[Jay_F]

Just returned from my second, week-long trip exploring N. central and far north NE lower, and must say I really enjoyed it over all. The very first thing that strikes me in my extensive travels is how clean it is. There may be issues I did not see, but the roadways, towns, trails and Lake Huron were shockingly clean and free of trash... And not just free from deposit paid bottles and cans - EVERYTHING. It truly is amazing to see compared to other states I have done similar travels through.

Secondly is how amazing your state parks are, the sheer number and how well taken care of they were. From the signage to the workers this is no accident. Lastly how much I enjoyed your greatly varied terrain, landscapes, and vistas. I saw places that I swore I was in a GA pine grove, Alaska/WA/Maine, on a sandy beach having nearly tropical appearing water. I am really taken by the Presque Isle county area, and would love to call it home. So remote feeling, so quiet and peaceful, so amazingly clean, and Lake Huron is simply amazing as are so many of the local waterways.

Thought I would share a few photos, taken from Presque Isle, on Grand Lake (cabin), Ocqueoc Falls, Presque Isle new Lighthouse... Absolutely lovely, and I want to go back now and take up residence.















And a minute long video of the area from YT:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDnDGHSzO2A

[lookingaround12345]

I agree I visited Drummond Island and ended up buying a couple of acres of remote Lake Huron frontage on a tip sticking out of a bay. I am from Minnesota and the attitude there was always the north shore of Superior was the best part of the Great Lakes. The diversity that Michigan has of the three lakes from bluffs to vast sand beaches blows that away. I now vacation on northern Michigan not off of the nasty freeway they have turned highway 61 into on the north shore.

Places in Michigan just feel so pristine and remote without having to go actually too far. I love northern Michigan.

[Bondurant]

Michigan is a beautiful state.

[DTWflyer]

Glad you had a great trip.
Yes, you realize how good we have it here in Michigan and there is endless beauty all over, in all seasons.

I've also realized how much of a gem our State Parks, Recreation areas, and State Forests are.
They blow other states out of the water in terms of beauty, amenities, and even how they are maintained.

Some of our state parks could arguably rival some National Parks.

[Justabystander]

Great pictures. Michigan is a beautiful state, growing up on the west coast the only vision of it I had was Detroit, but it is wonderful, including the west coast on Lake Michigan. I was able to get to know it when I moved to Chicago, and it is truly a well kept secret.

[NoMansLands]

It really is a beautiful state. We have only a few tornadoes, extremely rare for an earthquake and any are extremely mild, very few poisonous creatures, no hurricanes, lots of room to roam, great lakes and then also about 11,000 inland lakes, less extreme weather...unless you are counting January and February which I would like to wipe off the calendar. Those months we suffer, from polar vortexes to weeks of gray, even if you're an avid downhill skier it's hard to appreciate those months.
Oh, and mosquitoes. We won't talk about those.
Today I am listening to the walnuts fall like baseballs out of trees.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by Jay_F

Just returned from my second, week-long trip exploring N. central and far north NE lower, and must say I really enjoyed it over all. The very first thing that strikes me in my extensive travels is how clean it is. T

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDnDGHSzO2A

This is something that really struck us when we moved back to Michigan after 18 years in California. Part of it is the bottle deposit law, but it is more than that. Even the public bathrooms, while still often disgusting, are cleaner than in most other places I have been. There is simply less litter, grime, trash than in comparable locaitns in other parts of the country. I am not sure why that is, but it is nice.

[lookingaround12345]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

This is something that really struck us when we moved back to Michigan after 18 years in California. Part of it is the bottle deposit law, but it is more than that. Even the public bathrooms, while still often disgusting, are cleaner than in most other places I have been. There is simply less litter, grime, trash than in comparable locaitns in other parts of the country. I am not sure why that is, but it is nice.

The rest areas on the freeways are some of the most beautifully landscaped and the cleanest I have ever seen. Love the dog runs on the sides where you can get your dog off the leash. Cross from Michigan onto the tollway in Ohio and their rest areas are like being in prison.

I love the area around Gaylord and the hills up there. But the crown jewel for me is crossing the bridge and the solitude that instantly permeates the cedar trees on the other side. It's like a different world as soon as you cross. The view from the bridge itself is obviously also breathtaking.

Michigan is basically my favorite state at this point. I sold land in Maine to get what I have now. At first I thought it wouldn't compare well. The price was right and it is much closer to where I am based and I actually like Michigan just as much if not more. It's close but I find the people actually put Michigan over the top.

[Regajohn]

High taxes help ...

As do folks who love and like to take care of the outdoors.

But please don't tell too many people, it's getting too crowded ... hugely different from the mid-60s (yes, selfish I know

[Unsworth]

Shhhhh...don't tell anyone! You are welcome to move here but don't tell too many people or they will all want to move here. Actually, the winter will keep some of them away. I think we are going to have a heavy winter this year.