Happy Birthday Michigan, you are now 181 years old today. Though, honestly, you don’t look a day past 50. π But in all seriousness, it is our beloved States’ birthday, and to celebrate, we are writing a different type of blog post today. We are going to share with you, a few of our most favorite locations found throughout Michigan. This is actually a combined blog post, meaning that Jeff and I both took the time to write about two different locations each. So, to learn more, read on below!
Arcadia, Michigan
Arcadia, Michigan, is a small township situated on Lake Michigan, and the ever popular route, M-22. It is a little gem that my (Jess) grandmother had shown myself and my family, not too long before she passed away. Her favorite motel is there (situated right on Lake Michigan), as are her ashes. We spread them around at the end of her favorite trail, Old Baldy Trailhead, overlooking Lake Michigan. Arcadia holds a lot of special memories for me, and I hope it is a place that experiences little change. The Marsh is serene, especially at sunrise, and the townfolk are all friendly and laid back.
If you’re ever in the area of Arcadia, experience some great vista’s, right from M-22. There is the ever popular Lookout Point scenic stop, as well as tons of trailheads that go through beautiful forests and leads to Lake Michigan, with views you cannot find anywhere else. Our favorite trailhead, Old Baldy Trail, is one such trail, down the road from Lookout Point. It’s an easy trail, but very relaxing to hike through. I highly recommend trying this one out!
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is so much more than the biggest city in our beautiful state! It serves as an industrial, commercial, and cultural hub for the entire region. It is also my (Jeff’s) favorite city not just because it is home, but more so because of the mentality of the great people who are currently driving the resurgence of this great town! Jess and I have so many memories here, both personal and professional as our adventures have taken us to nearly every corner of Detroit’s downtown and neighborhoods. Ever changing, together we have been able to witness the downtown area come to life as business and residents start to return and breathe new life into our city!
I must admit that Detroit provides some of the coolest scenes in the area to photograph. A couple of our favorite spots to capture the colorful and diverse skyline are pictured right here. One, from Windsor Ontario (above) and the other, from Belle Isle. Both are significant spots for a variety of reasons. In Windsor’s case, our close relationship with Canada is one of the factors which makes Detroit so unique as the largest border town in the United States. The other, Belle Isle, is such a beatufiul and historical state park which features one of the most relaxing spots in Michigan to enjoy a sunset as the freighters peacefully traverse the Detroit river surrounding the Isle.
Munising, Michigan
Munising is another small town that truly has a character all it’s own. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Superior, in the Upper Peninsula of Michgian, it is surrounded by absolute beauty. If you have ever been on a boat tour of the Painted Rocks National Lakeshore, then you have been to Munising. Not only does it feature the amazing Painted Rocks Lakeshore, but it also is home to a few stunning waterfalls. And well, you know how much Jeff and I love waterfalls!
Munising is such a special place to us, because of the quaint feeling it gives you, but also because of the natural beauty surrounding it. We have explored the area quite a bit, but we still have yet to lose even an ounce of intrigue with this place. You see, the more we explore, the more we find to love about Munising. From roadside waterfalls such as Scott Falls, Alger Falls, and Wagner Falls, to the “hidden” ones, such as Horseshoe Falls, Munising Falls, and more. This place is a nature lover’s dream.
Porcupine Mountains, Michigan
The Porcupine Mountains was first established as a State Park back in 1945. It is probably Jess and my favorite spot to visit in the United States, let alone Michigan. There’s just something magical about the vast stands of Old Growth forest that have fortunately and almost miraculously remained untouched throughout our history. It is for this reason, that the park was created initially. Since becoming a protected wilderness area, it has become a haven for hikers, campers, and sightseers who enjoy being steeped in actual untouched wilderness.
These two images pretty well exemplify our love of the Porkies. The first, a view of Lake of the Clouds is of course, the iconic scene from the area. If you roll through Ontonagon and have to visit one spot… This would likely be where you would stop. The second is Greenstone Falls which, is a short hike which takes you through a variety of forested areas. The waterfall itself though, is nestled in amongst old giant Hemlocks that have stood proudly for over a century. If you cherish the great outdoors, this is one of the most accessible means of spending some true quality time with mother nature.
Well, thank you all for sharing in our celebration of Michigan’s Birthday, by learning about some interesting and beautiful locations found throughout the State itself. π We hope you loved what you saw and read, just as much as we loved providing this content to you! And of course, if you ever want your Engagement Session or Wedding Portraits at any of these locations, reach out to us first. We would love to show you a small part of our world. π
xoxo,
Jess & Jeff
