[LittleDolphin]

We two North Carolinians just returned from a couple of weeks in Michigan and we had a great time. Found friendly folks all over this state. Visited Henry Ford's Greenfield Village in Dearborn and learned a lot about our country's early inventors--Ford and Edison and the Wright Brothers. Saw Robert Frost's home that was moved there and heard his recorded voice recite his Road Not Taken poem--wonderful! Visited Thomas Edison's home, Ford's lab, and well, the list marches on--too much to see and experience there in one day--and you can ride a steam train and horse-drawn carriages or antique autos--plus the grounds are very nicely landscaped and the restaurants charged very fair prices for good food.

On another day, we toured Ford's Dearborn estate--Fair Lane--and that was fascinating too--an early (1910) example of energy-independence as Ford use hydro power from the river there to power and heat his home. Even had built-in hair dryers in the bathrooms and central vacuums--did you expect that in 1910? I sure didn't.

After doing some family things in the Detroit area, and eating some great Thai and Polish food (stuffed cabbage), we shot up to the Upper Peninsula (the UP)--we'd never gone further North than Mackinac Island before. We spent a night in Charlevoix (a gorgeous town with a charming picturesque setting on two lakes), still south of the bridge, though. The people in the UP call themselves Yoopers for Upper Peninsuala, and those dwelling below the bridge are referred to as "trolls" as they dwell under the bridge. Interesting? We thought it a fun fact.

We became temporary Yoopers by driving way up the UP to a little town on Lake Superior between Munising and Marquette where we'd rented a cabin on a river, complete with a canoe.

Spent lazy time canoeing on the little river which made its way to Lake Superior and talking long walks on Lake Superior's beach with our dog. Beautiful September weather, crisp but warm days. Very peaceful--most visitors had gone home after Labor Day. Sampled the well-known food of the UP Cornish pasties--kind of a big meat pie the miners would take down in the mines with them for lunch. They were a bit hit with my husband and a little less so with me as they were definitely not diet food. Tasty, though. We toured Marquette--a neat college town, good eats, a beautiful city park along Lake Superior. Took a great boat tour from Munising to the Pictured Rocks--stunning--and our boat captain was great--he took our boat inside a cave, with inches to clear--quite dramatic. Only happens on calm days with little wind and waves.

We also took a day trip, but ended up spending the night, in Copper Harbor. What a perfect little town on Lake Superior...trips to Isle Royal National Park leave from there--didn't have the time to go this time, but it's high on our list--home of a protected band of wolves and supposed to be world class hiking and back-packing...

Ate a fabulous dinner at Copper Harbor's award-winning Harbor Haus restaurant. Big picture windows bring Lake Superior right to your table--almost like dining on a boat, and the food! My grilled Lake Superior whitefish was wrapped in nitrate-free bacon--sublime! I opted for the hot German potato salad and the meal came with an outstanding green salad of locally-grown greens and vegetables. Tasted so fresh and just picked. What a perfect place to eat--food, view and friendly, attentive, professional service...the northern-most restaurant in Michigan...wish it were much closer. They also have one unit they rent--built as a tower with a circular room--360 degree views overlooking Lake Superior and mountains--it's usually booked up, though.

Anyhow, I could go on...but we had a fine time, saw incredible natural beauty, were treated so nicely by everyone, and enjoyed the North woods perfection that is Michigan in the Autumn. And the maples were blazing reds and golds so we got some early Fall foliage beauty to boot. For those who love the outdoors--paddling and hiking and hiking--or interested in history, Michigan proved a fun vacation. Next time we want to see the Motown Museum in Detroit--that music was part of of our earlier years-- and re-visit their great art museum..we missed a lot, but there's always a next time....

Michigan proved an affordable, fine vacation--for we people--and our dog. A big thanks to all the warm folks we met on our travels. You "Yoopers" are neat!

[MICoastieMom]

Glad you had a nice time and meet nice people. You do know that 'Yoopers' live in the upper peninsula, don't you? They (lovingly) refer to those Michiganders who 'live below the bridge' (at Mackinaw) as 'trolls'. LOL Hope you have an opportunity to come back some time.

[embroidery_rocks]

You're making me homesick, those are all things we used to do when we lived in the fine state of michigan !

We were in Charlevoix for two years...isn't it beautiful!

[davidsouth]

Originally Posted by MICoastieMom

Glad you had a nice time and meet nice people. You do know that 'Yoopers' live in the upper peninsula, don't you? They (lovingly) refer to those Michiganders who 'live below the bridge' (at Mackinaw) as 'trolls'. LOL Hope you have an opportunity to come back some time.

Hi guys i am new to this forum. Few days back i got married. I am trying to celebrate my honeymoon in Michigan. I have no clue about the place Michigan. Can you provide any information how can i approach to the people to book online.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by davidsouth

Hi guys i am new to this forum. Few days back i got married. I am trying to celebrate my honeymoon in Michigan. I have no clue about the place Michigan. Can you provide any information how can i approach to the people to book online.

Your trip begins at michigan.org


Seriously... go there, it's easy.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

...trips to Isle Royal National Park leave from there--didn't have the time to go this time, but it's high on our list--home of a protected band of wolves and supposed to be world class hiking and back-packing...

Make sure you go back and visit.
Isle Royale is a real treasure.

I've seen the best display of the Northern Lights in my life there. I've paddled a kayak on glassy waters of Lake Superior alongside a swimming moose. I've heard wolves howl at night and I've kayaked into the open water after dark with a full moon to guide me.

I would highly recommend you find your way back north to Isle Royale... it will always be a favorite place of mine full of memories I'd never be able to make elsewhere.

[michsnowlvr]

Glad you enjoyed MI so much! As for the poster suggesting a honeymoon....I suspect that the Fall color in the U.P. is getting really good right about now (as it is already picking up in SE MI).