Oval Beach, Saugatuck MI
Oval Beach, Saugatuck MI

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.

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 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.

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.

Big Mouth Bass at Sunset
Big Mouth Bass at Sunset

I’ve been very negligent in writing posts on Michigan’s tremendous fishing opportunities. This big mouth bass was caught just after sunset off a dock at Gun Lake in Shelbyville. I’ll be trying to come up with more fish tales for you, Michigan is full of them.

Northpoint, Michigan Just Before the Rain Came
Northport, Michigan Just Before the Rain Came

I just knew it was going to rain right around when I took this picture but just didn’t care because in upper Michigan it’s all good. Northpoint is another one of those spots where you’re immediately on vacation when you get there. I LOVE it!