GWINN, Mich. (WZMQ) – For the past decade, The Up North Lodge in Gwinn has been delighting families with horse-drawn sleigh rides into the forest surrounding their restaurant.
As the song goes, “riding through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh”, but in this version, it’s a two-horse operation meet Lyza and Duke, two Belgian work horses employed by the Up North Lodge to take visitors on a trip into a winter wonderland. Up North Lodge General Manager Jessie Melchiori says they’re all about making memories.
“The ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You will go through the 80 acres that are behind the Up North Lodge. We lease that out, and it is just sheer beauty under the stars, and the sun, the snow, with your friends, with your families singing Christmas carols. It’s just a memory to be made,” said Melchiori.
Melchiori says to make sure to make sure to bundle up.
“Dress for the weather, right? We have blankets that are on the sleigh for you to sit on, but of course, bring some if you’d like to cover up,” said Melchiori.
Although they look like the famous Clydesdales, they are not.
“Clydesdales are more of a showy horse whereas the Belgians were bred to be workhorses,” said Melchiori.
Bridget Nutt had the privilege of taking the reins of the sleigh.
“It’s hard to balance up there while you’re hanging on to the reins, but it was great watching them up close and seeing how they react as soon as you pull on different sides,” said Nutt.
Long-time horse team driver, Glenn Peterson, says these guys used to work on a farm.
“They enjoy this. This is what they’re bred for. And you know, they worked on an Amish farm. So this is a vacation for them,” said Peterson.
Up North Lodge will continue their sleigh rides until late March. That is if the snow sticks around.
for more information, times, and prices, visit https://theupnorthlodge.com/sleigh-rides/
