Brian Gudas took several photos at the Veldeer's Tulip Farm in Holland the other day.

He has some cool photos sets including this beautiful collection of spring flowers (slideshow), the Coast Guard Fest and the Grand Haven Coast Guard's 50th Anniversary fireworks show. In addition to the sets, he has photos of everything from this amazing shot of the car ferry in Manistee to extremely detailed photos of ketchup.

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Goose Lake Rock Festival by edwards_sa

The headlines of the local newspaper read, "125,000 and Still Coming." The reporter of the story wrote, "Goose Lake Park's rock festival is no county fair, state fair or world's fair. It's a young people's fair."

Held in August 1970, the Goose Lake festival was similar to the more famous outdoor concert near Woodstock, New York, that took place a year earlier. Some reports said 200,000 people attended the three-day outdoor concert near Jackson, Michigan. The two dozen bands that played at Goose Lake included such big names as Chicago, Jethro Tull and Bob Seger.

But Goose Lake was not without controversy. Local residents opposed the festival, fearing the commotion that would result when thousands of young people gathered near their homes.

Despite the huge crowd of people, there were no reports of physical violence. A University of Michigan doctor, one of a dozen doctors at the festival providing free medical treatment, thought the absence of violence "was a credit to a generation."

While there was no violence at Goose Lake, the popular use of illegal drugs, especially marijuana, was a concern for authorities. To avoid sparking a "riot," the police only arrested drug users or dealers who were outside the park. After the concert, Governor William Milliken was outraged about drug use at Goose Lake. "Rock festivals are a great idea," the governor said, "but without the drugs." A doctor at the concert wondered if the reports of drug abuse "may have been exaggerated." At the festival's four hospital tents, 400 people were treated for an assortment of illnesses and injuries. But there were only a few drug overdose patients.

When the Goose Lake festival ended, local citizens expressed their thoughts about having hosted the biggest rock festival in Michigan history. Some complained of a lack of sleep because the music was so loud. One local resident found the concert "a nerve-racking deal," while another said he would fight future rock festivals "to the last ditch." Others disagreed. A Goose Lake farmer said all the noise and activity did not affect his cows who he said were "contented." A gas station attendant said the station was unusually busy during the weekend, but things went "smoothly . . . we had no problems at all."

To learn more about Michigan's music history, look for the current issue of Michigan History for Kids magazine. Call (800) 366-3703 or visit www.michiganhistorymagazine.com for more information.

Here's a video of Mountain performing Mississippi Queen at the Goose Lake Festival. More cowbell.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes by StrudelMonkey

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore headlines itself "The best nature escape in the Midwest" and though I certainly have strong ties to the Dunes, I feel confident saying it's top 5 at the very least.

The October 21, 1970 Act of Congress that established the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore declared that "...the Congress finds that certain outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena, exist along the mainland shore of Lake Michigan and on certain nearby islands in Benzie and Leelanau Counties, Michigan, and that such features ought to be preserved in their natural setting and protected from developments and uses which would destroy the scenic beauty and natural character of the area."

That amazing beauty and natural character has indeed been preserved ... and then some. The Lakeshore has over 60 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline: 35 miles from Good Harbor Bay to just north of Point Betsie and almost 30 on North & South Manitou Islands. Much of this is wilderness and much more is very close to wilderness, accessed by a hundred miles of hiking trails and a large number of public beaches (if you can only go to one, try Otter Creek).

Visitors might be content to pick up a park map at the visitor center, climb the Dune Climb, cool off with a swim at Glen Haven, do some shopping in Glen Arbor or Empire and call it a day.

While that is no doubt a fun way to spend a day, the area offers so much more that it really makes sense to make it a weekend (or longer) affair. When asked, I usually spend 15 minutes sputtering "but don't forget-", but I will limit myself to 5 "must do" experiences.

The Manitou Islands are an incredible hiking and camping experience. In season (May - October) the Mishe-Mokwa and Manitou Isle ferries will take you to South Manitou and North Manitou. Camping is permitted in campgrounds on South and backcountry on North, and both islands offer sandy beaches and hiking through great woodlands and the remains of the once thriving first European settlements in this area. (view Manitou Islands slideshow and check out the Manitou Islands photo group on Flickr)

A day along Sleeping Bear Bay would consist of (in some order) checking out the Glen Haven Cannery Boathouse with its collection of historic boats, the Blacksmith Shop and the US Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and spending time roaming the trails and shore of Sleeping Bear Point.

You can have a great time in a canoe or kayak on the Platte River. The lower Platte River is a leisurely and family friendly paddle. While the river can be a bit crowded at the height of the season, it's a perfect place to while away a hot summer day with ample pullouts for picnicking and swimming. You can also paddle down the Crystal River or along the Lake Michigan shoreline. (Platte River slideshow in the Benzie County group)

An activity to fill a less than perfect day is to tour the cultural resources of the area. Within the park are the wide historic landscapes of farms and buildings on Port Oneida and smaller homesteads from the 1900s like Tweddle-Treat and others. In addition to the Park's museums and visitor center, if there's a "can't miss" rainy day activity, it has to be the Empire Area Museum. Check the hours on their web site and then trust me when I say "Just go."

Personally, my dream is to hike the 30-something mile Lake Michigan shoreline from Good Harbor to Point Betsie. Mile upon mile of pristine, sandy coast are at the base of bluffs and coastal dunes for much of the journey and you can go for hours without seeing more signs of civilization than the occasional bit of recent or historic debris or fellow hikers. For those who want something a bit less strenuous, there's plenty of beaches that are perfect for a short walk, swimming or just lounging around.

More to say? Tons and tons I'm sure! Please add your observations, questions and links below!

Sleeping Bear Dunes, National Park by Kathy

Sleeping Bear Dunes Links

• Once upon a time, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore web site was something of an embarrassment. It has become a tremendous resource.
• The Unofficial Sleeping Bear Dunes Home Page was created once upon a time and is now embarrassing. It does have a lot history and travel information, and I plan to have a word with the site's creators and see if they can bring it into this century.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr shows a wide range of what's to be seen from some of Michigan's finest photographers. You can also click on the photos and slideshow links above to get a taste of what is waiting for you in the Sleeping Bear.
• The Manitou Islands Tour of North Manitou & South Manitou Island was made by Manitou Island Transit, the ferry company that serves the islands.
• You can explore some of the villages and towns in the area through Absolute Michigan keywords like Glen Arbor, Empire, Leland and Frankfort.
• The Absolute Michigan Map of Michigan digs down to the Leelanau.com map and also the betsiebay.net map for locations of trails, beaches, boat launches and a whole ton more things to see and do!
• The Legend of the Sleeping Bear has been told a lot of ways. I like this one:

THE LEGEND OF THE SLEEPING BEAR
Long ago, in the land that is today Wisconsin, Mother Bear and her two cubs were driven into Lake Michigan by a raging forest fire. The cubs swam strongly but the distance and the water proved too much for them. They fell further and further behind and ultimately slipped beneath the waves. When Mother Bear reached the Michigan shore, she climbed to the top of a bluff and peered back across the water, searching vainly for her cubs. The Great Spirit saw her and took pity on her plight. He raised North and South Manitou Islands to mark the place where her cubs vanished and laid a slumber upon Mother Bear.

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One such item is a venture of GM and the College of Creative Studies (CCS) who have created an art education program with Detroit Public Schools called You Make a Difference (view video). GM explains:

The program pairs together a GM designer and a College of Creative Studies student in Detroit. Six times a year, the duo visits a local high school and teaches students the basics of automotive design. Since the kids are new to the topic, they start with the fundamentals-- drawing straight lines and elipses. Over the course of the program, students learn the concepts of perspective, angles and shading and then put all their knowledge together by sketching their dream car, which is put on display at the College of Creative Studies.

"I want them to know that whatever you do, as long as you are passionate about it, it will reward you in the long run," says David Rojas, a HUMMER designer who mentors the art students at Mumford High School in Detroit.

This year, the program has grown to 22 schools and has expanded outside Detroit to the cities of Pontiac, Mich., and Los Angeles. For some kids, "You Make a Difference" is the first step on the path to a career in car design. In fact, three students have already gone on to receive scholarships at CCS.

I'm curious what folks think about bringing business into the classroom in programs like this and more extensive ones like the Henry Ford Hospital's Early College where public school students a high school diploma, an Associates Degree from Henry Ford Community College, and certification in specific health fields.

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morel mushroom by Latitude 45

The 2008 Boyne City National Morel Mushroom Festival takes place May 15-18, 2008. This year is the 48th annual, and the 4 day celebration of the morel mushroom includes a morel seminar and guided mushroom hunt on Friday and of course the Boyne Valley Lions National Mushroom Hunt on on Saturday (be sure to display your finds on the Mushroom Pole too!). In addition to concerts with Da Yoopers and others, there's a carnival, euchre & poker tournaments, zany car race and plenty of fun for kids.

One of the highlights of the weekend is the "Morel Taste of Boyne" featuring a Chef's Challenge along with the area's finest restaurants in the big tent on Saturday afternoon serving different morel dishes and also presenting morel cooking demonstrations. This is the largest morel cooking (and eating) event in the world!

You can grab your sweetie and get warmed up with The Mushroomers Waltz and if you're hungry,Lake Magazine has a recipe for morel & hazelnut soup that looks very simple but very tasty! Chef Eric Villegas of the TV show Fork in the Road offers a recipe for midwestern risotto of carnaroli and minnesota wild rice, morel mushrooms and white truffle oil that looks more complex but every bit as tasty.

MichiganMorels.com reminds you that you can eat any mushroom ... once. They offer tips to help keep you safe, but the biggest tip is to hunt with someone who knows what they're doing! Speaking of hunting, here's a video interview of morel expert Tom Nauman that gives you a couple useful tips for morel hunting.

If you can't attend the Mushroom Festival and can't get to any morel-filled woods, you can still get morels (and leeks and other tasty treasures) courtesy of Michigan-based Earthy Delights.

Visitors will want to visit the Boyne City Chamber of Commerce and/or try Absolute Michigan keyword "Boyne" for lodging and other information. I thought it was pretty funny that the best article online about the Boyne City Mushroom Festival is from a Pittsburgh, PA newspaper. It's from May of 2003 but has great background on the festival with a focus on the National Mushroom Hunting Championship. Check out Boyne City mushroom championship has no lack of morels.

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Hands at Work by detroitsky

Tim Pulice's Pulice Report blog has announced the Arresting Site of the Month for May 2008. The inaugural selection is Michigan Innovators and Tim writes:

I first ran across this terrific online destination last summer, which dovetails perfectly with the spirit of this blog, wherein I look to spotlight Michiganders who display creative zeal. Bud Gibson is doing just that. Along with Diana Wong – who now is in an advisory role – Gibson founded the site in June of 2007, and has compiled an impressive archive of video interviews with business and community leaders across the state, including MicroMax's Rachel McCormack, the Ann Arbor Film Festival’s Donald Harrison, Metro Parent’s Alyssa Martina, Blight Busters' John George, and many others...

Read on and learn how to submit your favorite Michigan web site or blog.

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tasty by postpurchase

The Week is where we post comments about the news, happenings and events of the week. We invite you to do the same.

Our Michigan May Event Calendar is jam packed full of fun. There are a bunch of events this weekend including the Mushroom Fest in Mesick, the Downtown Hoedown in Detroit, the Birmingham Fine Art Festival in Birmingham and the Tulip Time Festival in Holland
.

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Ludington State Park, Big Sable Light
by Through Joanne's eye

Last month tourism experts from Michigan State University delivered a less than rosy forecast for Michigan's tourism industry at the Driving Tourism 2008 conference. Also see the full Michigan Tourism 2008 presentation (PDF). The report projected that poor economic indicators on the state and national level and travel prices up over 7% from 2007 would likely lead to decreases in tourism of 5% in the UP, 4% in Northern Lower Peninsula, 2% in Southeast Michigan and a 3% growth in Southeast Michigan (likely due to the red-hot local economy).

Co-author Prof. Robert Richardson offered a couple of bright spots including a weak dollar potentially leading to more Canadian and international travelers, an expanded Pure Michigan travel advertising budget, and high travel prices possibly leading more Michiganians to travel within Michigan.

The message was clear that the travel industry is going to need some serious help in 2008, and right here at home is a great place to start. A few years ago, it was reported that Michigan had a nearly $3 billion dollar travel trade deficit (view the slides), meaning that Michigan residents spend nearly three billion dollars more when traveling out-of-state than non-residents visitors spend in Michigan. The authors of that report, Don Holecek & Joe Fridgen suggested:

We need to begin by accepting the fact we have a problem, which is not going away when the economy turns around or if we only tinker with what we have been doing in the past to attract more tourist dollars. Big problems require big solutions. We won’t close the deficient by simply matching the moves of our competition; rather we must strive to better them on many fronts. We will have to work harder, invest more, and invest smarter to offset our disadvantages and identify and exploit our advantages.

While Pure Michigan does a great job of reminding folks who love Michigan to come home for vacation, Michigan also needs a push (with funding) in our local media to help remind people who are already home of how much there is to do here in Michigan. We need to remember our state & national parks, our rich museums and vibrant downtowns when it comes time to plan a week or weekend trip.

Let's all try to Make it a Michigan Vacation this year!

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Larry (1ManWithACamera) doesn't have to leave his backyard to find plenty of cool photos.

When he does head out to the country, Mackinac Island or a Tigers game, you can count on him to bring back some great pics ... often with a humorous twist.

(and for the record, lilacs are most definitely NOT blooming here in Michigan's north!)

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Baby in the tulips by yerffej9

May 3
Victorian Days - Grand Ledge
In recent years, the residents and shop owners of the Grand Ledge area have begun to celebrate the town's rich heritage by presenting the Victorian Days event to one and all. The wearing of Victorian costume is encouraged by all who visit and are so inclined, and a a costume show takes place during the High Tea on Saturday afternoon. Artisans and craftspeople representing the era display their wares and demonstrate their nearly lost talents to one and all.

May 3 - 4
Spring Sip & Savor - Leelanau Peninsula
This weekend offers you an opportunity to taste, at each of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail wineries, a wine and food pairing selected especially by the winemaker. Each winemaker will be present in the winery tasting room during the event to talk with you about the wine, and the food pairing, or answer any questions you have. The LPVA is producing a commemorative poster, featuring each member winery's winemaker. These posters will be available the Sip & Savor weekend and provided free to each attendee. Get them signed by each winemaker as you make your way around the trail.

May 3 - 4
Green Street Fair - Plymouth
Green Street Fair TM was founded to help educate and inform people of all ages about the benefits of green, organic, and eco-friendly products and services. To promote global interest and personal well-being, the Green Street Fair TM will blend companies, artisans, entertainers, and speakers together in a friendly and family-oriented outdoor environment. We believe that even the smallest steps in going green can make a world of difference.

May 3 - 10
Tulip Time Festival - Holland
Join them each spring for a unique festival of beauty with the display of millions of tulips and celebration of Dutch heritage and culture through dance, art, theatre, and so much more! Their goal is to continue to host one of the best small town festivals in the country with events like; 3 exciting parades, Klompen Dancing, big name entertainment, free concerts, music and variety shows, Dutch market, trolley tours, children’s events, fireworks and so much more!

May 9 - 11
Mushroom Festival - Mesick
Spring brings GREAT things like Mothers Day, Steelhead fishing, beautiful flowers and woodland surprises such as tasteful morel mushrooms with of coarse their annual Mesick mushroom festival. Mesick MI. is the mushroom capital in the United States. Come enjoy their adventurous fun filled days, for people of all ages.

May 9 - 11
Downtown Hoedown - Detroit
The Downtown Hoedown was established in 1983 and is widely recognized as the largest Country Music Festival of its kind in the world. Hosted by 99.5 WYCD, Detroit's Best Country, and produced by Wasserman Media Group, the Hoedown is regarded by the Country Music Industry as a premier showcase opportunity for new and established artists. Located at Hart Plaza in the heart of downtown Detroit, the event attracts hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic country music fans from the Midwest and beyond.

May 10 - 11
Birmingham Fine Art Festival - Birmingham
The 2008 National City Birmingham Fine Art Festival takes place in Shain Park in downtown Birmingham. Admission is free and open to the public. The festival opens each day at 10:00 a.m. and closes on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center produces the festival with support from community partner, the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber.

May 15 - 18
Ann Arbor Book Festival - Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Book Festival’s mission is to promote reading, heighten awareness of literacy challenges, and showcase the rich culture of the written word in Michigan and beyond. A diverse group of community leaders committed to literature, language and the arts in Michigan are hard at work planning the Festival. The following people make up the Board of Directors and Planning Committee for the Festival.

May 15 - 18
Morel Mushroom Festival - Boyne City
Each May, Boyne City fills with hundreds of mushroom lovers from around the country who come seeking that elusive delicacy-the marvelous morel. Found in nearby woods and clearings, morels are favored by those who know their 'shrooms.

May 16 - 18
Motor City Comic Con - Novi
Annual "multi-media event with over 1 million comics and collectables for sale and trade. "Comic books, writers, artists, anime, gaming, special guests, and more. Convention held at the Rock Financial Showplace.

May 17 - 18
East Lansing Art Festival - East Lansing
Established in 1964, the East Lansing Art Festival is held every spring during the weekend prior to the Memorial Holiday weekend. Known for featuring the highest caliber fine art and fine craft, this highly anticipated Festival attracts 70,000-80,000 attendees from across the region. Through the jury process approximately 230 artists from across the United States and Canada are invited to exhibit each year.

May 18 - 19
Annual Flower Fair & Home & Garden Marketplace - Lake Orion
Get ready for warm weather with flats of flowers, buckets of perennials, yard ornaments and expert advice. Look to their Home and Garden Marketplace for the latest trends in updating and remodeling your house.

The streets of downtown will also be home to plenty of fun
for the littlest family members too, including various children's activities and attractions.

May 23 -25
Traditional Arts Weekend - Remus
Where else can you learn to play the fiddle, go to a day-long bluegrass school, learn songwriting tips, tie a fly for trout season, explore yeast dough baking, practice yogo, learn to Tango, Clog or Swing dance, stargaze with fellow astronomers, weave a black ash basket, make a pine needle rimmed gourd and paint a silk scarf ~ all in one weekend?......At the 20th annual Traditional Arts Weekend held every year in Remus, Michigan over the Memorial Day Weekend.

Over 80 workshops, dances, performances and hands-on activities for the entire family taught by over 60 instructors. This very popular Wheatland event is for those seeking more personal instruction in traditional dance, music, song, arts and crafts.

May 24
5th Annual Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Race - Mackinaw City
The race will begin at Bridgeview Park at the north end of the bridge and will end at race headquarters in Mackinaw City. Transportation from Mackinaw City to the starting line is provided. This event qualifies runners to enter the lottery for the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run 2008.

May 24 - 25
Alma Highland Festival and Games - Alma
The Alma Highland Festival and Games began in 1968. The festival is located on the Alma College campus in Alma, Michigan. Each year the festival brings visitors the very best of Scottish tradition. The festival combines great competition with Scottish hospitality.

May 24 - 26
Ft. Michilimackinac Historical Re-Enactment Pageant - Mackinaw City
The Fort Michilimackinac Pageant Committee along with the re-enactors would like to cordially invite you to join us in their 46th consecutive performance of the Re-enactment at Fort Michilimackinac during Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Memorial Day weekend 2008. This unique performance of the area’s rich history is the longest running FREE attraction in the State of Michigan.

May 24 - 26
Movement 08 - Detroit's Electronic Music Festival 2008 - Detroit
Now in it's 9th year, this festival has grown to mean so much to Electronic Music lovers from all over the world. Their organization is honored to play host to all of you and the many talented artists that make it possible. They have worked tirelessly over the last year to bring another evolution in the level of production as well as a broad representation of global and local talent.

May 28 - June 1
Mancelona Bass Festival - Mancelona
Mancelona Bass Festival, Inc. is dedicated to promoting their community and all of the wonderful people that live, work, and play here by providing an entertaining, cultural, educational, and family friendly festival. Check out www.mancelonabassfest.org. for information and event schedules, including their famous bass tournament.

May 31 - June 1
Red Bull Air Race - Detroit
The Red Bull Air Race World Series features the world’s best pilots in a motor sports competition based on speed, precision and skill.

Using the fastest, most agile and lightweight racing planes, pilots navigate a low-level aerial race track made up of air-filled pylons, reaching speeds of 400 kilometres per hour while withstanding forces of up to 10 Gs.

Touching down in ten cities worldwide in 2008, each Red Bull Air Race is unique. From the heart of the city to the open countryside, over land or water, a Red Bull Air Race can take place almost anywhere. Spectacular backdrops and jaw-dropping action guarantee that spectators experience one of the most innovative and exciting new sports competitions around today.

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