Northern Michigan is an incredibly popular tourist destination. We are fortunate to live in an area where year ’round outdoor recreation is not only available, but for many is a way of life. So while we welcome guests all year, the summer months see the most visitors.
Fudgies flock Up North in droves to enjoy the rolling hills, sandy beaches, blue water, abundant farmland, festivals, and wineries. Sure it’s beautiful here, but it’s our warm hospitality that keeps ’em coming back.
I’m not sure of the actual figures, but it seems as if our sleepy little towns nearly double in size during the summer. And that is a good thing, as many of our businesses are dependent of tourist revenue.
We are so blessed to be able to live where we do. We try not to let Life get in the way of enjoying the extreme beauty of our surroundings–the main catalyst for getting us here.
So, several times each year, we take the time to be tourists before the tourists descend upon our towns. We go to a beach and marvel at the clear blue waters.
We find a new area for the kids to run off and explore. Here the Baby looks like he’s marching out to sea. Did you know that the Great Lakes hold 20% of the world’s fresh-water?
The water is so clear that you can see for hundreds of feet down. Think of it as being in our own fresh-water Carribbean-type paradise. Only without the potential for sharks munching on your toes. Zebra mussels, maybe, but not sharks. Kind of makes me want to put on a snorkel and seeing what fish or other treasures are hiding in the rocks of the break-wall. Except for the fact that doing so would require a bathing suit, and I haven’t fully psyched myself up for bathing suit season. Oh, and the water is only about 40 degrees (F).
This view reminds me of disembarking a cruise ship. Enjoy your stay in port. The ship will sail in exactly two hours.
We try to enjoy the peace that seems to be carried ashore on the waves. Soon enough, the peace and solitude will be replaced with the humming pulse of tourism. The beaches and parks will be filled with people. The waterways full of boats. Tourist season brings an energy all it’s own. We are on the cusp of a very fun and exciting time of year because our guests bring so much energy to the area.
But for now, we’ll enjoy the last few days of quietude–our calm before the storm.
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