Michigan -because of friends and family. But if they all moved anywhere else it would cease being my favorite. I've lived in Montana, Michigan and North Carolina but no where else for any period longer than a month. I can tell you the states I wouldn't want to live in. The Dakotas, Florida or Ohio. I like NC quite a bit. My wife and I talk about moving to the Pacific NW someday. We'll see.
I am going to vouch for one very specific part of Michigan here: Isle Royale. This isn't so much for just visiting but it is for camping/hiking. For those of you unfamiliar with Isle Royale, it is the largest island on Lake Superior located in sort of the Northwest quadrant of the lake. Once upon a time people tried to mine on it but since the 1940s it has been a national park. Since it is located in the middle of Lake Superior it never really gets overflowed with people visiting the island so you can very easily hike into the island and disappear into the wilderness. At the same time it isn't completely barren and if you stay near the shore there are even small shelters you can stay in. It also holds one of my favorite distinctions (from wikipedia):Siskiwit Lake is the largest lake on the island. It has cold, clear water which is relatively low in nutrients. Siskiwit Lake contains several islands, including Ryan Island, the largest, which contains Moose Flats, a seasonal pond, which contains Moose Boulder. When Moose Flats is a pond, Moose Boulder becomes the largest island in the largest lake on the largest island in the largest lake on the largest island in the largest lake in the world
I have a friend that worked for the parks department studying the wolf population on Isle Royale. He claims it to be one of the best experiences of his life. Apparently the wolf population there is quite unique as it hasn't been exposed to outside influences etc.
Yeah. What up with Ohio? Besides the fact that it has the most boring landscape in the union.
Flat is at least something. It's consistent. It knows who it is. Ohio is a combination of pastoral farmland, vaguely rolling hills, and the occasional confused river. There is nothing remotely remarkable about Ohio's landscape, it is forgettable in every sense of the word. One can't say that about Kansas. The ONE thing Ohio has going for it is that it isn't Gary, Indiana - aka The Armpit of America. Oh snap!
Well, that and the fact that an Ohio State fan sucker punched me outside of the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, breaking my nose. By the time I was seen by a doctor they said I had to let it heal, then re-break it to set it. Because of one asshole from Ohio's punch I have had this nose broken 3 times. (two of them procedures to reset and repair my breathing). Fuck Ohio.
Man, I remember that. You were ugly for a long time after that. Now you're beautiful again! Welcome back buddy. And Fuck Ohio.
I'm from Ohio- born and raised. I'm an Ohio State student too, and I love it here. I admit that the weather is a bummer a lot of the time, but Ohio has some gorgeous places. See Ohio caverns and Hocking Hills if you're curious! Columbus is also a great city. I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. Sorry about your bad experience with a rabid OSU fan; we're not all bad!
Oh, I know. I have some good friends that attended OSU. I think Colombus is a fine town, as is Cleveland. When you grow up in MI, you are pretty much obligated to hate on Ohio though :)
mitzy re all the hate for Florida: A lot of Florida is highway and mall, but do not include Key West in Florida. Key West would secede from the union in a heartbeat if they could. 1) If driving or cycling you go down a long winding highway three or four hours southwest of Miami Explore It's an island Water, fish, windsurfing, if you like that sort of thing Art, literature, and music, music, music, and dance if you like that sort of thing Park the car if you have one and cycle everywhere. It feels very safe any hour of day or night People gay, retired, Cuban, military, and everyone else. Very accepting. I believe I will move there one day somehow, but not during hurricane season
I've never been to Key West but I've heard great things. In fact, I hear great things about Florida all the time. Where I grew up (MI) people always went to Florida for spring break or vacations or their 2nd homes etc. I just never found it all that appealing. I'd rather go to Mexico, spend less money, eat better food, and avoid rednecks. But then there's that whole drug cartel, kidnapping thing.
I actually think Cleveland is a fine town. I've spent time in Cinci too and enjoyed it. The Toledo Mudhens are great. -just not a fan of Ohio State.
Happy to hear that! I'm from Cleveland area, but I somehow avoided the OSU bug that got most of my friends - I've just ended up a general Big 10 fan, which amuses my Michigan and Wisconsin graduate roommates a little. Maybe I'll end up moving back to the midwest eventually - I really like it there.