Holiday in Michigan... You're kidding?

Where were all the tourists? We came back from our six day adventure in Michigan, and we had a blast. It is beautiful country, woodsy with plenty of lakes big and small, fishing, berry picking, camping and nature walks. During the summer the temperature peaks in the 80s, and often lingers in the mid seventies.

When I told folks at work that we were going to Michigan on vacation they seemed surprised. We even got questioned about it innocently in the shuttle to the airport. "Why are you going to Michigan?" like we said that we were taking the kids to Baghdad. We staid off some questions by telling people that we were going to see family. And we were at an advantage because my Aunt and Uncle live in a cabin on a lake near Cheboygan, Mich., but I had to wonder where were all the tourists?

The flights to rural Michigan were crowded enough, but most of the passengers were local, and complained about the limited number of flights (one man mentioned he had six flights canceled in the last three months) ... But it is hard for businesses that cater to tourists to make a go. We saw a lot of hotels with empty parking lots, restaurants that changed ownership numerous times, or were vacant, lakefront property for sale and a general sense that tourists don't visit Michigan.

I did find out that a colleague of mine from the Pacific Northwest was vacationing with his family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at the same time. And United Airlines Hemispheres magazine even profiled the drive we took (we only took it partially, the full drive circumnavigates Lake Superior) as one of the top 10 most beautiful drives in the world.  

So here are my two cents, for what it is worth. Michigan is spectacular, and it was the perfect outdoor summer vacation for a family. The boys loved it, I can even see us vacationing here every other year. Next time we may just circumnavigate Lake Superior.