The End of the Road in Michigan

This episode dives into Michigan's oddest and most photo-worthy roadside stops. From a giant cherry pie battle and a leaning tower built by Domino’s Pizza to dinosaur statues in the woods and the famously strange Mystery Spot, this guide covers seven attractions that are as bizarre as they are fun. Perfect for road-trippers and curious travelers, these stops are sure to make your Michigan visit un...

Looking to plan your next Michigan road trip? This episode of End of the Road in Michigan highlights ten essential stops for a perfect summer adventure across the Great Lakes State. From charming coastal towns to top food and drink destinations, we’ll guide you through a mix of scenic drives, must-see attractions, and unforgettable roadside detours. Whether you're mapping out your first trip or re...

Set your heading for open water in this episode of End of the Road in Michigan. We spotlight 11 top-tier Great Lakes sailing destinations ideal for summer cruising. From charming harbors along Lake Michigan to scenic stopovers on Lake Erie, this guide is packed with inspiration for your next nautical adventure. Whether you're piloting a sailboat or a cruiser, these ports offer rich history, local...

What’s on Michigan’s Plate? Great Lakes to Miner Meals In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we dig into the flavors of the state—literally. From the whitefish caught in Lake Huron to the pasties packed by copper miners in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan’s cuisine reflects its people, industries, and culture. We explore the origins, traditions, and enduring affection for these regional dis...

Take a journey through Michigan’s Upper Thumb —a lakeside destination offering over 100 miles of pristine sandy beaches, lively port towns, and an array of seasonal festivals. Just a short drive from Southwestern Ontario, this region is perfect for day trips and family adventures close to home. Discover highlights and hidden favorites in each shoreline town and village. Whether you’re planning a q...

Join us for a scenic tour of Harbor Beach, a charming town nestled along Michigan’s sunrise coast on Lake Huron. Known as home to the world's largest freshwater man-made harbor , Harbor Beach is more than just a stopover for sailors. Discover historic landmarks like the iconic Harbor Beach Lighthouse, enjoy local spots within walking distance, or venture further out for unique experiences around t...

Bishop Frederic Baraga was the first bishop of Marquette. For 37 years, he was a missionary priest among the Indians and settlers in the Upper Great Lakes. His presence shaped the region, and he is revered for his defending Native American lands during treaty land acquisition by the U.S. Government. Father Frederick Baraga , the Catholic missionary known as the “Snowshoe Priest.” In this episode,...

The Lost Jewish Farming Colony of Palestine, Michigan In the late 1800s, a bold experiment unfolded in Michigan’s Thumb. Backed by the powerful Baron de Hirsch, a group of Russian Jewish immigrants tried to carve out a new life on 1,200 acres northeast of Bad Axe. Their settlement, named the Palestine Colony, was part of a broader international effort to resettle persecuted Jews through agricultur...

The Chilly Sebewaing Fish Town of 1878 In the brutal Michigan winter of 1878, when mercury barely rose above zero, hundreds of fishing families in Sebewaing didn’t retreat—they built a village on the ice. This episode recounts the true story of how families hauled homes onto the frozen Saginaw Bay, cut holes in the ice, and fished for survival. These makeshift shanties became a self-sufficient ice...

White Rock – Sacred Stone of Michigan’s Thumb Before highways and harbors, there was the White Rock. Just offshore north of Forestville, this massive limestone outcrop was a sacred site to the Anishinaabe, who left offerings to the Great Spirit for the land’s abundance. This episode traces the spiritual, cultural, and historical importance of White Rock—from its ancient role as a ceremonial site t...

Before Michigan’s highways crisscrossed the landscape, there were the trails — narrow, well-worn paths tread by generations of Native Americans. This episode covers two well-known Indian trails in Michigan. The St Joseph Trail, which runs east-west from Ann Arbor to Niles, Michigan, and the Saginaw Trail, which starts in Detroit and ends in the former native American village known as Saginaw. Toda...

" Ancient Tribes and the Giant Oak – Michigan’s Thumb Before Settlement " In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we travel back to a time before European settlers arrived in Michigan’s Thumb region. We recount the history of the Anishinaabe people, whose deep connection to the land made the Thumb a prized hunting and gathering territory. Conflicts between Native American tribes shaped the...

This episode of End of the Road in Michigan tells the story of Point Aux Barques, a summer resort community shaped by the expansion of the railroads. What began as a transportation route became a destination, where Midwestern families sought quiet summers on the shores of Lake Huron. Learn how the rail lines brought more than freight—they brought the start of Michigan’s vacation culture. The End o...

In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we travel back to the height of the lumber boom to explore one of the Great Lakes region’s lost company towns. Entirely owned by a single firm, this once-thriving settlement embodied the economic highs and social constraints of Michigan’s timber industry in the 1800s. We look at how these towns operated, what made them vanish, and what traces, if any...

On the eastern edge of Michigan’s Thumb lies a lonely and very rocky cove on the shore of Lake Huron. It’s hard to imagine that this beautiful remote setting was the site for criminal activity during the time of Michigan Prohibition for over 12 years. During Michigan’s Prohibition era , a quiet cove along Lake Huron became a covert gateway for illegal liquor. This episode of End of the Road in Mic...

Before highways and airliners, the most stylish way to travel across the Great Lakes was aboard a cruise ship. This episode of End of the Road in Michigan explores the golden era of freshwater cruising, from the mid-1800s to the 1950s, when ships transported passengers in luxury from port to port. Today, cruise travel on the lakes is making a comeback, and we trace its roots to the heyday of elega...

In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we camp out—literally—on the remains of a lost lumber town. Port Crescent State Park sits quietly on the shoreline of Lake Huron, but beneath the trails and campsites lie the foundations of one of Michigan’s once-bustling 19th-century communities. Discover how a thriving sawmill town with hotels, stores, and a post office faded into history, and why...

This episode of End of the Road in Michigan takes you on a paddle-powered journey to Turnip Rock, one of the most photographed spots in the state. Learn the seven essential tips for kayaking to this iconic limestone formation off the coast of Pointe Aux Barques. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or just curious about Michigan’s coastal wonders, this episode breaks down what to bring, what to avoid...

This episode of End of the Road in Michigan brings you two quick dives into forgotten corners of Michigan’s Thumb region. First, we explore the Port Austin Air Force Station — a Cold War-era radar outpost built in response to the Korean War. For decades, it kept watch over the Great Lakes as part of the U.S. early warning defense system. Then we head to Grindstone City , home to Michigan’s first m...

In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we revisit the catastrophic 1881 fire that swept through the Thumb region. Known as the Thumb Fire, it scorched more than one million acres, left towns like Bad Axe and Cass City in ruins, and marked the decline of the lumber era in Southeast Michigan. With debris left behind by aggressive logging and months of drought, the area became a powder keg....

Michigan small towns have a special place in the hearts of their inhabitants. However, some towns slowly fade from their once-busy streets to a scene resembling a stopped clock. No longer functional, but certainly recognizable. One such town is Huron City, Michigan. This is a spot where you can find original furniture, decorating a home as it looked over 150 years ago, and browse in a store as it...

This short story is about how Port Austin, a sleepy little town at the tip of Michigan’s Thumb, is transforming itself into a unique destination for Kayakers, Tourist, and Artists. The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications

The 20th President of the United States, James Garfield, did not build or own this 1850s landmark Inn in Port Austin, Michigan.  Nestled in the village of Port Austin, the Garfield Inn has stood since the 1850s and played host to one of America’s presidents. Despite its name, James A. Garfield didn’t build or own the historic home—but he visited it often. The fascinating history of the Inn really...

In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we venture to the windswept waters of Saginaw Bay to uncover the strange and storied past of Charity Island. Once a remote refuge for lighthouse keepers, Native Americans, bootleggers, and birders, the island holds secrets that stretch back centuries. There it sits — a lush tree-lined island on the horizon of Saginaw Bay. Big and Little Charity Islan...

This episode features a remote adventure to Isle Royale National Park, a rugged island park in Lake Superior. Known for its isolation and unspoiled natural beauty, Isle Royale offers a wilderness experience. The story focuses on how active seniors can enjoy the park's trails, wildlife, and peace without roughing it like hardcore backpackers. If you're planning a unique Great Lakes getaway combinin...