Lounging on the springy nets of a catamaran, we watch the sun prepare to take a dip in Grand Traverse Bay. The August air is warm; a gentle breeze ripples through the sails above us. We snap a selfie, raise a toast and turn our attention to the golden glow. It's the last sunset of our annual Midwest Living Road Rally, this year in partnership with Pure Michigan. We've seen a lot of painted skies in the past week, as we explored the state's fittingly nicknamed Sunset Coast.
Our journey took us along Lake Michigan, from Saugatuck to Traverse City, stopping in towns with personalities as varied as the views. We sampled award-winning wines, caught (and ate) Great Lakes fish, got our hearts pumping on dune buggies and ziplines, and met fascinating makers continuing cultural traditions. Over the course of a packed itinerary, we managed to get in or on eight bodies of water-one Great Lake, one bay, two inland lakes and four rivers in vessels both motorized and not.
We also got a taste of Michigan's efforts to encourage more eco-friendly travel. The state has installed new electric vehicle charging stations along the Lake Michigan shore. These efforts help protect the beautiful yet fragile coastal ecosystem. When you break to charge, think of it as a chance to slow down, admire the scenery, "meet" a new place and maybe even catch a sunset.
DAY ONE
SAUGATUCK+FENNVILLE
WHO YOU'RE MEETING
SAUGATUCK
Laid-back with great taste, Saugatuck is like that friend with the arty decor and Pride flag bumper sticker. Located on the Kalamazoo River, the downtown has rainbow-stamped streets and brims with shops and restaurants in cute cottages.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
PENNYROYAL CAFE AND PROVISIONS
Denne historien er fra Summer 2023-utgaven av Midwest Living.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra Summer 2023-utgaven av Midwest Living.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
MAJOR KEY
HUNDREDS OF SMALL ISLANDS TRAIL LIKE STEPPING STONES OFF OF FLORIDA INTO THE GULF OF MEXICOAND THE PATH LEADS TO KEY WEST.
cream of the crop
IN A TINY TOWN OUTSIDE MADISON, WISCONSIN, A CENTURY-OLD CREAMERY HAS BEEN REVIVED AS A BOUTIQUE HOTEL AND CULINARY DESTINATION. FOR VISITORS TO PAOLI, SEVEN ACRE DAIRY COMPANY ANCHORS A SWEET WEEKEND GETAWAY. FOR SMALL DAIRY PRODUCERS, IT'S RESHAPING THE FUTURE.
HOME BAKED
ON A TREE-LINED RESIDENTIAL STREET IN DES MOINES, A BAKERY DREAM HAS COME WRAPPED IN LOVE, UNEXPECTEDLY TRUE COMMUNITY AND ALL-BUTTER PASTRY.
POST MODERN
AN INDIANA DIY'ER STUMBLES INTO SOCIAL MEDIA STARDOM BY SHARING HER HOME'S EVER-CHANGING STYLE.
POUR ME A DOUBLE
COFFEE BY DAY, COCKTAILS BY NIGHTTHESE HYBRID CAFES OPEN EARLY FOR CAFFEINE FIXES AND STAY UP LATE FOR LIBATIONS.
HOT IN HERE
THE UPPER MIDWEST (AND ESPECIALLY MINNEAPOLIS) IS FIRED UP OVER SAUNA CULTURE. HERE ARE 10 WAYS AND PLACES TO GET YOUR STEAM ON.
SHOP THE BLOCK
FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS, ST. LOUIS' ANNUAL PRINT BAZAAR HAS TURNED CHEROKEE STREET INTO A BUSTLING, MAGICAL MILE OF ART AND HOLIDAY CHEERTHE PERFECT KICKOFF TO A WEEKEND EXPLORING THE LOU.
EASY SQUEEZY
THIS LITTLE LEMON LOAF HAS A SOFT TEXTURE AND A PUCKERY, BUTTERY GLAZE THE PERFECT AFTERNOON BAKE FOR A SNOW DAY.
WINTER RESET
THESE WARMING, SPICE-FORWARD MEALS PROVIDE A HEALTHFUL RESPITE AMONG (OR AFTER) ALL THE HOLIDAY INDULGENCES.
DARK ARTS
WITH HER DRAMATIC COLOR CHOICE AND SECONDHAND TREASURES, INTERIOR DECORATOR RUTHIE JACKSON BRINGS THE MOOD WHEN HOSTING FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND BEYOND.
