MICHIGAN TRAVEL TIPS
FROM
THE HOLOGLOBE PRESS
(The 2nd Edition)by
Victor Edward Swanson,
Publisherwww.hologlobepress.com
RULES OF USE
The material contained within this page is derived from my "fabulous files" of places that vacationers can see in Michigan and Wisconsin, and, in fact, my fabulous files contain information about hundreds of things to see. The material is provided as a public service of Victor Swanson and The Hologlobe Press. Almost all persons and entities, such as radio stations, may freely use the material; neither AAA Michigan nor any employee of AAA Michigan may use, distribute, download, transmit, copy, or duplicate any of the material presented on this page in any way or through any means.
- - - Travel Thoughts for Everyone - - -
Often, people walk and bicycle to get exercise. I walk and bicycle to get exercise, but I also walk and bicycle to see things--or, in truth, find things. For me, April was a good month in which to find things. Some of the things that I found in April were a 10mm ratchet wrench, two hex wrenches, a 7mm combination wrench, a big metal file, a 14mm socket, and a yellow softball. Many people who go walking or bicycling do not look for tools, baseballs, and such. Instead, they look for flowers and animals. For example, people who go to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are very unlikely to find tools, but they are very likely to see squirrels and birds, and they might even see beavers and eagles. The Seney National Wildlife Refuge has a seven-mile long stretch of road that people take on self-guided tours by car, but the refuge can also be seen by a person on a bicycle, or parts of the refuge can be seen by a person on a bicycle. Another place that a person can see various types of plants and animals and find no tools and such is the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, which exists in the general Midland area. Generally speaking, the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail is a 22-mile-long paved trail (paved with asphalt) and a former railway that exists between Midland and Coleman. The Pere Marquette Rail-Trail should not be confused with the Pere Marquette Trail of the Reed City area, which crosses the White Pine Trail of White Pine Trail State Park. Rail trails are often called "linear trails," and Michigan has several "linear state parks." The Kal-Haven Trail of the general Kalamazoo area is a linear state park. Certainly, Michigan has numerous places that a person can see by traveling on a bicycle, but it is not everywhere that a bicyclist can find tools and other "neat" things along the roads. If I should go on a trip to Grand Haven to see the Musical Fountain in the summer, I should go bicycling on the streets of Grand Haven. I wonder how much I might find on a ride on a bicycle through downtown Grand Haven.
Your travel tips for today are:
The Kal-Haven Trail of the Kalamazoo area of the Lower Peninsula.
The Musical Fountain at Grand Haven of Ottawa County in the Lower Peninsula.
The Pere Marquette Rail-Trail of the Midland area of Midland County in the Lower Peninsula.
The Pere Marquette Trail of the Reed City area of Osceola County in the Lower Peninsula.
The Seney National Wildlife Refuge of the Germfask area of Schoolcraft County in the Upper Peninsula.
The White Pine Trail and White Pine Trail State Park, which runs between Grand Rapids and Cadillac in the Lower Peninsula.
- - - Public Service Copy for Broadcasters (four pieces) - - -
Number One:
In Michigan, some hiking trails have close associations with
train tracks--or old railroad tracks--because the hiking trails
were once used by trains. When a train track has been converted
to a hiking trail, it might informally be thought of as a "linear trail."
Today, the state of Michigan has several "linear state parks."
One linear trail is the White Pine Trail of White Pine Trail State
Park, which exists between about Grand Rapids and Cadillac and
is a linear state park. Linear state parks are places that a family
can go to hike or bike as part of a camping trip. And, of course,
in the fall, linear trails are good places to see the color of the trees.
Think about visiting a linear state park soon, but, while you drive,
think about the bicyclists that use the streets where you are.
Remember: The Hologlobe Press urges you to watch for bicyclists,
especially at the intersections, and hopes you enjoy your safe
traveling in Michigan.
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Number Two:
Around the state are numerous historic sites, and some of those
sites are restored buildings. The Honolulu House at Marshall is a
well-known historic house; it was built in 1860. Another famous
house is the restored Hackley House of Muskegon. Even barns
can be historic sites. At least one of the buildings at The
Gilmore--Classic Car Club of America Museum at Hickory
Corners is special. The building is the Campania Barn, and, on
March 13, it was designated as the "2004 Barn of the Year" by the
Michigan Barn Preservation Network of Michigan. The barn was
built in 1897, and it is open for the summer tourist season. To see
the historic sites of Michigan, such as the Campania Barn at The
Gilmore, which is at Hickory Corners and near Battle Creek, you
will probably drive. Before you drive, follow the advice of The
Hologlobe Press: Avoid alcohol, and then enjoy your safe traveling
in Michigan.
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Number Three:
Here is a travel tip about Michigan from The Hologlobe Press.
The racing season is on in Michigan again. Berlin Raceway is
located a little west of Grand Rapids--at Marne. Merritt
Speedway is a one-mile dirt track at Lake City, which is a place
that is a little northeast of Cadillac, and racing usually takes place
on Saturday evenings in the summer at Merritt Speedway.
Most of the speedways allow anyone to take part in the races,
if they qualify, such as by doing well in practice heats. Even Milan
Drag Strip, which is at Milan, has times in the summer during which
nonprofessionals can race their vehicles. Do not expect to ever
take part in a race on the track of the Michigan International
Speedway, though. And, remember, streets and freeways of the
state are not race tracks or drag strips. Drive the speed limits!
The speed limits have been set to make traveling safer in Michigan.
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Number Four:
Warm weather is here again, and that means people can get
outside and enjoy golf again. Golf can be expensive, especially for
a golfer who keeps putting golf balls in the water traps. One way
to save money on golf is to play "disc golf," which is a form of golf
that uses Frisbees or Frisbee-like discs. For well over a decade,
people have been playing disc golf in the state. For example,
Kensington Metropark of the Detroit area has had a disc golf
course since 1997, and Addision Oaks County Park of Oakland
County has had a disc golf course since 1991. Courses are
scattered all over the state, and some charge fees, and some do
not. Indianhead Mountain Resort, which is at Wakefield in the
Upper Peninsula, is one place where you pay to play. J.C. Park at
Kentwood, which is near Grand Rapids, has a free course. To
learn about the four dozen or so disc golf courses in the state, see
the directory at the Web site for the Professional Disc Course
Association.
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- - - Contact Information ---
The Hologlobe Press
Box 5455
Dearborn, Michigan 48128-0455
The United States of Americacopyright c. 2004
File date: 10 May 2004
To see the the next edition of Michigan Travel Tips,
click on: Travel #3
To see the previous edition of Michigan Travel Tips,
click on: Travel #1
To see the catalog page for Michigan Travel Tips,
click on: Travel
To go to the main page of The Hologlobe Press,
click on: www.hologlobepress.com
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