Chicago to Green Bay – the long way – around Michigan Upper Peninsula! Water and Michigan are synonomous. Our MI impressions – houses and yards impeccably kept, people are helpful and caring and thrive on outdoor activites (even ICE fishing!!), the state parks are amazing, and views abound! Lake Michigan, (and all of the great lakes for that matter) make their own climate. We often stayed on the waterfront of Lake Michigan and felt the cold chill of the early spring winds. Our only battle – the roads. MI holds the record of the state with the most potholes, and we definitely hit our share of them! We explored the West side of the state, but failed to hit the big cities, so we’ll have to return someday.
In 1927, Lida Rogers, a biology teacher from Holland High School had a vision – it included beautifying the town and also planting tulips in every yard. Supported by the Woman’s Literary Club the idea took hold. Situated on the waterfront, Holland is now a town known for its yearly tulip festival, all from one woman and her vision.
Interesting fact about the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum. He was the only President that was not elected as either VP (appointed after the resignation of Spiro Agnew) or President (Replaced impeached RIchard Nixon).
Presidential Libraries are worth the visit. Currently there are 13 libraries: Herbert Hoover (West Branch, IA); Franklin Roosevelt (Hyde Park, NY); Dwight Eisenhower (Abilene, KS); John Kennedy (Boston, MA); Lyndon Johnson (Austin, TX); RIchard Nixon (Yorba Linda, CA); Gerald Ford (Ann Arbor, MI; Grand Rapids, MI); Jimmy Carter (Atlanta, GA); Ronald Reagan (Simi Valley, CA); George Bush (College Station, TX); William Clinton (Little Rock, AR); George W. Bush (Dallas, TX).
Sleeping Bear National Park included miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450′ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, and unique flora and fauna. It was a favorite stop, and included a dune hike to a fabulous view. (Can you find Nat?).
Traverse City is a happening, touristy city located on the shores of the Great Traverse Bay. We finally got one of the foods Michigan is famous for – Tart Cherry Pie! YUM!!!! The waterfront city offered long coastal walks, bike rides, and tons of local microbreweries.
Mackinac City was COOOOLLLLLDDDDDD our first day! We camped with a view of the Mackinac bridge (1957) and learned about the amazing construction stories at the local Bridge History Museum. It spans the Straits of Mackinac, connecting the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan.
Mackinac Island – horse buggies, bikes, fudge shops (even chocolate shoes), and cruise ships … the weather wasn’t perfect but the bike riding was ideal.
HIking above the road that circumnavigates the island, looking through Arch Rock.
The original front section of the Grand Hotel was built in 1887 in an amazing 93 days. The hotel has been expanded and now boasts of being the largest summer hotel in the world.
We drove the Upper Peninsula, spending time at the Great Lakes Shipwreck museum in SouthPort. Coincidentally it was the week that Gordon Lightfoot passed away. The bell of the Edmond Fitzgerald hangs in the museum. Tahquamenon falls empty into Lake Superior and are the largest falls in Michigan. The brown color is tannin leaching from the cedar swamp from which they originate.
Thanks to our brother-in-law, Tommy Hermes, we took a side trip to Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. We have so much respect for this team after delving into their history. Locally owned, founded in 1919, it is the 3rd oldest franchise. The museum included incredible stories from the hiring of Vince Lombardi, to amazing quarterback legends including Bart Starr, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers. A unique tradition dating back to 1958, finds the players riding the first day to spring practice on one of the fans bikes – usually a little fan! Priceless.