When I have heard people mention, “Jackson, Michigan,” immediately my mind has focused on the expansive prison. I had not been prepared for the magical, creative community of 30,000 residents that we would meet. Chuck and I were both drawn to the people of the city and will return again […]
Yearly Archives: 2024
39 posts
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day.” The traditional holiday carol lofted across the three acres of the Realy farm, northeast of Jackson, Michigan. This small group of carolers had created a portal, welcoming us to the 1880’s Waterloo […]
Did you know that there are fourteen uniquely formed sculptures tucked along the bank of Iron Lake behind the St. Joseph Shrine? These remarkable, wet-cement styled pieces represent the story of Jesus carrying his own cross to his own crucifixion. How did this installation come to be? Who had built […]
Welcome! Scroll down to get trip information and GPS files. TRIP INFORMATION Pardon the Interruption!If you found the files and trip information valuable, please consider leaving us a tip so we can continue to provide more resources. Thanks! Powered by Click to Open Map in a New Window. You can [...]
Did you know that thirteen mills had once lined McCoy Creek in Buchanan, Michigan? Pears Mill, built in 1857-58, is currently the only existing mill along the millrace. Pronounced “Peers” the Greek Revival flour mill still operates. Join us as we investigate this engineering marvel which has been carefully restored […]
Fifty-six years after the United States had become a nation, Calvin Snell built his home along US-12, the Chicago Road, in the Michigan Territory. From 1832-1843 Calvin Snell offered meals and rest for people making the five day stage coach journey from Chicago to Detroit. Later it was named “Walker […]
“Oh. I have been looking forward to this stop on our tour of US-12.” Chuck’s eyes widened as we approached Drier’s Butcher Shop on South Elm Street in Three Oaks, Michigan. First opened in 1875, Drier’s Butcher Shop has served the Three Oaks community, surrounding areas and some well known […]
With clogged traffic on I-96, I meandered east along Eleven Mile Road near the city of South Lyon. I was happily heading to Ann Arbor to meet my daughter for lunch. As I turned onto Milford Road I noticed American flags standing behind a black iron fence. It was a […]
Do you remember the tornado that struck downtown Kalamazoo on Tuesday, May 13, 1980? Within sixteen minutes the swirling tail had swung through the busiest corridor of Kalamazoo, making it the city’s worst natural disaster. Five individuals lost their lives that day and seventy-nine were injured. Remarkably many had been […]
Did you know that Mastodons had once roamed through Michigan? Mammoths, too. Honestly, I had never thought about this until my husband, Chuck, had mentioned the largest Mastodon trail had been found near Saline, Michigan. Join us as we travel along US 12 to find this time-worn trail! Mastodon Evidence […]