It was our first venture into long, flat, monotonous stretches of farmland. It was also our first day-trip in Eastern Standard Time. We knew we had to get moving, and keep moving, before the sun got too low. We combined our two longest drives so far, each about 75 miles long, into one single outing. And . . . it was our first time out in chilly conditions. All of these factors combined to make a trip that was perhaps a little too rushed, with not enough time to stop and explore.
But there were some very cool highlights. We saw enough to get ideas for future drives along intersecting east-west routes . . . and we crossed plenty of them! We also confirmed that Karla and I can drive for hours and not get on each other's nerves. This is a huge prerequisite moving forward.
Each trip develops it's own theme. And this one turned out to be: convenience stores.
We found ourselves touching on topics that were a little more heated, a little more exercised, than ever before. But that too is good. The idea is learning to listen. People in our times are frustrated, to an alarming degree. The way out of our mess is going to be listening - - - more listening, deeper listening. And learning - - - learning what it is that is making others so angry.
At one point Karla admonished me not to be so guarded in my language and tone. She hoped to establish a comfort level so that we both feel safe and authentic. Regardless, through it all . . . these drives, including yesterday, are overall, very, very enjoyable and uplifting.
As with Grand Rapids, we took our drive on a Sunday afternoon. We met up near Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, and drove up I-75 to Flint, where we took I-69 west a few miles, to pick up the southern terminus of M-13.
I've seen Michigan farmland before. But I don't think I've seen it as flat as what's found between I-69 and Saginaw. It goes on, and on, and on. Karla observed how "stretched out" everything was. Lots and lots of space between houses, communities, business. The sprawling land is all well-farmed and productive.
We wanted to stop for some water, and the first opportunity came at the intersection with M-57, near a little city called "Montrose." Now, you don't ever hear much about a "Michigan accent," but we encountered a regional accent here when I had to ask several times, for a local to say "Montrose," and then finally spell it before I got it. And yes, I am ready to conclude that I am the one with the accent!
We stopped at a store called Beacon and Bridge. It was a nicely laid out, and very clean convenience store and gas station, at the intersection. I had never heard of one of these before, but it had the look of a chain, and by chatting with the attendant, Andy, we learned that there are a whole bunch of them in Genesee County. They are headquartered in Flint, and have stores spread along the route to the Upper Peninsula.
As Beacon & Bridge's Vice President, Scott Nelson, said, "We're trying to carry as many Michigan-made products as possible." Pretty cool. It's all right here in this review.
I checked out a display for Little Town Beef Jerky, made in Michigan, and then looked at the community bulletin board. As an educator, I was drawn to a flyer on the "Montrose Choice
Alternative School." One of the purposes of the "Michigan by the Numbers" project, is to connect with schools. And when we take the M-57 trip some time next year, perhaps we will contact this school to see if we can meet up with them.
We continued on north . . . with little change in the scenery, until . . . just like that . . . we approached a Saginaw City Limit sign. This was unexpectedly exciting for me. Here's a place I had heard about, and heard about, for my entire life. But I had never been there before. Our route took us through the downtown area, but the setting sun made it unrealistic to stop and look around. Plus . . . Sunday afternoon . . . not too much going on there. So, what is the basis of the local economy? North of town, there is a GM Powertrain plant, which had a number of cars in the parking lot, indicating that it was still in operation.
Karla talked about what a great city Saginaw is, in pop culture. It sounds great in a song title, and in lyrics. She mentioned a Simon and Garfunkel song that talked about it. And I thought of an unlikely Monkees song, a winsome ode to youthful indiscretion. And of course, the granddaddy of them all . . . the classic by Lefty Frizzell.
When you get north of the Saginaw sprawl, you are in a heavy area of unbuildable, unfarmable marsh. It is quite the change from what we saw before. The road curves and bends, with water and cattails heavy on both sides. But soon it evens out into a stretch with modest homes . . . mostly cottages, as you approach the boating and fishing part of the local economy.
Soon you arrive at the end of M-13, just south of Standish. You take a little jog west, and pick up the US-23/I-75 connector. This gets you back into Bay County, and the exit to M-25, which will deliver you, through downtown Bay City, to the starting point of M-15.
But on your way, you go through a modestly spectacular scene: the beautifully developed river frontage along the downtown corridor. If we had more daylight, and more warm weather, we would check this out, spend some time, maybe eat a meal there. But at this point the clock was our enemy. Bay City will be a destination when we do M-25 not too long from now!
M-15 begins at M-25, in a residential stretch, notable for the large historic mansions prevalent in that part of town. Karla researched the city, and determined that logging and ship-building was the source of this early wealth in the bay area.
At this intersection of M-25 and M-15, there is the second convenience store at which we stopped. It's the Fast Pax Marathon, which fits snug into a corner, with two gas islands, and a drive-through retail window where you can pay for your gas, and buy snacks and other conveniences.
M-25, southbound, is a winding and long 75 mile stretch. Like M-13 south of Saginaw, it is mostly farmland. But there are more villages and small cities along the way, and the road winds and curves more frequently. A highlight is the city of Vassar, Michigan, which sits on the side of a steep hill. It is definitely one of the more scenic small towns we have seen. When we do the M-46 drive, which runs north of Vassar, we will have to plan to make a stop.
Long before getting to the terminus of M-15, in Clarkston at the intersection with US-24, it became very dark. It was time to finish, for now.
Our long day trip was worth it. Here are my major takeaways: Visit downtown Bay City. Support Beacon & Bridge. And check out Vassar.
But there were some very cool highlights. We saw enough to get ideas for future drives along intersecting east-west routes . . . and we crossed plenty of them! We also confirmed that Karla and I can drive for hours and not get on each other's nerves. This is a huge prerequisite moving forward.
Each trip develops it's own theme. And this one turned out to be: convenience stores.
We found ourselves touching on topics that were a little more heated, a little more exercised, than ever before. But that too is good. The idea is learning to listen. People in our times are frustrated, to an alarming degree. The way out of our mess is going to be listening - - - more listening, deeper listening. And learning - - - learning what it is that is making others so angry.
At one point Karla admonished me not to be so guarded in my language and tone. She hoped to establish a comfort level so that we both feel safe and authentic. Regardless, through it all . . . these drives, including yesterday, are overall, very, very enjoyable and uplifting.
As with Grand Rapids, we took our drive on a Sunday afternoon. We met up near Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, and drove up I-75 to Flint, where we took I-69 west a few miles, to pick up the southern terminus of M-13.
I've seen Michigan farmland before. But I don't think I've seen it as flat as what's found between I-69 and Saginaw. It goes on, and on, and on. Karla observed how "stretched out" everything was. Lots and lots of space between houses, communities, business. The sprawling land is all well-farmed and productive.
We wanted to stop for some water, and the first opportunity came at the intersection with M-57, near a little city called "Montrose." Now, you don't ever hear much about a "Michigan accent," but we encountered a regional accent here when I had to ask several times, for a local to say "Montrose," and then finally spell it before I got it. And yes, I am ready to conclude that I am the one with the accent!
We stopped at a store called Beacon and Bridge. It was a nicely laid out, and very clean convenience store and gas station, at the intersection. I had never heard of one of these before, but it had the look of a chain, and by chatting with the attendant, Andy, we learned that there are a whole bunch of them in Genesee County. They are headquartered in Flint, and have stores spread along the route to the Upper Peninsula.
As Beacon & Bridge's Vice President, Scott Nelson, said, "We're trying to carry as many Michigan-made products as possible." Pretty cool. It's all right here in this review.
I checked out a display for Little Town Beef Jerky, made in Michigan, and then looked at the community bulletin board. As an educator, I was drawn to a flyer on the "Montrose Choice
We continued on north . . . with little change in the scenery, until . . . just like that . . . we approached a Saginaw City Limit sign. This was unexpectedly exciting for me. Here's a place I had heard about, and heard about, for my entire life. But I had never been there before. Our route took us through the downtown area, but the setting sun made it unrealistic to stop and look around. Plus . . . Sunday afternoon . . . not too much going on there. So, what is the basis of the local economy? North of town, there is a GM Powertrain plant, which had a number of cars in the parking lot, indicating that it was still in operation.Karla talked about what a great city Saginaw is, in pop culture. It sounds great in a song title, and in lyrics. She mentioned a Simon and Garfunkel song that talked about it. And I thought of an unlikely Monkees song, a winsome ode to youthful indiscretion. And of course, the granddaddy of them all . . . the classic by Lefty Frizzell.
When you get north of the Saginaw sprawl, you are in a heavy area of unbuildable, unfarmable marsh. It is quite the change from what we saw before. The road curves and bends, with water and cattails heavy on both sides. But soon it evens out into a stretch with modest homes . . . mostly cottages, as you approach the boating and fishing part of the local economy.
Soon you arrive at the end of M-13, just south of Standish. You take a little jog west, and pick up the US-23/I-75 connector. This gets you back into Bay County, and the exit to M-25, which will deliver you, through downtown Bay City, to the starting point of M-15.
But on your way, you go through a modestly spectacular scene: the beautifully developed river frontage along the downtown corridor. If we had more daylight, and more warm weather, we would check this out, spend some time, maybe eat a meal there. But at this point the clock was our enemy. Bay City will be a destination when we do M-25 not too long from now!
M-15 begins at M-25, in a residential stretch, notable for the large historic mansions prevalent in that part of town. Karla researched the city, and determined that logging and ship-building was the source of this early wealth in the bay area.
At this intersection of M-25 and M-15, there is the second convenience store at which we stopped. It's the Fast Pax Marathon, which fits snug into a corner, with two gas islands, and a drive-through retail window where you can pay for your gas, and buy snacks and other conveniences.
M-25, southbound, is a winding and long 75 mile stretch. Like M-13 south of Saginaw, it is mostly farmland. But there are more villages and small cities along the way, and the road winds and curves more frequently. A highlight is the city of Vassar, Michigan, which sits on the side of a steep hill. It is definitely one of the more scenic small towns we have seen. When we do the M-46 drive, which runs north of Vassar, we will have to plan to make a stop.
Long before getting to the terminus of M-15, in Clarkston at the intersection with US-24, it became very dark. It was time to finish, for now.
Our long day trip was worth it. Here are my major takeaways: Visit downtown Bay City. Support Beacon & Bridge. And check out Vassar.
A worthy addition.
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