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.

[Mama_Bear]

Hi dutchess. Checking in for just a second. Can't stay, but wanted to tell you how beautiful your presentation is today. Just lovely. I know how much work and research went into it. Love the legend of the bears. :-)

Hello, sistahs and friends. It is so quiet and peaceful here on the ranch. I have made friends with a couple horses on the adjoining property and hope to do a little riding while I am here. I haven't been horseback riding in years.

Got to go, we are heading up to "apple country" to spend the day. Lunch, shopping and apple cider donuts are on the agenda. Wish you all were here. HUGS!!!

[Mama_Bear]

Hi Pippin. I meant to ping you to my post above. I don't have my ping list with me and am in such a rush, I know I have forgotten to ping several people. :-(

Have yourself a great day, Pip.

[Pippin]

Hi, (((Lori)))!

[dixie sass]

Afternoon!

[LadyX]

A wonderful presentation of your state, dutchess!!

It is so diverse, as each state is, but I hafta say my favorite is the legend of the sleeping bears...

When I was living in Ohio in 1978 we went up to Detroit on a business trip. Didn't get to see much from that highway run.

In 1917, however, my father was an engineer, and put in many of the first power lines in the Upper Peninsula.
Had his brief romance with one Valeria Dushane there progressed further, I would not be here today to tell about it..:))

He went from there to Oklahoma - into the Army Air Corps during WWI, at Kelly Field in Texas instructing pilots on airplane engines - back to Florida, and on a stint putting in power in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, met my mother.

Surely glad he left Michigan - LOL

[Chuzzlewit]

Top o the day to you !.. from an ex ( oak park, birmingham, orchard lake and bloomfield hills guy) I'll be moving bck in the next few years

[Chuzzlewit]

Top o the day to you !.. from an ex ( oak park, birmingham, orchard lake and bloomfield hills guy) I'll be moving bck in the next few years

[Chuzzlewit]

Top o the day to you !.. from an ex ( oak park, birmingham, orchard lake and bloomfield hills guy) I'll be moving bck in the next few years

[Billie]

Hello, Dan from Michigan - very nice to see you again. :) Have seen a few of those deer along the highways in East Texas, too. Hate it when I see one that's been killed by a car - most who know the area know to drive carefully at night because at any time, a deer can jump out in front of the car.

[Billie]

Hi, dutchess. It's much too late for me to give your thread the attention it deserves. So I'll have to wait until morning. :-)

What - you didn't have your Websters and your fine toothed comb and your magnifying glass last night? :)

[Billie]

Thank you for the 2 AM bump from your beautiful Keego Harbor, Michigan, Larry. From reading this thread, I can see it's a beautiful state! Water, water everywhere! Gorgeous!

[Billie]

Hi, John, thank you - I didn't see the thread until this morning - all I did was edit some pics. :) Hey, looking forward to your 2 cents tomorrow. :)

[LadyX]

"the early Supremes were incredible, some of the sweetest and purest voices I've ever heard...."I need love love love....""

Nice to know your travels since have led you here to The Finest, Johnny Mac, where there is lots of Finest Family Love..:))

You, in fact, generate a great deal of it with your presence here, through your words and pictures.
You are our knight in shining armor, and genuinely appreciated....

[Billie]

Si quaeris peninsulam ameonam, circumspice!

Not fair to those of us who only speak Pig Latin as a foreign language. :)

"If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You" - quite a motto. :)

[Billie]

Heeeeeeey, Aeronaut! Hope you're feeling well - so many have been under the weather lately.

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Meekie! How does the day find you?

[Billie]

Hi, Pip - putting the finishing touches on Friday's post and I'll send you the link later this afternoon so you can take a look. Should be a fun day - do hope our wolfie will feel up to playing a little by then.

Miss you, Louie, and the smiles and hugs you generate with your wolfish charm.

[Billie]

Afternoon, knighthawk - maybe you should check to see if any of the Dutchmen in Michigan are your relatives and you can visit. :)

[Billie]

You two did it again - sorta. Not the same minute, but one right after another! :) I almost got Gail's coffee finished in timeto get one from Rus. :)

[Billie]

Hi, dixie - saw your last night's post to me this morning. I don't always get back in the evenings when you and Maggie and Nan and Cal and Rus and jw get time to visit a little. :)