I soaked up some fresh perspectives during the Thunder Bay International Film Festival in Alpena. An annual event held in Michigan’s northeast corner, a wide variety of films are shown at area venues throughout a long weekend in January.
The films my husband and I watched at our all-day marathon at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center included an amazing tale of a group of men crossing 40-some rivers on a cycling adventure in Iceland; the story of a tiny town in Alaska in which kids live and breathe a fishing culture, but boredom strikes regularly and they needed a diversion — enter a man with a surf-school idea; a perplexing look at a disappearing fish that’s especially needed to keep the circle of life going in the Atlantic; and in our own backyard, an answer to what we Michiganders often wonder: How does one find a shipwreck?
That last topic revealed the mystery behind how shipwreck hunters go about their journeys. First, it’s about research, research, and more research. Then you plot your coordinates based on what you think might be there. Hire a ship and a knowledgeable pilot/captain to take you there, cross your fingers, and test your skill and luck! In Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay region, there are some 200 known shipwrecks — and many haven’t even been discovered yet.
At the Heritage Center gift shop, I purchased a huge map of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The map not only shows the sanctuary’s 4,300 square miles of northern Lake Huron, but also where many shipwrecks occured. The map now hangs in our Up North cottage and provides an immediate sense of place.
Speaking of places, my other recent adventures around the state included a few days in Grand Rapids. As sure as the alluring Grand River flows through its downtown area, the city’s many diversions enlightened us. One of those was a visit to the inaugural light show at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Mark your calendars now to plan a visit to see the light show come November — but first, you need to go there now for the Butterflies are Blooming exhibit, which runs through April 30. It’s the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the U.S. and is definitely worth a visit. We’re so lucky to have this astounding attraction in our state. It all started 30 years ago, when Fred and Lena Meijer opened this horticulture and sculpture destination, donating 70 acres of land to start a garden that has doubled in size to become a 158-acre campus.
When in Grand Rapids, be sure to saddle up on the renovated 1928 Spillman Carousel at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Cook Carousel pavilion, which is slated to open in a few months. The pavilion area underwent a $10.5 million face-lift, making it and the carousel more accessible. Folks have been enjoying thrilling rides above the Grand River for 30 years.
We stayed at the Canopy by Hilton, a new hotel that’s tucked between downtown breweries and the Grand River. Since we were visiting a city renowned for its part in the modernist design movement, this hotel, with its contemporary appeal, was perfect.
My husband and I also recently popped into the just-renovated Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Detroit’s Belle Isle. A few steps from the Detroit River, this attraction is always a marvelous place to visit, and it’s even more so now with its verdant greens and vibrant blooms.
Getaways long and short offer new insights and fresh perspectives, to be sure. You’ll read about many of these opportunities in this issue of Michigan Blue, and others down the road.
Regarding fresh perspectives, have you noticed anything different about the magazine you’re reading? Yes, the Michigan Blue team gave the magazine a refresh, from the type treatment to creating new departments (that allow us to show off our beautiful state even more) and making small tweaks that might not be readily noticeable. Overall, we’re showcasing home design, art, travel, food, and people in this great state in a new light. We’ll roll out more changes in future issues. Enjoy!
