Michigan Sweet Spot hdr photography
I took this photo when camping in Petoskey, Michigan at the Petoskey State Park. Photo approved for use in blogs and websites linking back to MichiganSweetSpot.com.

Michigan’s fun loving Kid Rock was probably singing about this Michigan campsite or one like it in his hit song “All Summer Long” where he references summer in northern Michigan.

It’s a bit of a joke among my family members that I “hate” camping. I’ve been rethinking that after my trip last summer. This photo was taken at sunset, right on the beach just a few feet from my campsite. It’s hard to complain about roughing it when you can go to bed with this nearby and wake up in the morning to a refreshing walk along the sugar sand shoreline.

If you would like to plan a northern Michigan camping trip, here are a few campsites to consider. Please feel free to add your favorites in the comments section and tell me about them. I would love to hear from you.

Petoskey State Park: 2475 M-119 Hwy. Petoskey, MI 49770;  Approximate Size: 303 Acres; Phone Number: (231) 347-2311; 180 total campsites

Fisherman’s Island State Park: Bell’s Bay Road, Charlevoix, MI 49720;  Approximate Size: 2,678 Acres; Phone Number: (231) 547-6641; 81 campsites

Clear Lake State Park: 20500 M- 33 North Recreation, Atlanta, MI 49709; Approximate Size: 290 Acres; Phone Number: (989) 785-4388; 200 campsites

Platte River Campground: 5685 Lake Michigan Road, Honor, MI 49640; Phone Number: (231)325-5881; 122 sites campsite map

Sand Lakes Quiet Area/ Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground   Driving Directions  Phone Number: (231) 922-5270; 36 Campsites

Leelanau State Park Campground  15310 N. Lighthouse Point Rd., Northport, MI 49670-9717; Approximate Size: 1350 Acres; 52 Campsites; Phone Number: (231) 386-5422

Lake Dubonnet State Forest Campground Lake Dubonnet; Phone Number: (231) 276-9511; 50 Campsites

More Michigan Campsite suggestions: here’s a website that has additional ideas with Michigan campsites ranked by customer satisfaction: Tripleblaze Best Campsites in Michigan

 

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Chinese Lantern Launch in Grand Rapids, MI
The Chinese lantern launch was magical.

Last night there was a Chinese lantern launch in Grand Rapids. It was an ArtPrize entry and one of the most magical, joyful, lighthearted and beautiful experiences I’ve had in some time. Thousands of lanterns lit the night as participants launched their lanterns.

I couldn’t help but feel how much Grand Rapids has changed since I moved here. I really love this place.

 

These little chickens wouldn’t let me get very close.

You know, I do have a disproportionate number of posts about chickens.  I get such a kick out of the way they strut around like they are the boss of the world and then run away… like chickens when you get too close. These little stinkers were doing just that with me when I took this picture in the farmlands of Ada. Just after I took this, they skittled off through that doorway.

My mother’s parents were farmers. I have  fond memories of being around their animals, walking through fields (and watching for snakes, it was Missouri after all), picking tomatoes and catching grasshoppers with my three brothers and cousins. In the evening my grandfather would load us all into his pickup and we’d tour the fields, check on the cows and then come home and listen to him play the fiddle. I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating, he only had one arm, if you look him up on YouTube, he’s Leonard Smith, the one armed fiddler. My grandmother was his rock and she was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met in my life. I’m lucky they were around until well into my adulthood.

Having a grandfather with one arm who could do anything on his own, except tie his shoe, taught me to be independent and to try a little harder. One time, I was at a national fiddling contest with him where he was a competitor. He hadn’t been up to play yet and a dude came up to him on the side with an arm and said “could you help out a man with a disability?” as he held out a cup begging. I don’t remember what this guy’s disability was, but I do remember thinking that I was so very proud of my grandpa for making the most of his life and getting past this huge challenge he had to cope with. It also made me incredibly grateful for the simple things in my life.

Beautiful lavender field
One more reason why I love the Leelanau peninsula

I love lavender. I love the way it looks, smells and makes me feel. So of course when I heard about the largest lavender farm in the state of Michigan I HAD to go there. The place is called Lavender Hill Farms.

Complicating matters was the fact that it was rainy, 4 hours away and at the end of the season for pictures. But, I went anyway. I loaded up my lab and toy fox terrier and called it a road trip.

It was a Sunday afternoon and totally deserted, all the better for me and my camera.

Photo of Marshall Memorial Park
Logging ruins at Marshall Memorial Park in Newaygo

After hearing about the virtues of the Newaygo County area for some time now from my family up north, I decided to have my Noah give me a little tour. This is an HDR photo of the first stop on his list, Marshall Memorial Park. The park was established in 2004 to remember trooper Kevin M. Marshall of the Michigan State Police, who was killed in the line of duty.

The park extends back into the woods with wild snake grass growing along the banks of Brooks Creek. There is a pavilion with picnic tables, look off deck and scenic trails through the woods. It’s beautiful and worth visiting.

My favorite place to walk!

So, can you guess where I took this photo? I gave you a huge hint when I said it was a favorite place… I took this on a walking trail at the Frederik Meijer Gardens with my friend Patti. The Frederik Meijer Gardens is a great place for walks, it’s scenic, smells nice and just plain makes you feel good.

One thing though, you might forget the time so make sure you leave before they close. We totally blew the closing time and would have been locked in if it hadn’t been for a wedding there.

Red Lighthouse
Can’t wait to get out on a boat this summer.

Today was the first day this year that really, really felt like we are going to have a summer, yes! I had to dig up a shot that I took last year in Muskegon while on a sailboat with good friends Jon and Peggy.

Don’t you love how all the red football jerseys match the lighthouse? I’m sure that’s exactly what the football players were thinking when they were hanging out there. They probably had a convo to the effect of, “hey man, did you notice how pretty our jersey’s look with this lighthouse?” “yeah dude, I was thinking the same thing, what a perfect shade of red.” Okay, I know, it’s only in my head that these things happen.

Bluebirds in a nest
These sweet little bluebirds don’t even have their eyes open yet.

I LOVE wild birds, and baby bluebirds are my favorite. Every spring they flock to an ornamental fruit tree in my back yard and pick away at the remaining berries on it that the squirrels couldn’t get at.

Don’t even ask me how I got this picture, but I promise you nobody got hurt and all the baby birds were fine.

On another note, I think spring is finally here. Flowers are popping up everywhere and the snow is melted. I can’t wait to take pictures of something other than winter scenes.

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?