Off to Traverse City on Wednesday. Yes, the land of Michael Moore and Mario Batali and many others.

[Faygo Kid]

I have had it with DC this year. I look forward to five days of lake breezes and great restaurants and the Sleeping Bear sand dunes and drop-dead beauty everywhere I turn.

No place finer than northern lower Michigan in the nation. Hell, in the world. Probably the galaxy, as well.

I will have some same-day whitefish dip from Carlson's in Leland on behalf of all of you.

[Phentex]

1. I look forward to your report!

Have a great time!

[Callalily]

2. I too adore that area.

But . . . I always knew the Michael Moore connection, but have been unaware of the Mario Batali connection. He's super.

Wishing you a grand time.

[Faygo Kid]

4. Here's a link to a wonderful article. Like Michael Moore, he gives back to the area.

Mario would be the first to defer to what Michael Moore has done for the area, but he is no slouch himself.

This article isn't new, but it's just great about him. He is absolutely devoted to the TC area, and is just the best-hearted person: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/travel/escapes/17away.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=batali&st=cse

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. My three favorite places on Earth...

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...are right here in the Tucson desert area, Southern Germany in
the mountains, and northern Michigan river country (Traverse City,
Grayling, etc.)
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LOTSA lazy canoe trips there. Beautiful.
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[Faygo Kid]

5. Grayling = Au Sable River

That is My Life up there; 40 years ago this summer was my first as a camp counselor at Camp Ararat between Grayling and Kalkaska.

I need to get back there. In a few years, I will.

[MiddleFingerMom]

6. The Au Sable is where I jumped off a low bridge and found...

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...a fully intact icy-cold beer at the bottom of the river.
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I was 14, maybe 15 and in heaven.
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Also the year I accidentally swiped BenGay across my balls.
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And provided MUCH laughter to those damn counselors by
waddling around the cabin trying to create as much of
a breeze as possible.
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Lemme tell you somethin'!!!!!!!!
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That NEVER happens more than ONCE!!!
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[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

11. I went to

Camp Sancta Maria in Gaylord a loonnngggg time ago! :)

[MiddleFingerMom]

13. Wow!!!!!

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I believe that's where I was. Run by young, vital, VERY secular seminarians.
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One of the campers had found some marijuana growing wild and one of the
counselors asked him to show him where it was so he "could resolve that
terrible, terrible problem".
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:rofl: Stoner wannabeFather!!!
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Foulest-mouthed group o' guys I think I've ever heard outside of the Army.
Trying to get it all out of their systems, I guess -- or at least MOST of it.
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Good place. I remember idiotic Roman candle fights with the next cabin!!!!
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PEW!!! PEW!!! PEWPEWPEW!!!!!!!!
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And seeing a black-and-white refraction of the Aurora Borealis one night.
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Awesome!!!!
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[MichiganVote]

7. You should have a great week. Lake temp's are great. Weather should be clear and mid 80's.

Lots of wineries in and around the Leelanau area. Have fun and spend lots of money. :)

[david13]

8. My brother spent some time in Traverse City. Long ago. I haunted

Ann Arbor for a few years, and visited the Au Sable river, Houghton Lake, Higgins lake, Cheboygan, Mio, etc as a kid. My grandfather had 2 places up there.
Let's see, humidity, mosquitos, ahh ...
Truth is, I like it better here.
Have fun.
dc

[elleng]

9. Family vacation there some years ago, while Perseid's 'shooting!'

Have a great time!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

10. I thought Mario was from Seattle?

:shrug:

[KamaAina]

12. Hmmm... sounds like it's about ready to be discovered...

Traverse Film Festival, anyone?