Julie and Crew - Michigan is fun!

[DisneyDoc5]

Hi Podcast Crew and Disers,

Wecome back Julie! I love the little noises Ferris makes!!! Just a friendly note to respond to your questions on the podcast, "What's in Michigan?' - well, only come here in May, June, July, August, the rest of the year it's miserable, but during those months, it's a little secret jewel of a place with miles and miles of sandy, fresh water beaches that look like ocean beaches. Trust me, I would move to Florida in a New York (or Jersey) minute, but the summers here make it tolerable. Ideally we would live here in the summer and there for the other 8 months - maybe someday! The other thing here in Michigan is tons of Disney fans that love the podcast, so keep up the good work, we love the information and it gives us our daily/weekly Disney fixes that make the snow tolerable. Proudly wearing my Podcast shirt today in the 65 degree sunshine! Have a magical day!

 

[safetymom]

Thanks for the info on Michigan. The only time I have spent is at the airport in Detroit.

 

[wdw.dreamer]

I whole heartedly agree!
From May through September there is no place like it.
For those of us who live along the lakeshore, our towns become tourist attractions in and of themselves. If you like beaches you will be in heaven!

 

[jeanigor]

Thanks for the info on Michigan. The only time I have spent is at the airport in Detroit.

Please do not let your experiences in the airport be a reflection of our state.

 

[willis37862]

I hate Michigan but then that's the state where my in-laws reside

Just kidding I'm sure there are lots of nice places to see and things to do. I just have a tainted view!

 

[NWOhioAngela]

I don't like Michigan either, but that COULD be because I'm a Buckeye!

(and you have really bad roads, IMHO)

 

[jeanigor]

I don't like Michigan either, but that COULD be because I'm a Buckeye!

(and you have really bad roads, IMHO)

Our roads are horrid, but at least we aren't Buckeyes. (We're Wolverines & Spartans!)

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks for the info on Michigan. The only time I have spent is at the airport in Detroit.

Flew through there for the first time ever last month. What a big place! I know ATL handles more planes, but DTW felt much bigger.

 

[timandlesley]

Couldn't agree more! When I heard the podcast Tim and I instantly said "Grand Haven is in Michigan". It is one of our favorite famiyl destinations next to Disney. Go to www.grandhaven.com you have to check it out somtime. The Today show rated it #2 one year in family friendly vacations in the WORLD, seriously
Lesley

 

[Fire14]

I don't like Michigan either, but that COULD be because I'm a Buckeye!

(and you have really bad roads, IMHO)

Well I'm a Spartan stuck in Buckeye contry and I think the roads are better in Michigan myself.

 

[AuroraJae]

Ok, I am convinced. I love a great beach!

 

[chirurgeon]

My dad moved to the Detroit area when I was 11, so I spent a lot of time in Michigan. It can't compare to Pennsylvania, I love my mountains, but it is very nice there. I love Mackinac Island. That is a beautiful place.

Kim

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I hate Michigan but then that's the state where my in-laws reside

Just kidding I'm sure there are lots of nice places to see and things to do. I just have a tainted view!

this is LOL! I am a firm believer that any state where in-laws are living is unpleasant, maybe the only exception is FL and CA because of Disney!

Also, don't think for a minute that Detroit is a good representation of MI, the other really hidden jewel is the UP (that's upper peninsula for you all!), especially if you like the great outdoors. Thanks for all the feedback friends!

 

[timandlesley]

Ok, I am convinced. I love a great beach!

Julie,
I KNOW it sounds weird using Michigan and great beaches in the same phrase, but after our first summer at Grand Haven we were SOLD and go back every single summer now.
Lesley

 

[A.Mickey]

I'm from Michigan, my whole family lives in Michigan. I love Michigan. There are tons of outdoor activities to do in Michigan.

The UP is awesome! I went there a few times when I was little

Tahquamenon Falls (upper and lower falls, the lower falls you can actually swim in)

Makinaw Island, an Island where no cars are allowed. I thought this was awesome when I was a kid, and don't forget the fudge!

The Mackinac Bridge is truly something to see! With a total span of approximately 5 miles, the Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Its pretty HIGH up! My Dad made me drive on it, I was pretty scared!

Whitefish Point Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum ( I thought this was pretty darn neat, but I was obsessed with Shipwrecks as a kid)
Whitefish Point is known as the Graveyard of Ships as more vessels have been lost here than in any other part of the lake. Hundreds of vessels, including the famed Edmund Fitzgerald, lie on the bottom of the bay and the approaches. The lighthouse marks the end of an 80 mile stretch of shoreline known as Lake Superior's Shipwreck Coast. This light has shined onto the big lake unfailingly for almost 150 years except for the night when the Edmund Fitzgerald went down.

When I was on a trip there we stayed at the Rainbow Lodge at the two hearted river (which Ernest Hemingway wrote this about it "Big, Two-Hearted River" by Ernest Hemingway) and they didn't have any electricity, we had to drive 16 miles on a one lane dirt road to get to our lodging. They did have a generator though.

The GarLyn Zoo see Michigan Black Bears in a Big natural environment, at least thats what I remember.

Pictured Rocks

Michigan has 116 lighthouses!! Gotta love those!

Silver Lake Sand Dunes!! http://www.thinkdunes.com/video-40/ Don't forget the Mac Wood's Dune Rides.

Michigan's Adventure Ha ha...ok I never have been here, but my dad said it is pretty cool and we have to go! I have to say that wooden coaster looks pretty crazy

Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie I haven't been here in forever but I remember thinking this was awesome when I was a kid.

The National Asparagus Festival in Oceana County

AND NUMBER 1!!! Pentwater, Michigan!! This place is Awesome. Well I have been going here since I was 2 and it is where my Grandparents have a house 3 blocks from Lake Michigan.

Ok and another great thing is, NO real hard riptides, although there are currents, and NO SHARKS!!

WOW, I better stop! I just love Michigan!

Oh and it is good in Winter too, if you like winter things, Ice Skating on real frozen lakes. Ice Fishing, Snowmobiling, sledding.

If anyone needs anymore reason to visit Michigan just PM me .

And sorry Todd, I haven't really been on the east side of Michigan much.

 

[disneyholic family]

as many people on the board know, i'm originally a michigander....
and that's where much of my family still lives...

michigan is an AMAZING place.....

everything already mentioned and so very much more...

and for all those of you who only love it in the spring/summer/fall....
you're missing out....michigan is a winter wonderland...
the forests are incredile right after a new snow....totally magical....
if i had my pictures from my snowshoeing trips back in high school, you'd see what i mean....enchanted forests...

and what about Sleeping Bear Dunes national lakeshore on Lake Michigan?
Or Pictured Rocks national lakeshore on Lake Superior?
or the Isle Royale National Park ?
or any of the many National Forests? The Huron-Manistee national forest in the lower peninsula is where i saw that incredible bald eage's nest....
in the upper peninsula there are several, including Hiawatha National Forest (you know, Hiawatha as in "by the shores of Gitche Gumee" - as in Lake Superior)...

or perhaps you're looking for one of those perfect small town mainstreets (bill bryson wrote a book about that - he couldn't find any in america until he got to michigan).. then you should visit the towns on northern lake michigan like charlevoix or traverse city...

perhaps you like to ski? it's not aspen, but the ski resorts in michigan are lovely...
and if you prefer cross-country, you can't do any better than Michigan in the winter...

or canoe? lots of beautiful little rivers to choose from...

and if your boating preferences run something bigger than a canoe - well, i would think that's obvious, what with the Great Lakes, and all the thousands upon thousands of small, medium and large lakes all around the state, including zillions right around the Detroit area...

in fact, if you're an outdoor person, you really can't find a nicer place to visit or to live for that matter...
be it the upper or lower peninsula....all year round....

as for the already mentioned Mackinac Island (spelled with a 'c' - mackinaw city is spelled with a "w" - though they're pronounced the same) - located between the upper and lower peninsulas, in Lake Huron at the eastern end of the straits of mackinac...look it up on the web - it's a one of a kind place and definitely worth a visit - along with the rest of the state.....

'Even' in the detroit area there are places worth visiting:
Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford Museum, the Detroit zoo, Cranbrook and Meadowbrook, just to name a few...
Oh and speaking of Meadowbrook, i just thought of Interlochen....Not in Detroit - Interlochen is in Northern Michigan - a one of a kind music school and music camp.

And of course, if you're into basketball, as i know the podcast team is, there's the Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Pistons.

and there's so very much more in michigan, we could spend the day writing about it and not nearly cover everything....

i am very very very very very proud to say that i'm (originally) from the very very very great state of Michigan...

 

[lonegungal17]

I'm originally from Michigan as well. I do prefer England over Michigan but I do miss things like trips to Mackinac Island, the amazing amount of snow and the lakes.

Here are some views taken last summer from my friends backyard bordering on Lake Huron in Michigan, my English husband said he had never seen anything like it. These were all taken the same day.

Mel

 

[abish19]

I am a native Michigander, and loved it so much I've decided to stay!

I live about 5 minutes from Lake Michigan, halfway between Pentwater and Grand Haven on the "West Coast" of the state.

There is NOTHING like our beaches. The soft sugar sand, the clean, fresh water - and the absence of weird things crawling out of the sand and threatening you in the water is a plus!

It might not ever be a "destination" place, but it IS a "pleasant peninsula." My town specifically is located on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Michigan and two other, smaller lakes. If it's water you want, we've got it in spades - and it is, fortunately, alligator-free.

I can sing its praises now because spring is coming. Don't ask me this question in January - the snow is lovely to look at but dispiriting to experience.

 

[schoen]

I too love Michigan, and could never leave this place! Aside from all of the amazing natural wonders and lakes in Michigan (BTW did anyone mention Torch Lake??? it is truly like a piece of the ocean here in MI) If you aren't an outdoors person there is lots to do in south eastern MI. The Purple Rose theater in Chelsea, world class dining (ie michael Symone's Roast). AMAZING shopping at the Sommerset collection (I am talking like, rodeo drive quality shopping). The Detroit Institute of art is pretty cool, and often has interesting collections. I often hear people wonder what is in MI, and I gotta tell you... no matter what you are into, MI is a pretty awesome place!

 

[fakereadhed]

What's in Michigan? The Great Lakes! No brain-eating amoebas or alligators either. It's like the ocean without the salt and jellyfish.