If you like to travel, see different aspects of nature, and not spend too much money, then you need to explore and find your way up to northern Michigan. After living in California for the first decade of my life, my family moved to central MI. Upon our arrival, our neighbors greeted us with brownies and a card. It seemed like something out of a movie. That was not the only movie-like quality of this mitten state.

The Michigan environment includes friendly people and gorgeous landscapes. In the fall, the leaves change color, the air is more crisp, and the leaves fall from the sky like confetti. During the winter the ground and trees are covered with snow. In the spring, flowers blossom and the grass reveals itself after a long winter. The summer hits the state with its aggressive humidity, and most people start to travel (camping, beach trips, family visits, etc.). Of these seasonal activities, my family enjoys beach trips and sight seeing in the summer.

Some neat places that we have discovered include Mackinac Island, Rosy Mound Natural Area, Tahquamenon falls, and Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth to name a few. All of these destinations gave us the opportunity to see aspects of creation that we had not seen before (at a low monetary value).

It was a blessing to visit a beach and see the countless colorful stones in the sand. It was marvelous to see so many ways to celebrate Christmas. It was jaw dropping to see the fudge made on a granite table for the first time and sample it. So, even though each of these destinations did cost us a dollar value, the experience was priceless.

I did not know Michigan had that much to offer, but it is actually a marvelous state to live in. Please take the time to check some of these places out and explore. If you live in another state or country, look for some of the awesome things in your area that will give you life and a new perspective on what is around you.