LIFE: Why Michigan Rocks in the Fall

Maybe it's because I'm an autumn baby, or because September weekends were spent picking apples from the tree in my parents garden, eating all those pies, kicking all those leaves, but autumn has always been a favorite of mine. And while it's always been a favorite, moving to Michigan made it all the special, there's something pretty incredible about Michigan when fall comes to town.

Call this post a part bucket list, a to list of Michigan autumnal delights, or just another list of reasons why I love this state. 

Apple Picking

With a broken oven - I shall miss the baking of apples picked by hand from our somewhat local apple orchard.Turning all those juicy ripe goodies into pies and crumbles. Nom. I would never have imagined witnessing the hour long queues to grab a bag for filling to the brim with apples, but once autumn comes around apple picking is a huge event.  

Cider and Doughnuts

The two go hand in hand lets be honest. Granted I've not actually made it to a cider mill yet (oops) but the doughnuts we treat ourselves too from Erwin's Orchard (where we go apple picking) are some of the best I've tasted.

Fall Colours

You can take a gander at amazing autumn colours - reds, oranges, burnt crispy yellows throughout the state, but the higher you go, the more beautiful the sight becomes. I could basically say "drive along any road in the north and you'll be impressed". Actually true. But the avenue of trees along M22 or any that takes you through the Huron National Forest (stopping at my favorites when we took our little Michigan road trip back in 2012.

Need a guide for peak colour dates, well MLive has you covered.

Michigan Ren Festival

Once Labor Day rolls around, the Michigan Ren Festival comes out to play. With Turkey legs the size of your face, jousting contests to displays and little shops it's a fun place for soaking in all things medieval. It's been a good couple of years since we took a trip to the festival, so we're probably due another visit. 

Pumpkins

All sizes, shapes and varieties of pumpkins as far as the eye can see. There's something really American about seeing countless fields (often pick your own) of pumpkins in the fall. More so when you see how everyone decorates their front porch with them - all shapes and sizes.

What do you love about autumn where you live?

MICHIGAN: The Renaissance Festival

If dressing up as a wench, pirate or a medieval peasant is your thing, then you might just love the Michigan Renaissance Festival which we visited at the weekend. Think vintage - but centuries old vintage. It's part festivities with jousting, fire eating and performances, part eating and drinking, a big part shopping and lots of fun. Not only could you buy yourself a brand new sword, but leather armour, chain mail, corsets, natural soaps, teas to glass wear and jewellery. Staff and visitors both dress up which creates a really fun atmosphere, plus Joe ended up going in jail for $3 and having to sing "I'm a little teapot" just to be released which was great fun. Watching jousting was my favourite part of the day, while it's nothing like proper jousting and involves a lot of play acting it was certainly a laugh. We came away with the latest tend for drinking - a drinking horn [pictured], handmade soap to a glass penguin and crazy little mushroom men to stick into planters. Our feet were tired and we were getting a little too sun burnt to get around everything but we're certainly off back next year.