I’m visiting each of Michigan’s 83 counties
We tried so hard to get to Turnip Rock. We really did. We packed the folding expedition kayak and PFDs and emergency gear for paddling Lake Huron. Luck would not have us paddle though: the kayak skin busted a zipper while we were assembling it and we couldn’t find anywhere in the vicinity to rent us boats because “the wind was too bad.” I was so extremely bummed - another county location so within reach, yet so inaccessible (this wouldn’t be the last one on this trip, either).
This was my first ever visit to Ezhibiigadek Asin (the given name for this place by Chippewa people). I really didn’t know what to expect, but was nearly moved to tears by what I experienced in this sacred place.
I spent a lot of time on Harsen’s Island growing up - my dad would take us there by boat over Lake. St Clair, and we’d tie up at Brown’s Bar for french fries and soda (or fish and beers, for my parents). It has been literally over a decade since my last visit, so I found this county stop to be a little nostalgic.
On June 7, we took off with a big dog and full packs for a weekend on the lake. This wasn’t our first visit to Nordhouse Dunes, but we were excited to be returning.
I have been to Sleeping Bear Dunes countless times, and have fallen in love a little bit more every single visit. The National Lakeshore in northern Michigan is absolutely my favorite place in the entire world. This was my first time going in the winter, though, and the season introduced me to new kinds of magic on the dunes.
I’ve driven through tunnel of trees before, and it is GORGEOUS! Honestly, though, most of Michigan’s 2-lane highways can be a tunnel of trees anywhere in the northern half of the state. Considering it’s winter and I wasn’t going to get any remarkable foliage, I decided to explore a different spot in Emmet County: Wilderness State Park.
Just a few miles outside of Mt. Pleasant is a gorgeous county park - totally under the radar! Deerfield Nature Park is home to a gorgeous natural area with miles of hiking trails, suspension bridges, the Chippewa River, remote hike-in campsites, and disc golf galore. It’s a pretty perfect spot.
Growing up, I knew lots of friends and families who spent holiday weekends on Higgins Lake in the summer; I think I even had extended family with cabins and property on the lake, as well. Somehow, I didn’t make it to Higgins Lake until my 24th year of life, in the middle of Michigan winter - it was worth the wait.
Initially when I drove into the park, it seemed very small. I was greeted by a playground, a boat launch, and a fishing pier. It was quaint. I explored this area with my camera to see if I could find any trail heads for the hiking/biking paths that MLive referenced, but with no luck. It was a pretty little area, though.
After taking almost two entire months off from visiting counties I finally made it out for a visit the week of Christmas. I had traveled home to Metro Detroit to spend the holiday with my family there, and took advantage of a particularly warm and sunny day - sunny and 55F isn’t common in Michigan in the winter whatsoever, so I felt compelled to make the most of it. The morning of December 23, I loaded up my camera bag and headed north to Lapeer County.
It was a remarkably bright and sunny Thursday afternoon, after a remarkably rainy couple of days. I took a half day at work and headed toward Gun Lake around 12 noon for some sunshine-forest therapy.
Kalkaska was our last stop this weekend, on Sunday October 20. It was a bit of a dreary morning, but still warm and dry enough for a little hike on our way back downstate.
Torch Lake has a reputation as one of America’s most beautiful lakes, and is super popular in the summer. We decided to add it to our fall adventure itinerary though, and made our way there on Saturday October 19…but not without a few other stops throughout Antrim County as well!
There is nothing, literally nothing, more beautiful and refreshing than fall in Michigan. The autumn equinox brings shorter days, crisper air, and colorful landscapes to the entire state.
It was a gorgeous, hot, humid Monday night; from what the forecast was telling me, the last warm night Michigan was going to see for a while. I capitalized on the weather and headed out to Ionia State Rec Area after work.
WAIT! WISCONSIN ISN’T MICHIGAN! THIS IS A BLOG ABOUT MICHIGAN!
I know. I’m sorry. I know Wisconsin isn’t in Michigan, but it was a really enjoyable part of our trip, so I’m including it to round things out.
