by  Peggy DePersia, guest blogger

“ There’s No Place Like Home”

That oft-quoted refrain from the classic ‘Wizard of Oz’, rings true doesn’t it?

Dorothy’s famous ‘chant’ came to me recently following an adventure with my grandson in my long time home state, Michigan.

Though originally a ‘Hoosier’ and bona fide midwesterner, Michigan has been my home for a long time now.

Though a yearning for travel beyond the comforts of home has long been in my bones and regularly satisfied, I find myself looking to the treasures of Michigan for those destinations that might appeal to a youngster (or one young at heart) and can be accomplished in a few days.

The ‘Straights of Mackinac’ is just the ticket for a Michigan adventure. If you like history and archaeology, you won’t want to miss a tour of Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City. The archeological ‘dig’ at Colonial Michilimackinac is one of the longest ongoing excavations of its kind in the nation. 

Though we had taken our children to the fort when they were young, we were amazed with the ongoing development (in its 60th year) of the site and the accompanying interpretive activities. Our self-guided tour of the fort structures and participation in the demonstrations kept three generations of our family enthralled for several hours. 

Add to that an old fashioned picnic on the shores of the ‘Straights’ where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron converge and you have a pretty magical family adventure. If it’s a perfect, end of summer Michigan day, so much the better.

Oh, and did I mention, this is all within sight of the magnificent Mackinac Bridge that links Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas…..and, on the way, depending on your route, you might cross the 45th parallel. Now there’s a fun teachable moment for a child….halfway to the north pole. Oh My!

Peggy is a retired art instructor who loves to explore the connections between art and life and history, particularly with her camera toting sidekick, her husband and grand son.