Posts tagged Great Lakes

2023, Won't You Wander With Me? The Final Epistle From a Travel-Filled Missile

The year 2023, with all of its ups and downs, peaks and valleys, and trials and tribulations, has come and gone — as has another 365 days here on All Things Wanderful. So now it’s time to take stock. What caught people’s attention? What fell flat on its face? Were you, the loyal readers of this increasingly-sporadic travel blog, entertained, or at least mildly amused? Did you find the content contained within this digital rambling wreck informational? Enlightening? Perhaps even erudite?

General TravelLogan T. HansenJanuary 7, 2024travel, travel advice, travel guide, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel writing, travel blog, travel blogging, travel recommendations, travel reading, travel reviews, travel ideas, All Things Wanderful, travel diary, travel bucket list, northernmost point, Canada, Great Lakes, Cal-Neva, Cal-Neva Lodge, California, Nevada, Michigan, Little Manistee, Little Manistee River, kayaking, Maine, ghost trains, Key West, Florida, New York City, Big Apple, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Flint Hills, Route 66, Historic Route 66, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Alum Cave Trail, The Sinks, Old Smoky Distillery, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Minnesota, George Floyd, George Floyd Square, Kansas City, Missouri, Crystal Mountain, Crystal Mountain Resort, Seattle, Twin Peaks, Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis, Kansas, Wichita, skiing, Mall of America, George Perry Floyd Square, Ground Zero, The Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn, Rockefeller Center, The Edge, The Edge NYC, NYC, New York, Hall des Lumières, Mediterranean food, Ernest Hemingway, Northern Michigan, Airbnb, Bering Strait, Diomedes, Diomede Islands, Little Diomede, Big Diomede, travelogueComment

Lake Michigan is Officially Among the Most Picturesque Landscapes in the U.S.

Look, folks, here’s the deal: Lake Michigan doesn’t need your approval. It doesn’t need your accolades, or your superlatives, or your constant-but-warranted praise. It doesn’t need you to remind it that it is the greatest of all the Great Lakes, better than Lake Superior or Huron or Ontario... or that other one that we almost don’t even need to mention (because, come on, that’s just laughable).

MichiganLogan T. HansenSeptember 13, 2023travel, travel guide, travel advice, travel guidance, travel recommendations, travel ideas, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel porn, Lake Michigan, Michigan, Great Lakes State, Great Lakes, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, HOMES, Aaron Burden, Holland, Storyboards, Awesome Mitten, Instagram, Lake Tahoe, Clearwater Beach, Waikiki Beach, Lake Norman, Lake Powell, Mojave Desert, Upper Peninsula, U.P., Chicago, beach, beach life, beaches, beach getaway, biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, paddle boarding, lightkeeper, lighthouse, Traverse City, Old Mission Lighthouse, Mission Point Lighthouse, Old Mission, Old Mission Peninsula, sand dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Grand Haven, Pentwater, Leland, Fishtown, Arcadia Bluffs, golf, golf courseComment

2022, a Tribute to You: The Travels & Travails of the Best Year Yet on All Things Wanderful

There are so many cliché ways that a year-in-review post like this could begin. But instead of saying “another year in the books” or “isn’t it funny how time flies” — or even “what do you know, here we are again” — let’s just steer clear of all that gobbledygook, am I right? After all, this is now the sixth year (!) I’m sitting down to write this annual postmortem, and it certainly doesn’t deserve to suffer an indignity like that.

General TravelLogan T. HansenDecember 31, 2022travel, travel guide, travel advice, travel blog, travel blogging, travel writing, travel recommendations, travel reading, travel reviews, travel tips, travel ideas, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel planning, travel photography, travel guidance, travel bucket list, All Things Wanderful, year in review, year-in-review, 2022, Caribbean, British Caribbean, Anguilla, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Logan's Run, Great Lakes, blogging, Star Wars, Wisconsin, ski trip, weekend trip, weekend getaway, weekend ski trip, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Texas, Dallas, Medieval Times, Stockyards, Fort Worth, Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District, Fort Worth Stockyards, Dutch Caribbean, French Caribbean, Chicago, Detroit Tigers, Iowa, Iowa City, Toronto Blue Jays, Michigan, Michigan football, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, DFW, Austin, The Mitten State, The Mitten State of Mind, Great Lakes State, altitude sickness, high-altitude travel, high altitude, hiking, hiking tips, hiking safety, travel safety, travel safety tips, Say Insurance, Orient Beach, Orient Bay, Orient Bay Beach, Marigot, Jesse Pinkman, Fort Louis, Le West Indies, nightlife, island life, island adventure, island time, day trip, day tripping, daytripping, winter sports, winter activities, skiing, snowboarding, ski area, ski resort, Wilmot Mountain, Wilmot Ski Resort, Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort, Wilmot, Milwaukee, Kenosha, hit the slopes, Vail Resorts, snow tubing, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Chippewa County, Alcona County, Dickinson County, Pine Mountain, Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort, The Netherlands, France, Maho Beach, Princess Juliana International Airport, Kamala HarrisComment

The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 3

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part Three, which covers the final 22 counties alphabetically, from Newaygo to Wexford.

MichiganLogan T. HansenNovember 7, 2022travel, travel advice, travel guide, travel guidance, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel ideas, Michigan, Great Lakes State, Mitten State, The Mitten State, mitten state, Great Lakes, Newaygo, Wisner Canoes, Betts Guide Service & Outfitter, hiking, hiking trails, bikinig, canoeing, kayaking, outdoors, outdoor recreation, Newaygo County, Oakland County, Oceana County, Detroit Zoo, Arctic Ring of Life, Nocturnal Adventures, Silver Lake, Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Pentwater, Ogemaw County, Northern Michigan, Lumber Jack Food & Spirits, ATV, ATV rental, swimming, boating, jet skiing, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Interstate 75, I-75, Ontonagon County, Porcupine Mountains, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Lake of the Clouds, Upper Peninsula, U.P., Up North, Central Michigan, J&J's River Run, Crawford Park, Hersey Canoe Landing, Muskegon River, Osceola County, M-66, Oscoda County, Coopersville USA, Roadside America, Spike Cooper, Huron National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest, Otsego County, Treetops, Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Ottawa County, North Beach Park, Grand Haven, Grand Haven State Park, Windsnest Park, Holland, Tunnel Park, Holland State Park, Nelis' Dutch Village, Port Sheldon, Presque Isle, Presque Isle County, Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, Old Presque Isle Light, New Presque Isle Light, Ocqueoc Falls, Besser Nature Preserve, Roscommon County, Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake, North Higgins Lake State Park, South Higgins Lake State Park, Houghton Lake State Forest Park, Nibbles Ice Cream, Nibbles Ice Cream Store, lake life, Saginaw County, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, Frankenmuth, Little Bavaria, St. Clair County, Fort Gratiot Light, St. Lawrence Seaway, St. Clair River, St. Joseph County, Lakeside Cemetery, Colon, Harry Blackstone, Ted Banks, Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini, Abbott Magic Co, Jack Gwynne, Sanilac County, Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park, Sanilac petroglyphs, Anishinaabemowin, Ezhibiigaadek Asin, Cass River, Schoolcraft County, Kitch-iti-kipi, Manistique, Indian Lake, Big Spring, Palms Book State Park, Shiawassee County, Curwood Castle, Shiawassee River, Owosso, James Oliver Curwood, Curwood Festival, Tuscola County, Vassar Theatre, Vassar, Art Deco theater, Van Buren County, beach, beach life, beach day, beach getaway, North Beach, South Beach, South Haven, Lake Arvesta Farms, Washtenaw County, Michigan Stadium, University of Michigan, Big House, Michigan football, Wayne County, Eastern Market, The Henry Ford, Holiday Nights, Greenfield Village, National Historic Landmark, farmers market, Dearborn, Wexford County, Caberfae Peaks, skiing, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, cross country skiing, the great outdoors, summer travel, winter travelComment

The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 2

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part Two, which covers 32 counties alphabetically, from Hillsdale to Muskegon.

MichiganLogan T. HansenJuly 29, 2022travel, Michigan, travel advice, travel guide, travel guidance, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel ideas, Great Lakes State, Turnip Rock, Great Lakes, The Mitten State, mitten state, Hillsdale County, Tri-State Marker, Billingstown Ohio, La Tierra Sanctuary, hiking, hiking trails, Houghton, Houghton County, Mont Ripley, Upper Peninsula, Upper Peninsula Tours, Copper Harbor, Copper Country Falls Tour, Michigan Tech, Michigan Technological University, Portage Lake, The Portage, skiing, snowboarding, winter sports, the great outdoors, outdoor adventure, outdoor recreation, winter travel, winter getaway, summer travel, kayaking, canoeing, Mackinac Island, Huron County, Port Austin, Port Austin Kayak, Port Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Thumb, Ingham County, Michigan State Capitol, National Historic Landmark, self-guided tour, lighthouse, Ionia County, Saranac, Iosco County, Tawas Point, Tawas Point Lighthouse, Tawas Point State Park, fishing, Midwest Cape Cod, Lower Peninsula, migratory birds, bird watching, swimming, camping, Iron County, Ski Brule, Nordic trails, Wisconsin, sleigh rides, family trip, family-friendly, family vacation, Isabella County, Mount Pleasant, Soaring Eagle Casino, Bucks Run Golf Club, Jerry Matthews, Quarry Grill, Bucks Run Putting Island, Golf Digest, Golf Digest's Places to Play, Jackson County, Falling Waters Trail, Aaron Dimick, People for the Parks & Trails of Jackson Michigan, Cascades Waterfall, Kalamazoo County, Air Zoo, Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, Portage, Flight Innovation Center, amusement park, Michigan's Adventure, Wildwater Adventure Park, Kalkaska County, Skegemog Lake, Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area, Torch River, biking, mountain biking, Kent County, Grand Rapids, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Frederik Meijer, Japanese rock garden, The New York Times, 52 Places to Go in 2016, 52 Places, 52 Places to Go, Auguste Rodin, Ai Weiwei, West Michigan, Keweenaw Peninsula, Keweenaw County, Isle Royale, Isle Royale National Park, Manistee National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest, Lake County, Bear Track, Old Grade, Gleason's Landing, Bowman Bridge, Shrine of the Pines, Pere Marquette River, Lapeer County, Lake Inn, Lake Nepessing, Lapeer Country Club, craft beer, Up North, Northern Michigan, Leelanau County, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Fishtown, Leland, Lenawee County, Michigan International Speedway, Faster Horses, MHSAA, NASCAR, NASCAR Cup Series, Livingston County, Schell Family Farm, Parshallville Cider Mill, Spicer Orchards, cider mill, Ghostly Grove, Lansing, Detroit, Fenton, Pinckney, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Oswald's Bear Ranch, Newberry, black bears, Upper Falls, Lower Falls, Grand Hotel, Arch Rock, Macomb County, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Ford House, Albert Kahn, Lake St. Clair, Cotswolds, National Register of Historic Places, Grosse Pointe Shores, Manistee County, Sleighbell Weekend, Sleighbell Parade, Ramsdell Theatre, Victorian Sleighbell Parade, beach, beach life, beach day, beach getaway, Secret Garden, Aaron Burden, Marquette, Marquette County, Sugarloaf Mountain, michigan.org, Pure Michigan, Yooper, Mason County, Ludington, Ludington State Park, Saturday Night Live, SNL, Stefon, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Big Sable Point, Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Nordhouse Dunes, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, MTV, Dan Cortese, Mecosta County, Ferris State University, 13th, Ava DuVernary, Jim Crow Museum, Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, Menominee County, J Wells State Park, Green Bay, Menominee, Cedar River, Midland County, Herbert Dow, Dow Gardens, canopy walk, forest canopy walk, Pines Home, Missaukee County, Lake City, Airbnb, Lake City Family Diner, The Patio on Main, Rustic Hog Barbecue, Rustic Hog BBQ, Monroe County, Sterling State Park, Toledo Ohio, University of Michigan, walleye fishing, James Monroe, Montcalm County, Frugthaven Farm, Klackle Orchards, Klackle doughnuts, Thunder Bay Resort, Montmorency County, Hillman, elk preserve, murder mystery weekends, golf, golf course, Muskegon County, USS Silversides Submarine Museum, Hackley and Hume, Hackley and Hume Historic Site, Shivering Timbers, rollercoaster, theme park, waterpark, two parks for the price of one, White Lake, Whitehall, Muskegon, day trip, daytripping, day tripping, day tripsComment

The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 1

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part One, which covers the first 29 counties alphabetically, from Alcona to Gratiot.

MichiganLogan T. HansenFebruary 8, 2022travel, travel guide, travel advice, Michigan, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel recommendations, travel tips, travel ideas, travel planning, travel appreciation, travel guidance, travel junkie, travel bucket list, Great Lakes State, Great Lakes, Escanaba, Upper Peninsula, mitten state, Chippewa County, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Mother Nature, the great outdoors, outdoors, outdoor adventure, Grand Traverse Bay, Grand Traverse County, Alcona County, Churchill Pointe Inn, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, lighthouse, Lake Huron, Hubbard Lake, Lower Peninsula, Alger County, Pictured Rocks, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Lake Superior, kayaking, Allegan County, Oval Beach, Conde Nast, Conde Nast Traveler, Saugatuck, Lake Michigan, Alpena County, Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Lady Michigan, Shipwreck Alley, shipwrecks, Antrim County, up north, Torch Lake, Torch Lake Monster, Arenac County, Charity Island, Charity Island Lighthouse, Saginaw Bay, bird watching, Baraga County, Mt. Arvon, L'Anse, hiking, biking, jogging, cross-country skiing, cross country skiing, Huron Mountains, Barry County, Gilmore Car Museum, history, Bay County, Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, BaySail, Benzie County, Inspiration Point, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville, Frankfort, Beulah, Crystal Lake, Platte Lake, Berrien County, Warren Dunes State Park, camping, Branch County, Capri Drive-In Theater, U.S.-12, Binder Park Zoo, Calhoun County, Wild Africa, Cass County, Dowagiac, Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, Charlevoix, Charlevoix County, Charlevoix the Beautiful, Beaver Island, Beaver Island Hideaway Campground, Beaver Island Music Festival, Cheboygan County, Mackinaw City, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, Black Mountain Recreation Area, off-roading, snowmobiling, cheboygantrailways.com, Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Locks, St. James Harbor, St. James, Cops & Doughnuts, Clare County, Clare City Bakery, Clinton County, Uncle John's Cider Mill, US-127, Mid Mitten Cider Fest, Fall Craft & Gift Show, Crawford County, Hanson Hills, Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling, Grayling Winter Sports Park, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, winter travel, summer travel, disc golf, archery, mountain biking, Midwest, Delta County, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Jeff Daniels, Fayette Historic State Park, Northern Sun Winery & Vineyards, Ludington Park, Little Bay de Noc, Dickinson County, Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort, Pine Mountain, ski jump, Eaton County, Dimes Brewhouse, BrickHaven Brewing, Sanctuary Spirits, Dimondale, Grand Ledge, Emmet County, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Genesee County, Flint, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, Stepping Stone Falls, Saginaw Street, TripAdvisor, architecture, Anthony Bourdain, art, murals, Gladwin County, Hard Luck, ghost town, Au Sable State Forest, nailhed, Gogebic County, Big Powderhorn Mountain, Big Snow Resort, Blackjack Mountain, Indianhead Mountain, Traverse City, Old Mission, Old Mission Peninsula, winery, vineyard, Gratiot County, Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, Alma, Greenville, Montcalm County, wildlife, nature, travel junkiesComment

We Rolled Out 'All Things Wanderful' — And Then 2020 Happened

I’m sure everybody else is saying it, too, but I just gotta do it: What. A. Year. Whew, okay, that felt good. You know what hasn’t been good, though, especially for travel fiends like myself? This godforsaken year that began with such promise.

General TravelLogan T. HansenDecember 29, 2020travel, travel guide, travel advice, travelspiration, travel inspiration, 2020, 2021, Valentine's Day, Christmas, New Year's Day, happy new year, Fourth of July, Halloween, NCAA, March Madness, Zoom, NBA, heartbreak, year in review, All Things Wanderful, Greenland, Greenland Travel, Air Greenland, overtourism, over-tourism, Nuuk, tourism, tourism industry, coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, COVID, travel ideas, travel bucket list, bucket list, Japan, winter travel, Africa, Kyrgyzstan, cold-weather destinations, cold weather, cruise, cruise line, cruise ship, cruise ship industry, Bill Burr, environmentalism, environment, environmentally-friendly, environmental science, Michigan, Great Lakes State, urban legends, Dogman, Michigan Dogman, Great Lakes, 2017, 2018, 2019Comment

5 Michigan Locations Associated with Creepy Urban Legends

From the otherworldly spirits haunting Michigan’s lighthouses to the mythical Dogman lurking somewhere in the north woods’ darkness, the Great Lakes State is a treasure trove full of ghost stories and urban legends. The Great Lakes are intriguing in and of themselves, their rough waters having claimed numerous ships over the years, but the tales creep inland, as well, giving residents of the mitten plenty to talk about around the campfire late at night.

MichiganLogan T. HansenJune 19, 2020travel, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel guide, travel advice, Michigan, Great Lakes, Great Lakes State, Bete Grise, singing sands of Bete Grise, Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, Old Presque Isle Light, lighthouse, history, folktales, legends, myths, tall tales, urban legends, Dogman, Michigan Dogman, Northern Michigan, Wexford County, Lower Peninsula, Upper Peninsula, Keweenaw Peninsula, Keweenaw County, George Parris, lightkeeper, haunted, ghost stories, Lorraine Parris, Torch Lake, Torch Lake Monster, traversecity.com, Traverse City, WTCM, Camp Hayo-Went-Ha, Hayo-Went-Ha, Rapid City, fishing, Le Griffon, Le Griffon shipwreck, shipwreck, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Atlas Obscura, shipwreck hunting, shipwreck hunters, Cayuga Island, Niagara River, Niagara Falls, barque, French, Michigan Technological University, Michigan Tech, Native American, grey beast, Steve Cook, Jack O'Malley, The Legend, The Gable Film, Gable FilmComment

TripSavvy Says Michigan is Great for Outdoor Enthusiasts — They're Not Wrong

At the start of 2020, national travel publication TripSavvy declared Michigan an “underappreciated outdoor playground,” naming it the year’s top travel destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Provided this planet is full of all kinds of natural wonders, anyone unfamiliar with the Great Lakes State might balk slightly at such a designation. But those of us “in the know" aren’t the least bit surprised.

MichiganLogan T. HansenJanuary 24, 2020travel, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel advice, travel guide, Michigan, Pictured Rocks, Great Lakes State, Aaron Burden, TripSavvy, Great Lakes, Upper Peninsula, U.P., M-2, Isle Royale, Belle Isle, Detroit, Kitch-iti-kipi, Turnip Rock, Port Austin, Motor City, Motown, cider, cider mill, Northern Michigan, Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Charlevoix County, Beaver Island, Beaver Island Music Festival, Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse County, Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, daytripping, day trip, day trips, wine, winery, Leelanau County, Leelanau Peninsula, Manistee County, Little Manistee River, Little Manistee, kayaking, canoeing, outdoors, the great outdoors, Mother Nature, Oceana County, Pentwater, Wexford County, skiing, Caberfae Peaks, Saginaw County, Frankenmuth, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Wayne County, Greenfield Village, Holiday Nights, summertime, Alger County, Pictured Rocks Cruises, Pictured Rocks Kayaking, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Chippewa County, Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Locks, Soo Locks Boat Tours, Paradise, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Lake Superior, Houghton County, Keweenaw County, Keweenaw Peninsula, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac, Rocket League, The Gay Bar, Gay Michigan, US-2, St. Ignace, Muskegon County, White Lake, Whitehall, Ottawa County, Kirk Park, Grand Haven, Grand Haven State ParkComment

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