[miniature]

Thanks Bydand! I am packing right now!

[Bluefly]

I recently left northern Michigan and find myself really missing it. Everytime I see those ads that are playing nationally I pine for it. I've always felt the Great Lakes are a completely unique ecosystem in all the world and always felt like I was privy to a secret not many people knew about.

I mean, just think about it. A vast maritime culture and beach / tourist town culture sitting in the middle of the Midwest.

If you ask me, Michigan would do well to use this crisis to end its days as a dirty industrial hub and state prone to auto-dependent sprawl and launch a new era as a pristine place where the renewable technologies are manufactured, where widely regarded theatre and film and art are created, and where the waters are really clean.

I know there are already efforts underway to do this, but it'd be nice if we could all reimagine our state.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

I recently left northern Michigan and find myself really missing it. Everytime I see those ads that are playing nationally I pine for it. I've always felt the Great Lakes are a completely unique ecosystem in all the world and always felt like I was privy to a secret not many people knew about.

I mean, just think about it. A vast maritime culture and beach / tourist town culture sitting in the middle of the Midwest.

If you ask me, Michigan would do well to use this crisis to end its days as a dirty industrial hub and state prone to auto-dependent sprawl and launch a new era as a pristine place where the renewable technologies are manufactured, where widely regarded theatre and film and art are created, and where the waters are really clean.

I know there are already efforts underway to do this, but it'd be nice if we could all reimagine our state.

I agree...it is actually pretty amazing that Americans HAVE MAPS...see the large bodies of water sitting right there...see this state surrounded by it...yet still hear the word 'Michigan' and have almost zero in their mind at the thought of whats there...

I've lived outside of Michigan for about 15 years, and most get the place confused with all the other M-states...and if they do realize its Midwest, they quickly associate with cornfields instead of the Great Lakes.

[mackinac81]

Originally posted by timeofseasons
Well Michigan may relate more to the upper midwest ( Minnesota, Wisconsin).

I agree with this. Michigan reminds me much more of Wisconsin and Minnesota than Indiana and Iowa--especially north of the Grand Rapids and Lansing.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

I recently left northern Michigan and find myself really missing it. Everytime I see those ads that are playing nationally I pine for it. I've always felt the Great Lakes are a completely unique ecosystem in all the world and always felt like I was privy to a secret not many people knew about.

I mean, just think about it. A vast maritime culture and beach / tourist town culture sitting in the middle of the Midwest.

If you ask me, Michigan would do well to use this crisis to end its days as a dirty industrial hub and state prone to auto-dependent sprawl and launch a new era as a pristine place where the renewable technologies are manufactured, where widely regarded theatre and film and art are created, and where the waters are really clean.

I know there are already efforts underway to do this, but it'd be nice if we could all reimagine our state.

Rats. Must spread reputation around before I can give any to bluefly again.

[CMartel2]

Originally Posted by baystater

Let me ask you this guys.

Would you consider the culture of Michigan closely related other Midwest states? Or is it something completely different?

Similar in many ways with the exception of the urban blights that dot the state. Rural Michigan is great. The urban areas are all too often crime-infested crapholes. Soak up the diversity!!

[YAZ]

MI is similar to ALL states when it comes to "urban blight dots".

Come to Phoenix; you'd be amazed.

There are many more "bright dots" around the state (in MI) that make these pleasant peninsulas a great place.

Go Tigers!