Michigan's Natural Beauty

Michigan is one of those states that have four distinct seasons, meaning that you can't walk around all year long in jeans and a t-shirt. You can go to the same location throughout the year and experience things totally differently than on your previous visit. Where you encountered wildflowers there are pockets of mushrooms, lush green forest have been transformed by the flaming colors of autumn, and where there was once a roaring waterfall, a more playful version now beckons for you to approach and reach into it's gentle cascade. Don't forget the annual accumulation of snow that the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) gets, causing the local bar to have more snowmobiles than 4x4's in the parking lot. There's even a big wooden "snow-meter" off the side of the road in the Keweenaw Peninsula which measures annual winter snowfall - The record, displayed with a red arrow on the marker, is set at 390.4 inches, that's almost 33 feet!

For the backpacker, Michigan opens up a vast array of experiences. Aspen, Birch, Fir, Hemlock, and Maple trees populate half the state. Trails range from a few hundred feet, to over a thousand miles in length. Dense forests, carpeted with wildflowers, mushrooms, and berries welcome the hiker. Rivers and lakes abound, whether you just need a relaxing dip for your feet or are in the mood for an afternoon swim. Michigan boasts mountains of untamed sand dunes, and the nicest freshwater beaches in the country.

With all the lakes, rivers, and streams in Michigan there has got to be some good fishing around, right? You bet! My favorite catches include smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, brook and lake trout, whitefish, steelhead, and coho salmon.

If you're into hunting for edible mushrooms, Michigan won't disappoint either. Because mushrooming is a lost art here in the States, there's not a lot of competition and, for the skilled hunter, it's easy pickins.

For those who are hesitant to take their chances with mushrooms, Michigan forests are also filled with blackberries, raspberries, and thimbleberries. There are also plenty of wild apple trees to be found throughout Northern Michigan. These are remnants of subsistent farming and nearly every apple is home to a bug or two. For those willing to overlook this shortcoming, the apples are a tasteful adventure. Most of them are tart by today's standards, but they are much more flavorful that what you will find in your local grocery store or even at a roadside fruit stand. Eaten fresh off the tree, they are an unexpected snack for the lucky hiker.

Michigan also has a very diverse animal population including chipmunks, deer, and elk and less common sightings such as black bears, moose, and Eastern timber wolves.

Michigan's only National Park, Isle Royale, is one of the least known and least visited in the National Parks system. If you're looking to "get away from it all," it's a pretty good destination.

The Outdoors of Michigan are very family friendly, packed full of short, but memorable, adventures that can be enjoyed with children who are under the age of five.

Finally, Michigan is really two states in one. It is composed of two halves, the Upper and Lower Peninsula.

The largest of the approximately 11,000 inland lakes in the state are within the Lower Peninsula. The major rivers are also in this portion of the state. Most of Michigan's state parks (we're getting close to 100 now) are located in the Lower Peninsula and, in the summertime, it's definitely trailer and RV heaven. For those traveling with smaller children, the lower half of Michigan is ideal as you are never too far from the conveniences of the modern world should you need them. For me, aside from a few unique places, I use Michigan's lower peninsula for extended day-hikes and getting my trail legs into shape - my serious hiking is reserved for "Up North."

One third of Michigan's land mass lies within the Upper Peninsula. It has shorter summers, longer winters, is less populated, and has fewer tourists. It also has more bears, more waterfalls, and more dense and old growth forest. If they didn't have signs to announce the local towns, you might miss them - many are simply the intersection of two roads where there's a gas station and general store. So you are not confused, the gas station is called "Gas", and the general store is called "Store" - I'm not kidding here!!! And, with attractions like Outhouse Racing, you'll never get bored.

Remember, Northern Michigan always demands the best in preparedness from its visitors. You want to come equipped for any condition that may present itself as lake-borne weather patterns can change swiftly. The well-advised visitor dresses in layers, prepared for anything from cool incoming fog banks to sweltering sun to biting insects to absolutely perfect Michigan weather, which happens more often than one would be led to believe!

Strictly Michigan
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