Peaceful views of Michigan's fall color display

I found this two-minute video on YouTube that was shot at the West Lake Nature Preserve in Portage, Michigan. Don't you just love the wonderful display of a myriad of colors across Michigan in the fall? At the end of last week we took a wonderful (but short) trip up to the Straits. If you get up that way this weekend or next week you have to take County Road 81. It parallels U.S. 31 to the east and passes through such burgs as Bliss, Heils Corner, and Pleasant View. The view is most definitely "pleasant" and the drive is relaxing.

If the video player does not display you can view it at YouTube right here.

Get your fall color fix in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Want to get a jump on the fall color season? Head on up to Michigan's U.P. and take in the explosion of color that has its peak around the first week of October in the central and western portions of the Upper Peninsula. An article in The Mining Journal today suggests the last week of September and the first couple weeks of October as the "prime viewing season" for fall foliage in our Upper Peninsula.

My wife and I went to the U.P. around the last week of September once and the colors were spectacular. We stayed at the Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast and were in awe of the wonderful fall colors and the deep blue backdrop of Lake Superior.

We took a day trip up in the Yellow Dog Falls area and up to a hill (I doubt it is considered a mountain) called, I believe, Gobblers' Nob or something of the sort. Just simply amazing blends of color contrasted with the deep green of the pine trees.

So, fill up on some of that cheaper gas, grab your camera and binoculars, bring some cash so you can stuff your face with pasties, and Go North.

Websites of interest: Official Directory of Michigan Fall Color Tours

Fall Color Tour information via www.NewsUpNorth.com