Feeling stressed?

Melt your worries away while you watch this wonderful video composition featuring images from the U.P. I love the original guitar work.

First look at the Yooper Gift Basket

Well, the prototype for the Yooper Gift Basket is (finally) complete. I really like the way it turned out and hope you do too. Of course, that's why it is a prototype. It's really subject to change.

I've created a photo set a flickr showing the process of making the Yooper Gift Basket if you're interested.

Also, be sure to vote on whether or not you would be interested in a Yooper Gift Basket. I think I'll be creating a second poll later this week about what to put in the gift basket.

Just how bad was the rain in Michigan over the weekend?

Bad enough that I need to upgrade my rain gauge the next time any hurricane remnants (such as Ike) come rolling through. I had to dump it multiple times per day and at my best guest we received somewhere in the neighborhood of 8" or so. I heard on the radio that places like Vicksburg reported nearly 12" of rain in the weekend storms. The storms were bad enough that opening day events at the St. Joe County 4-H fair were canceled. The fairgrounds were fairly flooded and by 3pm you could get in the fair for free as they told the folks manning the gates to call it a day. Most vendors were closed so if you did get in for free there wasn't a whole lot to do except eat some Frazee French Fries (yum! My favorite!).

Also, a tornado touched down in Paw Paw and today, many schools are closed due to flooding from the torrential rains. I don't know if I have ever seen rain like this for three days in a row before.

Here's to a sunny and dry week!:)

Pure Michigan Fall Ad

I am one of the people who really enjoy the Pure Michigan (award winning ad campaign, I might add) tourism radio and tv ads. So, just for fun on this Friday afternoon I thought I would share the ad that runs in the fall. You can view all of the ads and vote in various polls at my Pure Michigan page.

1st Annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing

The 1st Annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing is September 12, 2008. Man, if they were doing this on a Saturday I would SO be there. I love antique tractors and I love the Mackinac Bridge - what a combo! Rain or shine the parade is scheduled to begin around 1pm in Mackinaw City and head north over the Mackinac Bridge to St. Ignace and end at the Kewadin Casino for a weekend tractor display. The only thing that will delay or cancel the parade is high winds. The crossing of over 600 antique tractors will take an estimated 3 hours to complete.

Check current Mackinac Bridge Conditions

On Saturday evening, September 13, is the Truck Parade of Lights featuring numerous big rigs. The 13th Annual Big Rig Truck Show will be taking place in St. Ignace.

It's a busy weekend at the Mackinac Bridge as Sunday is the 'Bike the Mighty Mac' event beginning at 7am. Looks like a fun weekend to be up at 'The Bridge.'

Take a Michigan Fall Color Tour

UPDATE: I created a new page with the latest Michigan Fall Color updates and a rather comprehensive listing of Michigan Corn Mazes and Michigan Apple Orchards - Michigan Fall Colors. Taking a Fall Color Tour in Michigan is a great way to really get familiar with our state. You don't partake in a fall color tour by zipping up the freeway. You take the roads less traveled. I personally recommend taking U.S. 31 out of Traverse City on up to 119 (the tunnel of trees) out of Petoskey for one of the most beautiful color tours you will ever take. For just a glimpse of the beauty of this drive, see this wonderful photo.

U.S. 2 along the northern shore of Lake Michigan is excellent as well. There are a plethora of great spots to pull off and enjoy the view as well as take pictures. The Cut River Bridge has a nice picnic area and trails that take you down to the beach. Walk across to the middle of the span and take an awesome photo (like this one).

Another favorite of mine is along the shore of Lake Superior on M-28 in the U.P. Head in to Marquette and on up to Mount Marquette for a breathtaking view of autumn colors with Lake Superior as the backdrop (see this great photo). Take 550 out of Marquette on up to Big Bay to see some of the most beautiful country around (you have to see Yellow Dog Falls in the fall). I can't believe more people don't visit the U.P. So much to offer, yet so few take advantage.

Plan when you want to go using this Michigan Fall Color Map that projects when the color reaches its peak across the different parts of Michigan -

If you choose one of the three routes I mentioned above you will get the joy of stopping in towns like Elk Rapids, Cross Village, Naubinway, Manistique, Munising, Marquette and Big Bay. Places unique to Michigan that you probably wouldn't have set out to stop in as a destination, but you're glad you found them.