michigan

Ready to run at Michigan Sled Dog Camp!

Posted on July 9, 2024 by farlane

I was today years old when I learned that Michigan has summer sled dog center where you can hang with huskies!! MI Dog Summer Sled Dog Center is located near Tahquamenon Falls in the eastern UP. They share that while you can’t take sled dog rides (too hot!) it’s a pretty cool & affordable experience:

Start your tour with puppy cuddles and an informational area, complete with hands-on activities like packing a dog sled for a race and dressing up as a musher. After you get your puppy fill, take a short walk down to the kennel and dog play pen where you will meet Laura Neese and her adult sled dog team. Relax in the shade while you watch the dogs during their play time and listen while Laura introduces you to the dogs and tells stories from her time on race trails, including the only two 1,000 mile long dogsled races in the world. Each tour includes a Q&A session with Laura and time to pet and love on some of dogs.

Monika says (in part) I can’t stop raving about not only the snuggling puppies factor but the quality build of the building and fencing system. At only two years old, this local business is still brand new and I’m here to blog about it to get you to go and make them feel welcome … I imagined it would be loud, stinky, and that I’d be jumped on which never happened. The center is pristine and these are well mannered, trained dogs used to being handled – even the puppies were calm!

She too a bunch more great shots – head over to her Facebook to see them & follow her on Instagram @Michiganunsaltedgirl!

The Spirit of ’76 … Grand Ledge Edition

Posted on July 3, 2024July 3, 2024 by farlane

4th of July, 1976 – Grand Ledge, Michigan by Robb

I don’t know if you’re old enough to remember the July 4, 1976 but boy oh boy did my bike have SO MANY STREAMERS 😅

Robb shares “This was the 4th of July parade in my hometown of Grand Ledge, Michigan, commemorating the Bicentennial. I was standing at the north end ot the town’s main drag, Bridge Street, and I got lucky when I shot this photo, showing four Hueys about to do a flyover of the parade. The Air National Guard field was a few miles down the road, to the left of the photo.”

See more in his Vintage Photos – Film gallery on Flickr and have a great Fourth of July.

2024 West Michigan Photo Contest

Posted on July 2, 2024 by farlane

Hoffmaster State Park Rainbow by Lillian Dotzlaf

The West Michigan Tourist Association invites you to participate in their 2024 West Michigan Photo Contest. Prizes include packages from some great businesses & they are looking for traveler photo submissions from the entire west half of Michigan – all the way from the Indiana border to Mackinac Island and into the Upper Peninsula.

“We love getting to see all of the amazing photos from all throughout West Michigan – it’s a highlight of the summer!” said Kaylie Pomper, Marketing Manager. “We love seeing so many different perspectives from the photos shared with us. It’s a great way to see involvement from the communities that make up our beautiful state.”

Pomper also noted that photos do not need to be taken this month in order to submit them to the photo contest. “If you have West Michigan photos from your past visits to the area, we encourage you to enter those as well! West Michigan is photogenic all seasons of the year, so don’t feel that you’re only limited to submitting summer photos.”

All photo entries must be received by July 29th, 2024. Judges will be awarding prizes in the categories of “Beach/Lake Photo; Travelers Exploring Iconic West Michigan Destinations; Downtown Photo; Fairs & Festivals Photo” with an additional prize awarded via public voting by WMTA’s Facebook audience.

Lillian won the public vote last year & shared “I am elated I won the public vote category with the rainbow photo I took just after my Dad passed away. I am so blessed to call this place home. Thank you WMTA for giving me the opportunity and to Mackinac Island for the phenomenal prize package. I know I’ve got an extra angel looking out for me.”

Indeed!! Check out Lillian’s work on Instagram and at Little Lill’s Photography on Facebook!

Turnip Rock at Sunset

Posted on July 1, 2024December 31, 2024 by farlane

This photo was the second most popular photo of 2024 on Michigan in Pictures!!

Turnip Rock at sunset by Tom Clark

Tom shares that Turnip Rock is a beautiful, wondrous land formation off the coast near Port Austin:

The gigantic stone developed its signature look after millennium of being worn away by waves thumping across its bow. After being separated from the mainland in prehistoric times, Turnip Rock is an island inhabited by some trees and very little else.

Turnip Rock was one of twenty finalists in the 2013 “Seven Wonders of Michigan” contest sponsored by the Detroit Free Press and the Lansing State Journal, but it wasn’t selected as one of the final ten.

He took this back in July of 2014. See more in his Lake – Water gallery on Flickr and for sure head over to his website to view & purchase his work!

PS: Head over to the post on Facebook for another angle on Turnip Rock by Tom & a 1906 pic!!

Getting ready for the 4th of July

Posted on June 28, 2024July 1, 2024 by farlane

Amongst the Trees by Kevin Povenz

This year the Fourth of July falls on a Thursday, meaning many of us will get a 4-day weekend. I hope you all get a chance to enjoy the holiday!!

Kevin shared this super cool bald eagle shot taken last year in the ~~Ravines of Grand Ledge~~. whoops it’s the Ravines of Ottawa County!! Check out his massive Birds of Prey gallery on Flickr for more!

Firefly Boom

Posted on June 27, 2024 by farlane

Fireflies in a Jar by Jamelah E

Bridge Michigan shares that Michigan is seeing more fireflies than usual this year, thanks to an early spring followed by drought-like conditions:

Michigan families should enjoy them while they can, says Ben Pfeiffer, founder of the nonprofit organization Firefly Conservation & Research, who projects a continued decline in the bugs. The numbers seen in Michigan skies this summer, Pfeiffer warns, are “likely the best that it’s ever going to be.”

This summer’s lightning bug explosion is a result of drought-like weather preceded by warmer Spring conditions. This matured larvae into adult fireflies earlier. It’s during the adult stage, which lasts about two months, that fireflies show off their distinctive bioluminescence.

The long-term decrease in the firefly population is caused by an increase in light pollution and pesticide use. Fireflies mate through glow patterns and require a dark environment. Bright white LED light interrupts the fireflies’ ability to see each other. Pesticides used outside, especially in soil, to kill insects like spiders or beetles can harm fireflies as well.

Stormy Tuesday

Posted on June 25, 2024 by farlane

Double Strike by Ethan Honke

As you can see from the weather radar, a powerful summer storm has been rocking & rolling its way across the state this morning leaving cooler temps in its wake. Hoping you’re staying safe & dry!

Ethan got this double stroke of lightning on Sunday just before a storm dumped buckets of rain. Follow him on Facebook at Captures By Ethan and view & purchase his work on his website.

Here comes fireworks season!

Posted on June 24, 2024June 24, 2024 by farlane

Untitled by Anna Lysa

Anna Lysa took this over a decade ago, and tonight Detroit’s massive Ford Fireworks show provides the unofficial kickoff for the 2024 Michigan Fireworks Season. Some of the big shows include South Haven Light Up the Lake (July 3), Grand Rapids (July 6), Mackinac Island (July 4), Munising (July 4), the National Cherry Festival (July 4 & 6), Field & Flight Fireworks in Battle Creek (July 4 & 6) and the absolutely massive Bay City Fireworks Festival (July 4-6). Can’t find anything close? Meg has a huge list at MichiganFireworks.com!

See more in Anna’s Michigan gallery on Flickr & have a great holiday!

Solstice Strawberry Moon

Posted on June 21, 2024 by farlane

Lake Michigan … strawberry moon by Ken Scott Photography

Just like back in 2016 when Ken took this photo of the full moon over Sleeping Bear Bay, we will once again be staring at a big & beautifully full Strawberry Moon close to the summer solstice. According to the Farmer’s Almanac who popularized moon names in the 1930s, “strawberry moon” comes from the Native Algonquian tribes who lived in the northeastern US. The Ojibwe, Dakota & Lakota marked it as the full moon to be harvesting wild strawberries.

European names include the Honey Moon and the Mead Moon. Since June is named after the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno, you gotta believe this is where honeymoon comes from!! This year the moon will be full at 9:08pm tonight (Friday, June 21st).

See lots more at Ken Scott Photography on Facebook & for sure view and purchase his work on his website.

Enjoy 2024’s longest day!

Posted on June 20, 2024 by farlane

Solstice Sunset by Kent Babb

The Summer Solstice happens today (June 20th) at 4:51pm. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is the moment when the sun reaches its highest and northernmost point in the sky. In addition to being the moment that summer officially begins, it also happens on the longest day of the year.

Kent took this in Charlevoix on the solstice in 2019. See his latest shots on his Flickr!

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