Don and Mary Desautels built their home on their Royal Coachman property just over 2 years ago. The original property parcels were deeded to relatives of the founder of Wilderness Valley, George Wellington Smith.

Don and Mary had previously owned a chalet on Teton Ridge on a 10 acre parcel for 13 years. They decided they wanted a new home for retirement and were looking at property everywhere in Northwest Michigan. One day in the fall when the leaves had fallen, Don was out hunting for ruffed grouse with his Brittany, Miss Odie, just west of Teton Ridge. On a ridgetop, a grouse flushed and they chased after it. It landed on another ridgetop where Don found a fantastic view to the West over the Manistee River Valley. Don contacted the relatives of the Valley's founder and purchased 50 acres, arranged subsequent land swaps and parcel sales, and ended up with 27 acres and a wonderful building site on the cleared hilltop.

Don and Mary's new log home was built by Cathy Postelwait, another resident of the Valley. Today it sits high on the same ridgetop where the grouse landed (and escaped). Don and Mary have two grown children who are married and frequent visitors to the Valley. On October 25th, Aimee married Roger Mali, who is a fly fisherman, bow hunter and new grouse hunter. They live in Royal Oak. Chris Desautels married Julie who has a dirt bike and 20 gauge shotgun but doesn't hunt grouse yet. They live in Wauseon, Ohio. Chris and Julie just had a baby boy, Cameron, the first grandchild, on September 15th which is opening day for grouse hunting in Michigan.

The family is very serious about downhill skiing and have been active members of Otsego Club for 20 years. Don is past Chairman of the Club and a member of the National Ski Patrol there. Don is also interested in digital photography (much of it on this website has also been published in the Gaylord Herald Times) and working on his apple orchard near Yosemite and Royal Coachman Trail.

Don and hunting dog enjoy ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting in Northern Michigan every Fall!