Submitted by Nonny Moose (not verified) on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 12:16pm.
My wife and I have enjoyed visits to the UP and Mackinac Island.
I have even given thought of retiring to the UP in a couple of years. We don't like hot weather, and we don't like dense populations. Just a hospital within 45 minutes or so is a nice consideration.
But my serious question is this: can I grow a decent vegetable garden? I have always had a backyard vegetable garden were ever we have lived, even in the suburbs or typical urban neighborhood.
But how conducive to such gardens is the UP.
Of course to make you really laugh, I will explain I am a Southerner (Alabama) by birth and first 22 years or so of my life, and I always grow okra. I can only imagine how hard that would be on the UP.
Submitted by Kawika (not verified) on Fri, 09/05/2008 - 4:17pm.
Great article Andrew.
Many of those who have lived in Michigan for an extended period of time are way too quick in finding faults with the region. They blame everything from the climate to the Detroit Lions, and for most, the only way to fix it is to leave for seemingly greener pastures in the likes of California or Florida.
That attitude spreads like a nasty virus and creates a negative perception which hides nearly all things positive in our fair state.
New flash for those haters:
As a military brat I have had the opportunity to have lived in places such as: California, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Okinawa, Japan and Hawai'i. While I've enjoyed all places the one true place which captivates my love for the great out-doors, genuine/caring people and the most beautiful seasons I have ever seen, are in Michigan. Michigan is my home and I will stand for thee.
Kawika
Class of 04 LSA
Submitted by MLH (not verified) on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 9:27am.
Man you are nuts. I'd move to SoCal in a heartbeat and so would anyone else that lives here in MI. Venice Beach, the Pacific, the mountains and the economy - Michigan's got nothing but snow and ice and road construction. Plus, we get our a$$e$ handed to us every time we make it to Pasadena. AA is OK during the summer, but if you're a biker (as you indicate here) you'll know from first hand experience most motorists in MI would gladly run you over as they rush to fill up their massive SUV's with more oil. Bring Hemingway back to life and show him Traverse City and he'd freak out - assuming he didn't get run over first by either a jet ski or a hummer. Swimming in the lakes? Only if you like mercury poisoning. And you're right on with the mothballed brownfields and superfunds, we're looking at decades of remediation throughout SE Michigan. But that assumes we can actually get anyone in Lansing to do anything - MI politics are all about greed, greed, greed. As long as the politicians in Lansing get their pensions they sit by laughing as 1/4 of our students graduate from high school. We're on our own here, no one's gonna come save us. But in CA? At least you have a decent budget to actually confront some of your problems and a progressive population that is actually willing to pass laws for things that kill us: like banning smoking in public places.
Man this place sucks, be glad you're gone and keep those memories as your secret.
Submitted by David Rigan (not verified) on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 11:53pm.
Swimming in the Huron River? And I didn't know about the bike co-op. The last one they had was in the 1970s in the basement of the SAB, known as The Naked Wrench Bike Co-Op. It eventually folded because most of the tools ended up stolen. Better luck this time.
Submitted by long time michigander (not verified) on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 8:49pm.
Nicely said. I travel our fine country, and some places I like a little better than others. One thing is constant - everyone asks, "What would possess you to live in Michigan?!!?" I just say, "I dunno" - as you said, "for selfish reasons".
Submitted by Will (not verified) on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 6:46pm.
As a current resident of Los Angeles I completely sympathize with your story. I certainly took growing up in Michigan for granted, but you can never truly appreciate what you had until its gone. For now I look at my time in southern California as a brief hiatus from where I really belong, in Michigan.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 6:50am.
What a great article! It's nice to actually read something about Michigan that describes the state for what it has to offer, instead of what it lacks. Thanks so much for reminding me what I love about Michigan.
Hello,
The economy in California sucks right now and people especially teachers are moving to other places that have a better economy so that they can work.
My wife and I have enjoyed visits to the UP and Mackinac Island.
I have even given thought of retiring to the UP in a couple of years. We don't like hot weather, and we don't like dense populations. Just a hospital within 45 minutes or so is a nice consideration.
But my serious question is this: can I grow a decent vegetable garden? I have always had a backyard vegetable garden were ever we have lived, even in the suburbs or typical urban neighborhood.
But how conducive to such gardens is the UP.
Of course to make you really laugh, I will explain I am a Southerner (Alabama) by birth and first 22 years or so of my life, and I always grow okra. I can only imagine how hard that would be on the UP.
Great article Andrew.
Many of those who have lived in Michigan for an extended period of time are way too quick in finding faults with the region. They blame everything from the climate to the Detroit Lions, and for most, the only way to fix it is to leave for seemingly greener pastures in the likes of California or Florida.
That attitude spreads like a nasty virus and creates a negative perception which hides nearly all things positive in our fair state.
New flash for those haters:
As a military brat I have had the opportunity to have lived in places such as: California, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Okinawa, Japan and Hawai'i. While I've enjoyed all places the one true place which captivates my love for the great out-doors, genuine/caring people and the most beautiful seasons I have ever seen, are in Michigan. Michigan is my home and I will stand for thee.
Kawika
Class of 04 LSA
Man you are nuts. I'd move to SoCal in a heartbeat and so would anyone else that lives here in MI. Venice Beach, the Pacific, the mountains and the economy - Michigan's got nothing but snow and ice and road construction. Plus, we get our a$$e$ handed to us every time we make it to Pasadena. AA is OK during the summer, but if you're a biker (as you indicate here) you'll know from first hand experience most motorists in MI would gladly run you over as they rush to fill up their massive SUV's with more oil. Bring Hemingway back to life and show him Traverse City and he'd freak out - assuming he didn't get run over first by either a jet ski or a hummer. Swimming in the lakes? Only if you like mercury poisoning. And you're right on with the mothballed brownfields and superfunds, we're looking at decades of remediation throughout SE Michigan. But that assumes we can actually get anyone in Lansing to do anything - MI politics are all about greed, greed, greed. As long as the politicians in Lansing get their pensions they sit by laughing as 1/4 of our students graduate from high school. We're on our own here, no one's gonna come save us. But in CA? At least you have a decent budget to actually confront some of your problems and a progressive population that is actually willing to pass laws for things that kill us: like banning smoking in public places.
Man this place sucks, be glad you're gone and keep those memories as your secret.
Swimming in the Huron River? And I didn't know about the bike co-op. The last one they had was in the 1970s in the basement of the SAB, known as The Naked Wrench Bike Co-Op. It eventually folded because most of the tools ended up stolen. Better luck this time.
Nicely said. I travel our fine country, and some places I like a little better than others. One thing is constant - everyone asks, "What would possess you to live in Michigan?!!?" I just say, "I dunno" - as you said, "for selfish reasons".
As a current resident of Los Angeles I completely sympathize with your story. I certainly took growing up in Michigan for granted, but you can never truly appreciate what you had until its gone. For now I look at my time in southern California as a brief hiatus from where I really belong, in Michigan.
What a great article! It's nice to actually read something about Michigan that describes the state for what it has to offer, instead of what it lacks. Thanks so much for reminding me what I love about Michigan.
Good luck in Cali!
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