2010 Owner Profile - The Ryans
The perfect place for family, friends
When you have family in the Upper Peninsula, Chicago and Boston, the tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula becomes a central gathering place for brothers, sisters, kids and grandkids.
For Pat and Bev Ryan, owning lots at Hearthside Grove in Petoskey, just a half hour from the Mackinac Bridge, is as much about family as it is about the luxury lifestyle.
“One of the main reasons we bought was because it’s a central location to our daughters and our brothers and sisters. They come up once or twice each summer for a visit,” said Bev. “Our five grandchildren just love it up here. They call it camping with grandma and grandpa, or camping with nana and papa.”
The Ryans were drawn to Northern Michigan’s stunning scenery, pace of life and Hearthside’s amenities enough to purchase two lots at the comfortable community in a classic wooded setting. The first lot includes a signature 12-by-16-foot Hearthside bungalow that houses a sofa bed, kitchen, small dining area and bathroom with shower.
“You’d equate it to a small guest house,” said Pat. “The bungalow is very convenient and it offers privacy for us and for our family.”
The second lot was purchased as an investment and is shared with friends when they motor Up North to visit, the Ryans noted.
The Ryans are accustomed to the traveling lifestyle. During their working years in the automotive industry, the couple lived in places such as Canada and Georgia before landing in Michigan their last seven years.
When they retired in 1999, their RV touring lifestyle picked up speed.
“When Wayne told us they were developing a new RV park in Petoskey, it really caught our interest,” said Bev. “We met with him at the new site in July 2007 and although it was still not much more than a field, we bought two lots that day. We knew if the Roses were building it, it was going to be first-class when it was finished.”
Added Pat: “We’d stayed at the KOA on several occasions and it was just obvious Hearthside Grove was going to be first-class if the Roses were involved.”
They weren’t disappointed. Both tout the amenities of the resort community in confirming they made the right decision. “All the people are so warm and welcoming,” said Bev, who enjoys working out with friends during the week in the clubhouse fitness room. They’ve also been pleased with the size of their fully landscaped lot, which offers plenty of room for the grandkids to run around outdoors and for spending peaceful evenings around the firepit. “It’s not the typical RV lot that you see at 99.9 percent of the other places,” noted Pat.
When not Up North, the Ryans enjoy traveling the country in their 45-foot 2005 Prevost Marathon. They are Destin, Fla., residents, but still call Michigan home, too — especially from June to October.
“We love to go to Charlevoix, Mackinac Island, Harbor Springs, the shops in Petoskey and going boating,” Bev said.
The local communities rival any they’ve visited during their thousands of miles spent traveling, they added.
“We’ve seen a lot of the country, and we thoroughly enjoy the lifestyle,” said Pat. “We’re not going to be traveling as much any more. We’re going to be spending most of our summers Up North.” ML
Motorcoach Living » Owner Profile: The Ryans
