The Water (& Winter) Wonderland
I may be partial, and I am sure a lot of Michiganders would agree, that Michigan is one of the most underrated states in the nation. The places I’m about to tell you about are some of my top reasons why I love this state as much as I do. Oh yeah, and not to mention, the fact that four out of the of five great lakes prefer Michigan. I’m a water person - what can I say?
Although, the west side of the lower peninsula has a special place in my heart, it is the reason I fell for Michigan and wanted to move here in the first place. I would write about it but then y’all would be reading for days - there are too many things to do/places to see. I want to tell you about a few of the must-sees of northern Michigan, in order of how you'd hit them driving from the south. If you’re from Michigan, there’s a 95% chance that you’re damn proud of your state including (or especially) the upper counterpart. If you’re not, I'll educate you.
At the bridge: Mackinac Island
One of my top five places in the country - Mackinac Island. It gives you the most nostalgic painted picture of Michigan, or the US in general, in the best way. It's a car-less island with bicycles and horses aplenty. The island sits between the lower and upper peninsula of Michigan between Lake Huron (mostly) and Lake Michigan. Only accessible by boat or airplane. Besides the smell of horse poop mixed with the smell of fudge, it’s a gorgeous site on this island, especially when you’re blessed with a beautiful day and a spot poolside at the Grand Hotel.
I’ve been coming here to the island since I was 9. Since I left my first trip to the island, it has held a special place in my heart. I think it’s something about the fact that there are no cars. The pure nostalgia gets you, especially if you’re staying at the Grand, which is the epitome of grand, and the life of luxury. I cannot say I’m the biggest fan of the main street, as it is ridden with tourists. It's like the Myrtle Beach of the north. But my favorite part of the island is biking the 8 miles around the whole island and enjoying the natural beauty, the lavish houses and the lake views.
An hour from the bridge: Tahquamenon Falls
Walking around I could not stop singing don't go chasing waterfalls. And what did I do, I chased them, whole heartedly. The lower falls of Tahquamenon is a wonderland for people who enjoy jumping across rocks and going under waterfalls. It reminded me of the James in Richmond, VA but on a bigger scale and add some waterfalls. I've never run under waterfalls but sitting under the waterfalls got me. Something about it is so invigorating.
Upper, on the other hand, is one of the largest set of falls east of the Mississippi, just under Niagara Falls, dropping 50 feet and a flow of water at a whopping 50,000 per second. Let me repeat that again, per SECOND. That's A LOT of water.
Two hours from the bridge: Pictured Rocks
When I first saw pictures of Pictured Rocks (before I moved here), I had to take a double take at the geotag. Seriously. I was marveled that this beautiful piece of landscape can be found in Michigan. It honestly just gave me more of a reason to move here. These cliffs were sculpted by glaciers and weather throughout history. And the combination of this and the ground water seeping off the faces create a picturesque formation of rocks faces of varying colors. Hence Pictured Rocks.
Adjacent to the cliffs, sits Lake Superior with water as clear and as blue as something you would see in the Mediterranean. It did not strike me as something you’d find in Michigan. Shows you how naive I was then. And there it went on my list (goal #1 of my first summer in Michigan).
Note: be prepared for an all day adventure. Walking or kayaking (not for the faint of heart), it will take you at least 5 hours depending on what trails you walk. I am convinced I did not get enough time by the rocks, so it’s back on my list for summer #2.
I could not believe my eyes when we finally make it to the lake shore. Even on a cloudy day, everything was SO beautiful and breathtaking. I have traveled more than the average person in my life so far but I'm not sure if I've seen something as naturally beautiful as this (besides mountains or Capri, Italy). I couldn't help but sit there and marvel how this natural beauty was created and watch as the waves slapped into the cliffs.
This was created by nature like WHAT! HOW COOL!
I think my favorite thing about the UP is the disconnection. It is basically another country. Not a wasteland, in actuality, far from it - a wealth of nature that is seemingly untouched. Cell service stinks but that is the point. We have so much trouble removing ourselves and in a place like this, you have no choice. You are forced to pay attention to your present and look around to enjoy all your beautiful views. You can, without guilt, relish in enjoying the moment. On top of disconnecting, camping is the way to experience the UP. Takes the disconnection to a whole new level when you don't shower for four days and sleep under the stars in your hammock.
I feel like northern Michigan is one of the biggest hidden gems of our country. Michiganders know it’s true and so do “transplants” like me, who now live in the Mitten state. Speaking of which, with fall in the air, it means winter is coming ... quite literally. For someone who has not experienced a real Michigan winter, I am excited to ski/snowboard my little heart out and enjoy all the best winter activities like I did the summer ones. But, I may freeze my bum off. I realize that's what comes with the territory when you move to the marvelous water & winter wonderland of Michigan.
