Michigan-Not All Treasures are Buried
Michigan is a Midwestern state named after Lake Michigan whose name is a French adaptation of the Ojibwa Indian term mishigami, meaning large lake. Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world. Michigan is ranked third for the number of registered recreation boats, behind California and Florida. Michigan has 11,037 inland lakes. A person is never more than 6 miles from natural water or more than 87.2 miles from a Great Lake Coastline.
Michigan is the only state to consist entirely of two peninsulas. The Lower Peninsula is dubbed the mitten due to its shape. When residents are asked where they live, they often point to the corresponding part of their hand. The Upper Peninsula is referred to as the U.P. and is inhabited by “Yuppers”. The U.P. is separated from the Lower Peninsula by the Straits of Mackinaw, a 5 mile wide channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. The upper and lower peninsulas are connected by the 5 mile Mackinac Bridge which so the third longest suspension bridge in the world. The great lakes that border Michigan from east to west are Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state-about 150. The first lighthouses were built between 1818 & 1822 to project light at night and serve as a landmark to guide passenger ships and freighters traveling the great lakes.
Michigan has a humid Continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The dramatic change of the seasons makes Michigan a beautiful place to live. Michigan is known as the birthplace of the automobile industry but in recent years it has diversified to a booming biotechnology industry. Some other fun facts about Michigan: It is the 3rd leading grower of Christmas trees, the beverage Vernors was invented here in 1866 sharing the oldest soft drink title with Hires root beer, it is home to more golf courses than any other state, it ranks 1st in the nation in the number of registered snowmobiles with 6,100 miles of trails and it is 3rd in the nation for licensed hunters – over 750,000.
We have toured many states and waterways with the Bio-Kleen boat, but Michigan of course is our favorite. There are over 1,300 public access sites and 80 harbors and marinas throughout the state. Our home port is South Haven, a small town gem with its scenic sandy shoreline, majestic lake vistas and dazzling sunsets. At the Black River Harbor boaters looking to stay have over 1200 boat slips available. At the port of South Haven there is great fishing for trout, salmon and perch. The 105 year old lighthouse is a historical beacon laying claim to the once booming timber shipping port and adds to the overall scenic appeal of the harbor. As the logging industry depleted much of the surrounding forestation, agriculture moved into the cleared lands. Dozens of fruit, vegetable and vineyards offer visitors fresh fruit picking and wine tasting tours. The National Blueberry Festival is held the second week in August, Harbor Fest is on the 3rd weekend in June with it’s traditional Dragon Boat races, and South Haven is a great place to spend the 4th of July with family events and an art festival. A fall color boat tour along the lake shore is spectacular. Winter brings on snowmobiling, snow skiing, sledding, ice fishing, ice skating and hockey. Michigan truly lives up to its name-Winter Wonderland. (DK)
View more photos all across Michigan HERE.
There are so many beautiful ports, parks and trails around the Great Lakes of Michigan to visit. To obtain a guide go to www.Michigan.gov
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