Tell Free Press Writer Where to Travel in Michigan

Susan Ager, a writer for the Detroit Free Press, is asking her fellow Michiganians to suggest places in Michigan for her to visit. Head over to Susan's blog to check out all of the ideas people have suggested. Even if you can't think of anything to suggest, you might find some of Michigan's hidden gems that you will want to pay a visit. Actually, I thought I would go over there and make some suggestions, but I got caught up in reading all of the great ideas. I'll try to think up something really unique to add to the ever growing list.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula Video of Bond Falls

Bond Falls is one of the lesser known gems of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Earlier in the week I helped to spread the word that the Upper Peninsula is ranked as a Top 10 summer vacation destination. I am sure that the numerous waterfalls up there didn't hurt in the decision making process. Here is a short clip (under 30 seconds) of Bond Falls.

If the video player does not display, please go to youtube.com to view the clip.

Note: not all content on youtube.com is of the decent nature that you find at All Things Michigan. I am only directing you to view this particular video clip.

Free Gas When You Stay in Traverse City

Now through Labor Day a four-night stay at any of Traverse City's 43 hotels, motels, and resorts will get you a $25 gas card. The gas card comes courtesy of the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau in order to counter any damage the high gas prices might cause to tourism this summer. You must make your reservations through the following toll-free number set up specifically for this promotion - 1-800-714-0051.

No word yet on if Traverse City restaurants will join the free gas promotion with an "Eat here and get Gas" campaign. ;)

Read the full article in the Traverse City Record Eagle.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula Top 10 Vacation Destination

Michigan's Upper Peninsula has joined the likes of the Greek Islands, London, Russia, and Scandanavia as a Top 10 summer vacation destination according to ShermansTravel.com. The website touts itself as "your unbiased guide to top deals and destinations." How cool is it to have the spotlight on the U.P.? We could certainly use the good stories about our state to help our tourism industry.

Here is what ShermansTravel.com has to say about our beloved Upper Peninsula:

"If city-living gets too hot, pack up some marshmallows, hot dogs, and camping gear and head to the refreshing Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where majestic wildlife, unspoiled rivers, waterfalls, and dense forests abound. Blessed with some 1700 miles of shoreline along three of the Great Lakes – Superior, Michigan and Huron – it should come as no surprise that fishing, canoeing, and camping are prime activities here, with moose, bears, and beavers as common companions. The region’s strong Native American and French Canadian heritage are experienced everywhere as well; enclaves with names like Sault Ste-Marie and bridges like the Mackinac hearken back to the days of the earliest settlers. You’ll probably feel like one of North America’s earliest explorers yourself as you paddle the waterways here and set up camp in the woods."

Thanks to an article in The Mining Journal that pointed this great news out.

View Shipwrecks From Lake Superior's Shore

A lot of Michiganians long to see one of the Great Lakes infamous shipwrecks. For those of you who want to get a good view of shipwrecks without the use of scuba gear, I know just the place. Up across the Mighty Mac in Yooper territory on the Lake Superior side you can see a string of wrecks from the shore. Hurricane River Campground is located about 12 miles west of Grand Marais (at the eastern edge of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore). This is where you will find your shipwrecks. You don't have to pay to get in to the campground and see the ruins.

The east end of the campground has a sign at the trailhead of the Lakeshore Trail that reads "Shipwreck" and points you towards the beach. Wooden ribs of a ship stand about 20 yards out from shore. Another mile down the trail finds more ruins on the beach. Jutting up from the sand are the scattered remains of a couple of hulls.

If you wish to see Au Sable Light Station, just travel another half-mile long trail and you will see the restored light. The National Park Service has restored the light and outbuildings. A fairly short hike and plenty to see make this a great stop when traveling in the Upper Peninsula.

History of Au Sable Light and pictures. You can also sign up to be a live-in volunteer to staff the lighthouse museum and station. Volunteer.gov has an application you can download and mail in. Sounds like a great summer vacation if you can afford the time off of work.

You also might wish to visit the Picture Rocks National Lakeshore website.