Michigan bound

We will be leaving for Michigan in the morning.  This trip, because of time constraints, we will have to take the interstates eastbound.  Ugh!  The worst part is going south of Chicago, around the bottom of Lake Michigan.  Of the various routes available, the Skyway is apparently the best choice, although it is (or was?) under construction again and down to a single lane in some places.

The Skyway is apparently privately owned now, an exhibit in the raping of the American public sector by business interests.  The company that owns it is, I believe, headquartered in Australia.  Anyhow, it is another example of the public's desire to have governmental services without having to fork over the cash to build, operate, and maintain them.

There is quite a bit to see over that way, and I see tv ads regularly pushing Michigan tourism.  Also lately Iowa (which seems to me an unlikely destination) and Utah, which seems to me a lot more so.  Despite its political complexion, Utah is a very pretty state.

The problem with Michigan is the huge impact of the Bush Recession and, taking a longer view, the decline of the automobile industry and of manufacturing generally:

Sixty to Zero: An Inside Look at the Collapse of General Motors--and the Detroit Auto Industry

Alex Taylor III

But there is a lot of lovely scenery, with the Traverse City area (as I have said before) at the top of my list.

But I do also like the UP, I guess because it is truly remote.  Relatively few roads.  Not many people.  But of course, not really any virgin forest either.  Practically the entire US has been cut over, hasn't it.  Or mined or drilled or built upon.  And, as we are coming to realize, not only all the land, but also the oceans.

Anyhow, this trip, we are going not mostly as tourists, but for my son's wedding.  I am glad that he is getting married, and glad to be a part of the celebration.

Consequently, I am unlikely to be blogging for a while.  Hope you all out there do well.

Comments

[Snowy]

Best wishes for your trip and to your son.

[DoctorD42]

My son is married now.  It was a wonderful ceremony--outdoors, and the rains stayed away.  Tomorrow they leave on a honeymoon trip. 

I am very proud of them both!

We will continue on a "vacation" ourselves for a few days.

[Lauri]

[this is good] Congrats to your son and his new wife!

I haven't been to Da Tourist Trap, but I have been to Mystery Spot a couple of times! :)

Tomorrow I am heading north to Petoskey with my husband, son and his wife for the weekend!