In northern Michigan, the roads are predominantly two-lanes, one in each direction, some are four lanes with a turning lane, as we have at home, but there are no eight-lane motorways and certainly no fly overs which dot my Texan landscape!

The townships actively promote “artisan” and “Mom and Pop” businesses so that one is able to enjoy boutique restaurants and shops which was such a refreshing experience.

There are farm shops selling fresh produce everywhere. It was wonderful to stop and buy fresh blueberries, peaches and honey directly from the farmer who had grown them!

A lot of the towns we visited really went in for colourful flower boxes and hanging baskets but the above picture, taken in Petoskey, took the biscuit! Admittedly, this was outside a flower and garden centre, but even so, it was spectacular.

Seriously red! This is the light station at Charlevoix South Pier. Now, close your eyes, and imagine to the left of this picture that there is a monstrous concrete plant, seriously! I got chatting to some folks from Michigan who told me that long before it became popular to have a home overlooking the Great Lakes, industries were a common sight due to the access to fresh water! 

Three of the properties we looked at, only from the outside! From Left: an apartment in Petoskey that overlooked Lake Michigan; top right, a house in Petoskey that faced a marina; bottom right, a house (r/h side) that overlooked Lake Michigan in Manistee!