[minusach]

I love:
1) The auto show
2) The detroit festival of arts
3) Kensington state park and all the other great parks in MI
4) Hot air baloon show
5) Tulip gardens
6) Sleeping bear dunes
7) Mackinac Island
8) Port Huron , traverse city and bay city beaches.

MP

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by bluebird39

We're new to Michigan too, and have also been asked over and over again why we moved here from Oregon.

1. The schools are great here. If you don't belive me, ask anyone from the South(where I was born and raised), or the West Coast.

2. The low cost of houses. I can finally afford to be a stay at home mom because we don't need 2 jobs just to pay the mortgage.

3. Snow! Everyone in Oregon told me the winters would be misserable here, but I loved it! It was so much better than I thought it'd be. What do they know?

4. The medical system here if phenominal. Yes, phenominal. It costs so little to go to the doctor here, and we don't have to wait weeks or months (yes, months) to see one.

5. Lakes. Need I say more... One thing about mountains is that there are no lakes. All water rushes downhill. Also, there are no mountains here to block the amazing sunrises and sunsets I've been blown away by here.

6. Family is important here. Out West retirees are coming by the droves, and no one wants to support kids or families. There are so many free or low cost things for kids to do here. It's great!

7. Water. I am so glad to be where it rains again, and where you don't have to irrigate. I'll take humidity over bone dry anyday.

8. Deciduous forests. This fall was so incredible I almost drove my car off the road several times, looking at the fall colors. It's incredible how fast things grow now that it's spring. I love the new experience from the all green tinder dry Western forest to the maple, oak, birch, etc etc forests. The Northwoods are incredible. I agree that Michiganders know how to appreciate their short summers!!

9. Loons. We have a pair that flies over our house each day. In 5 minutes we can walk to the lake it nests on. Pretty cool! I can't wait to see fireflies too.

10. Northern Lights. I got to see them for the first time in my life this winter. It alone made the move worthwhile. Truly a very moving experience.

Amen to all of this!

[oneredhonda]

OOOH This is hard:
The west lake drive in (should be open soon) for dinner on a hot day.
The Sunset Drive in for a double feature and if you are lucky you can count the falling stars while not paying attention to your movie.
The way the hot sand warms you up after swimming in chilly Lake Michigan.
When you wake up and find an extra foot or two of snow that was not there when you went to bed.
The first day that you realize that winter is finally over!

[The_Anonymous_American]

My likes about Michigan:

1. The Great Lakes are a treasure to everyone, regardless of income.
2. The holidays are used to celebrate the change of seasons.
3. Two Big Ten Universities that create tremendous community spirit.
4. More golf courses than any state but Florida and California.
5. Celebrities like Bob Seger, Jeff Daniels, Elmore Leonard.
6. The working class in Michigan are bigger land owners than the elites and chattering class in New York (thanks in part to the UAW, by the way).
7. People have an earthy sense of humor.
8. Meijer is to Michigan what Wal-Mart is to Arkansas.
9. The Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven.
10. The 17th hole at the Buick Open on Sunday's final round.

[jst333]

The Lake's, watching the frieghter's go up and down the St. Clair river.

Some food treasure's in michigan are..
FAYGO POP---Better Made Chip's---Tubby's Subs---Buscemi's Pizza.
I Live in N.Y. for 4 years, and I really missed these Michigan Treats!

[GoodLandlords]

That we have it ALL !!!!!!!

Lakes, trees, motorcycling cruising all around the coast through small towns...

Music Festivals
Downtown Detroit ... all the events..something for everyone..like the Jazz Festival to the Hoedown ... concerts at Hart Plaza
The Mighty Mac! (Mackinac Bridge)
The U.P. (Upper Oeninsula)
The Housing Market ... bad for selling but GREAT FOR BUYING RIGHT NOW!
(The market will come back, it always does as the economy regroups)
Pontoon boats ...speed boats ...jet skis..kayaks and canoes..paddle boats
Dog Parks
Dirt roads..drives in the country
Royal Oak - the night life
A good church whenever you need one ......

[michiganbornandproud]

Amen to FAYGO jst333!!! Believe it or not,and it may be an aquired taste for some,but I miss Koegel's pickled bologna ALL THE TIME!!...lol...A big bottle of peach Faygo,some pickled bologna and some cheddar on Ritz crackers in front of the TV watching a great movie...I miss home....

[magellan]

One thing I had last night: Garden Fresh Salsa made in Fenton, Michigan. Oh man, to die for!

[Wabbit]

To support my argument that it doesn't matter where mexican food (tex-mex) is made as much as WHO's making it, there's the Salsa company Magellan mentioned. Who would have guessed the best 'packaged' salsa in the U.S would be made in Michigan. Sorry guys, it's just a fact.
The awards don't lie. Here's the website
Garden Fresh Gourmet
As for the other stuff,
When my aunts visit me from California they hoard jars of ringed bologna and Rockin' Rye Faygo. What's that about? -YUCK! I always liked the 'fake' mountain dew flavor they used to make. I think it was called Moonshine or something like that. I think they stopped making it in the late eighties.
Also, hats off to 'goodlandlords' for his dirt road mention. I Luv me some dirt road drivin' in the summer and fall.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

To support my argument that it doesn't matter where mexican food (tex-mex) is made as much as WHO's making it, there's the Salsa company Magellan mentioned. Who would have guessed the best 'packaged' salsa in the U.S would be made in Michigan. Sorry guys, it's just a fact.
The awards don't lie. Here's the website
Garden Fresh Gourmet
As for the other stuff,
When my aunts visit me from California they hoard jars of ringed bologna and Rockin' Rye Faygo. What's that about? -YUCK! I always liked the 'fake' mountain dew flavor they used to make. I think it was called Moonshine or something like that. I think they stopped making it in the late eighties.
Also, hats off to 'goodlandlords' for his dirt road mention. I Luv me some dirt road drivin' in the summer and fall.

They still make the Moonshine, Wabbit! I just had 1 a few weeks ago!

I've seen the Rockin' Rye Faygo...what flavor is that?

Pickled Bologna! I can't even stomach the regular kind!

Regarding salsa...I will admit I'm completely surprised that the best packaged salsa is made in Michigan! That being said, the mostly likely place for the best fresh salsa would probably not be in Michigan. However, my sister lives in Michigan, and her salsa is my personal fave--so maybe yes!!