My craving for new adventures and fresh experiences often leaves me looking from one destination to the next, but there is one place that will never stop calling me back. Not only is Michigan my homeland, but its beauty and charm are sure to make anyone who is not accustomed to this Midwestern world fall in love in an instant. Here are a few of my most beloved moments of life in Michigan that make me thankful that I get to call the Mitten State “home” no matter where life takes me.
1. Road trips.
Michiganders know one mode of transportation and one mode only: cars. Road trips are a necessary part of visiting family or experiencing a destination getaway, and we know how to make them a good time. Playlists complete with your favorite jams, a pillow handy in case the passengers get sleepy, and enough car games to last you hours.
2. H.O.M.E.S.
Yes, H.O.M.E.S. Not only a catchy acronym that reflects exactly what Michigan is and always will be to me, but the abbreviation for Michigan’s most well-known attribute: The Great Lakes. These natural beauties should basically be considered one of the wonders of the world. The expanse of these massive bodies of water runs so far and wide that they make it seem as though you are on the shores of the coastal oceans, yet the water is completely fresh and salt-free! The sunsets off the Michigan shorelines are unmatched by any and will turn the sky above you into a mixture of colors that surpasses any sight that you could even imagine.
3. Getting a taste of all four seasons (even if some outlast others).
OK, so winter may last a little longer than the rest (depending on the year), and sometimes spring doesn’t even like to make an appearance, but going through the transition from winter to spring, spring to summer, summer to fall, and beginning the process all over again is incredibly refreshing. There is no greater feeling than witnessing the days becoming longer, the trees coming back to life, and the rejuvenating warmth of the sun after a long, cold winter. Let’s not forget the awe-inspiring sight of Michigan forests in the fall, either. The temperatures may be getting colder as a reminder of the impending winter, but the beauty of the changing leaves makes fall in Michigan a magical time.
4. The beauty of Northern Michigan.
The ultimate getaway vacation destination for Michiganders, heading “Up North” means sand dunes, lake life, and cute little towns filled with miniature golf and ice cream shops. There is no greater staple of life in Michigan during the summer months, and the entire scene is more than easy on the eyes. The lake breeze, clear blue water, and sandy shores provide visitors with an experience that cannot be beat.
