Several years ago, due to medical circumstances, my husband and I were forced to re-examine how we spent our leisure time. No longer having the ability for physical exertion or walking any great distance, we reinvented the pastime our parents and grandparents once had of ‘Family Sunday Drives’-what a blessing in disguise.
Each week we challenge ourselves to find roads less traveled-ones we haven’t been on recently or have never been on. To help minimize expenses, our goal is limiting each drive to between 150 to 200 miles and try, whenever possible, to include a visit to a small museum or community park. During the past few years we have seen a tropical fish exhibit to challenge many larger aquariums at ‘Lunkers’ restaurant in Edwardsburg, visited local museums near Delton, Niles and Cooper in addition to discovering one housed within a community college near Dowagiac. We have picnicked along area lakes and rivers and watched the waves crest over lighthouses in St. Joe, South Haven and Holland. We have seen Bears On Parade in St. Joseph, seen ice sculptures in South Haven and Holland and viewed a Lumberjack Festival by Hastings. There is nothing more enjoyable than to stop at area flea markets, community yard sales or auctions and find that special something, then stop for ice cream or fresh fruit at a farm market. We have seen the hillsides near Benton Harbor alive with blossoms in the spring time, the fields and sky at the ‘Todd Farm’ near Fennville darkened with geese and ducks in the fall, and the bright lights of the holidays reflected on the snow in the evenings as local communities try to outdo each other. What wonderful opportunities available to all, but missed by many.
Anyone can participate in this hobby, young or old, rich or poor, individuals or large families. You can pack a picnic lunch and stop at a roadside table, visit a local dinner or spend some time at an elegant restaurant.
Possibilities for discovery are endless-limited only by your interests, imagination and willingness to try new experiences.
Cost for this hobby-defined only by you.
Individual Benefits- unmissed photo opportunities, creating lasting memories, establishing a family tradition, and most importantly quality time spent with loved ones.
Benefits for Michigan-at first glance, the economic impact of this idea seems relatively minimal, however it could be substantial and should not be ignored.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2005 there were 4,478,507 housing units within the State. If 5% of that number, or 223,925, were to add one monthly drive, spending just $50 each drive, approximately $134,355,210 would be circulated within the State on an annual basis.
Drawbacks-lack of easily accessible information. Currently obtaining information for these smaller and localized places of interest is very fragmented. Chamber of Commerce offices in most areas, along with the State do offer brochures and web-sites; however you must first have the time, expertise and basic information to define your search.
Suggestions-redesign ‘Michigan Travel Ideas’. While this is an excellent magazine and useful in many ways, it focuses primarily on Michigan’s traditional well know destinations targeting the out of state visitor traveling into Michigan and those destinations having the ability to pay for larger professionally designed ads. Travel guides from many other states divide the state geographically and within each geographic location list individual city’s attractions, parks, events, restaurants and lodging making it more user friendly. I feel this would be beneficial, however could still overlook many localized points of interest.
I would suggest developing ‘Off The Beaten Path’ brochures targeting specific regions within the State. Each brochure would be published annually and set up similar to a telephone book’s yellow pages with headings such as community parks, flea markets, annual yard sales, museums, dates of festivals, seasonal drives, etc. To maximize distribution, these could be included as an insert when delivering area telephone books.
Michigan should remember in today’s economy, struggling families can not afford to spend $500 or more for a vacation, but are willing to spend $50.00 to strengthen their family unit.
