Michigan, my new favorite state

September 14-19, 2017

I discovered the area in and around Traverse City, MI about 7 years ago. It’s what brought me to Michigan. It seemed like the kind of place I would love to visit, almost New England-like. Quaint little towns, bike trails, great restaurants, and summertime festivals. After 7 years of waiting, I finally got to visit. This trip exceeded my expectations of Michigan, the countryside was beautiful with all the old barns, fruit orchards, lakes, vineyards and plenty of dark sky to capture the Milky Way.

When I say dark, I mean can’t see your hand in front of your face dark. When the night sounds are exaggerated by the darkness. When you think there is someone behind you, kind of dark. I had to face some of my fears on this trip in order to get the photos that I dreamed of taking. Some of those fears were being in ice cold water, walking thru darkness, wild animals… (o.k., so they were barnyard animals, but they were in the wild) It just proved to me that when you want something bad enough, you will face down your fears and push forward to attain them.

Our last stop on this fabulous journey through Michigan was Ludington. This trip has been one of the best trips we have taken. No major incidents as "newbie RV owners". We're actually pretty confident in RV Parks that have only back-in spaces available too!

As for the beautiful state of Michigan, I’m already thinking of a return trip. I probably would like to spend the majority of my time in the U.P. doing more activities, like biking, hiking and kayaking. I would love to see Lake Superior from the water in a kayak and view the high cliffs and sea caves that surrounds the lake.

Our last stop was going to be Big Sable Point Lighthouse to shoot the Milky Way but since I didn’t do my research, I didn’t realize you had to walk 2 miles, one way, on a wooded trail, just to get to the lighthouse and I wasn’t going to walk 4 miles in total darkness! Plan B…Little Sable Point Lighthouse! It was just a ‘quick’ hike up a tall mountain of incredibly soft, fluffy sand. I could do that and it was glorious! We were the only people on the high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and Little Sable Point Lighthouse, watching the sunset into the lake and waiting for the Milky Way to appear. It was a warm clear night, as were all the nights on our trip, just perfect nights to view the stars and the universe around us.SaveSaveSave