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Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Encompassing 21% of the worlds fresh water with shoreline bordering 8 states and one Canadian province the Great Lakes are a huge topographical presence and very valuable resource on the North American map. Though with industrial decline and a population exodus in parts (though some exceptional growth in others) I feel this is one part of the US that's undervalued. In Canada not as much as Toronto has seen impressive and exponential growth in the past 30 years. Places like Cleveland and Detroit have declined though efforts and ideas are in place for improvement. I'd like this thread to be a discussion for all things Great Lakes. Here are some talking points for the Great Lakes which could be perhaps in the future North Americas most valuable resource.
- Notable recreation areas and beaches
- your favorite Great Lake
- your favorite city on the Great Lakes
- Hidden gems
- discuss the metro areas along their shoreline, good, bad, or indifference.
- untapped potential
- economic deline & prosperity
- climate
- water levels
- industry & shipping
- anything else you'd like to add
nice idea for a thread. You could call it "America's North Coast."
I just want to contribute a little factoid: Selkirk Shores State Park (NY) is the WORST beach on Lake Ontario. Any other beach would be better. That is all.
Its the best region in the country
Mostly peaceful. But still great cities like Milwaukee, Buffalo, Cleveland, Toronto and Chicago.
I'm mostly familiar with the MN, WI, MI area. really would love to explore the great lakes in OH, PA, NY area
We've got all that you need to live comfortably, but people don't like the snow and the kind of moderate tone of our region, so they gravitate to the more liberal coasts or the more libertarian south.
My personal favorite Great Lakes city is Chicago. I've heard lots of non-Midwesterners call it the greatest city in America and I don't disagree.
The Great Lakes region encompasses such a huge variety of places, doesn't it!
Lately I've been living near Duluth/Superior which (for those who don't know) are on the far western shores of Lake Superior. I've never understood why Superior (on flat land) didn't grow to be the dominant city. Duluth's hilly streets in the winter scare the bejeebers out of me! And Superior is now kind of a grungy city with a fair amount of crime. The North Shore is a popular vacation road, but a little too well traveled for me.
One of the most fun vacations I've ever taken was a trip around the UP of Michigan. I meant to make it all the way to Mackinac but ran out of time. I discovered & fell in love with Fayette Historic State Park - fascinating ghost town, lovely place to camp, nice rocky beaches and friendly happy people. Copper Harbor was cool and I really enjoyed Fort Wilkins. Too many people were camping there, though -very overcrowded. And I confess that I never went to Isle Royale because I'm so scared of wolves. But I will sometime soon, I promise!
I also keep meaning to take the circuit trip around Lake Superior. One of these days.
I lived for a time in Milwaukee and really enjoyed the Lake Michigan shoreline - and the cool art museum on the shore, and the annual summer festival.
I know that I've driven along lakes Erie and Ontario, but never Huron.
Has anyone here ever stepped a toe in Lake Huron? What's it like?
We've got all that you need to live comfortably, but people don't like the snow and the kind of moderate tone of our region, so they gravitate to the more liberal coasts or the more libertarian south.
My personal favorite Great Lakes city is Chicago. I've heard lots of non-Midwesterners call it the greatest city in America and I don't disagree.
Yes, underrated, and possibly waiting to be rediscovered; Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and MSP are my favorites..
As far as physical attributes go, I think some coasties have a strong preference for the ocean, but they might change their minds if they saw Lake Michigan....which is extremely underrated..
The lesser cost-of-living is a real plus, though..
Yes, underrated, and possibly waiting to be rediscovered; Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and MSP are my favorites..
As far as physical attributes go, I think some coasties have a strong preference for the ocean, but they might change their minds if they saw Lake Michigan....which is extremely underrated..
The lesser cost-of-living is a real plus, though..
Great thread, you guys are giving me the itch for a road trip to your area... honestly it sounds very nice. Ive only been to Detroit and Ann Arbor in the dead of winter so not seen the best the area has to offer at the right time of year for sure.
I love the gorgeous sunsets over Lake Ontario in the Oswego NY area. Westcott Beach near Sackets Harbor is nice. Sackets Harbor and Cape Vincent, where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, are hidden gems. Sodus Point, Fair Haven State Park and Ontario Beach Park(Charlotte neighborhood of Rochester) are some other places on Lake Ontario to check out. Some may like this drive: Great Lakes Seaway Trail
I don't think people realize the depth of the Great Lakes. At our place in Florida we're near a large chain of lakes, avg depth approx 6 feet. Lake Ontario can run 200 plus feet right off it's various (international) port cities. Even places along the ocean are less. The short distance between waves when it's rough also make it more dangerous than the swells found in ocean coastal places. People will be surprised to know that in crossing the lakes you can actually be out of sight of land.
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