Pure Michigan

At the end of our trip back to Indiana, we drove up to Cindy and Mary's brother Brian and sister-in-law Cheryl's house in Michigan.  As we drove, we commented on commercials we've seen on TV that promote "Pure Michigan".  What does that mean, we asked.  What exactly is "pure Michigan"?

We began to get a clue when we got to their house, which is right on the lake next-door to the house where Cheryl grew up.  It's a fascinating and peaceful scene with the light on the water constantly changing, and the texture of the surface of the water showing every gust of wind or breeze.

Then they took us to the Dexter Cider Mill, a cider mill that has been in operation for over 100 years where cider is still pressed from local apples.  The smell when you step into the mill is rich with an aroma of apples that just says "autumn".

So we bought some cider and some delicious, freshly made cinnamon sugar doughnuts (yum) and ate them down by the river.

It was a wonderful experience.

And when we left their house the next morning, we heard the herons on the lake.




(* I don't know what type of herons they were, but you can hear the Great Blue Heron's call here: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/sounds)