Michigan is #24 on the list

Those of you who know me know I've been trying to achieve a goal of states visited. That number was set at 30 by the time I reached 30...well sometimes you have to allow extensions. However, I am determined to reach 30 states visited in the year I am 30...which means I have a little more time.

Wednesday into our school break I called up Mom and she could hear it in my voice...she knew I was up to something again. "Mom do you want to go to Michigan?" A not so casual peek at Mapquest showed me that if I travelled through Canada we were only 4 1/2 hours away from Michigan. Thankfully, I have the world's most awesome Mom who wanted me to pick up another state as was game for the adventure. Plus she knew if she didn't go with me I'd probably just end up doing it solo...so for moms everywhere it just pushes that concern button. So, it was decided that Port Huron Michigan, the first city over the Canadian bridge would be the destination. Not throwing a dart but convenient enough to suit.

It turns out that Port Huron Michigan is just

about the most charming little city this side of the Great Lakes. My mom ,who used to be involved with Great Lakes United, was game. It turns out that Port Huron, lying on the banks of the St. Clair River with Lake Huron in the distance is beautiful. Whether it was this string of sunny and 70 degree weather there or the tuquoise color of the water it looked like a little bit of Ameri-Cana paradise. By the way, I have never seen water this color aside from Hawaii and certainly I never expected to see it in Michigan!

Some interesting facts about Port Huron...I bet you did not know that the most important inventor of our times- Thomas Alva Edison grew up right here on the thumb of Michigan. Michigan, if you want a layman's geography lesson, is shaped like a mitten. Port Huron's most famous citizen. Right here once lived the man that we now have to thank when we turn on the lights, when we pay our energy bill (for sure) even when we play our i-pods are watch a movie we have to in some way nod to him. Largely all inventions that we have today follow from some concept he initiated or developed that started the ball rolling. We visited the Edison Museum which was fascinating and I highly recommend a visit for anyone who is a technology nerd or history buff.

It's a cement walk so you can't call it a "boardwalk" but the walkway along Port Huron is a treat to stroll on a sunny day. However you might find it fitting that the walkway is cement when you consider it was Edison who also had a hand in the perfecting of the cement process. We walked along and stopped in the Port Huron Lightship Museum, which is a retired lightship now dry docked and open for tours. These ships were used like floating lighthouses to guide passing water traffic but now with the modern age of GPS have all been put out to pasture, or ahem shipyards. Fascinating.

GUESS who got to blow the ship's whistle at a passing 1,000 footer cargo ship? One long two short is welcome.

What a dork I am---I love that stuff!

Anyway, just thought you should know about this cute little place I visited. It was largely empty to tourists--just the locals now in April. However, come summertime this is a hopping place to be. Think about it...it sure made my 24th state trip big fun.

Hey, if you go and you're strolling down the walk looking out at the St. Clair make sure you grab a bite to eat at the Johnny Dog wagon. Yummiest hot dogs in Michigan and Johnny serves it on a silver platter to you. Love this stuff! Now back to my regular Rochester routine.