I discovered this unique barn driving on the backroads in Arcadia, MI.
It would be easy to pass by the Onekama / Arcadia, MI area – but that would be missing out big time. Online searches reveal very little about the place, perhaps that’s because being there feels like you are going back to a time when electronic devices took a back seat to nature and being a human at peace with the world. I took these photos driving around the back roads near Lake Michigan.

The landscape is dotted with historic barns, vineyards, and rolling hills. You’ll also discover golf courses and a beautiful. Here places to stay: Here are some place to check out when you visit.

Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course: This course is open to the public and resembles a seaside links course with rolling terrain and a windswept landscape with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Lodging and cottages are also available.

Artesian Wells: Some of the purest water in the country is located at these public wells, where folks have been known to travel for miles to bottle it up and take some home. Here are links Old Facefull (GPS 44.427615, -86.247132) Portage Point Well (GPS: 44.376511, -86.227881).

Portage Point Inn: I’ve never had a chance to stay here but have always wanted to. This historic inn was established in 1903, yet features a boutique gift shop, pub, fitness center, lake access, movie nights on the lawn, kayak and paddle board rentals, boating, fishing and much more.

Inspiration Point Scenic Overlook: This is one of the best overlooks I’ve been to in my entire life. It’s just off the Scenic Highway and you can see for miles and miles. Trust me, and be sure to lug your camera along with you for this one, all 120 steps to the top of the overlook!

Arcadia Marsh: This 273-acre marsh nature preserve has a short trail and is especially popular for birding.

Area Preserves and Trails: While I was researching this project, I found a link to this map with a bunch of preserves and trails that I didn’t even know existed in this region.

This is a great time to start planning your Michigan summer vacation. These are just a few of the great places to discover in the area.

 

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Michigan Ice storm with icy trees
Ice storm diamonds are a trees best friend.

Early this morning I was greeted by two messages, one by Inge, and one by my mom. Both of whom wanted to make sure that I knew I would be missing a great chance to take a picture for this blog. As my mom put it, “there’s ice diamonds on the trees.” Amazingly, it’s been that way all day, which is somewhat of a consolation for me because I am sick and tired of winter. Actually, literally sick. I have a cold. I’m thinking of venturing out to take more pictures because it’s just so pretty out right now.

Does it look cold to you? It was!

So… when my friend Peggy and I were getting lost in Amish land looking for the “perfect Amish photo” I saw this very striking farm and had to take a picture. Let me tell you though, it was so incredibly cold, I could feel my fingers and toes freezing even though I was bundled up to the hilt.

I think it was worth it though!

Grand Haven, MI Beach winter cold
Grand Haven... just to the left of the lighthouse

The beach in Grand Haven sports this wonderful pier that connects with a pretty red lighthouse, so naturally that’s the photo everyone takes. Last time I was in Grand Haven I just wanted a different shot and this is what I came up with. It was really, really cold out there… can you tell?

Red Barn on the horizon
I captured this shot of a peaceful red barn, just as the sun was going down.

I was looking for something to do with my friend Sandy and she was game to scope out potential places for photos. She mentioned her grandparents used to live near 10oth Street in the Byron Center area and thought that since it was on high ground, we might find something nice. She was right.

Old barns and farmhouses fascinate me and this one caught my eye. The farmhouse on the site was abandoned with a big “No Trespassing. Trespassers will be prosecuted” sign posted. Luckily, I got my shot anyway!

 

West Michigan rolling farmland near 100th Street in Byron Center

Christmas is over and the days are getting longer… as far as I’m concerned, we’re on the other side of winter. I know that may be optimistic thinking, but it’s one of the mind games I play with myself to get through the Michigan cold.

I digress, this blog is all about Michigan sweetness and that it is, even during winter. Michigan farmland is abundant here and when it’s not nurturing us in the summer months, it’s resting over the winter. I love driving in the country taking in the old barns, farm animals and rich scenery.

"Goodness," my latest work over at ArtistThoughts.com

Ever wonder what I do besides take HDR photos and blog about Michigan? For my work that doesn’t fall within the “Michigan” category, I have another blog called Artist Thoughts. I hope you’ll check it out every once in a while to see what else I’m up to.

Historic Stone Archway
Where this path leads, I know not.

If you drive around the Leelanau Peninsula for any length of time, you’ll happen upon  historic looking little places that make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. I have no idea what is at the end of this trail. I do know that I think this is cool. I want an arch like this over my driveway!

It’s private property and I really wanted to go back there, I’m imagining some big old haunted mansion, what do you think?

Whipping down the road on a Buell motorcycle.

You don’t have to be in Michigan for long to figure out that this is a great place to ride around on a motorcycle. For about 6 months of the year that is. The scenic winding roads, trips to the beach and back country roads all add up to a lot of fun.

This has been a great year for bikers, it seems like the season was longer than usual. And, no, I’m not a biker myself (too afraid of the other drivers on the road). But it sure looks like a blast.

 

The Hub is a place you will want to get familiar with, fast if you're in town for ArtPrize.

ArtPrize, in Grand Rapids, Michigan officially starts on Wednesday so I decided to go downtown today and see the status of things to come. After roaming around Grand Rapids, I wrapped up the day by visiting “The Hub.” This is a place you will want to know about if you are visiting ArtPrize.

The Hub is decked out with lounges for visitors to interact with each other

Rick and Melissa DeVos were at The Hub today checking out last minute details.

and the artists. It also has an artist lounge, which Rick DeVos, the founder of ArtPrize told me is going to be quite nice. In other words, if you’re an artist, you’re missing out if you don’t spend some time there.

If you want to know what everyone’s talking about, go spend some time at The Hub. It’s located at 155 N. Division in the Center of Grand Rapids (it’s also known as the old Federal Building.) Here’s more about The Hub from the official ArtPrize blog.

Check back often to learn more about my ArtPrize discoveries, I plan to do a lot of blogging about it.

Post & HDR photo by Ann Teliczan