Pointe Mouillee Wildlife Refuge

They call Pointe Mouillee a spit of a piece of land in Monroe County near Rockford.  It's a long skinny finger that juts out into Lake Erie that is great for birders, joggers, bikers and hikers. The French fur trappers named it, meaning Wet Point. The whole area consists of 4000 acres and the US Army Corps of engineers have built dikes to help preserve the wetlands for the huge migrations of fowl that use this area.  The 65th annual Waterfowl Festival takes place September 8-9 here where you'll find hip boot races, duck and goose calling contests as well as beautiful wildlife art displays and duck carvings.

Old World Olive Press in Birmingham

Are you a devotée of EVOO? Then head on over to Maple Street in Birmingham for tastings at the Old World Olive Press. Not only will you be hooked on their delicious olive oils, but you'll have to get some of their unique balsamic vinegars (like red apple or cinnamon pear) to go with them. Cory and Shasta have pledged to bring in the finest, freshest olive oils from around the world. They also have stores in Rockford and Plymouth.

Jaqueline Gilmore Michigan Artist

Michigan has quite a fascinating artist in Jacqueline Gilmore who studied in London, NYC and Italy and then received her degree from the Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids.  We were intrigued with her See the Forest Through the Trees oil painting when it was exhibited at Grand Rapids Art Prize. It is 18 feet long and 9 fight high! It feels as if we could just stroll right into those trees. Gilmore resides in Rockford, just north of Grand Rapids.

Rosie's Diner in Rockford

With good food, unique old-time diner décor, country music, and friendly servers whose shirts say "Tip the servers, not the cows", this authentic eatery north of Grand Rapids puts Rockford on the map. You cannot miss the pink neon. Featured on the Food Network Show: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, it's a wonderful warm-fuzzy walk back through time. And, we took home a chocolate cream pie --to die for.