of Pumpkins & Pistons

Posted on by farlane

pumpkins on the porch

pumpkins on the porch, photo by Bean in Sylvan Lake

Haven’t carved your pumpkins yet? One of the things at absolutemichigan.com/Pumpkin are Detroit Pistons Pumpkin Stencils. The almost completely revamped Pistons open the season tonight with a benefit for the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit and upper level seats are just $15! If you’re wondering who is who, check out our 2009-2010 Detroit Pistons Season Preview.

Be sure to check this out bigger and seem more fall shots in Aline’s Autumn in Michigan set (slideshow).

More fall wallpaper on Michigan in Pictures

Ultimate Corn Maze: Detroit Red Wings Edition

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

now that's a corn maze

now that’s a corn maze, photo by hardyc.

Have aliens come to Michigan corn fields to practice their circular mischief and are they secretly hockey fans? Not this time, as Chris explains:

Pilot Mike took me up for a nice fall color tour. We came across several corn fields and a few corn mazes. Near then end we found what I think is the Ultimate corn maze. Red Wing logo must have taken some time. Very cool

Be sure to check this out bigger and Go Wings!

Speaking of corn mazes, there’s still time to find a Michigan corn maze or haunted attraction near you via Absolute Michigan!

They Liiiive!! Return of the Grand Rapids Zombie Walk

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

tommy

tommy, photo by yodraws.

Last year, the Grand Rapids Zombie Walk set the record as the World’s largest zombie walk with 4,000 shuffling dead (details from Michigan in Pictures). Since then, Seattle yanked the record away with 4,277 – something in the coffee? Zombie Overlord Rob Bliss will not let this stand and says:

It’s time for Grand Rapids to take it back! Post this in your status update now to spread the word! Copy and paste this entire message into your status update to help take back the World Record for Grand Rapids! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145738132086

Event is happening in Downtown Grand Rapids, starting at Calder Plaza! (October 30th at 8PM)

You guys loved the Electronic Music Night, so this Zombie Walk will end with a huge electronic music event, free and outdoors until midnight! DJs BRANDON HILL, SONNRIZE, and STEVE SWIFT and RANDOM SAMPLE playing on a massive, massive P.A. system.

This event costs a LOT of money to pull off, 13,000+ dollars to be exact. We are asking for a suggested donation of three dollars to help keep events like this one alive! T-shirts, bottled water, and glowsticks will be sold as well.

Zombie Walk: A Massive mob of people dressed as Zombies walking together as a massive horde in downtown Grand Rapids on October 30th at 8PM starting at Calder Plaza in grand celebration of Halloween. “Zombie” Outfits are as basic as you want, white t shirts with some ketchup = perfect. Also go here if you want to do even cooler stuff – http://www.zombiemaker.com/

Make sure that you get in costume before the event and do NOT put bloody hand prints or anything on any cars/buildings/etc. at the event.

Bring canned food to this event to help feed the poor and homeless! Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank will be on hand.

Check this out bigger or in Yolanda’s Halloween set (slideshow) and also shuffle through the Grand Rapids Zombie Walk slideshow on Flickr. Don’t miss more Halloween fun on Absolute Michigan.

Braaaaaains!!!!!!

Yellow Cabin

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Yellow Cabin

Yellow Cabin, photo by Nature’s Lens.

See this bigger in his Landscapes slideshow or view the set!

Fall colors over Mound Road

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Mound Road.

Mound Road., photo by John Levanen.

Washington, Michigan. Almost like a wave breaking, don’t you think?

This photo is best viewed large or in John’s Washington, MI slideshow (set).

More Michigan fall wallpaper on Michigan in Pictures!

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse – Michigan’s Oldest Lighthouse

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.~Stephen Wright

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.~Stephen Wright, photo by mjo62000.

The official Fort Gratiot Lighthouse site relates that:

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan and the second oldest on the Great Lakes. The first lighthouse in this area was built in 1825 and was located approximately where the first Blue Water Bridge stands. De to poor construction and a storm, it collapsed in 1828. In 1829, a new lighthouse was built north of the military fort by Lucius Lyon, who later became one of Michigan’s first U.S. Senators. The new location made it easier for ships to spot as they entered the rapids at the head of the St. Clair River.

Originally seventy-four feet high, the white painted brick tower was extended to its present height of eighty-six feet in the early 1860s…

The green flashing light that was automated in 1933 may be seen for seventeen miles. The two-story brick lighthouse keeper’s house, with its hipped gable roof and pointed gothic porch, was built in 1874.

Today, a Coast Guard station and the lighthouse watch over one of the busiest waterways in the world.

You can see some historical photos at the link above and get lots more information at Fort Gratiot Lighthouse on Terry Pepper’s Seeing the Light.

See this bigger in Mary Jo’s Lighthouses slideshow or check out the whole set!

Check out many more Michigan Lighthouse on Michigan in Pictures.

Fall Color on the High Rollaways

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

color @ the high rollaways

color @ the high rollaways, photo by tbug2.

Tenille writes that she took this:

Standing on the railing at the 250′ bluff overlooking the manistee river valley.  Locals know the area by the name “high rollaways,” a term born during the lumber boom around the turn of the last century. Lumberjacks used to roll logs, destined for mills in Manistee, down the hills into the river.

You can read and account of a winter hike at the Rollaways and view a map of the High Rollaways.

Be sure to check this out bigger or in her landscapes set (slideshow).

View more fall wallpaper on Michigan in Pictures

A Late October Walk In The Woods

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

A Walk In The Woods (4)

A Walk In The Woods (4), photo by siskokid.

Last year at about this time Jim took this shot in the woods behind his cottage near Lake Superior and Little Girl’s Point in the Upper Peninsula, a good reminder that even as the leaves are leaving, Michigan’s woods are still a magical place at this time of year.

Be sure to check this out bigger or in his Fall Colors set (slideshow).

Check out more fall wallpaper on Michigan in Pictures

Hiking Isle Royale: Trails, Wolves and Minong Mine

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Minong Mine

Minong Mine, photo by nasunto.

Nina went to Isle Royale in September and has been posting accounts on her awesome blog Black Coffee at Sunrise. This photo of Minong Mine appears in Day Five, which features a detailed description of their encounter with a pack of wolves:

Since the vegetation along the narrow trail was dripping with dew and leaning inward, it wasn’t long before we were both soaking wet from hip to ankle. Ten minutes after leaving our campsite, the ground became marshy and we found ourselves walking a long stretch of protective plank bridge. Just before reaching the stream crossing, the trail curved to the right and Craig suddenly stopped in front of me, turned around and said very calmly, “Uh…a whole pack of wolves…”

His voice trailed off as he turned back around to face forward again. I thought he was trying to be funny since I couldn’t yet see what was around the corner. After inching forward another foot or so, he turned to me again and the look on his face was priceless. “I’m not kidding,” he said. “There are at least five wolves on the trail ahead of us.” The next few moments were the most surreal and exciting I’ve ever experienced.

Read on at her blog for the rest of the account or see them all in her Isle Royale section.

Be sure to check this out bigger or in her Isle Royale set (slideshow).

You can learn a little bit about Minong Mine and see a picture of a 6000 pound copper nugget right here.

Check out many more Isle Royale photos on Michigan in Pictures.

Fall Colors on Winona Lake in Houghton County

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Winona Lake

Winona Lake, photo by smartee_martee.

Just about a month ago I used Marty’s photo of Camp 5 Lake to say that fall color was on the way. As his photo from a visit last week to the Copper Country shows, it has most splendidly arrived.

If you are interested in taking your own fall color tour of the Keweenaw Peninsula, click that link. For more about the Keweenaw, click this one!

Check this out background bigtacular or in Marty’s Houghton County or Michigan Fall Colors set (slideshow).

View more photos by Marty and more Michigan autumn backgrounds on Michigan in Pictures.