Posts tagged Upper Peninsula
Backpacking with the Boys on Grand Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Backpacking with the Boys on Grand Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

When I decided to join my younger brother and his friends for a four-day hike covering 20+ miles on Grand Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there were certainly some known quantities involved. I knew, for example, that spending the night on an island in Lake Superior in October would potentially be a frosty affair, thus packing plenty of layers and proper gear, including a sleeping bag capable of insulating my body in 35- to 40-degree weather, was a must. I knew that it would be extremely dark out there once the sun went down, which could possibly provide awe-inspiring glimpses of starry night skies, but also allow the imagination to run wild…

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

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

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

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

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Being a Travel Blogger in a Year Without Travel
Being a Travel Blogger in a Year Without Travel

2020 has been one weird year. There we were at the start of a brand new decade on January 1st, looking ahead to a year in which practically every major holiday fell on a weekend, the economy was continuing the upward trend that started back at the beginning of Obama’s first term, and the puns concerning 20/20 vision hadn’t even gone stale yet.

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5 Michigan Locations Associated with Creepy Urban Legends
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.

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

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The Michigan Day Trip Tour, No. 6: St. Ignace, Gateway to the U.P.
The Michigan Day Trip Tour, No. 6: St. Ignace, Gateway to the U.P.

From the Porcupine Mountains to Pictured Rocks, and a whole heck of a lot in between, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is filled with plenty of treasures for travelers to explore. As anyone who has been up there could tell you, it’s truly a world unto itself. While there is much to see and do beyond the bridge, it all gets started with the first city you run into after crossing the Straits of Mackinac: St. Ignace.

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