Manistee Michigan

Todays travel brought us to Manistee Michigan.  Located in the southwest corner of Manistee County. The 2010 census showed the population county to be 6226 people.  In no way a large town but also not a small town.  With its street lined with old building it shows that they saved what was important downtown.  With unique shops to bourse through to find souvenirs or art work to several fine places to stop and eat.
With the Manistee River flowing through the north side of town giving you a nice place to take a walk and watch boats pass by. The name Manistee comes from an Ojibwe. The true meaning of the word is not exactly know for sure but it is believed that it is one of two meanings, Rivers with islands at its mouth or Spirit of the woods.  I lean toward the second one.
The city has two bascule bridges that cross the river, one most used and seen by many who travel through the city is on US-31.  Stop in and visit on your next trip UP NORTH.

Hey guys look, I think thats the Traveling Hat Guy...Come here Quick!!

Zeeland Michigan - Feel the Zeel

Zeeland Michigan est. 1847. With a little over 5000 people that call Zeeland home.  Dutch settlers found the area inviting.  

Just a short trip last night to the City of Zeeland.  As place I know well.  I grew up in the area and even lived here for a short time in my life.  Zeeland still has that small town feel when you walk down the sidewalks downtown.  Some of my memories of downtown are some of the stores that use to be here.  I remember and five and dime where you would go into and smell the peanuts they had in a case.  Depree's store that use to have all the toys in the basement and around Christmas they use to have an igloo that had a Frosty the Snowman in it.  Santa would make a visit there also.  Lawrence Street park in the past use to have Fun In The Sun events in the summer for kids.  I remember being there once and doing crafts and a performance in the bowl stage that today is still there.
Zeeland I was told was the biggest chicken producer in the United States.  Founded by Jack Dewitt who later founded Bil Mar located in Borculo.  If you ate a turkey on Thanksgiving it was possibly from Bil Mar.  
Zeeland use to be a dry community. Alcohol sales in Zeeland where only opened up in November of 2007.  Vitale's was one of the first to sell beer and wine with their pizzas.  Now there are liquor stores open downtown along with a micro brewery serving.
Franks restaurant has been a local favorite for a number of years.  Founded in 1928 and serving good food ever since.  With its charm of an old diner and friendly staff you will enjoy a lunch when visiting downtown Zeeland.  On one block in Zeeland you can find three churches within that block. Zeeland is also the home to Herman Miller Office Furniture and Howard Miller Clocks.  One of the NASCAR races the winner trophy is a Howard Miller clock.

Adventures of the Traveling Hat : Nunica

Adventures of the Traveling Hat : Nunica: Nunica is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is located near the center of Crockery Township in Ottawa...

Adventures of the Traveling Hat : Coopersville Mi

Adventures of the Traveling Hat : Coopersville Mi: Coopersville is a city located in north central Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,275 at the 2010 census. It...

Coopersville Mi

Coopersville is a city located in north central Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,275 at the 2010 census. It is primarily a farming community.  Once home of singer Del Shannon.  Del Shannon was born Charles Weedon Westover in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, on December 30, 1934. He died in California in 1990.  Stop at the museum downtown to learn more about Shannon and other things Coopersville. 
One other thing that Coopersville is know for is the Coopersville-Marne Railroad.  Coopersville bought a section of railroad tracks between the two cities and several old passenger cars and restored them.  So if you have ever wanted to go back in the past when people took trains to get places, stop by and take a ride.  

Nunica

Nunica is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is located near the center of Crockery Township in Ottawa County, close to the junction of Interstate 96 M-104 and M-231,  The name Nunica is derived from the Native American word menonica, meaning "clay earth", from which pottery was made. 
If you are planning a shipping trip to Nunica there is only a hardware store located in what I would call "Downtown" Nunica.  How ever you do have a choice to stop for a great meal at Turks. Known for its Pork Chops.  One server had a t-shirt on that said "Pigs Fear Us"  When you do stop there come hungry.  Try the breaded deep fried jumbo mushroom halves.  They are awesome.  The burgers are great too.  Rank in the top of my favorite bar burgers.  Oh and if you are a fan of pork rinds, they also have those on the menu as an appetizer.

Tustin Michigan is another village that time has passed by.  With a population of 230 people at the 2010 census.  Located in Osceola County this quiet town with little traffic traveling through it is safe to cross the street without worrying that you are going to be run over by a car speeding through town.  Small shops and long family owned hardware store line the main street of town.  Speaking to locals from this area, you can tell that they love the place they call home.  The sweet café we stopped at for lunch gives you that small town feeling.  The burgers we had were tasty and gave you that feel of a home cooked meal.  So stop in and enjoy a rest and a meal on your back road adventure.  Walk over to the museum and look back at treasure safe to share in the history of this wonderful welcoming and friendly village.  It is worth an hour of your busy life to see and feel what it is like to live in a small town where I am sure that most everyone knows everyone that lives is this village.