The Paint Creek Trail in Rochester

The Paint Creek Trail runs for almost 9 miles in Oakland County running though Rochester and Lake Orion. It has the distinction of being the first converted Rail to Tail in Michigan and has about 100,000 walkers or bikers a year. The US Department of the Interior named it a National Recreation Trail six years ago and rightfully so!  It's a beauty.

Lipuma's Coney Island in Rochester

We learned about Lipuma's through word of mouth. This coney island in Rochester on Main Street is one heckuva popular place. Their dogs are delicious (made skinless by Koegel's in Flint) and they have this wonderful covered outdoor seating right next to the babbling Paint Creek which means its got the most ambience in the world! This great little eatery has been opened and operated by the Lipuma family since 1969.

Midland, The City of Modern Explorers

In downtown Midland, there is a little park with a super large bronze piece of art claiming that Midland is the city of modern explorers. The artist is Corrado Joseph Parducci.  Midland made a bronze casting of his plaster bas-relief that used to be displayed in the Midland Theatre lobby from 1942 to 1998. This sculpture represents the history between the Dow Chemical Company and the Midland community. The Dow Company was started in 1897 by Herbert Henry Dow in Midland and is still headquartered there as the second largest chemical manufacturer in the world. Parducci was born in Italy, but lived most of his life in Michigan which has reaped the benefits of his artistic works.

Ferndale Memorial Parade 2012

We went and participated this morning in the Ferndale Memorial Parade as part of the Michigan Fallen Heroes Foot Parade and Float. Each walker carried a sign with a name and photograph depicting a Michigan soldier who had been killed in the line of duty serving in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001.  They came in silent waves wearing red, white and blue honoring lives that have been lost to preserve our freedom. The idea was the brainstorm of Larry Saville, pictured in the upper right.  Lenny's Copy Center creates the signs.  The visual display was very powerful. Bless you, Ferndale, for a very meaningful and excellent procession.

Family of God in Detroit

Sometimes the beauty of a worship facility is hidden behind its walls.  Family of God is a cornerstore church on Vernor near Springwells where Pastor Jim Hill works ceaselessly with the hungry and the homeless in this section of Detroit. Many weekly meals are provided and served by a coalition of volunteers from all over the metropolitan area. Warmth and charm and love oozes from this special place.

Town Tavern in Royal Oak

With so many great eateries in Royal Oak, we think there might be dangers of gaining weight if we lived here. The Town Tavern is located on Fourth Street directly across from Goldfish Tea. Their French doors which open to the patio are very attractive. You can start off with a tavern bloody mary served with jalapeño dill infused vodka or a Michigan cherry screwdriver made with, of course, a Michigan cherry liqueur. We loved their parmesan truffle fries, the filet mignon served with cognac pepper sauce and their broiled Great Lakes whitefish. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Can't find a spot to park? Use their valet service!

Emerald Isle Ferry from Charlevoix

There is a great ferry boat ride that takes you and your vehicle, if you so desire, out to Beaver Island from Charlevoix. It's called the Emerald Isle. Summertime rates are $54 for adults, round trip. Run by the Beaver Island Boat Company, this ferry makes trips out to the island until December 21st. Then it docks until April. We have seen a semi-truck being loaded on this boat! It has a capacity for 300 passengers. Their smaller boat is called the Beaver Islander. It takes 2 hours to make the 32 mile trip out to the largest island in Michigan.