My highlights from the ALCS Game 3

I took my dad to see his first Detroit Tigers playoff game this past Tuesday. We had an awesome time in Detroit and the Tigers helped cap things off with a thrilling victory over the Texas Rangers. Here's a list of my highlights:

• Aretha Franklin singing the National Anthem. Was it my favorite version? No, but it was Aretha Franklin - the Queen of Soul.
• Joel Zumaya delivering the game ball. I had goosebumps when the strains of Hendrix's 'Voodoo Child' started playing over the loudspeakers.
• Magglio Ordonez limping onto the field to huge cheers during pregame introductions. It nearly brought me to tears.
• Home runs. They are a deliciously sweet thing when hit by your favorite team.
• The crowd singing along to Journey's "Don't Stop Believing".
• Dinner at Fishbones in Greektown.
• A quick ride from the parking ramp to Greektown and then back to Comerica Park on The People Mover. Better than walking, plus I got a quick tour of Detroit's downtown. It only costs $.50 per ride. How does this thing not get more riders?

Oh, and today in Detroit Tigers history - this little gem happened :).

Five Fun Things to do Across Michigan this Weekend 10-7 - 10-9-11

1. Color Cruise and Island Festival, Grand Ledge - 10/7 - 10/9/11. Cider pressing, weaving, spinning, and wood carving are just some of the "old time" skills you will see demonstrated this weekend.
2. Fort Fright at Fort Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City - 10/7 10/8/11. 6:30 to 9:30 each evening walk amongst the lantern-lit paths and see this historic fort in a frightening new way.
>Frankfort Fall Festival - 10/8/11. Two words - Pumpkin. Catapults.
3. UPtoberfest, Escanaba - 10/8/11 from 2pm to 7pm.
4. Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival, Alpena - 10/6 - 10/9/11.

And in case you haven't noticed - Michigan's beautiful fall colors are upon us!

Video of huge waterspout on Lake Michigan

This brief video shows a huge waterspout that formed over Lake Michigan on Saturday. Evidently atmospheric conditions were perfect for generating waterspouts. "An unstable mix of cool autumn air and warm lake waters spawned dozens of tornadic funnel clouds" per this Rueters article.

Crazy.

Don't forget - the 4th Annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing is this weekend

Over 800 antique tractors will parade across the Mackinac Bridge this Friday, September 16th. The parade begins in Mackinaw City at approximately 9am and will head north over the bridge, through St. Ignace, and finish at Kewadin Shores Casino. You will also be able to view the antique tractors on September 16th & 17th at the casino grounds. The parade will go on rain or shine, but will be cancelled if there are winds in excess of 35 m.p.h. There is no makeup date for this event.

For more details on this event check out www.bobstractorpartscorner.com

Five Fun Things to do in Michigan this Weekend 9/8 - 9/11/11

From antique tractors to Civil War reenactors, there are lots of great events across Michigan this weekend. Have fun!

1. Antique Engine and Tractor Show - Bangor, 9/8 - 9/11/11. Admission is $6 and ages 12 and under are free.
2. Hiawatha Paddling Festival - Les Cheneaux Islands, Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 9/9 - 9/11/11.
3. The Michigan Schooner Festival - Traverse City - 9/9 - 9/11/11. Schooner tours & sailing, pancakes with Pirates breakfast, and plenty of activities for kids.
4. U.P. Beer Fest - Marquette - 9/10/11.
5. Michigan 16th Infantry Civil War Reenactors - Mackinac Island - 9/10 - 9/11/11. The 16th Michigan Company reenactors will depict the Stanton Guard and the 3rd U.S. Infantry as they were hosted at Fort Mackinac.

Top Five Things to do in Michigan this Weekend - 8/26 - 8/28/11

We'll kick things off with this slideshow from last year's Porcupine Mountains Music Festival -

1. Kalamazoo Scottish Festival - 8/27/11. Come see the tossing of the haggis this Saturday in Kalamazoo.
2. Civil War Muster in Jackson. Come visit Michigan's oldest and largest Civil War Reenactment.
3. Porcupine Mountains Music Festival - 8/26 - 8/28/11.
4. Movies By The Bay in St. Ignace. The movie for 8/28 is Secretariat. This event is free and begins at approximately 10pm.
5. Traverse City Microbrew and Music Festival - 8/26 - 8/27/11.