they climb the rock formations and get an even more spectacular view of the beach and the water from the top.
Playa Caleton, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
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Playa Caleton in the Dominican Republic is the kind of place people think about when they imagine the perfect beach vacation. The water is so clear that it seems colorless even at a distance, and the shores are pocked with large, shady palm trees that sway lazily in the warm summer breeze as you unwind. As an added bonus, there are several seafood shacks nearby, always within walking distance, so you will never go hungry on your quest for luxury and relaxation.
Bingin Beach, Bali, Indonesia
CREDIT: VELVET OCEAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Bingin Beach in Bali is a surfer's beach. It regularly sees swells of over eight feet, making it a spectacular spot for catching some waves. When the tide is low, you can also lay out on the sand or the mossy parts of the tropical beach and enjoy the sun and the cool, clean water. One of the biggest perks of this beach, though, is that it is so accessible. It is just 30 minutes away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali and you can easily get there by car.
Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
CREDIT: ORANGECRUSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
This beach, which is made up of pretty pink sand, curves in a horseshoe shape around a beautiful blue bay. The colors here are like something out of a painting, and you can breathe them all in as you lie in the sun, perhaps while drinking a Dark 'n Stormy - the rum-based cocktail invented here in the 1920s.
The South of France is home to many beaches that are worth a visit, but Grande Plage has a bit of something for everyone. For the surfers, there are some big waves to catch. For the sunbathers, there is plenty of open space on the beach so that it never feels too crowded. And for those who are looking for the ultimate comfort (or to feel a bit risqué), there is also a section of the beach reserved for nudists.
Sharm ElSheikh, Egypt
CREDIT: ELENA PAVLOVICH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
When most people think of Egypt, they think of deserts and dry, arid landscapes. You might be surprised to learn, though, that it is also home to a gorgeous beach called Sharm El Sheikh. Its waters are crystal clear and warm, and its location near the coral reefs of the Red Sea make it a great place for scuba diving.
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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S.A.
CREDIT: SEAN PAVONE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
According to the Travel Channel, Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the contiguous United States. It has something for everyone. For those who want nightlife and other fun activities, there are Ferris wheels, amusement parks, water parks and live entertainment. For those who would prefer to spend their vacation relaxing in nature, there is silky white sand to lay on and plenty of spots to fish, swim or surf. The sunsets here are not to be missed either, as they are renowned for their beautiful colors.
Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania
CREDIT: SUN_SHINE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Zanzibar is home to several amazing beaches, but Nungwi might just be the best. This beach was once a fishing village, but has now turned into a popular tourist destination thanks to its unreal turquoise waters and lush, leafy palm trees. Be sure to stick around until sunset, though, as this is the time that the dhows (sailboats with big, white sails) leave the port and set out for the open sea.
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Fontelina Beach, Capri, Italy
CREDIT: MARCO RUBINO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
There are dozens of incredible beaches in Italy (as almost every region is adjacent to a sea), but Fontelina Beach in Capri is the place to be if you want to experience high-class luxury and sophistication. This rocky beach sits below the jutting cliffs of Capri, with a great view of the storied Faraglioni rock formations in the distance. You can even enjoy freshly caught and cooked fish at the nearby beach club.
McWay Falls, Big Sur, California
CREDIT: MARK R/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
McWay Falls in Big Sur is another incredible beach right here in America's backyard. This one is famous for its waterfall, which is nearly 80 feet high. There are also a number of other jagged, picturesque rock formations in the area, making this beach not just great for tanning, but also for adventuring and photo ops as well.
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Bamburgh, Northumberland, England
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A beautiful beach in the stereotypically gray country of England? I have to be kidding, right? Wrong! Bamburgh beach in Northumberland is the kind of place that Victorian authors dreamed about when writing their literary masterpieces. This beach is windswept and somber, making it perfect for introspection. It is also home to Bamburgh Castle, one of the most famous castles in the U.K.
Varkala, Kerala, India
CREDIT: ELENA ODAREEVA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
According to TripSavvy, Varkala has the "best spectacular setting" of all of India's beaches. It is a quieter, calmer alternative to some of the more commercialized beaches nearby, and has a view that is truly amazing. A tall, rocky cliff covered in palm trees looks out over the Arabian Sea, giving you a great view from both above and below on the beach itself. You can even take the calm atmosphere here to a whole other level if you like, as many people come to the beach to practice yoga and to meditate as they listen to the water lapping against the shore.
Looking for Real Estate in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas of Dexter, Saline, Ypsilanti, Chelsea and Milan Michigan? Tom Stachler is a state licensed real realty broker and REALTOR who has 30 plus years of experience in Condo, Single Family, Commercial and Income Properties. Please use the Links to contact us today.
COMING SOON:Striking, custom, 1.5 Story cedar home on prof landscaped one acre lot! Five bedrooms, huge bonus rm, 3 ½ baths & 2nd full kitchen w/ finished walkout. Pristine, updated & immaculately cared for; New Roof and Fresh Paint ..... this home is gorgeous! WATCH THE PRELIMINARY VIDEO BELOW
Very private setting on a peaceful cul-de-sac w/ beautiful yard & mature trees, yet minutes to downtown Saline & A2. Welcoming entry w/ beautiful landscaping & full yard sprinkler. Huge cedar deck spans length of home, w/ entry from 3 sliding doors. Gourmet chef's kitchen, w/ sub-zero, prof 6 gas burner chef's range w/ grill & griddle, island w/ 2nd sink & raised bar.
Custom Amish built solid cherry cabinetry in kitchen & laundry, w/ granite countertops & marble backsplash. Upscale lighting, open floor plan, great room w/ cathedral ceiling & field stone gas or wood-burning fireplace, 1st floor master suite. Bonus room over garage, w/ sep stairway from laundry room great for second study, play or media room.
Finished walkout w/ full kitchen, bar, bath w/ granite countertops, media room, exercise room & 2 extra bedrooms. Solid Wood doors and soaring ceilings throughout plus No HOA and Low Township Taxes not to mention the Additional 1800 square feet of living space in Finished Basement. More photos found here
Sprawling Yard - Peaceful Cul du Sac Location
Gourmet Kitchen
New Roof
Finished Walk Out Basement with Kitchen
Fieldstone Fireplace
Award Winning Saline Schools
5 Bedrooms
3.5 Bath
Fresh Paint Throughout
Additional 1800 sq ft of Livings Space in Finished Bsmt
Call Us today to get on the First to View List - MORE PHOTOS AND A NEW VIDEO SOON -
New Homes, Saline, MI, Michigan, for sale, property, township, taxes, house, realtor, broker, Tom Stachler, available, open house, showing, viewing, village, city, schools, residence, sold, selling. 10264 Normonie, ann arbor, michigan, dexter, ypsilanti, clinton, tecumseh
It’s the Journey, Not the Destination That is Important
When it comes to road-tripping or even everyday living in the U.S., that couldn’t be more accurate. With scenic routes or gatherings with good friends and family across the nation. For this collection of drives however, you needn’t leave your car to see the most beautiful parts of the U.S. From coastal routes to mountain top highways, here are the most scenic drives in the U.S.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
CREDIT: DOUG MEEK/SHUTTERSTOCK
State Route 1 runs the length of California’s dramatic coastline and may be one of the most iconic road trips in the states. Ideally, it’s best to drive from north to south, ensuring unobstructed views the entire way. Starting along the border of Oregon and ending in San Diego, the highway passes over the Golden Gate bridge, hugs the craggy cliffs of Big Sur and serves up mile after mile of gorgeous Pacific coastline.
Skyline Drive, Virginia
CREDIT: VLADIMIR GRABLEV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Running the entire length of Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive boasts stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with hikes, waterfalls and overlooks interspersed throughout. If you’re planning a visit, spring and fall may be the best time for scenery. In addition to fewer crowds, the blooming wildflowers and colorful foliage, respectively, add many-hued layers to the park’s spectacular vistas.
Beartooth Highway, Wyoming/Montana
CREDIT: TRISTAN BRYNILDSEN/SHUTTERSTOCK
Only open for part of the year, the Beartooth Highway travels through the magnificent Beartooth Mountains of Wyoming and Montana. The road begins in Red Lodge, Montana, at an elevation of 6,400 feet, and climbs to 10,947 feet in Wyoming’s Beartooth Pass. Along the 68-mile drive to Cooke City, Montana, there’s plenty of scenic stops to take in the rugged mountaintops, powerful waterfalls and pristine lakes.
Highway 89A, Arizona
CREDIT: KONOPLYTSKA/ISTOCK
Running 84 miles from Prescott to Flagstaff, Highway 89A begins by climbing the backside of Mingus Mountain to the small, artsy town of Jerome. After surviving the hairpin turns up and down the mountain, you’ll drive through the heart of Sedona’s red rock country. The rest of the route to Flagstaff winds through Oak Creek Canyon, providing glimpses of red rock cliffs, evergreen pines and the crystal clear creek for which the canyon is named.
Overseas Highway, Florida
CREDIT: MIA2YOU/SHUTTERSTOCK
The Overseas Highway crosses 113 miles of land and sea, traveling from the southern tip of Florida, through Key Largo, and all the way to Key West. The historic highway is a series of causeways and bridges and serves as an interisland connector for the Florida Keys. The most iconic part of the route, the 7-mile bridge, is an architectural achievement and provides arresting views of turquoise waters in every direction.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
CREDIT: OKSANA.PERKINS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Encircling Olympic National Park, this loop showcases the best of the varied terrain in the Pacific Northwest. A park with three different ecosystems to speak of, visitors will be able to experience the majestic Hoh Rainforest, snap photos of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains and walk along the rugged Pacific coast. Along the way, make sure to take in the views Lake Crescent, Ruby Beach and Hurricane Ridge — none will disappoint.
Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
CREDIT: DENISTANGNEYJR/ISTOCK
Stretching from Conway to Lincoln, the Kancamagus Highway runs 30 miles through New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The winding, alpine journey provides plenty of opportunities to stop and take snapshots of the scenic vistas and precipitous waterfalls. Plus, the roadway offers up several places to hike and camp along the way. The drive is most stunning in the fall when the trees are blazing in reds, oranges and yellows.
Richardson Highway, Alaska
CREDIT: ARLENE WALLER/SHUTTERSTOCK
The 368-mile drive from Fairbanks to Valdez is long, but the breathtaking panorama along the way is anything but boring. With views of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Worthington and Gulkana Glaciers, and Willow Lake, you’ll find yourself pulling over to take photos often. Near Valdez, the imposing walls of Keystone Canyon are Home to spectacular waterfalls that tumble down the 600-foot cliffs.
Hana Highway, Hawaii
CREDIT: IRONRODART/ISTOCK
Hawaii’s Hana Highway traverses 52 miles along the coast, providing epic views on either side of both ocean and jungle. Narrow and winding, drivers on this nail-biting stretch of roadway are known to drive slow. Along the way, you’ll see waterfalls and black sand beaches, encounter one-way bridges, and have plenty of chances to stop for a hike or grab a snack at a roadside fruit stand.
Going to the Sun Road, Montana
CREDIT: TUSHARKOLEY/SHUTTERSTOCK
Located within Glacier National Park, the Going to the Sun Road covers 50 harrowing miles from West Glacier to St. Mary, Montana. In addition to crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, the road consistently skirts the edge of mountainside cliffs, providing views of dizzying drops that will make your stomach churn. Once the churning passes, however, you’ll begin to notice the verdant vistas and the Rocky Mountains in all their splendor. If you’re lucky, you’ll spy a mountain goat or black bear along the way.
Wishing you Happy Holidays and the Best of Luck in the Coming New Year
Check out this cute Christmas Theme Video featuring your favorite Pets
Tom Stachler is a licensed real estate broker specializing in commercial, single family homes and especially income property. Note the other Links on this website for additional information. Saline, Dexter, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor realty, homes and condos for sale . University of Michigan transfers receive special consideration and benefits.
Ever wondering the rich and famous live. Home video showing property belonging to the worlds richest people. Check out the video below.
LOOKING FOR HOMES in the Ann Arbor, Saline or Dexter Michigan Areas. Visit www.ShelterQuest.com to get started.
Tom Stachler is a Michigan licensed realtor, Broker and former builder consulting and providing realty sellers and buyers with top notch service while drawing on his 30 plus years of experience.
These tasty and tasteful gingerbread houses and campers take cues from the best in iconic architecture and design.
Although most gingerbread houses are of the ornate, A-frame cottage variety found in fairy tales like "Hansel and Gretel," they don’t have to be confined to convention. As we’ve discovered, there are many architecturally inspired gingerbread house designs to be found—and quite a few classic Airstreams and campers, too. From iconic homes like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater to midcentury modern creations, these gingerbread houses are delectable interpretations of architectural history.
1. A Midcentury Modern Gingerbread House with Breeze Blocks and a Lap Pool
In Phoenix, Arizona, Ted Scutti and Adam Starkey of Sugar Sugar Cake Studio invested 500 hours to build a 1:12 scale midcentury Home composed of 210 gingerbread breeze blocks. The home measures in at 23 square inches and just over a foot tall—and everything is edible except for the baseboard. The house was flown from Phoenix to Asheville, North Carolina, where it was a top-10 choice in a national competition.
Inside are midcentury trimmings made of gingerbread, like a Noguchi coffee table and a George Nelson–inspired sun clock. The silver-plated Christmas tree is made of die-cut textured gelatin sheets stacked with ditalini pasta. The palm tree trunks are cinnamon sticks, while the leaves are die-cut wafer paper.
Last year in London, the Museum of Architecture hosted a "Gingerbread City" with more thand 50 architecture firms participating, including Zaha Hadid Architects, who built this monumental creation.
This impressive reproduction of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater in gingerbread was a total labor of love, taking over 12 hours to design and 40 hours to build and decorate. The river and waterfall are made up of three batches of hard candy.
We love this Palm Springs-style gingerbread creation, complete with native drought-resistant plants, a carport, and even a kidney-shaped pool in the rear. Unfortunately, the vintage pink Bug is not edible.
Based in Australia, McKean Studio chose sunny Palm Springs was an obvious source of gingerbread house inspiration. They IKEA-hacked a few prepared kits, modifying the designs to craft three midcentury houses.
This retro camper comes complete with a recipe and a tutorial. We love the addition of Christmas decor which includes the vintage-looking lights, a tree on top, and even a little wreath in the back.
Taking inspiration from a Cliff May Home Tour during Modernism Week, this gingerbread house was inspired by a classic example of his clean, modular architecture. There is even a template you can download to recreate this one at home.
This 1950s-inspired gingerbread house originally found on Flickr is complete with period-appropriate decor that includes a black Eames lounge chair, a Noguchi table, a coconut shag rug, a wafer cookie brick inlay chimney, and a Nelson wall clock to complete the retro look.
The gorgeousness of this edible Airstream by Black Market Bakery (which has locations in Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, and San Diego) may just inspire you to head out on your own holiday road trip. It even boasts a pretzel-lined campfire in the back.
We love this gingerbread version of a camper van. Hipcamp even published the recipe and a DIY tutorial—the best thing is that this is an easy holiday project can be tackled by even the most novice gingerbread builders.
Tom Stachler is a licensed real estate broker working in and around the Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Ypsilanti Michigan realty markets selling homes, commercial, income property and condo houses and units.
Have you ever wondered how fish survive in cold winter weather, or where they go when lakes and ponds freeze over? It’s the unique physics of water that makes it possible.
In summer, the water in a lake is typically separated into two distinct zones. Near the surface, it’s relatively warm and oxygenated; but in deeper areas, the water is colder and with less available oxygen.
Because of the differing densities of water at different temperatures, these two zones don’t mix much while the weather stays warm. But as winter approaches, the surface water cools along with the air. Eventually, the cooling water from the surface sinks and the lake’s layers begin to mix freely, a process known as “turning over.”
Almost every other liquid becomes denser as it cools, and is densest of all when it freezes solid. Water, however, is actually densest at 39 degrees F several degrees above its freezing point. This is why ice floats, and why lakes freeze from the surface down rather than from the bottom up. The water under the ice, freshly re-oxygenated from the fall turnover, remains at 39 degrees all winter long, allowing fish and other aquatic life to survive until the spring thaw.
Iced-in fish don’t hibernate, but they do slow way down. Fish are ecotherms. Unlike us warm-blooded creatures, their body temperature changes depending on their environment. Reducing their temperature and activity level means they don’t need as much food or oxygen.
While they wait out the winter, most fish seek out pockets of relatively warm, still water, often near the bottom of the water body they’re in. Trout and salmon prefer cold water and are more active than other fish in the winter, staying closer to the surface.
Fish can’t go entirely without oxygen, though. They still need to move water across their gills in order to stay alive. Despite the fresh influx of oxygen into the water during the fall turnover, this is still the most important limiting factor for fish in the winter. Adding a De-icer or Diffused Bottom Aeration in a pond will help alleviate stress in fish and prevent high kill rates by allowing for open areas where oxygen can enter the water and degassing can occur.
During the coldest months of the year, the photosynthesis of aquatic plants slows down, because the days are shorter and layers of snow on top of ice limit their access to sunlight. At the same time, that surface layer of ice prevents oxygen from the air from mixing into the water. The lack of oxygen can become especially severe at the bottom of a pond or lake, where microbes use up oxygen as they work on decomposing the year’s debris. I dug a 1.25 acre pond several years ago and use bottom aeration which helps the fish out year round.
The longer a winter lasts and the shallower a body of water is, the more likely it is that the fish in it will start to die off from a lack of oxygen. Different types of fish have different abilities to tolerate these low-oxygen conditions.
What about the rest of the life in our ponds and streams? Many amphibians burrow into the sediment at the bottom and hibernate. Microscopic life like plankton also often goes into a state of suspended animation until spring arrives.
Next time you look at a frozen river or lake, just remember: It isn’t as dead and still as it appears. Even in the coldest months of winter, our bodies of water are still teeming with life!
Tom Stachler is a licensed real estate broker service the Ann Arbor and surrounding real estate markets of Saline, Dexter, Ypsilanti, Milan and Chelsea Michigan. Please contact us should you be in need or realty services or looking to sell or purchase residential, commercial or income property.
