Spring in the Leelanau Penninsula
Spring in the Leelanau Penninsula

For a short time I lived in Washington State when I was a little girl. Other than the rain every day, I remember seeing beautiful rows of trees like this. I was traveling up north on a windy, windy spring day and saw these trees with rows of fruit trees beyond them, just starting to blossom. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is there, it’s always beautiful.

The channel leading from Lake Michigan into Charlevoix
The channel leading from Lake Michigan into Charlevoix

It’s now official, Charlevoix is one of my favorite Michigan Sweet Spots. I was up north for a long weekend this summer and kept returning to Charlevoix. The best way I can describe the city is magical, happy, relaxed and fun. I took this photo at the channel leading into the Charlevoix from Lake Michigan, to my right there’s a drawbridge that goes up for the sailboats. I’ll show you that photo soon. Here’s a google map link to the location where I took this photo.

Also, if you’re looking for a color tour, this is a great time to head north, I hear in a lot of areas the color is peaking.

The Night Was Perfect
The Night Was Perfect

It was one of those nights when everything seemed perfect. I took a photo of this couple from a rooftop in Grand Rapids after the Celebration on The Grand fireworks display. One of the great things about Grand Rapids is that you get a big city feeling, yet without most of the hassle.

Murdick's Fudge
Murdick's Fudge

It’s almost impossible to go to northern Michigan without picking up some fudge. And, Murdick’s Fudge is the place to go according to Michigan fudge insiders. The location in Mackinaw City is the original Murdick’s Fudge and well worth visiting if you’re in the area. Even better, you can order online, here’s a link to the website, where you can order. But don’t blame me if you gain a few pounds after ordering, this stuff is gooood and it’s hard to stop yourself from gorging! This photo is of the three generations of Murdick’s  running the Mackinac store Fran Murdick, his son John and grandson Aaron.

The Mackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge

Aside from being the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere, the Mackinac bridge is just plain cool! It measures 26,444 feet and is another example of the innovative thinking that goes on here in Michigan. I was there the day before the Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. It happens every Labor Day and has been around since the bridge opened in 1957, these days the walk averages 50,000 – 65,000 people.