Tall grassy areas are a typical place to be aware of ticks.
Tall grassy areas are a typical place to be aware of ticks.

Yes, I said it, lyme disease is in Michigan and if you live here, or visit here, you need to know about it. The last few years, I’ve been hearing more and more about lyme disease in Michigan and this year is no exception. I am not saying this to alarm you, ticks and lyme disease don’t need to ruin your fun, you just need to know that it’s here, it’s probably not going away anytime soon and how to protect yourself. Most cases in Michigan occur between late spring and mid-July, but can happen even in the fall.

Check out the below map provided by the state of Michigan, it shows where the most cases have been discovered in the state, and where lyme disease is heading. If you’re visiting the lakeshore, ticks like to hang out in tall grassy areas and hop on for a tasty meal when folks walk by them. But, you can prevent this by either covering up, and/or spraying with tick repellant. I prefer to use natural repellants with at least 20% oil of lemon eucalyptus. After being in wooded or tall grassy areas, check for ticks and take a shower. If you discover a tick, remove it and save it so you can send it in for testing if you get sick. If you remove a tick within 36 hours of it attaching itself to you, chances are more likely that you won’t get lyme disease. If you do get sick, getting immediate 30 day treatment with antibiotics that last for at least 30 days is important. Following are some useful resources to help combat this issue:

Michigan Lyme Disease Association

DBC Holistic Health Dr. Adrian Den Boer, nationally known for wholistic treatment of lyme disease.

Prevention: Be cautious when walking in the woods, avoiding bushy and grassy areas. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and wear insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin or, if you’re like me use something natural containing a strong solution of oil of lemon eucalyptus. After walking in wooded areas, thoroughly check the skin for the poppy-seed sized ticks, paying particular attention to the scalp, armpits and groin. If you find a tick, carefully remove it with tweezers or a tick remover. More info

Repel Plant Based Insect Repellant with Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus has been recommended as a natural solution.

Permethrin on clothes kills ticks on contact and lasts several washes

Dammix Tick Tubes offer an innovative solution to rid your property of ticks.

Ticked Off Tick Remover

Useful guide from the Michigan Department of Agriculture for preventing tick borne illness: Ticks and Your Health

Michigan Lyme Disease Map (does not include results from 2013).

Lyme Disease Map for Michigan
Lyme Disease Map for Michigan

 

 

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Big Wabasis Lake Campground
Big Wabasis Lake Campground in Greenville, MI

Wow! What a summer this has been. Other than a few days that were over the top hot, I can’t remember a more beautiful or fun summer. I took this while visiting my son Paul and his family on a camping outing at Big Wabasis Lake. It’s quite a nice place to visit, especially if you love camping. Here’s some helpful links:

Wabasis Facebook link

Wabasis Lake Details and Campsite Map

Google Map Link to Location

In addition to camping, you’ll find  a boat launch, enclosed shelter, baseball diamonds, fishing, hiking/walking, picnicking, a playground, swimming, a bathhouse, basketball, restrooms and a springhouse (which is VERY cool).

Driving along in the Michigan back country.

I took this photo driving through farmland in the Belmont, Michigan area. For those who think of Michigan as a washed up rust belt state, think again. The majority of the state sports lush farmland, lakes ripe for fishing and trees everywhere.

I just got back from visiting gorgeous Steamboat Springs. While I love the mountains and big, huge sky, I missed the variety of trees and “green” that Michigan offers.

Now for the favor… my son Paul is getting married on August 21. He’s having trouble finding a rustic cabin or cottage in the Upper Peninsula to rent from August 23 – August 30. Any suggestions or places you know of with availabilities? If so, could you please make a comment about it? I would greatly appreciate it!

Awesome Old Barn Along Route
I took this photo of an old, old barn on my mid Michigan road trip. Usually when I’m going somewhere, I just want to blast over there in the straightest, fastest route possible. But, ever since Captain Cutie Pie gave me a Garmon GPS, I try to take some extra time and choose the scenic route on the back roads. Why? It’s more fun and now I know I won’t get lost.

Here’s a great drive that I discovered on my way up North, there’s lots of old barns, and beautiful, beautiful farmland. I highly recommend it. Take a look at this Google map I made special for you, it shows the drive, I stopped about 1/2 way up 66, but you just might want to keep going. And for you guys up north, take the drive down to see us here in lower Michigan! More pics of my trip coming next week.

Beautiful cloudy blue sky in Michigan by Ann Teliczan
After a long cold winter, it’s so great to see the sun and beautiful Michigan Sky. I took this photo driving through the mid-Michigan countryside. I will definitely be taking this route next time I go up north. Although I drove for 3 hours, it went by fast because the scenery was so stunningly gorgeous. Way nicer than the highway!

HDR Photo of old farm in middle Michigan
I drove up to Synchronicity in Glen Arbor today to drop of my creative work for the summer season. Typically when I go on a trip, I take the most direct route home on the highway because I am notorious for getting lost.  I took the back roads and boy are you all in for a treat. I got some great shots of Mid-Michigan farmland. In one of my coming posts I’ll give you some ideas for a beautiful drive.

onthewaytolansingmss.jpg
I’ve always found the drive from Grand Rapids to Lansing incredibly boring… that is until I found this back road route and now I LOVE it! Almost the entire trip is dotted with beautiful farmland, small towns and old structures like this one. Even the clouds were pretty this day, we needed the rain bad.

I like the drive down Price Road. The road changes names several times, but you can see from this link where to go if you want to take the back roads all the way to Lansing.