Since Mikey mentioned more tales...

My folks are from Michigan, and this was a favorite of mom's to tell us. We'd all be out on horseback, and she'd tell us the story, and it was neat seeing the horses ears flicking along, listening to the tale.

Sorry, no pics.

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Many years ago, in a state now called Wisconsin, lived a mother bear and her two cubs. One day, as they were in the woods gathering food, a fire broke out. All of the animals, including the mother bear and her cubs, had to leave the forest. The mother bear and her cubs swam across Lake Michigan to the state we now call Michigan. It was a very long swim. Soon, the two cubs grew very tired and fell behind their mother. When the mother bear came to the shores of Michigan, she climbed to the highest point she could find, a large hill made of sand, and waited for the cubs. She waited and waited and waited. But her cubs could not make the long journey. Instead, the Great White Spirit, who watched over all the animals, turned the cubs into two islands. The mother bear, who soon grew tired, saw her two cubs in the lake and knew that the Great White Spirit had taken care of them. She soon saw the two islands in Lake Michigan. Knowing that her cubs were safe, she soon fell fast asleep. Today, the cubs are known as North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island. Their mother, who the Great Spirit covered with sand to keep warm, now watches over her cubs from her spot atop the giant hill made of sand. We call her Sleeping Bear Sand Dune.

A few pictures to help you out. :-)









Crap. Thought they would be a bit bigger than that.

I have been there a few times, and it is a spiritual place or at the least a great childhood experiance. It has been far to many years, maybe it is time to go get a glass full of the place.

EquusDancer...Thanks for the reminder to take a break once in a while

This is the kind of place I'd like to visit before I die ... thanks for the post.

Hope these come out and not too big this first one is how the islands look on a map................





This picture is actually taken from the Sleeping Bear Dunes overlook (Manitou Islands on horizon), Lake Michigan

If you can tell one island is to the left there is a split and the other island is to the right






Keep them coming girl....................

I'd love to be there right now ...

It's definitely a must see.

Along with Taquahmenon ( or however the heck you spell it ) Falls.

go to sleeping bear dunes couple times a year as well as pyramid point (closer to northport)

Yea..............

As you can see by the map Txs provided, there is a lighthouse on S Manitou Isl.



I used to live in Michigan, and I frequently go out there to Western Michigan to visit my Aunt and Uncle and cousins who live in Allegan, and they have a cottage up in Montague, near Muskegon. I go there about every 2 or 3 years, and it is one of 3 or 4 places in this country that truly bring peace and relaxation to me. I've never been to those islands, but I would love to go, someday soon. Maybe a kayaking trip or SeaDOO. I've always loved Michigan, and it's always a part of who I was growing up, and who I am now.

Because of the economy, Michigan has been taking a really bad rap for a while now.

While Detroit really is falling apart at the seams, Michigan has some of the most beautiful scenery to rival just about anywhere in the country.

We may not have mountain views here, but we have more coastline than anyone. We have natural and man made wonders. The people, although somewhat ' beaten down ' by our economic situation, are some of the friendliest in the country.

Anyone who decided to take in some of those sites would NOT be disappointed.

totally agree, J.A.G., that's what I've been sayin' for years.

It is, they both are! Taquahmenon is lovely and wooded and you could row out to the island and wander around.

Glad everyone enjoyed. But I know I'm not the only one who has interesting local stories! :-)

Except for one year, I have lived here my entire life.

Walk up to anyone who is from here, tell them that you want to hear something about Michigan BESIDES the crappy economy, and I think many would be surprised just how proud we are of our state.

I mean, we have a little of almost everything here. The Tulip Festival in Holland...Spring in the Traverse City area when the trees in the cherry orchards are blooming, fantastic cross country skiing in the Winter, fall colors that are absolutely breathtaking, the Mighty Mac bridge, the yearly St Ignace car show...there is ALWAYS something to do here.

Do I sound like a tourism pamphlet??

Damn straight. This state may not be the greatest place to live economically speaking, but it's definitely a great place for " living ".

Have you ever seen the Falls in the dead of Winter??

Not many people go there in the Winter and it's a real shame because it is breathtaking.

No unfortunately not. We didn't do quite as much winter traveling when living up there, which kind of sucked.

Well...all things considered, that's not really surprising. Most people don't do a whole lot of traveling during the Winters here unless they are snowmobile or skiing fanatics.

But, for the more adventurous, the Winter here can provide some truly stunning sights.

Such as, Sleeping Bear Dunes in the Winter before the lake freezes but after a decent snowfall. The two islands are awesome to see in the Summer when they are nice and green...but they are just as, if not even more, awesome to see when they are covered with fresh snow.

Book a trip to Grand Rapids, rent a car, and go exploring, and don't forget Mackinac and the Upper Penninsula. Michigan is an amazing tourist destination, and you will be awed and inspired at the wonderful beauty this state has to offer. Michigan is awesome!

Get on yer mean motor scooter and .......RIDE