If you grew up in Michigan, you would probably take the beaches for granted because there are so many of them, and they are all special in their own way. This is the beach at Point Betsie Lighthouse near Onekema and Frankfurt. The beach is an interesting combination of sand and rocks. Just a few feet away from where I took this photo is a beautiful sugar sand beach. I can’t wait for summer and HORRORS, taking my laptop to the beach and working there while I’m baking in the sun.
When I took this photo last year at Rothbury, it was just getting started and I was wondering what I was in for. I was immediately struck with how creative the event organizer, Madison House, was. There were hammocks, tents, and just random fun things every where. There was even “Gangsta Yoga” in the morning. Some of the headliners Rothbury 09 features includes Bob Dylan, The Dead, String Cheese Incident, Willie Nelson and Family, The Black Crowes, Gov’t Mule and much, much more. You can find out all about at their website here. When I was there last year I talked with people from all over the country who regularly attended music festivals and nearly every one of them told me this was the best they had ever been to. I hope to see you there too this year!
The entry to the beach next to Point Betsie Lighthouse leads to aqua waters and a sugar sand beach shared by a rocky shore. Although the site is a popular tourist spot, it is still easily accessible and serene.
Located near Frankfurt, Michigan, Point Betsy Lighthouse is a spot worth visiting. The beach is breathtakingly beautiful and the area surrounding it is just a great place to see. If you go there, travel north a bit to Glen Arbor and check out the Synchronicity Art Gallery and ask to see Ann Teliczan’s work. I was there dropping off my paintings this weekend and shot this photo on the way back.
One sure sign spring is nearing in west Michigan is that the Foremost’s Butterflies Are Blooming Exhibit is underway. This is one of the most popular exhibits at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, and for good reason. It’s a delightful experience to enter the exhibit and be among fluttering butterflies everywhere. This is the largest temporary butterfly exhibit in the United States.
Joy, that’s what I feel visiting there, I hope you can make it to the exhibit, I think you’ll love it.
This photo is looking at The Weathervane restaurant in Charlevoix from across the canal by the drawbridge. The restaurant is run by Staffords and so far, every place I’ve been to that they own is great.
I was trying to think of what makes the Weathervane so special and it all boils down to its distinct personality, comfortable atmosphere, great food, and wonderful view. After enjoying a meal here, I like to go across the canal and walk to the free public beach. And, here’s a tip, when you’re coming into town, park before you get to the drawbridge.
Today I was just itching to take a picture but couldn’t think of anything and then presto bammo, I thought of getting a shot at the fish ladder. This photo was taken at Fish Ladder Park in Grand Rapids. If I showed you the photos I took facing the other direction, you’d see several fisherman standing out in the freezing cold water fishing… what the heck??? In my book, you’d REALLY have to love fishing to be out in that cold water. Hope they were catching something. The fish ladder is in downtown Grand Rapids, along the Grand River, near the 6th Street Bridge.
Okay, it’s official. I’m tired of winter. I think I smelled spring in the air two days ago too. I took this photo last summer on White Lake, which, by the way is a great place to go boating. It’s a nice sized lake with a great boat launch and then if you want some REAL excitement, you can blast on over to Lake Michigan through the channel.
So here’s why I stay here in spite of a too long winter:
1. Perfect summer days like the one here.
2. No matter where you live in Michigan, you’re minutes away from an outdoor adventure. Even in the city.
3. Low cost of living so you can have a much nicer home here than most places, and get one on the water.
4. My family, which is close by.
5. Great friends.
6. Great job.
7. Great neighbors.
8. LOVE Grand Rapids, not too big, not too small, big city venues, small city convenience.
9. All the beautiful beaches.
10. Great seaside towns with art galleries galore.
So, how about some other Michigander feedback? What keeps you here?
If you try real hard, I’ll bet you can feel the sand between your toes, smell the fresh air blowing off the water and hear the surf pounding the shore. It’s no wonder Oval Beach was voted as one of the best beaches in the world.
Supposedly, we’re going to get blasted with arctic air and a snowstorm tomorrow… I hope not, but just in case, I’ll be thinking of summer, sun and sugar sand Michigan beaches.
By the way, I saw Clint Eastwood’s new movie, Gran Torino this weekend. It was shot in a decaying urban Detroit area. I loved the movie, in fact it’s one of my all time favorites. But after seeing it, I wished that there were more positive images of the Detroit area represented in the media. Yes there are parts of Detroit that are like this, but the majority of Detroit is an interesting, unique city with tremendous talent and people with a survivor spirit. I go there a lot on business and love the diversity and openness of the businesses and people there. Nothing ever stays the same and that goes for a depressed economy, I truly believe that our state is on its way back.
For those of you who live in Michigan… I thought you might need a reminder right about now of why we live here. And for those who don’t live in Michigan, here’s just one of the reasons why you might want to take a vacation here. I took this in the Leelanau Peninsula last summer just before it rained. There are beautiful winding dirt roads and paths everywhere up there that make it possible to get lost in the beauty of the land. If you’ve never been to Northern Michigan, I hope you’ll do yourself a favor and make 2009 the year you check it out.
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