Other life forms have invaded Muskegon...

"Why, hello there..."

“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” --Eden Phillpotts 

So, Muskegon, I don’t know if it’s just me becoming aware, but in the past few weeks I have felt a bit like Cinderella, with birds and animals surrounding me wherever I go … and I’m not even singing. I go running and birds and butterflies fly parallel, switching off like in a relay race. I take the bike path and geese, both Canadian and non-Canadian, walk along on the side. I stop to rest in the woods only to stare at deer a few feet away. I run down an alley only to stop for a turtle lumbering across… 

Yes, I’m serious. It happened today. And as for the wild creatures, I don’t have to be on foot to notice … They come to the car. We all know squirrels are always crossing the road … as, apparently, are chickens, though I haven’t seen any recently. But, along with the squirrels, I have recently stopped for: turkeys, geese, turkeys, ducks, turkeys, and more turkeys. Pretty sure the favorites of Thanksgiving are here to make us thankful everyday … or to just stop and admire their beauty. They are seriously gorgeous – much more colorful and interesting than my hand turkeys …

Which leads me to this: You’re never really alone, at least in Muskegon, at least now. You just have to go outside, and you’ll have companions. Wild, interesting companions. Below are some of ’em out there, ready to size you up. Check ’em out. See ya outside…

--Imaginer

Phew ... Made it.

Ahh, life ... in Muskegon...

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Over here! Over here!

Look! Lakeshore Drive!

Look around you, Muskegon…

Part of the colorful advice on life on a wall in a downtown Muskegon alley.

“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.” –Henry Miller

So, I get it, Muskegon. You’re tired of seeing the same things every day. You drive the same roads, see the same buildings – or lack thereof – and houses, and try not to think about your frustration at city officials for things not moving forward. Well, I say this, Muskegon – and it’s something I’ve had to do myself: Wake up.

Yes, wake up, Muskegon. Look around. So, you can’t make it to the beach or a fun restaurant today. So, there’s more activity in Grand Rapids. More cute shops downtown Grand Haven. So, you’re busy with your job, your family, your to-do list … So what, Muskegon? You really think there’s nothing to notice? Nobody new to meet around you? No one bettering the community? Think again, Muskegon. 

It’s not always obvious, but there are people out there moving the Port City forward every day. Opening new businesses downtown and around the city. Keeping the shorelines clean by voluntarily picking up debris. Planting flowers and trees and signs to make you smile or laugh or point you in the right direction.

The catch? Many of them are not in the newspaper or on the TV. There are no billboards extolling their virtues. They’re just quietly plugging along, believing in Muskegon, making it a little better every day. Often, this happens in small ways: A painstakingly restored home. Planters of flowers decorating the sidewalk. A colorful painting on the side of a building. If you’re not open to it, you’ll never see it.

So, please, Muskegon, look around. Check out the little quirks throughout the city – and they’re there, guarantee it. Talk to the neighbor working in his garden. Admire the tidy house with the inspirational saying. Look for the exceptional and you’ll find it. I know I have - and it’s like I live in a whole new Muskegon. Come join me: It's a lot more fun, exciting, interesting, and beautiful here. I'll look for you.

--Imaginer

P.S. Please share any interesting images, encounters, or experiences you’ve had here. You might point someone in the right direction… 

Easter and Halloween on the way to Lake Michigan...

Signs point to an interesting future...

Lakeside volunteers ... out there every year, making Muskegon better.

This Muskegon street has a name...

The sky's the limit, but dreams are all around, and below, like in this North Muskegon rock garden.

You might be from Muskegon if…

"You can call me Pere Hackley..."

• You always swing by the beach on the way to the grocery store.
• You say Pere Marquette like “Pier Marquette” and not “Pear Marquette.”
• You’ve ever watched the sun rise and set over large blue lakes in the same city on the same day.
• You drive 15 minutes to go to Starbucks – only to have three options at the same intersection.
• You don’t get the big deal about ocean beaches.
• You know what Pigeon Hill was.
• You know Wal-Mart is not original and that Meijer has no "s."
• Cheap bowling options have never been a problem.
• Karaoke is a way of life.
• You know Tracy Lorenz is a man and that’s not what’s funny about him.
• You can’t imagine not knowing who Charles Hackley was.
• You think Grand Rapids is cool, but it’s not part of the lakeshore.
• An intersection of First and Third streets makes perfect sense.
• You’ve gone to the Mexican or Chinese places when in the mood for steak.
• You worry that you won’t see your high school classmates now that Summer Celebration has ended.
• You think Grand Haven needs to get over itself.
• You’ve watched the Blue Angels from your backyard, a random parking lot, or the beach.
• Life is not complete without beer tents.
• You’ve ice skated to a beer tent.
• You’ve played volleyball in the snow.
• “Luge” is not just some fancy, French-sounding word.
• Three state parks in one county is not a lot.
• You’ve wondered where the “park” in Grand Haven State Park is.
• You know the difference between Captain Jack’s and Cadillac Jack’s.
• You enter another time zone when visiting the beach.
• Seaway is for cars.
• The drive-in is not a thing of the past.
• The snurfer is real and should be revered.
• You’ve seen the Pyramid and it’s made of glass.
• You’re happy not to have to explain the rotten-egg smell to out-of-towners anymore.
• Pinchtown is not something from a children’s book.
• The lagoon is gorgeous but you wouldn’t dare touch it.
• Roosevelt is the name of a park, which is really a city.
• You’ve had a debate over how to pronounce Ryke’s.
• You know that “Catch the Wave” was an appropriate tagline.
• You couldn’t wait to finally see the inside of the Century Club.
• ...

Looking forward to hearing what else you have to say, Muskegon :)

--Imaginer

Adventure, Community, Beauty, Dreaming: The Muskegon Lakeshore Trail

Where will it lead today?

“Trails not only connect us with each other, they connect us with ourselves. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted knew this, and designed his pathways for reverie: gentle, winding, and somehow private. Communities with no place to daydream are communities without imagination.” –David Burwell, President, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

My dear readers, there’s something I must know:

When was the last time you explored the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail? That magnificent, winding recreation road around Muskegon Lake filled with smiling, sometimes chatty, and usually highly enthusiastic bicycle riders, in-line skaters, runners, and walkers? It’s very convenient, you know, with several good access points and plenty of free parking.

And while we’re on this topic, during your trail venture, how many people did you see contentedly fishing along the shores and off the bridge near Great Lakes Marina? How amusing was the children’s laughter? How loud were the birdsongs? I know, it can feel like you’re at the symphony sometimes.

While you were cruising, did you smell any of the blossoming trees or flowers? Watch the squirrels or butterflies or ducks chase each other? Admire the beautiful homes and large dunes along the horizon? Or were you too busy smiling at the people saying hi, smiling at you, or sticking their thumbs in the air to congratulate you on your exercise initiative? I was in deep thought the other day and missed the chance to slap the hands of the bikers who extended their arms as I skated by, but it sure made me smile.

Maybe you stopped and swayed along the edge of the land on one of the porch swings. That’s one of my favorite things to do, even in my in-line skates. Perhaps you hung out on a wooded bench jutting out into the sparkling blue water. I may have seen you happily relaxing with your friends, soaking up the sun or peering at the clouds. Possibly you were among one of those groups enjoying lunch or dinner in the picnic shelters with nature-made panoramas.

Just a couple more queries: How many happy couples, young families, or groups of friends did you see walking around Heritage Landing? How about the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve? Did you take a moment to sit on a bench or in the grass to fully absorb the scene? If you did, I bet the scene embraced you, with people stopping by to talk about the weather, the lake, or the beauty of the trail.  That was a nice surprise for me.

If you haven’t done any of these things, dear readers, I highly recommend them. The trail is beautiful and welcoming from dawn ‘til dusk – and possibly after, though I’d bring company if you go then. I’ve explored it as the sun came up, went down, and pretty much all times in between. There’s always something to see. But more importantly, there’s a sense of community, even with varied options for space and reflection. Go alone or go with a friend. It’s safe, clean, and free. It’s lakefront property. It’s there for you. 

See you soon.

--Imaginer

Looking glass: Muskegon Lake.

Along the journey in North Muskegon...

Fellow travelers exploring Muskegon Lake...

Rolling hills in the Port City...

Wide open spaces...

Cozy place for a bite.

Muskegon Lake has good sunsets, too.

P.S. In case you missed it last night, Muskegon:

Of course the evening is breathtaking ... You're in Muskegon.

I didn't imagine this, either - though it feels like I did.

--Imaginer

What makes a vibrant community, Muskegon?

Marty the Musician ... One of many, many colorful characters in the Port City.

“The life of our city is rich in poetic and marvelous subjects. We are enveloped and steeped as though in an atmosphere of the marvelous; but we do not notice it.” --Charles Baudelaire

This was going to be a post about the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, but I'll save that for tomorrow … Today I’ll start with the end. As in, what I found at the end of the path…

I found significant lines … of bicycles and people.

I found parking spots full … of motorcycles and cars.

I found bike shanties!

I found art on the sidewalks and live music outside the shops.

I found picnic tables and benches overflowing … with families, friends, and people on dates.

I found Ollie the Ox!

I found a welcoming and vibrant Muskegon neighborhood. An assortment of friends and strangers interacting as they strolled the sidewalks, ate their lunches, or grabbed some beers. Busy musicians and bike shanty drivers who stopped to talk to me about their callings and aspirations. A community that came out – and stayed out – to support its local businesses during “Spring Into Lakeside,” despite the dreary, sometimes rainy day. Kids painting their imaginations on the Port City sidewalks and adults dreaming of the future with each other.

The spirit of a dynamic Muskegon community.  The heart of Lakeside.

Imagine that, Muskegon. I didn’t even have to.

--Imaginer

Bike Time!

There's more than two kinds of bikes, you know :)

Coloring Muskegon...

Ollie the Ox of the Muskegon Lumberjacks ... He's real!

Muskegon, you must first love yourself...

"No lines ... and lots of empty parking spaces. Of course Muskegon is the spot!"

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." --Eleanor Roosevelt

“Be yourself. No one can be you as effectively as you can.” –Author Unknown (by me)

“Keep Austin Weird!” –Austin, Texas

“Keep Portland Weird!” –Portland, Oregon

Okay, Muskegon: Time for some tough love. This ridiculous inferiority complex you’ve been carrying around? It’s high time to get rid of it, once and for all. Send it packing. Put it on a plane … but before you do, talk to your airport about the preposterous ad campaign it’s got going on…

As I pulled into the Port City a couple months ago, drove down Sherman toward that literally breathtaking vista at the intersection with Beach Street, I came across this:

Say what, Muskegon??

What the heck is this supposed to mean?? It’s condescending even in font – and, let’s be honest, desperate. We all know it’s hard times out there, but for the love of all that is righteous and good – and for your own sake – you don’t have to stoop that low. People will come. People will go. Via the airport. They’ll even pay to park there. You don’t have to go begging them and making one-liners at your own expense. That might even drive them away. Particularly when they see the “Fly Smart. Fly Ford.” ad…

‘Cause here’s a little secret, Muskegon: Nobody covets the defective merchandise, no matter how cheap. No one wants to be that sucker in the restaurant with no wait because all of the smarter, informed people are eating at the tastier, more reasonable spot down the street. Catch my drift?

I don’t think you do, Muskegon. Because just yesterday, I saw this update: “Of course there are more parking spots. You’re in Muskegon.” Really, Muskegon, really? Here's another secret: Nobody comes here for the easy parking. Not one down-on-his-luck, sad, sad, little person, no matter how badly he needs to get out of his town. Same with the airport: Yes, short lines are great, but guess what? Vibrant cities with reasons to have full airports are better.

You want to know what will bring those elusive tourists? You know, the ones who go to Grand Haven, Traverse City, Grand Rapids? How about some confidence? How about promoting your strengths? ‘Cause guess what, Muskegon? You’ve got a lot of ‘em. Yes, you do. No, you’re not Saugatuck. Or Holland. Or South Haven. You’re Muskegon. You’ve got a lot to be proud of. And focusing on the lines and full parking spots of the other, cookie-cutter beach towns won’t fill your airport or attractions.

You think Austin, Texas got so hip by trying to be Dallas? That Portland, Oregon is a magnet for the young and entrepreneurial by copying Seattle? Heck, no. They’re unique and proud. They accentuate their positives, work with what they have, and the people come in droves. Every chic Austin or Portland or Minneapolis is a just a bigger Muskegon that believed in itself.

It’s time to stop the self-deprecation, Muskegon. So what if some Grand Rapidians turn their noses up? Who cares if certain Grand Havenites look down? They probably have no idea what you’ve got to offer.  It’s time to take the power back. Build yourself back up.

I’ll give you the first of my ideas on how to do this tomorrow. In the meantime, I really hope I don’t see any more cracks about empty spaces. You’re better than that, Muskegon. Much better.

--Imaginer