My Great Lakes Bucket List

I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life, and, as my city slicker little sister likes to tell me, I’m “such a Midwesterner.”

And she’s probably right. But if having a beard, wearing flannel and vacationing in the Great Lakes is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

I’ve seen a black bear meandering carelessly through the Porcupine Mountains. I’ve paid close to a month’s rent on drinks at the top floor of the John Hancock Building in downtown Chicago. I’ve battled nausea, more than once, while trolling Lake Michigan for salmon. I’ve listened to moose roam and loons scream outside my shelter while sipping warm bourbon on Isle Royale. I’ve pretended to be a big shot walking around the Detroit Auto Show (fooling no one, I might add).

Most of my time off from school, work and life has been spent in the basin, and I would have it no other way. This region has trout-filled rivers, gritty, blue-collar cities and beaches that don’t leave you salty and scanning for shark fins.

I like to think I’ve experienced a lot of what the Great Lakes region has to offer, but there’s a few more to cross off the list. I guess we can call it a bucket list (this saying is overused and annoys me, but sounds better than “Before I die” list, so let’s run with it).

My Great Lakes Bucket List:

1.) See the Apostle Islands from a kayak

Off the northern end of Wisconsin is a chain of island scattered in Lake Superior. The Apostle Island National Lakeshore is made up of 22 islands. I want to go to every one of them in a kayak. And then tell everyone the story about how Lake Superior almost killed me.

2.) Ski Mount Bohemia

Mount Bohemia is almost as far north as you can go in Michigan … just how I like it. The mountain’s website boasts it has the longest runs with the highest vertical and deepest powder in the Midwest, averaging 273 inches a year. It also warns, “No beginners.” I can see myself now … pizza-wedging my skis, crying … and then returning to the safe Lower Peninsula and telling everyone the story about how Mount Bohemia almost killed me.

(My bucket list sounds like a death-wish list)

3.) Ice fish Lake of the Woods, Minnesota

Few things make me happier than sitting in a shack on a frozen lake, heater blasting, staring at a trembling, eight-inch circle of water while listening to my Dad snore. And supposedly, Lake of the Woods, which is off the northern coast of Minnesota, would be a beautiful place for me to go and not catch fish. (Maybe not technically in the basin for you sticklers, but I don’t care — it looks awesome and it’s close enough)

4.) Go see the Packers play the Lions, in Green Bay

Oh, Packers fans. I know your team is good, but why do your fans always look like they’re ready for a monster truck show? Regardless, every time I’m watching a game at Lambeau, it looks like fun. And, now that my team isn’t atrocious, I may even wear my Honolulu Blue. And eat cheese. And drink beer. And try not to get beat up.

5.) Visit The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland

I like Cleveland. There, I said it. I always have a fine time in C-Town, but haven’t yet made it to the hall. And now seems like a perfect time, as they have the Kick Out the Jams: The Music of the Midwest exhibit. Where else can you hear both Prince and the MC5 (besides my record player)?

Ok, there’s my Great Lakes (cringe) Bucket List. Alright, Echo readers, where are some spots that you want to visit before you kick it?