Michigan made my list as the state I would visit on my return trip to Arizona. How is it I missed this state in my past travels; not to happen now! While driving the green and rolling hills of this state, I was reminded of my geology classes about this state’s glacial history. The glaciers truly carved out a spectacular landscape! Also are historical signs and headstones dated from the 1800’s; reminders of the people who traveled via the underground railway to this state. As I looked on, I noticed the state’s apple blossoms coming; fisherman hoping to catch brook trout; white-tailed deer running across the roadway as I drove … while some did not make it; antique shops, fudge shops, wineries, asparagus and fresh fruit stands are available and for sale with cherries hopefully in July. Plenty of open spaces, marinas and parks along the lake to occasionally stop and stretch my legs and relax my eyeballs.

My original plan was to visit Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and drive to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. However ever flexible when on the road and with amazing good luck, I tracked down a college friend! I’m off to Kalamazoo! Besides seeing my friend and her husband, their home was a birder’s paradise. So many feeders to attract the wildlife in their forested backyard! Of course, reminiscing about our college days and discovering how we are each enjoying retirement was fun too. These 2 people are each creative and talented in their area of expertise, glass and wood. Beautiful, and award-winning, pieces have been made. I was thrilled to visit them and see their work as they continue to enjoy retirement.

Heading north: Through Ludington, Manistee, a stop at the largest sequoia tree outside of California, drove past the “Largest cherry tree in Michigan”, Arcadia Marsh, then Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with an alpaca farm Harvest Host location for my night’s stay. If you have a chance, sometime look at the shape of Michigan; a mitten up and down and another mitten side to side. I don’t know the miles of coastline, but I do know there are 129 lighthouses. I stopped at many of them! The most common comment made by locals is just how low the lake’s water happens to be. With the latest major rainstorm and damage done, the interior lakes all seemed high to me. 

I stopped at Arcadia Marsh and walked with a woman new to birding. That was fun as we interacted with a group who were observing a short-billed dowitcher. That bird did its best to hide in and out of the cattails, but we all saw it! (I’m always appreciative of fellow birders spotting and sharing a bird’s location!) At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, I skipped the crowd climbing the large dune. I recalled my African Sahara dune walks where it was hard walking up a dune, but so very easy coming down! Instead, I stopped at another spot on the lakeshore to walk and circle away from a designated nesting piping plover area. Ended my day with a restful sleep at an alpaca farm after speaking with my host!

Onward. Traverse City struck me like many other places, yet I was surprised within the city limits everyone had a sidewalk! I stopped at another lighthouse: Mission Point Lighthouse and drove north to Charlevoix. While trying to locate the “mushroom houses”, I dead-ended at a great place for lunch. Near a gigantic cement place, birds congregated. I walked that lakeshore looking at mute swans and mergansers. I did eventually locate the historic district where Earl Young’s architecture is standing. In the Charlevoix area, there are 26, of the once 31, homes built by Earl Young from stones and boulders lining the shoreline of northern Michigan. Tours are provided to learn more about this man’s work, but all homes are private with no opportunity to step inside. The “mushroom house”, “Hobbit house” or “gnome house” is a term for the low ceilings, circular floor plan with rooms around a big fireplace and chimney, and curved roofs altogether resembling mushroom caps. I located 4 of the homes on my own.

Finally arrived at Mackinac (pronounced as MACK-in-awe) Island which sits in Lake Huron, another one of the Great Lakes. Taking advantage of a sunny afternoon, a fast ferry ride took me to this island where no cars are allowed. There are residents on this island, within 5 small hamlets on the island, and tons of tourists! An 8 mile road for walking or bicycling circles the island along with numerous hiking trails across the island. Horse-drawn carriages are available too. The majority of people are day visitors with the last ferry leaving at 9PM … and probably a great time to see the sun set at 9:15PM during the 16 minute ferry ride back to the mainland. There’s plenty of history on this island as people visit and learn about the 1780 Fort Mackinac, the various art museums or stay at the 1887 National Historic Landmark, the Grand Hotel. Plenty of bed and breakfasts and other lodging are available too. The easiest part of my visit: eating expensive ice cream. The most challenging: climbing the 207 steps up the Spring Trail to see Arch Rock after hiking miles to get to the trailhead!

The weather remained beautiful for another “no drive” day, so out came my bicycle. I rode portions of the North Western State Trail, North Central State Trail and took a ride into downtown Mackinaw City. The two trails were gravelly for the majority of my riding time and downtown was paved roads. The town as the island welcomes tourists to spend money on all kinds of things! It was a great way to spend my day on this “lower mitten” of Michigan. Next is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.