Michigan is a place where you experience all five, yes five, seasons: fall, winter, spring, summer and the most dreaded–construction. Some years we skipped spring and went right to summer, and others we had snowfall in the middle of March. The only season that is certain is construction because no matter the weather or time of the day you can bet there will be orange cones and potholes waiting to be filled. I recently transferred 2,000 miles from home to a school in the middle of the desert that gets one season: summer. The "fall" here consists of temperatures still reaching the triple digits and monsoon season that causes people to forget how to drive, and 25% humidity which leads to people freaking out about how "humid" it is, psh. The "winter" here is month-long temperatures hanging in the low 60s and 50s, granted it drops to freezing at night. And "spring" consists of bracing yourself for the next seven months of crippling heat.
Growing up in a place where I got to see the leaves change every October and have snow on Christmas was something I took for granted. I won't miss the snow because I can simply take a two-hour drive north to Flagstaff to get my fix of winter, but I do miss walking to class engulfed in shades of orange, brown and yellow. I miss living in a place where I could experience my favorite season. I recently went back to my old university and instantly fell back in love with the month of October because Michigan's fall foliage is breathtaking. I went from waking up to falling leaves to palm trees and 85 degrees. Here are ten times fall scenery in the mitten captured my heart.
1. Cider Mills
There's just something about the smell of fresh apple cider and donuts that gives me a sense of happiness. Living in the middle of a desert allows for fake pumpkin patches off the side of the road where the pumpkins are probably rotted due to extreme heat.
2. Opening night in Hockeytown
For anyone who knows anything about hockey, they would know that the Detroit Red Wings are one of the most decorated franchises in NHL history. They have the longest playoff streak in all of professional sports at an astounding 24 straight years and counting. I've never known a year without playoff hockey in Detroit. The atmosphere in Hockeytown is unlike any other, and I miss it more than anything. The fan base stretches world-wide, and they even have a huge fan base right here in Arizona. Spoiler alert, they make their annual west-coast road trip and stop in Glendale a few days before my birthday.
3. The infamous M-22 Highway
It was voted the best scenic autumn drive in America, need I say more? This state is absolutely stunning during the month of October. It gives you an excuse to drive aimlessly just getting lost in its beauty.
4. Wineries for days
Although it is not wine country, there are so many wineries throughout the state of Michigan. One of the most well known resides in Traverse City, so for all you wine-enthusiasts, take a trip to a winery near you and enjoy wine tasting and the beauty the vineyards expose you to.
5. Color-tours galore
There are tons of different fall color tours that range from the lower peninsula in the Metro-Detroit area all the way to the west side near Kalamazoo and all the way to the tip of the lower peninsula around Traverse City to Pictures Rocks National Lakeshore in the UP. If you've never been on a color tour, it is definitely something that needs to be on your October bucket list, you won't regret it I promise.
6. Football games at the Big House
Even if you are a Michigan State fan (Go Blue), you can't deny the atmosphere at the Big House especially this past weekend with the Sparty come from behind win. I've never seen a city more emotionally invested in their college football team than Ann Arbor.
7. The Upper Peninsula becomes more vibrant and beautiful than the other ten months of the year
Not to take away from the beauty that resides in the UP the rest of the year, but there is just something so vibrant about being surrounded by hundreds of shades of reds, yellows, oranges and browns for two months. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore may be the most beautiful place I've ever seen.
8. Haunted houses, hay rides and corn mazes
Michigan is home to Erebus, one of the most well-known haunted house attractions in the country. It is often ranked in the top 10 scariest haunted houses and brings in hundreds of visitors along the mid-west.
9. You're a short drive to Halloweekends
Yeah I know it's in Ohio, but that state sucks, so they've gotta have something they're proud to claim because its own citizens don't like claiming it. Cedar Point is home of the largest roller coaster and is one of a kind; it's not a chain amusement park, so the only location is in Sandusky, Ohio. Halloweekends is a huge attraction to Michigan and Indiana residents.
10. It makes walking to class more enjoyable
Western Michigan University
Michigan State University
Grand Valley State University
University of Michigan
Despite the temperature dropping to the 40s, it's an excuse to break out those cute new boots and mittens as you enjoy the scenic cross-campus walk to and from class.
If you've lived in Arizona your entire life, and your autumn consists of driving a couple hours north, you should plan a trip 2,000 miles north-east to the mitten state and feast your eyes on beauty like you've never seen. Plus, Michigan is home to the nation's recently named Beer Capital: Grand Rapids, and I know your mouth is salivating at the sound of pumpkin/cider flavored beer. What are you waiting for? Pure Michigan awaits your arrival.
