USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” INDIANA

INDIANA: “HOOSIER STATE”

BY CLAY LARROY

Regardless of whether you are traveling to a nearby location for the weekend or taking a week-long destination vacation, you are always going to benefit from some tips and ideas on how to make the whole process, more fun and less stressful. Take time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot of stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another one is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will make it easier for you to resume your normal life when it's all over. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Indiana

Indiana, situated in the Midwest, is known as the 'Crossroads of America', with multiple national highways intersecting within its borders. This makes it easy to travel through the state's scenic stretches of rural land. Northern Indiana is particularly beautiful, bordering Lake Michigan and encompassing the Indiana Dunes National

Lakeshore with sandy beaches and expanse of wildflowers. Other scenic routes include the lanes of the Amish country in the northeast, the alleys of Wayne County, the historic covered bridges of Parke County, or the picturesque Ohio River byway in the south.

Perhaps because of its long history of settlers and their clashes with Native Americans, or its strength in corn and soybean production, the state's name tends to conjure images of endless farmland and the pastoral lifestyle. In fact, the nickname for Indiana residents, 'Hoosiers', may derive from the pioneers' shout of 'Who's here?' when

travelers knocked on remote cabin doors. The origin remains a subject of debate, but Hoosiers are proud of the nickname regardless.

The Hoosier state is a powerhouse in the sports world. It is home to the Indianapolis 500, one of the world's premier racing events, and to the Indianapolis Colts, one of the most competitive teams in the NFL. And, of course there is Indiana basketball, immortalized in the film 'Hoosiers', which approaches a religion. The state has a

professional NBA team, the Indiana Pacers, but Hoosiers are equally enthusiastic about college basketball, including the Indiana University team. In education, too, Indiana is at the forefront. Top institutions like the University of Notre Dame, Purdue University and DePaul University, and their sports teams, are located here.

Climate for Indiana

Indiana generally has cold winters and hot, humid summers with higher temperatures towards the south. Lake Michigan modifies the northern temperatures and also creates higher precipitation than in the rest of the state, with more snowfall in winter. Autumn is a pleasant time to travel to Indiana with lower humidity and sunny skies, while spring is often unstable and has high incidences of thunderstorms and tornadoes.

In the capital, Indianapolis, summers (June to August) see average temperatures ranging between 64°F (18°C) and 89°F (32°C), and the winters (December to February) are cold, with temperatures dipping down to 24°F (-4°C) in January, and occasionally getting as cold as -15°F (-26°C).

The best time to visit Indiana is summer and autumn, between June and October.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

It occurred to me in my junior year of high school. I got my first letter from a big college. I still have that letter to this day - a letter from Indiana.

Bo Jackson
    

Travel to experience life and create amazing memories!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN: THE Great Lakes STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

The preparation for a vacation is almost as exhilarating as the vacation itself. I love printing out the tickets and confirmations while thinking about how much fun I will have on vacation. I enjoy researching all the sights at the location I will see once I arrive at my destination. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

DETROIT, “THE MOTOR CITY”

Detroit History

Detroit has been around since 1701, when the French founded a fort and missionary outpost here. One of the Midwest's oldest cities, Detroit has been overseen by three powers: France, Great Britain and the United States. It grew quickly and by the early 20th century was one of the largest cities in the country.

It almost wasn't to be, though, and in 1805 a huge fire caused untold damage and nearly ended the city's existence. The fire allowed for a complete city redesign and planners implemented a baroque-style layout, with boulevards and a number of impressive parks.

Up to the time of the American Civil War, the city's proximity to the Canadian border made it a key location, and a central part of the Underground Railroad system.

After the Civil War, it was ripe for expansion and it became a huge center for commercial ventures and a hub for global trade. Many wealthy industrialists moved to the city and affluent neighborhoods grew up around town.

The carriage trade thrived here and provided the perfect backdrop for Henry Ford, founder of the Model T, to build his first ever car factory in 1899.

As Ford spawned competitors such as General Motors and Chrysler, they too set up in Detroit and the city became the head of the world's automobile industry. But more cars meant more jobs and between 1900 and 1930, the city's population increased from 265,000 to over 1.5 million.

Wartime was a time of transition for the city, as factories changed from producing cars to military vehicles and bombers. The city became known as ‘The Arsenal of Democracy'.

The decline in motor manufacturing in the US and the subsequent global economic situation eventually meant hard times for the city, and its profile briefly became one of urban decay and poverty.

However, recent redevelopment projects are breathing new life into a city, particularly around the downtown and midtown areas of the city, as well as the riverfront.

Did you know? 
- Built in 1909, Detroit was the first place in the world to have a concrete road.
- Opening its doors in 1977, the Marriott hotel at the Renaissance Center was the world's tallest hotel. Today it is still the tallest in the US.
- The Donovan Building, home to Motown Records from 1968 to 1972, was demolished in 2006 and used as car parking for the Super Bowl.

Things to do in Detroit

Activities

Fishing

A tranquil respite from the bustle of the city, Belleville Lake is perfect for fishing. The most common prey are the local catfish. The lake is over six miles long, covering approximately 494 hectares (1,220 acres).

Website: www.bellevillelakecurrent.com

Biking

Perhaps surprisingly, Detroit is one of the world's best biking cities. It has extensive cycling networks together with greenways and trails. In fact, the city's biking history stretches back to the late 19th century. Many of the best bike rental companies are by the riverfront and there are many escorted bike tours.

Kayaking

You don't necessarily have to go out to the Great Lakes to take to the waters. Kayak tours of the East River are available, taking you along the network of Creekside canals. Most tours, such as those provided by Riverside Kayak Connection, leave from Maheras Gentry Park.

Tel: (734) 285 2925.
Website: www.riversidekayak.com

Wine tasting

Michigan has a thriving wine industry, and there is no shortage of places to try some of the local varietals. Most of the region's 60 wineries offer free wine tastings - the best way to see them without drinking and driving is via a party bus.

Website: www.detroitwinetasting.com

Golfing

Michigan has over 800 public golf courses, so you're never too far away from a green. There are some high end courses, including clubs such as The Orchards, to more populist places such as Northville or Greystone.

Website: www.detroitareagolf.com

Skydiving

You can see the city from an unusual viewpoint just 45 minutes outside Detroit. First timers can freefall with a professional and see the skyline in the most exciting way possible, with Motor City Sky Diving.

Tel: (517) 347 3251.
Website: www.motorcityskydiving.com

City Attractions in Detroit

Automotive Hall of Fame

No trip to the 'Motor City' would be complete without a visit to this museum. Opened in 1997, the strikingly designed Automotive Hall of Fame celebrates the achievements and innovations of the leading figures of the world's auto industry. Interactive exhibits and displays recount the history of the automobile, especially as shaped by the individuals who brought it to the world - Ferdinand Porsche, Soichiro Honda and many others.
Telephone (313) 240 4000.
Website http://www.automotivehalloffame.org

Belle Isle

Once known as Hog Island, the now more aptly named Belle Isle is a picturesque island in the Detroit River connected to the city by a small bridge. It is designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York's Central Park. Albert Kahn, a well-known turn-of-the-century architect, designed the Belle Isle's Whitcomb Conservatory ( ), which contains regional flora from all over the country. Year-round features include a nature centre, beaches, waterslide, tennis courts and playgrounds. The island hosts the Detroit Grand Prix every June.
Telephone (313) 628 2081.
Website http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/RecreationDepartment/BelleIsle.aspx

Charles H Wright Museum of African-American History

The Charles H Wright Museum of African-American History was the vision of a black doctor who wanted a center to document and preserve black history, life and culture. Once a travelling museum housed in a mobile home, it has grown into the world's largest museum dedicated to African-American history. Its exhibits focus on many aspects of black history, from the initial journey from Africa to the Underground Railroad, jazz, Malcolm X, Dr Martin Luther King, and the Harlem Renaissance.

Telephone (313) 494 5800.
Website http://www.maah-detroit.org

Detroit Institute of Arts

The surprisingly low-key Detroit Institute of Arts houses one of the largest fine arts collections in the USA. The museum is dominated by a number of murals by Diego Rivera, who was commissioned to produce frescos on the Detroit motor industry. The collection encompasses a wide diversity of genres and includes works by Rembrandt, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas and Francis Bacon.
Telephone (313) 833 7900.
Website http://www.dia.org

Dossin Great Lakes Museum

The brainchild of Walter Dossin, a power-boat racing magnate, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum chronicles the flavorful history of Great Lakes boating and shipping through models, exhibits, paintings and memorabilia. One of its most enticing attractions is the Gothic Room, which features 7.5 tons of carved gothic oak removed from the elegant turn-of-the-century river luxury liner City of Detroit III.
Telephone (313) 852 4051.
Website http://detroithistorical.org/main/dossin

Motown Historical Museum

Motown (short for Motor Town) was born in Detroit in these two simple houses that now form the Motown Historical Museum. See the recording studio (complete with worn floor from toe-tapping) where legendary musicians like The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson developed the unique sound. Also on display are a number of personal items like the US$800 loan given to founder Berry Gordy to produce his first record.
Telephone (313) 875 2264.
Website http://www.motownmuseum.com/mtmpages

The New Detroit Science Center

The stars at this planetarium are even bigger than the ones at Motown Records. The Digital Dome Planetarium has Digistar technology and Sky-Skan automation, which allows the audience to take a virtual trip through the rings of Saturn or any other universe destination. This is the main attraction, although the center also has a variety of hands-on exhibits, demystifying subjects like matter and energy, waves and vibrations, life sciences, ecosystems and motion.
Telephone (313) 577 8400.
Website http://www.sciencedetroit.org

 REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

There is a gentleness in Michigan that you just can't replicate.

Jennifer Granholm
  

Experience life by traveling with friends and family

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN: THE Great Lakes STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

The purposes of traveling are different for different people. There are some people who travel for the sake of pleasure. The people that are heavily burdened either at their domestic front or at their offices move too far off places for relieving their worries and anxieties. The poets and writers make a trip to distant places for collection of facts for their writings. Businessmen also visit various places to enquire as to whether there are scopes for expansion of their business. Travelling provides the benefit of sightseeing and gives pleasure to the visitor. In addition, it gives a scope to an individual to have firsthand knowledge of variegated people inhabiting the world. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

DETROIT, “The Motor CitY”

About Detroit

Detroit may have hit tough times, but the city is bouncing back as it battles its way out of bankruptcy. Your first thoughts might be of abandoned neighborhoods and derelict car plants, but Michigan's comeback kid may surprise you with its flourishing cultural scene and buzzing revitalization projects.

Once thought of as a dark and depressing industrial town, the Motor City is reinventing itself with relaxing parks, fashionable nightclubs and a regenerated downtown district.

Urban gentrification is springing up everywhere, notably the Detroit Riverfront, and a young crowd is moving into town to launch techie start-ups, hip cafés and urban farms.

Outdoor dining, microbreweries, family attractions - these don't immediately spring to mind when you think of the Motor City, but they are very much a reality.

Downtown Detroit's renaissance is luring residents back from the suburbs. Here they can enjoy the vibrancy of Greektown's bars and restaurants, pleasant strolls along Detroit River, and pro ice hockey or baseball.

Art and music thrive in Detroit. This is the city where Motown was born, with artists like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson all cutting records here. New bands continue to thrill fans in a clutch of legendary music venues. Art lovers can gaze at Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry frescoes in the esteemed Detroit Institute of Arts or take a tour of The Heidelberg Project, two blocks of the city's East Side turned over to junk-fueled art.

And you only have to go to neighborhoods like Corktown or Eastern Market to witness Detroit's revival in full flow. Energetic entrepreneurs have brought cool barbecue joints, cocktails bars and coffee shops to Corktown, while Eastern Market's Saturday market is jam-packed with shoppers stocking up on locally grown veg, grass-fed meat and homemade condiments. With an innovative boutique hotel created from shipping containers in the pipeline, visitors are likely to make a beeline for this district.

Whatever the future may hold for Detroit, it still represents the best of the American dream: dreams made, dreams lost and dreams built again.

Tours & Excursions

Tourist Information Centers

Metropolitan Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau

·        Address:

211 West Fort Street
Suite 1000
Detroit
United States

·        Telephone:  1 800 338 7648/DETROIT.

·        Website:  http://www.visitdetroit.com

·        Hours of Operation:

Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Excursions

Grand Rapids

·        The second largest city in the state, this is a great walking city and the perfect base to explore the region's wineries. There is plenty of culture on offer here, as well as some of Michigan's best spas.

·        Telephone:  (616) 459 8287.

·        Website:  http://www.experiencegr.com

Ann Arbor

·        Less than one-hour's drive from Downtown Detroit, this student-heavy city offers quaint cafe-lined streets, bookshops and numerous record shops. It's easily accessible by car from the I-94, by train or by bus.

·        Telephone:  (734) 995 7281.

·        Website:  http://www.annarbor.org

Tours

Walking tours

·        Preservation Wayne, Detroit's oldest architectural preservation organization, arranges Detroit heritage walking tours every Tuesday evening and Saturday morning with themes such as Detroit's car industry heritage, the Downtown area, the cultural center, the Eastern market and Midtown. Tours run from May through September. Detroit Tour Connection offers a series of Wednesday evening walks that include several unique Downtown tours on a rotating schedule.

·        Telephone:  (313) 577 3559 ; (313) 283 4332.

·        Website:  http://www.detroittourconnections.com

Bus tours

·        Detroit Tour Connection can be contacted for guided bus tours for groups. Tours can be themed - for example and cover everything from black history and sports history to buildings by specific architects.

·        Telephone:  (313) 283 4332.

·        Website:  http://www.detroittourconnections.com

Boat tours

·        Diamond Jack's River Tours offers a two-hour narrated cruise of the Detroit River from on-board a 27m (90ft) ship. Sights include the Detroit skyline and Belle Isle. The tour departs from the Hart Plaza in the city center.

·        Telephone:  (313) 843 9376.

·        Website:  http://www.diamondjack.com

 REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

My hometown I grew up in in Michigan is really tiny, and they are so excited for all of my adventures my whole life.

 Toni Trucks
  

Enjoy life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN: THE Great Lakes STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

We seem to be experiencing a lot of rain this summer in our country. Some people might be put off by the rain when it comes to taking a vacation and think that there is not much to do in the rain. However, if you are going to vacation in a city, rain or not there is so much to do. You can visit places you have not seen before museums, arcades, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants and movies for new experiences. So do not be put off by rain enjoy new sights on your vacations. When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

Ann Arbor , "Tree Town"

The Ann Arbor area is the state’s rare jewel: a small, friendly town with big city sophistication; a world-class educational and high-tech research center nestled in a peaceful rural setting; a close-knit community of charming neighborhoods with a rich mix of cultures.

Although geographically small, the area is perhaps most renowned for its cultural offerings. From exclusive art exhibits to performances by jazz legends, there are abundant opportunities to enjoy arts and culture. More than 30 independent bookstores, dozens of unique galleries, and a variety of top-notch museums; including the newly-renovated University of Michigan Museum of Art — are all within the downtown limits.

The Ann Arbor area also offers a bounty of recreational activities for those looking to golf, hike, or cycle, and three metroparks are within a short drive of the city center. In the warmer months, the area offers an array of street festivals and outdoor fairs. The award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs draw an annual crowd of nearly 500,000 as the streets of downtown are transformed into an outdoor art gallery. In the fall, football Saturdays are more than just events — they are experiences, as more than 100,000 people fill "The Big House" to watch the Wolverines. In the winter, holiday light festivals and the Ann Arbor Folk Festival are always crowd pleasers.

Dining aficionados will appreciate the nearly 300 restaurants within a 20-mile radius of Ann Arbor. Options range from old-fashioned Italian bistros to trendy, contemporary American restaurants. Many offer alfresco dining in the warmer months, which, when combined with the array of jazz and dance clubs in the area, makes downtown Ann Arbor a vibrant destination for nightlife.

FAST FACTS

• Population - Ann Arbor: 114,024, including the student population of the University of Michigan.
• Size - 28.2 square miles
• Average Age - 27.3 years (almost 25% of Ann Arborites are between 18 and 24)
• Education - 64.2 percent have four years of college or more
• Weather - averages 31.25 inches of precipitation and 37.3 inches of snow
• Avg. high 58.1 degrees Fahrenheit / avg. low 39.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• 
  

HISTORY LESSON

Ann Arbor was founded in 1824 when John Allen and Elisha Rumsey left Detroit on a one-horse sleigh and headed west to establish a new community. Originally registered as Annarbour, it is believed that the "Ann" honors their wives Ann and Mary Ann and "arbour" refers to a grove or shady opening found in the Michigan woods. Eventually the words were separated and the town became known as Ann Arbor - it remains the only city in the world with that name.

• Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

220 E. Ann St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ignite your imagination! In the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum you explore nine unique galleries containing more than 250 interactive exhibits. Learning made fun for all ages in an informal environment where hands-on experience is the best teacher.

• Domino’s Petting Farm

24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Domino's Petting Farm gives children and adults a chance to interact with farm animals. Hayrides, group rates and birthday packages available. Pony rides on weekends.

• Great Lakes Zoological Society Conservation & Rescue Center

6885 Jackson Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

The Great Lakes Zoological Society's Conservation & Rescue Center (A World of Discovery) in Ann Arbor, Michigan is a family destination. It's an indoor zoo experience featuring reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds, and other exhibits.

• Independence Lake Park

3200 Jennings Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48189

Independence Lake County Park offers swimming, boating and fishing, picnicking, hiking, biking and rollerblading in a natural setting. During Summer months, Independence Lake features a spray zone water playground (open Memorial Day weekend to Labor...

• Jungle Java

3900 Jackson Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Jungle Java is a jungle-themed indoor play center that caters to children and parents. Play areas are designed to accommodate parents who want to play along with their kids. Parents can also relax with a cup of coffee in the cafe while the kids play.

• Leslie Science and Nature Center

1831 Traver Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Welcome to the Leslie Science and Nature Center, once the home and laboratory of Eugene and Emily Leslie! The center is a special place where people of all ages can explore 50 acres of land and Black Pond Woods. It's also a home to many plants

• Northfield Park

Pontiac Trail west of Dixboro Rd
Ann Arbor, MI

Northfield Park offers a relatively isolated, natural setting on a busy through route.  The park contains a lowland hardwood forest, a small marsh at its western edge, a large rolling open field, and a natural oak hedgerow along its eastern border.

• Osborne Mill Preserve 

East Delhi Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI

Osborne Mill Preserve is a 39-acre nature area along the Huron River in Ann Arbor.  The land was deeded by the Nature Conservancy to the County Parks system and is kept as a natural area. There are no services. Occasionally, nature walks are led.

• Parker Mill

4650 Geddes Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI

Parker Mill is a 28-acre park featuring walking trails, a handicap-accessible wetland boardwalk, interpretive signs, picnic areas and restrooms. The Parker Mill Grist mill is functional and open for tours on weekends in September and October.

• Performance Network Theatre

120 East Huron St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor's professional theatre, is located in the heart of downtown with an intimate space that delivers revived classics, blockbuster musicals, world premieres, and thought-provoking new plays.

• University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens

1800 N. Dixboro Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens is regarded as one of Ann Arbor's greatest nature destinations. The gardens are located on Ann Arbor's east side; a 300 acre property containing numerous formal gardens, a 10,000+ square.

• University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and Planetarium

1109 Geddes Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and Planetarium houses the state’s largest collection of dinosaur skeletons and displays highlighting Michigan’s prehistoric past. The Planetarium offers a 360-degree domed screen that surrounds.

• Washtenaw Community College Towsley Auditorium

4800 E. Huron River Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI

Home to college’s musical theater and dance department performances, and also serves as performance venue for renowned Wild Swan children’s theater company.

• Whirly Ball of Ann Arbor

750 Phoenix
Ann Arbor, MI

Gather a group of friends and come over to the Whirly Ball of Ann Arbor for a game of whirly ball; a combination of basketball and Jai-Alai played from an electric bumper car. It's a blast.

• Wild Swan Theater

410 South Maple
Ann Arbor, MI

Wild Swan has been delighting family audiences with performances that blend storytelling, movement and music into magical accessible experiences. Season runs from October-June at the Towsley Auditorium on campus of Washtenaw Community College.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.visitannarbor.org/home

http://www.a2gov.org/Pages/default.aspx

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!