Holland Mi. Tulip Time 2020

For the Past 92 years Holland Michigan has been home to Tulip Time honoring the founders of the Dutch community.  In 91 years it has never been cancelled.  Even during war time is was never cancelled.  But this year due to the outbreak of COVID 19 there will be no Tulip Time in Holland.  The tulips in Holland didn't get the message and grew in their beauty they do every year.  So for those of you that planned on coming but had to cancel here is a little taste of the tulips in Holland that will be back next year for Tulip Time

Pillar Church, Holland Mi

At bit of Holland History.
The year is 1871, October 8th, The smell of smoke alerts residents of the Holland area of possible trouble.  Soon it was clear that there was a problem.  People fled as the fire races across the wooded area.  Soon it was touching the edge of the new city of Holland.  quickly the fire consumed the wood structures of the downtown area.  The city was destroyed.  But one building still stood as the embers still glowed and smoldered.  The Pillar Church.  The church still stands today.  It has changed some from that day being added onto with class rooms and offices.  Oh I forgot to tell you.  The same time this fire was blazing there was some other fire some place that made the news also.  Some story about a woman's cow that kicked over a lantern and started a fire.

To this day they still do not know how the Great Holland fire started but rumor has it that sparks from the Chicago fire drifted over Lake Michigan and started the fire.

With the winter over and warmers weather coming it is time to try to get out and travel again.  Limited by the COVID-19 travel restrictions I have been staying close to home and traveling along.  My team has been staying home or traveling close to home in Fremont.  These are photos from the Holland Mi area.  Been doing some nature hikes and barn photos.

Dangers of Traveling the roads in Michigan

Oh, Hello. 

A Year in Review

Due to the COVID19 outbreak it looks like travel could be limited for the first part of the summer.  Stand by for updates.  Hope this all blows over soon.  Have lots of places to visit. 

Hello again, sorry to all for the long delay in a new post.  With the holidays and family gatherings it has been hard to keep up on the site.  Currently I am working on a year in review of out travels.
I found once the leaves left the trees that it has been difficult to find a good quality photo op.  I know that I have told people that there is always a photo op out there you just have to look at a different angle.  But the inspiration to find it was lost for me.  I have to do better and find that perfect photo in everything I see.  I will work harder in the future.

So stay close and I promise that soon I will have "The Year in Review" post.  We have been to some very special places that have become some of my new favorite places to visit in Michigan.  I have been inspired to learn more about our great state.  I have a drive to work on helping places do what they need to do to become a place people want to visit.  One place is Idlewild Mi.  I have seen news stories that they are trying to make a come back.  I want to find a way to help.  I am hoping that many of you have seen my photo and will make a trip to visit this lost jewel of Michigan.  Pass the word and help them get back to being a summer hot spot they were from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Fishtown was another place that we made a visit to and although late in the season I found it is a place that is on my re-visit list for this summer.  Currently with the high water problems of Lake Michigan they are working to save this wonderful place to visit.  I just saw a news story that they have picked the Cheese store up and placed it in the parking lot to save the building.  Work is being done to form a new base for the store.

Ludington will be another place we will visit again this summer.  I found there were a lot of things we missed on our first visit.  Museums and stores that need to be taken in and learn more about this wonderful town.

My team and I have been looking at maps and things that pop up on Facebook as places that we will visit.  Some of the little towns that people have never heard of.  We are coming to visit soon.

If you have any suggestions or places you have discovered on your travels please drop me a message at Jeff@travelinghatphotography.com  I would love to hear from you and what makes those towns so special to you.    

Holland and the Holiday Open House

This weekend we went and enjoyed the Holiday Open House event downtown Holland.  The stores all open and invite people in to shop and enjoy a little bit of food that they put out.  The lights of Christmas are starting to appear in many towns and I look forward to visiting different places to see their lights and show them off here.