But a few years later, to her dismay, he announced that he was moving their small family up to the middle of the Manistee National Forest to open a resort. Young Ann was so depressed that she refused to go outside, hoping that her husband would eventually give in and move them back downstate. I couldn't stand it. It was Al who named the place Lost Pines because of its remote location - and the idea seemed to have instant appeal for skiers, snowmobilers, hikers, horseback riders and hunters, who began swarming in almost as soon as the lodge opened for business in 1961. The main season is the snowmobilers, but summer is pretty good, too.
People come for horseback riding and canoeing, or just to get away by themselves for the weekend.
Soon the Kahners were adding to the main lodge and building rental chalets for vacationers who wanted a little more privacy. Over time, Ann began assuming more and more responsibility for things, teaching herself about plumbing, construction and other details. Now there are grandchildren working at the resort, as well, and the family seems deeply entrenched here. But Ann is beginning to get tired of running the place, and she figures her son might like to try something different after being tied to Lost Pines for so many years. When you come right down to it, though, she's not so sure she'd be able to leave even if she sold the operation.