I suppose anyone that has done any road tripping has come across the signs… Scenic Overlook Ahead. In the Detroit area, it may as well be an endangered species, if not extinct. That isn’t because there aren’t any scenic views, only that we don’t have any elevation to be considered much of an “overlook” unless you are climbing to the roof of a building.
Altitude is one of the major differences between Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsula’s. Just keep in mind it is a matter of perspective – “elevation” in Michigan can be just a mere 1000 ft. I am hearing the chuckles from you westerners now.
Since I experienced a few overlooks in my recent trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (a vast contrast to the Detroit area!), it had me thinking about the draw of such places. At low elevations, trees, buildings, houses tower over us. One can feel small in relation. You vs. the tree, or you vs. that building. A more direct one to one relationship. It is harder to feel a connection to the overall landscape. It is hard to get a sense of what the area really looks like.
An overlook at any particular spot opens up your views and perceptions. Trees no longer work visually as dominating individuals, but as small pieces of a whole. Trees are now small, but vast distances dwarf our sense of self. We get a glimpse at the interconnectivity of life on this planet.
Whether it is a sign along the side of a road, or a hike up to a vantage point, we all owe ourselves to take these in and enjoy them once in a while.
Lovely views, Mark. When I lived in Texas, I got very tired of endless horizons and lack of elevation. 🙂 Now, having lived in NC for 11 years, I enjoy the fact that I can head to the mountains for scenic overlooks and lots of elevation, or even head south, down to Charleston, SC for views of the horizon across the Atlantic.
Unfortunately, I missed the fall colors in the mountains this year … again. I’d love to see Michigan’s U.P. You’re such a great advocate and advertiser for it! 😀
The one advantage of the flat stuff I think is being able to watch storm fronts move in.
I have a feeling one day you will make it to the UP Paul.
Mark, I can identify with the effects of elevation…or the lack thereof…you described so well. We’ve travelled fairly flat ground this summer…Oklahoma, Kansas, & Nebraska…so even the gentle rolling hills as we cut across Missouri & Alabama heading to Florida were breath taking. Ok, so maybe I’m exaggerating. 🙂
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is definitely on my to do list…and hopefully not too terribly far down that list. These beautiful photos inspire me to want to visit it more then ever. I’ve missed bright fall colors this year.
Hey Brooks – at least in some of the plains states you get the view of a horizon, which I think is an OK compromise if you are a flat land. Even that type is rare around Detroit.
You definitely owe it to yourself to visit the U.P – maybe not in Winter, or the bug season in the middle of summer. I do think Fall is the best. Thanks for the kind words.
That first image is stunning and the second one ain’t too bad. 🙂
I grew up along the Colorado Front Range where I had the mountains minutes away and the plains minutes away. When looking back through my archives it is obvious how much more drawn I am to the plains. I think it’s because we can see the horizon for so many miles. One think I noticed immediately when living and working east of the Mississippi River is how difficult it is to see a distant horizon. They both have their beauty. My spirit wants to experience the vastness of the horizon. But, let me tell you the colors of your hardwood forests are almost impossible to beat.
Distant horizons are indeed rare to see around here Monte. Often you have to go to one of to big lakes when you need a fix.
The great thing about those scenic overlooks is that there is a good reason they were built. These look like some very nice views…elevation isn’t everything, but perspective is important!
Sorry Tom – looks like your comment ended up in my spam que a couple days ago. I caught it though! 🙂
Thanks!