I’ve just discovered the Local Guides program within the last year or so. From a very young age, I have had a great interest in maps and geography. I remember at 7 years old going onto Google Earth and traveling down random roads just to see where they went and how they connected. That passion has carried on into my early adulthood.
The Google Local Guides program gives me a chance to cover two passions related to my love of geography and travel. Firstly, I get to see where other guides have gone before me and have a general idea of what places are the best to visit in the most efficient amount of time. Secondly, and what excites me even more is that I have the opportunity where I live to do a lot of pioneer-like exploring and provide important information to Google about my location in northern Michigan. I spend a lot of time riding my bike on dirt roads and taking pictures, some of which get uploaded to Google for information about a location that has never been photographed before! Some of my favorite spots are Pigeon River Country State Forest, the Au Sable River, Old Baldy Hill, and the wild uncharted areas near Fletcher Pond.
My love for geography began in Staten Island, New York where I grew up. When I moved to Michigan in spring of 2016, however, that passion grew even bigger. I remember just taking the main roads to get from here to there, and looking down dozens of side dirt roads and asking myself “Where does each one lead?”. For some, I checked the map. For others, I just took my bicycle and went down them, figuring out my whereabouts as I went. I love not only to enrichen my own experiences by connecting with other guides, but also having the opportunity to help others realize how great our world is and explore it like I and many others have been doing.
For me, the Local Guides program allows me to connect with other individuals who are also passionate about discovering everything on our beautiful world. I plan on one day not only contributing to the Local Guides program in Michigan, but also in the entire United States and then the rest of the world.
Here are some pictures from Northern Michigan on my journeys. Enjoy ?
M-68 September sunrise between Onaway and Indian River
Fall foliage on the north shore of Avery Lake
North shore of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near Paradise (yes, it’s actually called Paradise and it’s fitting)
Near Tahquanemon falls
Another trail near Tahquanemon falls
A pano of the Pigeon River Country State Forest campgrounds! My favorite place in the entire world.
The last bit of snow melting on Au Sable Valley road in no man’s land between Mio, Fairview & Glennie
“Hungry 5” road - just a few minutes from my residence in Atlanta, Michigan
Meridian Line Rd - the border between Otsego and Montmorency counties
Unnamed trails I found near Johannesburg, right behind the town’s high school
A November sunset on an unnamed hill 1 mile north of Atlanta
Alpena, Michigan is one of the most bike-friendly small cities in America
Countryside on Woodward Road by the Charlevoix/Otsego county border
One of the greatest views of the Au Sable river off of Au Sable Rd
A summer sunrise less than a mile east of Atlanta
Henderson Lake near Lupton, Michigan
The Little Traverse Wheelway between Charlevoix and Petoskey
The Charlevoix South Pier Light Station on a cloudy September day
The fog gives way to sun one September morning just south of Mio
7 degrees? No problem!
…and I took this one in 0 degrees
check this post.
