Beauty Begins in Michigan

Just a little inspiration to help us through the day!

A little gift from nature at Petoskey State Park!

Michigan Family Events November 2016

The weather has been great in Michigan over the past few weeks, even though the evening chill and long nights have descended upon us. There is an abundance of activities that will be sure to please families of all ages. 

So, in no particular order:

1. SUPERMOON! This full moon is expected to be big and bright-hopefully the weather on the 13th will be clear for you to head outside to your favorite park to enjoy the "brightest moon since 1948" according to space.com  Whether you start the day by volunteering at Yankee Springs Recreation Area at the Stewardship Volunteer Workday, or tour the Wolf Lake Hatchery for a Hatchery Tour- be sure to get out at night and marvel at this natural wonder!

2. Check out a film at the Redford Theatre Coming up still in November are several two great weekends of family cinema. On November 18th and 19th is the 1965 classic, The Sound of Music.  While I do not need to inform you of the pleasures of sharing this film that still inspires such hope and joy-seeing it at the Redford will only add to the experience. Depending on the age of your children you may want to check out the original German language version on youtube. We watched it a bit earlier this year and found it only added to our appreciation of this amazing story. 

On November 26, check out the Classic Cartoon Festival! Add some levity to your weekend and laugh along with cartoons heroes such as Popeye, Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry, curated by Ann Arbor's Steve Stanchfield. 

3. Plan your #Optoutside event for November 25th. This campaign started by REI CO-OP encourages folks to get outside and spend time in nature. After all the family feasting, football and parade experience of Thanksgiving, the perfect antidote is getting outside and enjoying your favorite outdoor experience. Whether it is strolling along the Au Sable River, walking along the Detroit River on the paved trail and maybe trying the Dequindre Cut-Through this year, or checking out a new State Park, or the North Country Trail, or..... As we all know, Michigan is a bounty of natural beauty and sharing it with your children is a gift that to cherish. 

Happy November and remember-Travel Local!

Hallowe'en at Greenfield Village 2016 Recap

Hallowe'en at Greenfield Village yielded some unexpected surprises which added to an already enjoyable family experience.

The first surprise was at the Josephine Ford Plaza, before you even entered the village. Nestled along the side, a bit away from the fountain and main gathering area was a collection of classic hearses, festooned with spooky regalia. These lovingly maintained autos added an appropriate reminder of the historic origins of Hallow's Eve. I give credit to the thoughtful planners and curators of The Henry Ford for adding something new, yet making it culturally accurate and family friendly, by placing it out of the way so families with young children or sensitive children could easily avoid it. There were many families with young children who did not seem to be bothered by the hearses, but obviously, for some folks it might be a bit too intense, but easily avoided. Well done!

The route itself changed this year, continuing along Post Street rather than turning right at Christie Street and heading through the Edison at Work District. This eliminated the mad scientist inside one of the Edison labs, which was always fun, but did allow for a greater concentration of the main storytelling areas. Anthony, in his dramatic performance of Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart was as mesmerizing as ever.  The singing witches trio was bouncy and fun, and provided a nice contrast. I think it was a good choice to vary the route, although I do think some additional consideration to timing the performances should be made, because occasionally the singing drowned out The Tell Tale Heart oration. 

Readers of this blog will know that we previously mentioned this is a true family friendly event and The Henry Ford makes great efforts to accommodate a wide range of ages and sensitivities. That being said, folks looking for a scary or gory Halloween experience or to receive bags full of candy are going to be disappointed. 

Rather, expect a charming stroll through a tastefully decorated historical treasure, with amazingly talented entertainers, great attention to detail, lovely costumes, and enough seasonally appropriate spookiness to spark the imagination not shock it into submission. 

Family Questions for Discussion

1. What did you think of the new route at Hallowe'en at Greenfield Village?

2. Did the change add or detract to your family's experience of the event?

3. How does sharing a common travel experience help strengthen your family?

4. What was  your favorite part of the Hallowe'en at Greenfield Village?

5. What would be your family's dream autumn travel experience be?

Losing Panera Cares in Dearborn

It is with great sadness that I write about the closing of Panera Cares in Dearborn. Readers of this blog will know how greatly I admired the actual location on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, but also the innovative hybrid business model.

It was a true community gathering space, where a  cross section of Metro-Detroiters would mingle. Students, families, retirees, business people, the unemployed-of a wide variety of racial and socio-economic categories would enjoy a hot cup of coffee and comforting soup all based on your ability to pay. If you could afford to, you were asked to chip in a little extra, if you were struggling financially, you could get a meal and were asked to volunteer your time. The staff were always so friendly and welcoming, helping to create a convivial community atmosphere.

A family travelling could stop in and get a delicious day old loaf of bread or bagels for a snack on the long car ride back to Ohio, Illinois or Kentucky after visiting family, or the historical sites.

Metro Detroit seemed like such a wonderful location for a Panera Cares, the combination of midwestern pragmatism and down to earth community sensibilities, but unfortunately the economic realities of bills and rent supposedly became too much at this time. 

Although the Panera Cares website states that there are no new locations being considered at this time, I am holding onto hope that this great idea is simply a few years ahead of its time.

In November, the time when late fall yields to winter and we prepare for the long chill ahead, when we both remember our losses and give thanks for the harvest, those of us fortunate to travel might give pause to recall the many in America for whom food security is a daily struggle. 

Check out the PaneraCares.org website for more info on food security and to watch Ron Shaich speak at Tedx St. Louis. 

Family Questions for Discussion

1. What is food insecurity?

2.  How many American's are reportedly affected by food insecurity?

3. What are some of the family travel experiences for which you are most thankful?

4. What are some of the best ways to foster gratitude while you are travelling?

5. What is the Panera Cares "business" model?

6. Could it work for other restaurants or types of businesses?