Sunrise Over Lake Huron

The American holiday, Labor Day, is coming up on Monday, September 1. Why do we celebrate workers in September? Because May Day is just too "socialist"... By moving it to September, we can all ignore the reason for the holiday, and just celebrate a long weekend at the end of Summer... But that's a topic for another blog.

This year, the 51st annual Mackinac Bridge Walk will take place in Michigan. Every Labor Day since 1958, one side of the bridge has been closed to traffic and the general public are allowed to cross the five-mile span on foot from St. Ignace to Mackinaw City. Traditionally, the State Governor has led the march.

Ten years ago, on Labor Day 1998, I particpated in the Mackinac Bridge walk.



I arrived in Mackinaw City late the night before, and attempted to sleep in my car, with little success. However, I was able to catch, in the early hours before dawn, one of the first busses to St. Ignace. They started the walk before sunrise and the timing was perfect. I was about halfway across the bridge when the sun began to rise over Lake Huron. It was spectacular!



I bought the commemorative t-shirt, and some Mackinaw City Fudge and prepared to head home.



The shirt, I thought, needed a bit more, so I stopped in a T-Shirt shop and had them add this Michigan map to the back.

#242

Say Yes! to Michigan

The most anthropomorphic of the United States is Michigan, with its lower peninsula shaped like a mittened hand. (The second most anthropomorphic state is Florida... but I'm not going there...) In much the same way that Texas is in love with its shape, and likes to use it everywhere in design, Michigan loves to flaunt its handy shape... In addition, Michiganians are fortunate to always carry a map of their state.

Unless of course, you happen to live in Michigan's upper peninsula... then you have to do something like this:

In the late 1980's to early 1990's, the Michigan Department of Tourism used as its slogan, "Say Yes! To Michigan." It was a silly slogan, accompanied by an insipid jingle (that is stuck in my head as I type). I was living in Michigan at the time, so I don't know how widespread the campaign was in other states, but the emphasis in-state was to encourage folks to spend their vacation money at home. Without a doubt, Michigan is a "Water Winter Wonderland" (an even earlier slogan) with much to offer to the outdoors enthusiast.

Meijer is a supermarket chain, founded in Michigan and based in the midwest. In conjunction with the Michigan Travel Bureau, Meijer produced a series of state travel maps and events brochures. I saved as many examples as I could find...