Wandering the top of the world...

The feeling of the rainforest in the Port City...

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” --Jawaharial Nehru

So, Muskegon, I tried to do my three-mile run to the beach again today, and I almost made it … and then the woods pulled me in and I ended up on top of the world … Okay, on top of the Port City, sort of, but it felt like the top of the world…

I journeyed through veritable rainforest, prairie, beach, and deciduous forest … weaving in and out of dense tree canopy, through tall grass, into piled sand, through a tree house (!), and along the edge of a soft cliff … Today, my dear Muskegon, is the day I fully discovered the Pere Marquette dunes – the backs, the tops, the crevices … and it was one of those amazing moments (hours) where you wonder how you’ve never been there before … 

So much to see all around you, and then the elevated views of Lake Michigan and the beach ... Check it out below, and then go there in real life, Muskegon. You won’t be disappointed.

See you on top of the world sometime.

--Imaginer

A new view of the beloved beach...

Beach in the forest!

Rolling hills...

Tropical Pere Marquette.

The gates to the grassland...

Treehouse in the woods!

Ferns and forest ... ahhh...

My Muskegon Daydream…

An excellent escape from reality...

"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams." –Ashley Smith 

So, Muskegon, today I set out for my first training run of three miles for the Spring Lake marathon … and the running part was actually no problem (one of those wonderful times where you have just the right amount of energy and enthusiasm for your trip), but I had to keep stopping to gaze at, and capture, the breathtaking views. Also, the amazing clouds (yes, the clouds) led me down a different path than usual, through Bluffton on my way to the beach … I completely understand why Buster Keaton favored this area. After a series of postcard views of adorable houses, gorgeous yards, and lake scenes, I ended up running past a sweeping weeping willow into the dunes between Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake … 

Have you been there, Muskegon? There’s much more to it than I thought. A series of grassy, sandy dunes; a long, narrow beach; assorted colorful wildflowers; paths through beautiful, wild plants; peculiar trees and bushes … A rustic wonderland nestled between the two beautiful lakes.

Following my otherworldly time here, I then, of course, ran down to the Big Lake to see the kiteboarders – and they did not disappoint. Swishes of bright color blanketed the entire horizon as the men and women rode the water and the air.

I bet you want to actually see what I saw, Muskegon. It was such a beautiful journey that I’ve got plenty to show you. The only things missing are the wildflowers, as it was too windy for my Droid to freeze them in time. Best to leave something to the imagination, though…

I’ll make you a deal, Muskegon. You see my pictures, then you go and find some of those wildflowers. Sound good? If you can’t get to the wildflowers, just find something of beauty around you. It’s there – I promise.

Thanks for sharing in the dream of today. Here’s to many more enchanted days…

--Imaginer

Patriotism and peace...

Picket fences...

Muskegon Lake dreaming...

So many options for relaxation here...

Don't you want to find what's at the end of the road?

This is a part of it...

And this ... notice the distinguished colors adorning the path...

And this...

Meanwhile, back at the beach ... Look at all of that equipment!

Told ya they'd be out, Skee-Town, and told ya it'd be pretty ;)

Let yourself be inspired, Muskegon...

The ingredients of an inspirational poster...

"Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks." --Johann Gottfried Von Herder 

So, Muskegon, the weather calls for a high of 63 degrees today and some strong wind: 15-20 mph, with gusts of up to 30 mph. So, there's one thing you really ought to do: Get to the beach. Yes, I'm serious. Get thee to a beach ... You don't have to stay for long, and you might not want to venture outside your car (though maybe you will want to feel the natural breeze), but windy days at the beach are some of the best (until it's warm enough to swim).

Yes, the answer has to do with the picture up there^. When the wind comes, it brings the kiteboarders. And the kiteboarders bring their beautiful parachutes. And their amazing athletic skills. And their inspiration ... Seriously, have you ever taken the time to watch them participate in their sport? I mean, really observe them? Because, I'll tell ya, it's pretty phenomenal. How could it not be? They ride the waves and the wind! You think basketball players jump high? Watch these guys and gals. Ever seen a long-jumper? Now watch the equivalent on water.

Not only is kiteboarding colorful and interesting to watch, it's highly inspiring, and not just because these folks are out there in wetsuits for hours when many of us have a hard time walking on the beach for 15 minutes. The sport is extremely challenging. It takes a great degree of skill, strength, and agility. I mean, you're battling the wind and the waves ... 

Whatever I'm doing when I see the kiteboarders at the beach, I always get inspired. If I'm running or walking against the wind, it suddenly doesn't seem so bad. If I'm thinking about what a gray day it is, it's instantly brightened by the colorful kites. And if I take some time to watch the incredible wave rides and high jumps, I start wondering what else is possible...

Check it out, Muskegon. And if you can't get to the beach, look for the inspiration around you. Guaranteed, someone is showing great strength in some area, mastering some skill, practicing great discipline in something...

See you on the other side of inspired.

--Imaginer

You know, just dancing on the water...

Some thoughts on these guys later ...

Inspirational...

For now, off to the Getty 4 Drive-in! Bargain night! Whoo-hoo!

A letter to the Port City on this day of ceremony and recognition

Celebration and introspection ... Notice the observers on the balconies...

“Without community, there is no liberation.” --Audre Lorde 


Dear Muskegon,


I just had to write to you and tell you how proud I am to be a part of this community. From the waving flags precisely planted along Seaway Drive to the planes flying in formation over the community, from the professional signs to the homemade sentiments, from the the somber tributes to the boisterous celebrations ... You know how to show your appreciation both for decorated heroes and regular neighbors. The soldiers have made this holiday possible, yes, but it is up to us to appreciate it and celebrate what we have - and you're doing a fine job, Muskegon. I've already witnessed a variety of close-knit community scenes, into which I've been warmly welcomed as if I'd lived here my whole life - and the day is still young. I am grateful not only for the bravery this whole country is celebrating today, but for the peace and hope that abounds ... and I'm thankful for you, Muskegon. Thought you might like to know.


Happy Memorial Day,
Imaginer

In memoriam...

Hope and remembrance...

Civic pride.

Happy Sun(set)day/Memorial Day, Muskegon...

Can't wait to swim in this painting...

Where will you watch the sunset tonight, Muskegon? I'll be at the Lake House Waterfront Grille ... 

Whatever you're doing, don't forget to:

Why, thank you, Pere Marquette picnic bench! I do believe I'll do just that.

It might help to focus on the immense gratitude owed to the men and women who make this possible for us every day ... both those who've made the ultimate sacrifice, the reason for Memorial Day, and those actively protecting our freedom.

Gratitude makes every sunset prettier, every relaxing moment more fulfilling, every fun time with friends more amusing, every bit of solitude more meaningful...

To the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, and anyone who's fought to make this world a better place:

Soon ... and now.

Thank you.

--Imaginer

Movie! Beach! Sunset! Community! Muskegon!

How can it get better? Add a sunset. Check. (Photo courtesy of Movies on the Beach Muskegon.)

Can you tell I'm excited, Muskegon? Very, very excited? Not only do I have an upcoming event with amazing elements to tell you about, this fabulous idea sprung from the imagination of some Muskegonites...

Three weeks from now, the Port City community will come together, plop down on the unparalleled Pere Marquette beach, take in a breathtaking sunset, then watch Back to the Future ... (I wish I had a DeLorean ... I'd go now...)

You, me, the Port City ... and Marty McFly. On the beach. At dusk. What could be better, Muskegon? You wanna have a picnic? Bring the food! You wanna get to know your neighbors? Come early and reach out. Don't have much spare cash? It's free, Muskegon! Free! Though a donation would be very much appreciated by the organizers.

I'll give you the background, after the details:

Who: Muskegon community; anyone interested in a unique, interesting experience

What: Inaugural Movies on the Beach Muskegon event

When: Evening of June 15; get there by 9:30 p.m.

Where: Pere Marquette beach, between the main bath house and Lake Michigan

Why: Building community; fun!

How: 120-inch screen from organizer; projector and speakers loaned from the Frauenthal Center

Cost: Free, but donations are encouraged

Movies are fun. Drive-in movies are more fun. Movies in the park with your community transcend fun and become bonding experiences. Movies on the beach as the sun sets ... I can only imagine.

So can Kerry Halloran, Movies on the Beach Muskegon lead organizer: "It's something I saw in a movie a long time ago. I know a lot of places have movies in the park, and a friend suggested we do it on the beach ... I figured, why not, we have this beautiful shoreline that most places don't have..."

Kerry's idea of movies on the beach won a $500 grant from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County back in August. Since then, she and her family and friends have worked tirelessly to get the event off the ground and onto the beach. The driving force is a desire to bring the community together - and the community has proved enthusiastic and encouraging.

"We're working with the Frauenthal Center for the equipment - that'll be a way to get different types of people involved," Kerry said. "We really want to make it a community event.

"It's been quite the undertaking, but people have been so helpful."

Community members voted for Back to the Future and they've promoted the event.

Kerry hopes for a minimum of 100 people; she recommends moviegoers come by 9:30 to get a good spot.

"That way, people can get to know some of the people around them, too," she said.

"The great thing about it being where it's at is, when you come around the corner there, you can see where it's at," so even if someone just happens upon it, he or she can join, Kerry said. "You can bring a picnic basket and watch the sunset with the people around you."

People in your community, or, if you're visiting, in an inviting West Michigan community.

Where we're going we don't need roads ... or buildings ...

See you on the beach, Muskegon.

--Imaginer

They're not what you think, Muskegon...

Quite possibly, the strangest plant I've ever seen ... in Michigan, at least.

"The secret of ugliness consists not in irregularity, but in being uninteresting. " --Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, Muskegon, when I go walking or running, no matter how gorgeous the path or trail is, I get tired of it after awhile. Same with driving: It can be a postcard-worthy scene, but if I see it every day, it might as well be some smelly back alley ...

Which, in several Port City cases, is the opposite of a bad thing. The back roads and alleys around here have many hidden gems and, especially now with all of the blooming, smell sweeter than many of the more traversed thoroughfares.

You know how every once in awhile you have one of those moments where you realize life is just writing itself, and you could never have chosen that path or alley? That was my experience running down a grassy alley in the rain a month or so ago. It was gorgeous. It smelled wonderful. It was oddly comforting.

I had to go back and take it at a slower pace. And then, of course, I had to explore other alleys in the area and later around the city. No, I'm not telling you they're all pretty and sweet-smelling and inviting. A few are downright scary, and I usually avoid those, always when alone. Some are just unattractive in the classical sense, but still boast interesting sights or a momentary different view ... But many offer a literal path to discovery of new beauty.

Still skeptical, Muskegon? I understand. That's why I've got some more snapshots for ya. And the best part? These are just my discoveries on some of the alleys I've taken. Who knows what you might find?

See you on the unbeaten paths...

--Imaginer

A whole new meaning of "back alley."

Just as pretty as anything you'll find at the store ... or on the perfectly planned road.

You're not the one fenced in while in the alley...

In the middle of the road ... Nice change from yellow, or white, lines.

Scenes of a unique city...

Nature's pinwheel.

A bit of levity, Muskegon...

In the Battle For Cheetos, safety in numbers does not appear to hold up to Swedes.

We've covered some pretty heavy stuff the past couple days, so today we're gonna go with the whimsical ... As always, add any thoughts or insights you'd like :)

Why is the icon of Plumb's grapes?

Some math: Metro Muskegon, excluding Fruitport, has four large lakes, a handful of beaches, two state parks, five cities, and The Coffee House. 

Who's more important, Norton or Mona?

"So, the major highways are I-96 and US-31 ... I-96 turns into Business 31. If you're coming from the north or south, take US-31 to Business 31, which is the end of I-96..."


Why is there no South Muskegon?

Muskegon Heights is no higher than Muskegon ... just sayin'.

Muskegon Brewing has 3,000+ friends on Facebook. Where do they all drink beer?

"Toastmasters? No, in Muskegon, we have the Crashmasters..."

If Muskegon Community College was designed by a protege of one of the most famous architects in history, why is it nearly impossible to find your way around?

Irony: One of the best trails in Muskegon skirts the prison ... which has land that would be amazing to hike...

When it's extended into Grand Rapids, will the Musketawa trail become the Musketawent trail?

You can send an out-of-towner on a large wild-goose chase trying to find Seyferth Park, just so ya know.

Seriously, what's crackin' on McCracken?

"No, the Getty 4 Drive-in is not on Getty Street..."

Where's the beef on LeBoeuf street? 

Irony: The townhouses downtown are surrounded by grass and empty space.

What are the odds that Joe Austin went to Austin?

No, really, you go to McDonald's to buy gourmet candies.


In a city full of water, Seaway Drive does not lead to any type of sea...

So, the world's largest (talking!) musical fountain is in Grand Haven and the world's largest weather vane is in Montague ... yup, Muskegon is in the world's largest sandwich of weirdness.

Ever wonder if a certain superstore hires greeters to put you in the frame of mind that no matter what happens, it's better than when you walk in the door?

If you type "Muskego" into Google, you get a city in Wisconsin with three lakes, including a Muskego Lake, and a recreation trail. It once had a Muskego Beach Amusement Park and at one time it had a trolley line. Muskego High School's logo is a dark-red-and-white "M" with an Indian arrowhead. Okay, I'm freaking myself out. There are no images I can freely use here, but you're going to Google it, anyway. You know it, and I know it.


Have a happy, thoughtful, and humorous Thursday, Muskegon and others ;)


--Imaginer 

On your part in making it better...

Yes, you create your own fortune ... a recent gem from Chan's in Spring Lake.

"Luck is preparation meets opportunity." --Seneca (There's some luck right there; I looked up who said this, and it happens to be the same person I quoted last night.)

So, Muskegon, and all of my readers (and myself), now that we know it does get better, we can move on to the natural next question: How?

Well, there are myriad ways, of course, depending on your situation and what you want out of life, but the one true path I've found is the one you make yourself - and that starts with your thoughts and dreams of the future. No, this is not some b.s. answer, and no, it's not some silly thing. It works. Take it from a former, very unhappy skeptic. You do need a big backpack full of patience and some tools for frustration, but the right path will be there if you lay it out in front of you, first in your mind...

Let's say you want to be paid more for your work. Okay, the first question is, why? What do you want to do with that money? Buy a better house or fix up the one you're in? Go on a much-needed vacation? You've got to take it beyond "I want more money," or you'll focus on the negative and bring more of that into your life. Let's say it's the house. In this case, envision the house you want. Get it down to the details. Dream about it whenever you have a free moment - not only is it fun, it will take your mind off of the fact that you aren't getting paid what you think you deserve. Then, when you've got your vision of the house you want down, you can start talking about it with the people around you (or maybe they'll be along for the whole process) ... and you can start taking steps toward making it happen, like getting that raise.

Will it happen right away? Doubtful. Will it take a couple tries? Maybe. Even if it seems impossible? That's the thing: Once you start thinking about what you want in your life, you will start to see the possibilities, instead of just the obstacles, no matter how big they seem. Maybe you'll find a better job, maybe you'll even start your own business ... but that will never happen if you just focus on what's missing.

This works in all areas of life, even the most difficult ones. Maybe you want stronger friendships. Start thinking about what type of friendship you want, again down to the details, and you will start finding the energy to make it happen, whether it's transforming existing connections or finding new ones. Perhaps you want to be more active. Again, why? Do you want more energy? More fun? Picture yourself joining a cooking class or knitting club or group sport you've always wanted to try, and the opportunities will come eventually. 

I have seen this happen over and over in my life. Here is one powerful example: One summer during my college years, during a trip abroad, I fell in love with coastal living and, specifically,  sunsets over water. I decided I wanted to experience more of this lifestyle and changed my focus from moving to the biggest city I could find to moving to a coast. I thought about this a lot, about watching sunsets over water, going to the beach, hiking coastal areas ... I also was pursuing a career I was passionate about and looked forward to getting an internship in it the next summer ...

So, when the next summer came ... I didn't get to go anywhere. No big city, no coast, no mid-size city in the middle of the country. No internship. What did I end up doing? Stayed at the same job and took some more classes in the same place. Every night, I would watch the sun go down over some random field or, more likely, parking lot, as I'd be in-line skating ... I'd picture water instead of grass or concrete. It was just more fun and I enjoyed it. Fast-forward to the next spring: I'm still not sure what I'm going to do for another summer, not really excited about any of the potential job prospects, when an email about a job comes through touting the "finest beaches, best hiking, and coastal living" in Michigan and comparable to anywhere in the country ...

Yes, that's Muskegon. No, I had no idea that the dream I'd been dreaming was going to happen in my home state ... or even could. (Really. As someone from Oklahoma once remarked while watching the sunset at Pere Marquette (to me, ironically - maybe so I could share it with you all one day), "You guys have no idea what you have here" - and neither do many of us from other parts of the state.) Yes, I had hoops to jump through and yes, I almost didn't get an interview due to a scheduling snafu. But that's part of the process, at least in my life: Whenever you decide you really want something, life gives you a series of tests to prove it. Best to be prepared and know exactly what you need to prove ... to life and to yourself.

That email wasn't exaggerating, Muskegon. That summer was a dream. This place can be a dream. You just have to let yourself dream.

See you on your path...

--Imaginer

I really need you to know...

Just keep walking the path...

"The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity" --Seneca

Muskegon, and anyone else reading this: The interview for the event I'm going to write about had to be pushed back - I will put up a post this weekend (sorry, I hate to promise something and not deliver, but circumstances were not under my control). But it works out, as I have something more important I feel I have to write about tonight.

It gets better. It really, truly gets better. Recently, I saw a high school girl listlessly shuffling along the bike path, her head hung very low, her backpack half falling off, the weight of the world - or maybe crushing loneliness? - on her shoulders. I had the chance to observe her for several moments, as I came up behind her on my in-line skates and then glided slowly past her. She seemed to have trouble even putting one foot in front of the other, as it was just too painful...

Maybe she's afraid to go home. Maybe she doesn't connect with anybody at school. Maybe she failed a test and got dumped by a boy she really liked - or loved. Maybe the demands and pressure of teenage life just became too much for a young girl, so she needed to wander aimlessly along the bike path...

I wanted to talk to her, to find out what was wrong. I wanted to tell her I've been where she's at - and that it's just a stop along the path (though maybe a long one, as it was for me). To cheer her up. To let her know that it's going to be okay. There will be friends, and love, and successes, and laughter...

All I could do in that moment was say, "It gets better!" and slow down a little bit as I passed her ... I turned my head and watched as she slowly, ever so cautiously raised her head. As I rolled farther away, I stretched as big of a smile as I could across my face and said, "It does!" ... The sides of her mouth curled up ever so slightly, then she hung her head again.

In the three weeks since, I have happened to come across many stories, including one yesterday very close to home, about depression, bullying, and teenage suicide. About the horrible economy. About people of all ages at their wits' end...

We all live such fragmented lives these days. Sometimes it's hard to feel real connection to your friends, your family, let alone the people at work or school ... If you even have a job or can get through the school day. Maybe we all just need to reach out to each other a little more, show support to strangers, help each other keep the faith...

I haven't seen the girl on the bike path since I happened upon her three weeks ago. I hope she's doing okay. I was grateful to have the opportunity to help her out in just the tiniest way, as I myself was struggling with my own problems and outlook that day. It was just the reminder I needed that yes, it does get better.

Keep the faith, Muskegon, and everyone. Thanks for reading and imagining.

--Imaginer

P.S. I wasn't even thinking of this project when I spoke to the girl on the bike path, but this is an amazing and exceptionally important undertaking: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

Happy Sun(set)day, Muskegon ... Inside scoop on an Awesome event coming tomorrow...

The sky is on fire, Chicken Little!

 “Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.” –John Ruskin

You will treasure this, Muskegon ... and it was once literally trash...

From a dump to this...

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man."  --Author Unknown

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."  --Albert Einstein

"The earth laughs in flowers." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, Muskegon, North Muskegon has got it goin’ on, pedestrian-wise. The city just keeps adding accessibility to its urban offerings and abundant natural beauty…

Some years ago, while visiting in between moves, I in-line-skated the new Muskegon Lakeshore Trail from Lakeside to the causeway bridge, where the trail ended. A couple years later, I found I could take a left into a stunning nature preserve. A year ago, I had the choice of continuing on to the Four Corners and Ruddiman (the paved trail had been extended), and this year, I found more paved trails in the nature preserve itself.

Today, the focus is on the nature preserve: its offerings, its beauty, and its inspiring background. This little corner of Muskegon Lake is like a hidden 3-D painting, with several nooks and crannies to explore. Its offerings include the paved trail, a boardwalk, and a river trail. Grassy trails lead into more woodsy areas, and the boardwalk boasts seven fishing platforms. The boardwalk skirts Muskegon Lake and then hovers over wetlands. Diverse wildlife is on display, as well as a variety of flora and fauna…

It wasn’t always so peaceful or beautiful.  The land had been, literally, a dump. It held piles of fragmented asphalt and concrete. Its transformation began with the vision of one man named Mike Hayes. A newly formed community group, Muskegon Environmental Research & Education Society, (MERES), part of the Muskegon Conservation Club, put its energy behind the vision and made it a reality. It raised money from community groups and foundations, and put in thousands of volunteer hours to complete the nature preserve.

Along with the trails, benches and picnic areas adorn serene, charming areas for those who want to take a rest or have a bite to eat. A formidable observation deck with spectacular views of the area was burned earlier this year, but MERES is looking to rebuild it …

Check it out, Muskegon. Walk to it from the Four Corners. Bike to it from the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail. Drive to it and park in its parking lot. You truly will be glad you did. Not only is it a beautiful place, it’s a perfect example of what can happen with some imagination, faith, and working together…

Now, go on, get going. Maybe I’ll see you there … or on the way…

--Imaginer

Unique scenery.

Muskegon wildlife...

Take a load off, Muskegon...

Wild decorations.

Natural sculpture.

I'm checking you out, Muskegon ... Do you see what I see?

A random neighborhood sidewalk? Not bad, Muskegon, not bad.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” --Marcel Proust

So, Muskegon, summer has come early, but the water’s still too cold to swim and there aren’t any big events planned for this weekend. Maybe your friends are busy, or maybe you don’t have the time or funds to go anywhere yet...

This is where living in a beautiful place full of distinctive neighborhoods comes in. I know, I know, you know your neighborhood inside-out … but do you really? Have you stopped to admire the flowers blossoming or talk to the neighbors out and about? Have you walked the back roads – they’re really quite gorgeous here (no, seriously) – or wandered into a nearby park?

Chances are, you haven’t done much exploring of your own neighborhood of late. Maybe you walk the dog or take jogs, but when is the last time you noticed something new, whether it’s nature, people, or activities? I have recently been discovering many, many things I overlooked in both of the area neighborhoods I lived in, each for years …

It’s just human nature to seek out the bigger, the “better,” the more well-known, the different … but this is what I’ve learned after more than three decades of chasing the most exciting places: They all get old, if you let them. The grass really isn’t greener – it’s just different. Sometimes it isn’t even grass. Yes, no doubt some big event is going on in New York City or Chicago this weekend. But guess what, Muskegon? Odds are, the people who live there aren’t even going to go. They’ve seen it, done it, and the only way it stays fresh and interesting is if they put the energy into making it that way…

So, Muskegon, go explore your neck of the woods this weekend – and I mean really explore it. Look for something new, talk to someone new, take a different path or road or alley. After all, all of the festivals around here – or anywhere – started out by celebrating something homegrown. Make your own festival this weekend, Muskegon. Your neighborhood awaits … Happy exploring.

--Imaginer

A question and a challenge for you, Muskegon…

Good place to plan an adventure ... and to catch a glimpse of the Lake Express.

"A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town." –Henry David Thoreau

“Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken.”  –Frank Herbert

If you’ve been anywhere near Muskegon Lake or Lake Michigan, chances are you know the Lake Express has started its season. The familiar toot of the horn, the bulky blue-and-white shape out on the lake, coming closer, until you can see the people on deck, waving …

I spot the Lake Express!

When they set foot in the Port City, many of these travelers want to check it out. Where would you tell them to go, Muskegon? Besides Pere Marquette? What would you tell them to do? And please don’t say go to the mall or a chain restaurant. Nothing wrong with those – they serve a lot of people, and they often do it well – but Milwaukee has bigger malls and better chain restaurants. What does Muskegon have that Milwaukee doesn’t? That Detroit doesn’t? Even Chicago?

This is just a very rough list, but here are a few things, mostly between downtown and Pere Marquette:

• PJ Hoffmaster State Park
• Muskegon State Park
• Mia & Grace
• Curry Kitchen Indian Cuisine
• Century Club shops
• Continuity
• Sun, Wind & Rain
• Lake House Waterfront Grille
• Dockers Fish House
• Getty 4 Drive-in

What about downtown Norton Shores? Muskegon Heights? Roosevelt Park? Where would you direct someone in those areas? And while we’re at it, when’s the last time you’ve been to any of the places I mention?  I ask because I know how easy it is to develop a pattern and stay in it day in and day out. I myself haven’t spent much time in Norton Shores or Muskegon Heights since I’ve been back, and they both have much to offer.

So, here’s my challenge to you, Muskegon: Think about a handful of places you’d tell an out-of-towner to go, then make plans to go to one yourself. Preferably one you haven’t visited in awhile, or, even better, at all. Not only will it give you a new experience, it will make you a better tour guide for when someone asks something like, “So what’s so great about Muskegon?” … or, when fresh off the Lake Express, you're chosen to answer, “What should I check out here?”

And yes, I’ve been asked these questions, and yes, they get harder the longer you live here (or anywhere) and the more time accrues since you’ve explored your city. And, yes, I’m taking my own challenge. See you somewhere new...

--Imaginer