Michigan's growing, problematic financial future, including the
decline in automotive industry jobs (not to mention the higher
cost of fuel), spells financial insecurity for many Michigan
families, making it harder to afford long-distance vacations
and high-priced recreational activities enjoyed so much in the
past. This has led me to wonder, How do we entertain ourselves
and our families and fully enjoy summer break for less money?
Better yet, how do we support Michigan?s economy in these tough
economic times?? By enjoying the grass (and water) in our own
backyard and partaking in all that our state has to offer.
I have compiled a list of activities that won't break the bank,
and will provide interesting ways to have some fun close to home
this summer.
1. Museums. When was the last time you visited a museum?
Michigan has wonderful world-class Museums from art to science
to history. Standouts include the Detroit Institute of Art (did
you know that it is the fifth-largest fine arts museum in the
country?), and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The Detroit Science
Center is geared to kids, and offers a host of family-friendly
exhibits and galleries, not to mention the astonishing sensory
experience of the museum?s IMAX dome theater. Your kids will
thank you. Michigan.org is a great resource for finding these
museums.
2. Lighthouses. Michigan has more lighthouses than any other
state. Bordered by the Great Lakes, the sheer multitude of
these historic gems mean they have become an icon for our
state, and their tall, slender columns grace everything from
our shorelines to picturesque wall calendars. These lighthouses
many of which have been renovated and some which have become
public museums continue to educate and serve as a reminder of
our state?s grand maritime history. Don't miss the opportunity
to visit them! If nothing else, you and your family will be
treated to nature's grand brushstrokes of a sweeping, maritime
landscape.
3. Beaches. With our abundant coastline, beaches are everywhere
in Michigan and easy to love during the humid, late summer
months. Some beaches are better than others, and so it's
important to pick the right one. From personal experience,
southwest Michigan and northwest Michigan truly offers some of
the best beach experiences. South Haven (the magnificent
century-old lighthouse still stands at the end of south pier),
Grand Haven, St. Joseph, and the Traverse City / Leland areas
are home to remarkable beaches. Long stretches of soft, white
sand, clean, blue water for swimming and boating, and quaint,
lively towns brimming with restaurants, shops, and ice cream
parlors make these required destinations!
4. Parks. Take advantage of the many well-maintained and
diverse Michigan Metro Parks. Pack a picnic lunch for the day,
and don?t forget to pack the smores. These wonderful
chocolate, marshmallow, gram cracker treats are a must-bring
for a Michigander's picnic feast.
The Michigan Metro Parks provide a myriad of family-fun
activities, including swimming, paddle boating, fishing, and
loads of scenic picnic settings. And most have paved and wooded
trails, making them ideal for hiking, biking, roller blading,
and bird watching. Plan to take bats and a ball for a friendly
baseball game.
5. Festivals. Michigan offers a variety of outdoor summer
festivals which draw people from all walks of life and from all
corners of the state; from the cultural (Ann Arbor Arts Fair) to
heritage festivals (Holland's Tulip Time) to national
extravaganzas (Traverse City's National Cherry Festival), and
everything in between. Most Michigan communities will host some
form of festival throughout the summer months. For a complete
list, go to Michigan.org.
6. Produce Picking Take Your Pick! I can?t say enough about
the produce grown here in Michigan. Across the state, and
especially on the west and northwest sides, abundant crops of
blueberries, tart cherries, strawberries, peaches, apples and
grapes are grown each year. The fruits are then sold at various
farmers markets and roadside stands throughout the state. There
is nothing like eating farm-fresh fruit (or vegetables for that
matter). The sweetness and flavor of the produce is far superior
to anything found in your grocery aisle. And since it?s grown
locally, it?s fresh!
For the novelty and experience, visit a local fruit farm and
pick your own cherries, blueberries, and the like for use now
and in the colder months ahead. Bring along the family;
children always get a kick out of picking their own fruit and
dropping them into pails! It also gives them an appreciation
and respect for nature and God?s beautiful creation.
After the harvest, have the family participate in baking
something delectable and sweet. Cobblers, crisps, and
shortcakes always satisfy during the hot summer months. Or,
teach kids to can or package & freeze the fruit for the months
ahead (bubbling, tart cherry pies always seem to hit the spot
when the weather turns cool).
And one last word of advice: Save the fruit pits! You can have
your very own fruit tree if you wrap the pits in moist paper
towels until they start to spawn seedlings, and then transfer
them to your own back yard!
7. Gardening. Gardening is a great outdoor activity that the
whole family can become involved in. The wonderful Michigan
summer weather provides optimal planting conditions. It does
not matter what size garden you decide to plant - a large
vegetable garden or an oversized container garden - it can be
very rewarding for the whole family to share in the planting
and harvesting of a garden.
To get started, make a trip to the local library and get some
good books on the subject. Then, plan your garden - just what
kind of plants to plant, and where? Time to visit the nursery
to purchase your plants. Get the whole family involved in
choosing just the right plants. Make sure everyone has a hand
in the planting and caring for the new garden. You may be
surprised just how rewarding gardening can be.
8. Family Cookouts. Get family and friends together for a pot
luck or backyard barbeque. Plan some fun games for the kids, as
well as the adults. Have everyone bring a dish. You will have a
virtual feast.
If cooking for yourself and immediate family, find a new and
challenging recipe. Experiment with using fresh herbs from the
garden to add an earthy, pungent flavor to your meals. Or -
next time you?re doing the grocery shopping - give exotic
fruits and vegetables a try. My family is partial to sliced
mangos, and this fruit pairs especially well with
Mexican-inspired fish tacos. Cooking something new can provide
not only an activity, but a tasty reward for all who partake in
the meal.
9. Scavenger Hunts. Whatever happened to the old-time scavenger
hunt? Organize a weekend scavenger hunt with friends. Plan and
place your clues, and get that old competitive spirit out, and
play to win!
10. Exercise. Get out and start that outdoor exercise program
you have been promising yourself since New Year's Eve. Walk,
jog, bike, whatever...Just get out and "do it"! Head into fall
with a leaner, more revitalized you.
11. Crafts. Crafting can add hours of fun for adults and kids
alike. Visit a near by Craft store - you will be sure to find
many exciting crafting projects for you and your children. Or,
you might just have something lying around the house to inspire
the imagination. For instance, polish the dust off a collection
of miscellaneous seashells and glue them to flower pots,
mirrors, unpainted furniture, and wooden boxes to create
exquisite nautical treasures. Embellish with sea glass and
milky-green coats of paint. The sky is the limit!
Knitting is also a great craft, and easy to learn. Nowadays,
there are so many scrumptious textures and colors of yarn, and
so many unique patterns, that knitting as we know it has been
completely revitalized! Spend a few afternoon hours teaching a
child the rewards of making and wearing something made from the
heart and the hands.
12. Reading. Reading can be a luxury for some. People leading
hectic, stressful lifestyles may want to just sit back and
catch up on some reading. Take that special book out of doors;
your yard, the beach, or a great shady park. You might be
surprised how much that outdoor setting can make it all the
more relaxing.
Speaking of settings, I can't think of a more appropriate
summer book to read than ?Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow
Lindbergh. This poetic piece was written half a century ago by
Charles Lindbergh?s wife. Her meditations on life, love,
solitude and contentment are made against the oceanic backdrop
of Captiva Island (before the loads of tourists) and a tiny,
weathered beach cabin. Her muse? None other than the tiny
seashells she collected from the beach outside her cabin door.
Truly a soul-inspiring read.
I have provided just a few activities that won't break the
bank. Yet these activities will still provide some fun times
for you and your loved ones this summer while also supporting
Michigan?s economy. Just use your imagination, and I am sure
you can come up with many more fun activities that will provide
some wonderful summer memories for you, your family and friends.
