A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-22-03..."Michigan...A Water Wonderland"

Duchess and Billie

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_bear, dansangel, Dutchess, Aquamarine, FreetheHostages

Welcome to Michigan

Ah…Michigan where to begin. Although I have not lived in this beautiful state for over 28 years, both family and heart are firmly entrenched and Michigan remains one of our favorite summer vacation spots. I hope you enjoy this cybertour of Michigan….a Water Wonderland.

Michigan...A Water Wonderland

Dubbed the Water Wonderland, Michigan has more miles of shoreline (3,288 miles/5,292 kilometers) than the shoreline distance from Maine to Florida. There are two square miles of water for every three square miles of land.

Except for Alaska, Michigan has more shoreline than any other state, fronting four of the five Great Lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie.

What makes Michigan so unique among the states in that it is also divided into two distinct geographic sections, the Upper Peninsula, and the Lower Peninsula. Lake Michigan lies between the two peninsulas. The Upper Peninsula is very sparsely populated, more than 90% of the peninsula being forested. The Lower Peninsula contains the cities, industry, and agriculture.

A Brief History

The Ojibwa, the Ottawa, the Potawatomi, and other Algonquian-speaking Native American groups were living in Michigan when the French explorer Étienne Brulé landed at the narrows of Sault Ste. Marie in 1618, probably the first European to have reached present Michigan. They lived in relative peace with the French, primarily fur traders. Later the British began an occupation, many battles ensued…the history is long and rich. For history buffs…here is a detailed link History

The Upper Peninsula

The Upper Peninsula is also called the U.P. It's residents call themselves Yoopers, (pronounced "You-pers") who refer to those living in the Lower Peninsula as "Trolls" ( as they reside "under the bridge") At various points in Michigan history there have been movements (albeit unsuccessful) by a vocal group of Yoopers to secede in order to avoid paying the hefty state taxes for which they see limited benefits.

Summer in the Upper Peninsula is affectionately dubbed as "two months of bad snowskiing". The U.P. boasts terrific hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, snowmobiling and other outdoor sports opportunities.

The Mackanac Bridge - the link between the UP and Lower Peninsula

Constructed in 1957 the five mile long suspension bridge joining the Upper and Lower Peninsula is a construction wonder. While a beautiful view from all sides, a drive across the bridge is not for the faint at heart when the typical wind is blowing and one actually feels the bridge swaying beneath them. An annual event is the Labor Day walk across the bridge led by the Governor.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore protects Michigan's northwestern shore, a hilly region fringed with massive coastal sand dunes and dotted with clear lakes, birch-lined streams, dense beech-maple forests and high rising bluffs. Climbing to the top of Sleeping Bear Dunes at the Dune Climb is strenuous but rewarding. Visitors can also hike the Dunes Trail, a 3.5-mile round trip, or walk a 2.8-mile loop trail to Sleeping Bear Point. There are a total 13 miles of hiking trails. Many trails lead through forests and meadows. The park's lakes and rivers offer swimming, boating and fishing.

The Legend of the Sleeping Bear Dunes

Long ago, in the land that is today Wisconsin, Mother Bear and her two cubs were driven into Lake Michigan by a raging forest fire. The cubs swam strongly but the distance and the water proved too much for them. They fell further and further behind and ultimately slipped beneath the waves. When Mother Bear reached the Michigan shore, she climbed to the top of a bluff and peered back across the water, searching vainly for her cubs. The Great Spirit saw her and took pity on her plight. He raised North and South Manitou Islands to mark the place where her cubs vanished and laid a slumber upon Mother Bear.

Lighthouses

For those interested in Lighthouses….you can spend days touring some of the finest. From the only Marble lighthouse located at Belle Isle to…. Michigan offers some of the best. Lighthouses

Henry Ford the first Automobile

Ford (1863-1947) was born in Dearborn and forever changed the American way of life with the development of the affordable Model T, also known as the Tin Lizzie. Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and build the Piquette Avenue Plant was built in 1904 It was Ford's first self built plant and was soon outgrown due to the success of the Model T.While decayed the plant is structurally intact. Currently, it houses a laundry service on the ground floor while a small portion of the upper floors are use for warehousing

Greenfield Village and "The Henry Ford"

Spanning more than 300 years of history and over 90 acres, Greenfield Village is the place to Rediscover America. It is the nation's largest indoor/outdoor museum complex. The Henry Ford is the history destination that brings the American Experience to life. With a rich and diverse offering of exhibits, demonstrations, programs and reenactments, The Henry Ford celebrates yesterday's traditions as well as today's innovations. Five distinct attractions at The Henry Ford captivate and inspire visitors of all ages. Spread over more than 90-acres, Greenfield Village comes alive with the unforgettable sights, sounds and settings of America's past. What began as Henry Ford's remarkable vision of a vast outdoor museum filled with historic buildings comes alive in a whole new way. From its parlors and workshops to its storefronts and farms, powerful stories surround you with the sights and sounds of America's past. Memorable events, historic re-creations and live demonstrations of American ingenuity and crafts add to the celebration.

Travel Michigan

Michigan is known for its skiing, hiking, fishing and boating and fall color tours. Golf Magazine also selected it as the twelfth best golf destination in the world, being the home to more than 1,000 golf courses and many world-class golf resort facilities. In fact, the Ryder's Cup is being held at the legendary Oakland Hills Golf Course in 2004.

Ah yes...Detroit City and Motown.......

Yes Michigan and Detroit City gave us Motown which revolutionized the music industry. Berry Gordy, Jr. (born 1929), founded the Motown Record Corporation in 1959. Motown, which became the largest independently owned record company in the world, launched numerous black musicians into successful careers. Gordy, from Detroit, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Motown brought us some wonderful and revered recording artists including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin… Who doesn't remember "My Girl", "Stop in the Name of Love", "Baby Love", "Reach Out, I'll Be There"….

Michigan Freepers

Michigan also boasts many talented and dedicated freepers….350 to be exact. We hope you enjoyed this mini tour and hope you consider visiting this great state! It truly is a water wonderland.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 10-20-03 Military Monday 10-21-03..The Best Defense: GodluvsAmerica

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact danangel or .45man at danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[dutchess]

Hi Johnney Mac. I pulled out some of my old Motown CD's yesterday. And I agree, the early Supremes were the best!

[dutchess]

Oh....I just love your "sleeping bear" Maggie. And I'm sure glad your dad was in the Upper Peninsula too :o)

[Aeronaut]

Did you take the picture?

Yup, on Sunday. Here's another with Otto in it.

[dutchess]

from an ex ( oak park, birmingham, orchard lake and bloomfield hills guy) I'll be moving bck in the next few years

Ex Birmingham here. I actually graduated with Tim Allen! Other things I remember..."Woodwarding"...Sanders....and did you know Northland was the first mall built in the US????

[dutchess]

Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go...

LOL!

[Billie]

Such a cutie. I love Otto. LOL!

[Billie]

(trying to coach Dave into going over the falls. Sheesh! She must be looking to do an action thread.)

LOL! Was not! I just ASKED him if he ever wanted to do that! LOL!

[dutchess]

Hi Billie. You have freepmail!

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy ! Doin' just dandy, thanks.

I was away for a while. I told the little lady that I would go to the store this afternoon and so I've been busy. I just got back.

They had some watermelons today too. Can you believe it ?? I picked up a couple of them, too. One for Ming because she loves them also.

And how about this weather ? Ninety degrees today, tomorrow and Friday. But turning colder Friday night/Saturday. Gonna be in the 60's for a few days then ...

[MeekOneGOP]

Hey meekie. Thought of you when I was doing the thread...lots of water skiing in Michigan!

Howdy !

I've never been to Michigan before. Maybe I'll get up there one day.

You sure did a nice job on this thread, too !

Lot's of water skiing, huh ?? Sounds like FUN !!

[knighthawk]

I doubt I have relatives there. Most who went there are from the north of the country, my family comes from the south.

[knighthawk]

See #111.

And I might add my family are no travelers or people moving far away.

[MeekOneGOP]

A day at Lake Lewisville this past summer. July 21st. Sure was hot that day too ...

[The Mayor]

Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go... niagara falls live turn up your sound.

[dutchess]

Hi meekie. You have freepmail!

[firewalk]

You have been everywhere...
& one day...i'm going everywhere too (-:
just have to find out what state that's in

hope you've been having a wonderful day

[Aquamarine]

This is such a beautiful post Dutchess! Love the water theme...never saw the water connection until today looking at the map of Michigan. Now it seems so obvious that water surrounds that area of the country. :)

Was doing a State thread as hard for you as it was for me?!

[dutchess]

Hi Aqua. So great to see you!

Was doing a State thread as hard for you as it was for me?!

Gosh...you wouldn't believe...oh yes you would. Remember I was supposed to post it two weeks ago when dad got sick so I had the background, research, most pictures done...Two weeks later...even with that I worked all evening yesterday...took out tons of stuff (which was so hard to do)...added stuff...I STILL want to "tweek" it LOL!

Working on John for tomorrow so have to run. Good to see you sistah!

[LadyX]

My second son has outdone me, making a point to try to get to every state in the Union, capitalizing upon his nomadic early life.

He and his wife waited eight years before having their two sons, traveling to Europe or Hawaii several times, as well as Time Shares in America and Canada.

They since then systematically have gone to and through states in 22 years of marriage, with only a few left to go.
Much of that was due to her having been an attorney and lobbyist in D.C. for several years, with many Frequent Flyer miles racked up; and he with FAA, often going free in the cockpit.

I loved it when they circled through where he was born in Chincoteague, Virginia, where the Chincoteague ponies are rounded up every July. Lived in a house on Main Street built by a sea captain overlooking the bay side of the Island.
They located someone knowledgeable about its history, and found it since has been restored, and took videos of him in front of it for me, and around the island!

[GailA]

I get two cups in the morning, then have to give it up or I wouldn't sleep at night. Decaf isn't coffee in my book.