Lots to do for Travelers in Michigan

A COLOR-FALL TIME
Mother Nature has selected her palette and is ready to paint the state in the rich reds, oranges, yellows and browns of maple, birch, aspen and oak trees. The fall colors to complement the deep greens of conifers across Michigan’s 19.3 million acres of forests.

Temperatures, precipitation levels, the amount of cloud cover, and lake effect
warming contribute to the timing of the changing leaves and the intensity of the hues, but
the color show begins around mid-September in the upper reaches of the Upper
Peninsula, and bows out around the end of October in the southern Lower Peninsula.
Leaf peepers can track the changing foliage thanks to the state tourism office’s free
Travel Michigan Fall Color eNewsletter, and regular updates posted online; find these
services as well as fall color driving routes, calendar of autumn activities, and lodging,
dining and shopping information at michigan.org. Leaf it to Jenny and Joanna to help
you rake in the story ideas.

LISTEN UP
The drive along M-119 north of Harbor Springs, also known as the “Tunnel of Trees,” is
recognized for its natural beauty, with glimpses of Lake Michigan framed by foliage
along the winding road. Now there’s a new way to appreciate the sights and history of
the 27.5-mile route between Petoskey and Cross Village: an audio tour on CD that
takes visitors on a self-guided journey through the history, towns, geology and the
natural world along the Michigan Heritage Highway. The CD was produced by a team of
“Route Scouts” based in the northwest Lower Peninsula who applied their expertise in
local history, culture, nature, shopping and dining. It utilizes narration, interviews, fun
facts, music and sound effects. Want to hear more? Jenny and Joanna can put you in
touch with the folks behind the new audio tour.
HOW SWEET IT IS
You don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying Pure Michigan Apple Cider as it has
about 87 calories per 6 oz. glass. Apples are Michigan’s largest and most
valuable fruit crop, with a value of about $100 million annually to the apple
grower. It’s time to visit one of the many cider mills that offer a view of the cider
process and to take home a gallon or two, and load up on fresh for just plain good
eating, baking and cooking. Many mills offer lots of other goodies including fresh
baked goods, hay rides, mazes, petting farms for kids and u-pick options.
According to the Michigan Apple Committee there are more than 7.5 million apple
trees in commercial production, covering 37,000 acres, on 950 family-run farms in
the Lower Peninsula. It’s a no wonder that that the Apple Blossom is Michigan’s
official flower. If “u-pick” up the phone and call Jenny or Joanna, they can get you
the info you need — fresh off the presses.

BLOOMS FOR KIDS
A special garden just for kids is now ready to bloom in southeastern Michigan.
The garden includes more than 15 areas including a “sensational garden” to encourage
kids to use all their senses; a natural builders garden where children can build structures
and objects out of twigs, logs, pieces of bark, and other natural material; a habitat
garden for exploring and imagining the homes of wild animals; a butterfly garden and
secret spaces for children to find and create their own places in the garden. A free
grand opening is slated for September 13. There’s more, so give Jenny or Joanna a
call and they can help you grow a great family outing story.

DINING IN THE VINES
Guests can dine between rows of Chardonnay grapes in a scenic setting 10 miles
north of Traverse City – September 5, 12, 19 and 26. This summer visitors combined a
lesson in fly fishing on a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream favored by Ernest Hemmingway; the
day closed with a gourmet dinner created by an award winning chef. It’s fine dining with
a casual attitude along with culinary and wine information guests can use at home.
Culinary tourism is on the rise and Michigan offers many opportunities to bring
together all the senses for a memorable Pure Michigan experience. Joanna or Jenny
can cook up the details for you.

FOLLOW APOLO
The Winter Olympics may be months away, but you can get in on some early Olympic
excitement September 8 – 12 at the United States Olympic Team Trials for short
track speed-skating. The trials will be held in Marquette, home to one of the United
States Olympic Education Center’s located on the campus of Northern Michigan
University. The Olympic Trials will determine the U.S. Winter Olympics speed-skating
team and is sure to offer some exciting action. Expected to participate is five-time
Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno. Want to find out more about this golden
opportunity, contact Jenny or Joanna.

FOR BOOKWORMS AND BEYOND
Students attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor aren’t the only ones who will
be hitting the books this fall. Anyone with literary love is encouraged and invited to
attend the 7th Annual Kerrytown® BookFest on September 13. The festival is a
celebration for those who create books and those who read them and features authors,
storytellers, publishers, bookbinders, book artists and illustrators, poets, printers,
papermakers, librarians, teachers and many more associated with books, offering a
colorful mix of book related activities, all showcased in one location. This year’s theme is
The Culinary Arts and from conversations about cherries, fish and Jiffy Mix to stories
shared by the local food zealots of Zingerman’s, recipes, cookbooks and stories about
food will be a delicious part of this year’s event. Hungry for more information? Contact
Jenny or Joanna.

SPAN-TASTIC SIGHTS
They’re there all year long—a few of them have stood for more than a century—but
somehow they seem more picturesque in autumn. The fall colors on the trees
complement the red, brown, and silvery patinas of the dozen or so covered bridges that
dot Michigan’s landscape. The longest covered bridge in the state, the 282-foot long
Langley, spans the St. Joseph River near Centreville in St. Joseph County. It dates to
1887, but White’s Covered Bridge across the Flat River in Ionia County was built 20
years earlier. Fallasburg Bridge, first constructed in 1871 near Lowell, is located in
Fallasburg Park and is the backdrop for the town’s annual Fall Festival, September 26-
27. Got questions? Jenny and Joanna can bridge the gap.

DROP EVERYTHING AND PARTY
Since 1939 the people of Cedar Springs have held an annual celebration saluting the
locally-made “drop seater” undergarments and the lumbering heritage of the area.
70th Red Flannel Festival events take place September 25-26 and October 2-3, and
everyone is advised to wear red or risk being “arrested” by the Keystone Cops.
Highlights include the Lumberjack Supper, carnival, contests, car show, entertainment,
artists, and parade and celebration fireworks on October 3. Pick up the hotline and call;
Jenny and Joanna are “reddy” to tell you more about this colorful event.

THE WRIGHT STUFF
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Palmer House, built for Bill & Mary Palmer in Ann Arbor during
the early 1950′s, is one of Wright’s last residential masterpieces. This year marks the
first opportunity rent the historic home and experience this piece of architecture history.
Wright left his mark in Michigan when he designed 27 homes in 11 cities from 1908
to 1957. The architect’s early Prairie work and many of his Usonian homes are scattered
across central Michigan. The Affleck House in Bloomfield Hills is on the State and
National Registers of Historic Places, and is considered one of the 50 most significant
structures in the state. Michigan has many architectural wonders. Ask Jenny or Joanna
to help you take a tour of the Palmer House and learn more about all the Wright stuff in
Michigan and check out other noteworthy edifices to include on a Pure Michigan visit.

BUZZCUT
With a name like Right Brain Brewery, one should expect a bit of a non-traditional
approach to brewing and this micro-brewery is all about the beer, with no TVs, no
smoking and no real food. Micro-brew enthusiasts will find a new beer menu every week
and a constant rotation of selections. And if you are looking for a unique experience, why
not visit the brewery’s Salon Saloon, where you can enjoy a custom brew and custom
‘do’. To find out more about this micro-groom, contact Jenny or Joanna.

IF PIGS FLY…
The first annual Porkapalooza Invitational Cookout and Music Festival presented by
the New Holland Brewery is guaranteed to be a feast for the senses. Featuring six
special guest chefs who will be serving up some palate pleasing pork dishes and an
equal number of musical acts, festival goers will be filled with delicious scents, sights
and sounds. The event takes place on October 3, from Noon – 10 p.m. at the Red
Horse Ranch in Fennville. Want to find out more, don’t wait for pigs to fly, contact
Jenny or Joanna for details.

QUEEN OF PIE
Linda Hundt opened Sweetie-licious Pie Pantry in DeWitt in 2002 as a home-based
business. Not long after she started selling her homemade fare fashioned from infusing
the best vintage recipes along with the latest taste sensations, she started getting
noticed in a big way. She is the winner of the ultimate prize in the pie baking world -
the coveted $5,000.00 Best of Show at the Crisco National Pie Championships / Food
Network Pie Challenge for her Tom’s Cheery Cherry Cherry Berry Pie. To schedule an
interview with Linda and get tips that will help transform your own favorite pie recipe into
a contender for the next pie championship contact Jenny or Joanna.

Interested in keeping on top of what is happening in Michigan? Sign up for the Travel Michigan monthly
newsletter for the latest vacation ideas at www.michigan.org/signup

September 3, 2009   Posted in: United States NorthEast