Where did all those departed souls go?  Well…ghouls abound in Upstate New York; especially in the town of Lewiston.   

Whether you’re out to have some fun, or to learn something of the paranormal, Lewiston’s Marble Orchard Ghost Walks show off the unique personality of Lewiston’s rough and tumble frontier past as well as its gloriously haunted present.

Marble Orchard Ghost Walks are a great way to introduce visitors, school children and even long time residents to Lewiston’s rich and exciting history.  During the 1 ½ hour walk, you’ll learn of the grim and ghastly deeds of Lewiston’s best…and worst. 

You’ll hear classic ghost stories, myths and tales of tragedy, crime, mayhem and murder.  Secret and sinister, many of these events happened a long time ago… yet ghosts still haunt Lewiston. Along the way, you’ll meet some of the spirits in person and hear tales of the macabre, the grisly and the ghostly.  Step back in time with this historical and educational tour as our offbeat, theatrical guides take you through the Historic District and in to the Village Cemetery. They’ll provide you with an eerie, yet fun filled adventure as you learn about curses, graveyard etiquette and tombstone symbols. 

Marble Orchard Ghost Walks will start on Saturday, September 18th and continue every Saturday night through October 31st.  The Ghost Walks will begin promptly at 7:00PM and will leave from the Lewiston Courtyard at 476 Center Street.  Rain or shine.  Bring a flashlight.  Cost: $10.00/adults; $5.00/ children under 12.  

Visit the Lewiston Council on the Arts or call (716)-754-0166 for more information.

MEXICO TOURISM PRESS RELEASE

The country’s fascinating history truly shines in the following eight commemorative routes, with the first four celebrating the bicentennial and the latter celebrating the revolution:

• La Ruta de Hidalgo Centro (The Hidalgo Route – Center)

• La Ruta de Hidalgo Norte (The Hidalgo Route – North)

• La Ruta de Morelos (La Ruta de Morelos)

• La Ruta de Guerrero y el Ejercito Trigarante (The Guerrero Route)

• La Ruta de Zapata (The Zapata Route)

• La Ruta de Villa (The Villa Route)

• La Ruta de Madero y Carranza (The Madero and Carranza Route)

• La Ruta de las ciudades de la Revolucion (The Revolution Cities Route)

La Ruta de Morelos celebrates the life of the “Servant of the Nation,” Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon. Born in Valladolid and passing in San Cristobal Ecatepec, this route recounts the many miles that Morelos traveled in his five military campaigns, and during his civil and religious life. The route takes travelers through the emblematic sites of his career and the regions where he lived and fought, such as Acapulco, Taxco, Iztapa, Uruapan, Morelia Charo and Jantetlco, just to name a few.

La Ruta de Guerrero y el Ejercito Trigarante recounts the life of revolutionary general Vicente Guerrero and his army as they fought against Spain for Mexico’s Independence. The route manages to gather key sites of the life and work of Guerrero and many of the places where army head, Agustin de Iturbide, carried out crucial military and political actions. The route welcomes visitors to travel to destinations where they can both discover the exploits of Guerrero, as well as the multitude of natural beauties along the path. The extensive route passes through Oaxaca, Santa Cruz, Huatulco, Acapulco and Veracruz, just to name a few cities.

La Ruta de Hidalgo Norte retraces the footsteps of independence leaders Hidalgo, Allende, Aldama, Jimenez and their army, as they desperately attempted to reach the United States to buy arms and mount an offensive that never came. To travel this route is to travel the same distances and view the same scenery that these men did in Mexico’s fight for independence. This route passes through several important cities including Monterrey, Matehuala, Real de Catorce and Monclova.

Although each route is special for several reasons, a “must-see” is La Ruta de Hidalgo Centro. This route celebrates the life of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, “the father of the nation.” Born in Costilla and executed in Chihuahua, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla traveled heavily between these two locations in his struggle for Mexico’s independence. This historic route takes travelers through the states of Guanajuato, Queretaro, and Michoacan, which house many of the sites that represent his career as a priest, philosopher and military leader. Of particular interest is the city of Chihuahua, where travelers can visit the Palacio de Gobierno de Chihuahua (Government Palace of Chihuahua), where Hidalgo was executed by a Spanish firing squad. Today, the Altar of the Motherland stands in the exact spot where the father of the nation died, allowing visitors to step into Mexico’s history.

One of the most important stops on this route is in the Guanajuato town of Dolores Hidalgo, which has been declared the “Capital of the Bicentennial.” Here, one can visit the church in which Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla delivered his famous “Grito de Dolores,” the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence. Guanajuato is also the location of two much-anticipated parades on Sept. 16 and Nov. 20, celebrating Mexico’s Independence and Revolution, respectively. The site of the two major parades will be the new Expo Guanajuato Bicentennial, a park and entertainment complex named after the bicentennial, and host to several commemorative events. Tourists may also be interested in visiting the Casa de Allende Museum, the Museum of Dolores Hidalgo and the Alhondiga de Granaditas, which have all been remodeled in preparation for the bicentennial celebrations.

Aside from Guanajuato, another bicentennial “hot spot” is Mexico City, the home of several commemorative locations such as the Palacio Nacional (National Palace), which houses murals by famed artist Diego Rivera, depicting important moments in Mexico’s rich history. Starting in August, the Palacio Nacional will be transformed into a museum, the Palacio Galeria Nacional, where visitors can enjoy an art exhibition dedicated to Mexico’s independence. The National Palace is also housing the bones of 13 founding fathers and one founding mother in honor of the bicentennial celebrations. On Sept. 16, a military parade celebrating Mexico’s independence will take place through the streets of Mexico City, followed by an air show and a fireworks and pyrotechnic show at the Mirador Torre Latino Observatory.

Mexico City is also the location of the Museo Nacional de Historia, a national history museum housed in the 18th century Chapultepec Castle. Other preparations in the country’s capital include a commemorative arch on Paseo de la Reforma, which will join El Angel de la Independencia in observing Mexico’s fight for independence.

Although the country has been celebrating since the beginning of the year, the bicentennial will come to a head on Sept. 15, 2010, 200 years after revered Mexican hero Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla first rang the revolutionary bell that sparked Mexico’s independence movement. Across the country, cities will erupt into joyous festivities, celebrating what has truly been an exciting year for Mexico, one which also saw two new UNESCO World Heritage sites being added to the country’s already-long list.

For more information about Mexico’s bicentennial and centennial celebrations, as well as the eight commemorative routes, visit the VISIT MEXICO website.

Meet Michelle Da Silva, Brazil.  

Michelle was born in 1990 into the famous Favela portrayed in the film ‘The City of God.’ All her life Michelle has lived for football and is on a courageous journey out of poverty and exclusion through sport.

Michelle was selected to represent Brazil at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup where she won the best female player and was noticed by Eric Cantona as player that stood out during his training session. So it was no surprise when on returning to Brazil she was swiftly selected to be part of Brazil’s women’s under 20’s national team and is one of the players selected for the 2010 South America Cup.

She is a speedy striker, with strong force and determination on the pitch. Michelle says: The Homeless World Cup is about a major life experience. You create friendships and set the right attitude to succeed in your life and in football.”

Meet David Duke, Scotland.  

David Duke played for Scotland at the Gothenburg 2004 Homeless World Cup when he was homeless battling issues with alcohol following the death of his father. It got him back into football and he decided he wanted to pursue a career in football coaching completing his Scottish Football Association coaching badges to become a certified youth coach.

David became the assistant coach for Team Scotland at the Edinburgh 2005 Homeless World Cup and rose to become manager and take Team Scotland to victory at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup beating Poland 9-3 in a royal final watched by HRH Crown Price of Denmark. The same week David became a homeowner and collected the keys to his new home.

David is now a budding social entrepreneur having set up Street Soccer Scotland to use football to help homeless people in Scotland. It is already working with 500 homeless people providing weekly coaching sessions, an academy providing essential life skills, a Scottish Homeless Cup and a national league due to begin in 2010.

David says: The Homeless World Cup was the rope that allowed me to pull myself out of a very dark hole. It helped me and now I can help others. When homeless people say to me I can’t change, I say yes you can. I did. So can you.”

Meet Patrick Mbue, France.  

Patrick arrived in France from Rwanda. He found himself in a strange country, without a work permit, and unable to earn an income he became homeless.

Patrick joined the football team at the homeless organisation Collectif Remse en Jeu where his talent was clear and his team spirit was noted. He was soon selected to play for France at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup.

Committed to “Collectif Remise en Jeu” and supporting people on the margins of society he went on to become the coach for the French national Homeless World Cup team and led them to the Melbourne 2008 and Milan 2009 tournaments. He is also the secretary of the organisation and a member of Local Organizing Committee for the Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup and a coach with Paris St Germain Football Club.

Patrick says: “My participation in the Homeless World Cup brought about a profound personal change. It allowed me to regain my self-respect to take important steps in my life and I was also able to regain a high standard of play in my game.”

Meet Nathan Bowen, England.  

Nathan was homeless, living in the Brighton and Hove Foyer for two years, a hostel for vulnerable young people who would otherwise be living on the streets. He went along to the trials to play for Team England at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup. He impressed coaches so much with his attitude that he was selected to play in the team and elected the Team Captain. He progressed quickly after the Homeless World Cup and completed his coaching qualifications. Nathan now has his own home, living with his girlfriend, and is a coach with Brighton, Hove and Albion Football Club. Here he is excited about a football programme being set up to work with homeless people in the local area to get them back in the game and their lives on track.

Nathan says: “When you go out there (on the pitch) it doesn’t matter who you’re against, where they’ve come from, what they do with their life, you play sport and you are even. That is your chance to prove to them, and to yourself, that you’re worth something.”

“Although there are 48 different nations involved, all speaking a different language, we still get on really well. Hearing what some of the teams have had to do to get to the Homeless World Cup and what they have to live with in their own country, particularly African countries, really encourages you not to take things for granted and puts our problems into perspective.”

Photos and stories courtesy of Homeless World Cup

The all-inclusive 430-room Sunset Beach Resort, Spa & Waterpark features the Pirate’s Paradise Waterpark, a new seaside entertainment center, diverse dining venues, a spa, and beautiful beaches. The All You Can Jet Passes each provide unlimited air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights within the JetBlue route network.  Bookings must be made by Oct. 3 for travel between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6.

Almost overnight, it seems, the bustling resort town of Traverse City which sits on the shore of  Lake Michigan has acquired an aura as one of the country’s up-and-coming “foodie towns.”

Food writers, chefs and lovers of tasty food have been flocking here to sample the area’s fabled cuisine. For two years in a row, Midwest Living magazine has listed Traverse City among its Five Top Food Towns — and this spring Livability.com gave it first-place billing among 200 American cities in its Top 10 list of Surprising Foodie Towns.

But just what is Traverse City cuisine, anyway? To be blunt, northern Lower Michigan has no dominant ethnic food tradition like the Creole cookery of Louisiana or Wisconsin’s German cuisine. Nor does it have a signature dish; unless you’re counting cherry pie, there’s no local equivalent of Cincinnati chili, Philadelphia cheese steak or Chicago deep-dish pizza.

Traverse City cuisine is the opposite of traditional: it’s an eclectic, relatively recent movement that borrows freely from other regional styles and relies heavily on imagination, boldness and spunk. But if it has one defining characteristic, that would be a generous use of fresh ingredients from nearby farms, forests, waters and orchards.

From appetizers to dessert, local restaurateurs seem to be on a mission to showcase the best of what the area has to offer. Paul and Amanda Danielson, owners of the fashionable Trattoria Stella restaurant in the Grand Traverse Commons, are leaders in the so-called “slow food” movement, which is all about using fresh local ingredients wherever possible.

Janice Benson, marketing director for Taste the Local Difference, a nonprofit group that serves as a go-between for farmers, restaurants and grocers, says that many chefs now routinely buy from nearby farms and orchards instead of ordering produce that has to be trucked in from hundreds of miles away.

“And this isn’t just folks who look for local strawberries when they’re in season, but who are making a year-round efforts to shop for farm-fresh meat, milk, cheese and other items,” she says. “We have so much wonderful food here that it’s really not hard to do.”

It goes without saying, of course, that many chefs have always relied on the region’s abundance of fresh fruits. Mike and Denise Busley, owners of  the Grand Traverse Pie Company, have been featured on the Food Network and earned fans all across the United States, but they know their popular bakery/café wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the fresh ingredients they find all around them.

“We wouldn’t be doing this if we had to send to Washington for our apples or cherries,” says Mike. “When people come to this area, they want to sample what the locals enjoy, and our job is to deliver that service. Can you imagine what would happen if we didn’t use the best, local, fresh cherries or apples in our pies?”

Courtesy of Traverse City CVB

Equally committed to that idea is Dave Denison, owner/chef at Amical, a downtown Traverse City bistro offering French and Italian rustic cooking. Most of the greens, tomatoes, herbs and fruits featured on Amical’s menu are supplied by area farmers, while many of the fish that play such a prominent role on the menu are taken from the waters between Charlevoix and Petoskey. Local wines, from northern Michigan’s red-hot wine scene are featured prominently, as well.

Down the street, chefs Eric Patterson and Jennifer Blakeslee have made fresh local ingredients the mainstay of their tiny restaurant, The Cook’s House, where 90% of the menu is made with local products. The same can be said of other restaurants outside Traverse City, from the Bluebird and the Riverside Inn in Leland, Blu and the Good Harbor Grill in Glen Arbor, Martha’s Leelanau Table and Gusto! Ristorante in Suttons Bay to Pearl’s and Siren Hall in Elk Rapids and The Boathouse and Mission Table at Bower’s Harbor.

Nor is this movement confined strictly to high-end restaurants. Small tavern-style eateries like Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor and the Lil’ Bo in Traverse City have creative chefs who are enthusiastic about fresh local ingredients, while some of the region’s largest kitchens – like those at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa and the Great Wolf Lodge – are among the strongest supporters of the local-food movement.

“Certainly, part of it is supporting the local farms and the local economy — but any good chef will tell you, this is what food is really all about,” says Joseph George, executive  chef at the Grand Traverse Resort. “It’s about enhancing and bringing out the pure flavors of the food, as natural and unmanipulated as possible, and that’s why using the freshest ingredients is so important.”

For more information, and a comprehensive listing of area restaurants, accommodations and attractions, contact the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-TRAVERSE or on line at www.traversecity.com

Although the work is far from over, New Orleans came back in a strong way.  The New Orleans Saints won their first Super Bowl Championship last year; tourists flocked to the Crescent City in record numbers; many people began rebuilding their lives; and new communities came to life with the help of celebrity support.  Then along came British Petroleum (BP)…

Because of the oil disaster (this was much more than a “spill” as media describes it); people have lost their

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Rockin\' Dopsie Jr. with Kelly Shultz from New Orleans CVB

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Jackson Square

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Ian and Tonya with Jeremy Davenport

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A traveling jazz band from London

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Our moms

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The Riverwalk

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As we reflect on the last five years and the recent petroleum events, let’s continue to enjoy our New Orleans—the food, the music, the energy and the spirit of this great city.  We have created a few videos that showcase both the French Quarter and areas outside of the Quarter that may entice you to visit.  Our previous World Footprints broadcasts highlight international talents like Jeremy Davenport (currently seen on a commercial promoting the new Hawaii Five-O CBS series), Charmaine Neville, Ben Jaffe and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and you’ll get a sense of the energy in the city.

Of course, you can never have a conversation about New Orleans without talking about the food.  Umm…the food.  We could talk forever about the food—the gulf shrimp, the gulf oysters—both of which Government officials claim are safe for consumption now.  New Orleans cuisine offers a fantastic excuse to travel there.  For now, indulge in a sensory culinary experience at home and enjoy a traditional New Orleans dish from one of our favorite chefs, Chef John Besh.  Chef John shared a recipe on The Early Show for Shrimp and Grits and we are still craving that beautiful savory delight. Enjoy!!

Slow-Cooked Louisiana Shrimp and Andouille Sausage over Grits

For the grits:
1 cup White stone ground organic grits (McEwens)
2 tablespoons Butter
1/2 cup Mascarpone cheese
1 teaspoon Salt

For the shrimp:
2 tablespoons Olive oil
36 jumbo Louisiana shrimp, peeled and deveined
.33 cup Andouille sausage, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 each Shallot, minced
2 each Piquillo peppers
1 tablespoon Thyme leaves, chopped
2 cups Shrimp Stock
2 tablespoons Butter
1 teaspoons Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 cups Tomatoes, cut and canned
1 tablespoons Chives, chopped
1/4 cup Chervil sprigs, fresh

Salt, pepper and Creole Spices to taste

Procedure
1. For the grits, bring 4 cups of water with the salt to a boil in a medium-size saucepan over high heat. Slowly pour the grits into the boiling water, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low. Stir the grits often to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Simmer the grits until all of the water has been absorbed and they become soft, about 20 minutes. Stir in the butter and mascarpone. Remove from heat and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the grits in the pot to keep a crust from forming.

2. For the shrimp, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Season the shrimp with Creole Spices and salt. Sauté the shrimp until they begin to brown but not cook all the way through. Remove the shrimp as they cook and side aside.

3. In the same skillet, sauté the andouille, garlic, shallot, Piquillo peppers, and thyme until they become aromatic, about 5 minutes. Add in the shrimp stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in the butter and reduce the sauce until nice and thick, 3-5 minutes.

4. Return the shrimp to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice, diced tomatoes and chives.

5. Spoon a heaping 1/4 cup of the grits into the center of each of 6 large bowls. Arrange 6 shrimp in the middle of each bowl of grits. Spoon sauce around the shrimp and garnish each bowl with fresh chervil.

For years, Mars has remained at the forefront of our imagination and has been the subject of much speculation.  In 1880, telescopes revealed strange markings on a red planet that seemed to dot its way across a star lit still sky.  This raised early questions about whether an alien race existed on the strange blood-red planet.  Then the frightening 1938 broadcast of “War of the Worlds” scared millions into believing that strange creatures had landed on Earth intending to conquer our planet.  Today we “know” that Mars does not contain another life form (or do we really?) but that still hasn’t limited our imagination or stopped our interest in exploring the planet.   

A new historic mission, The Mars Science Laboratory rover, is set to launch in 2011 and now you have a chance to participate in this mission by sending your name to Mars.  Fill in your information and your name will be included with others around the world on a microchip carried by the Mars Science Laboratory rover.  You’ll receive an honorary Certificate of Participation and bragging rights that you are part of a historic mission to Mars! 

Before this mission launches you can become a virtual Martian citizen and explore your new planet and while the Mars Science Laboratory rover is being built you can follow its progress on twitter.  There are many ways to participate and as this mission develops, there will be more unique ways to be a part of this mission, especially when the rover gets to Mars.

For now, be a part of history and send your name to Mars and join in the discovery of our own possibilities on the planet.  See you in space!

On July 1, 1985, a combined collection of scientists from Woods Hole Deep Submergence Lab and the French Institute Francais de Recherche pour I’Exploitation des Mers (IFREMER) set out to locate the wreck of Titanic.  Two months later during the early hours on September 1^st, the team experienced success when they finally located the elusive Titanic.  Considered to be always a part of the past, the Titanic finally became a part of the present.

Twenty five years after the discovery of the Titanic, RMS Titanic, Inc. (the Salvor-In-Possession of RMS Titanic and its wreck site) in partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Waitt Institute will conduct a ground- breaking expedition to do what no one has ever attempted before:  to virtually raise Titanic, preserving the legacy of the Ship for all time.

In what is arguably the most technologically advanced scientific expedition to Titanic ever organized, RMS Titanic, Inc. has brought together a team of leading archaeologists, oceanographers and scientists including The Institute of Nautical Archaeology, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Sanctuaries Program, and The National Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center to execute this historic “mission of firsts.”

“The significance and scope of this mission, the team we’ve assembled to carry it out, and the breakthrough technologies being deployed will give people the opportunity to experience Titanic like never before,” said Chris Davino, president of RMS Titanic, Inc. “RMS Titanic, Inc. has a singular purpose:  to faithfully and respectfully preserve the memory of Titanic and of all who sailed with her. The goals and objectives of this expedition are fully aligned with that purpose.”

Launching from St. John’s, Newfoundland on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, this 20-plus day expedition will employ revolutionary acoustic imaging, sonar technologies and high resolution optical, video and 3-D imaging to provide the first comprehensive view of the entire wreck site with unprecedented accuracy and clarity. Through this suite of sophisticated robots, sonars and cameras, leading experts will chart the boundaries of the wreck site, map the physical position of the Ship and its artifacts on the ocean floor, and create a blueprint that will inform the wreck site’s ongoing maintenance. Together, this data will work to paint a complete picture of Titanic that only a few have been able to witness first-hand.

“As the first scientific expedition of this magnitude since Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, working with French colleagues from IFREMER, discovered the Titanic wreck site 25 years ago, this dive provides the perfect opportunity to utilize the exciting, new technologies we’ve been developing,” said Susan Avery, the president and director of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a leading voice in the oceanographic community. “This journey is going to give us important perspectives into the decomposition of the Ship and its effect on the ocean and the seabed.”

Located 2.5 miles below the ocean surface, Titanic came to rest in a three-square-mile field of debris.  This summer, a “dream team” of oceanographic experts, technical innovators and marine archaeologists have joined together in cooperation to achieve the mission’s ambitious goals. 

Leading the expedition is P.H. Nargeolet, director of Underwater Research for RMS Titanic, Inc. and a widely acknowledged authority of the site. A veteran leader of five previous journeys to the wreck, Nargeolet has completed 30 Titanic dives, supervising the recovery of some 5,500 artifacts along the way.

David Gallo, director of special projects at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is co-leading the expedition. Gallo actively promotes deep-sea exploration and is moved by the unprecedented collaboration between private, non-profit, and government entities to make this expedition a success.

World Footprints will have the pleasure of interviewing David Gallo before and after the expedition.  Our initial interview will focus on the virtual raising of Titanic through three-dimensional modeling and the numerous firsts that this eighth expedition:   

• It will be the first time this deep water wreck site will be transformed into an archaeological site with all scientific data available for review and study, including all of the factors influencing the wreck’s deterioration. This “road map” for the wreck site has critical implications for Titanic’s future.
• Microorganisms collected at the site and evaluated through advanced technology may turn out to be distant relatives of the original microorganisms that went down with Titanic, which will unlock a wealth of new understanding and information about biodeterioration.  
• The use of high definition and 3D (3DHD) video will produce the clearest images yet of the wreck and its surroundings.
• The mission will gather critical information to develop new standards in underwater archaeology for maritime heritage site management, especially in the deep sea.
• Assembled by RMS Titanic, Inc. this is the first time that a team of leading authorities has come together on a mission to Titanic, each united in the quest to model and map Titanic for future generations and to work for the site’s long term preservation.  

If you’re a Titanic enthusiast you can experience the journey’s excitement and explore the wreck site in real time, with ongoing video feeds and photo postings, and interaction with key crew members through Facebook, Twitter and by visiting the Expedition Titanic website.

On the other hand, Sleeping Bear is a wonderful place to spot lots of other animals, from white-tail deer and porcupines to bald eagles and coyotes. In fact, coming face to face with wildlife is one of the thrills of visiting this unspoiled wilderness on the Lake Michigan coast.

Because of its rich interplay of natural habitat of vast dunes, lakes, streams, hardwood forests and cedar swamps, Sleeping Bear is home to many kinds of animals and birds — including a number of species that are threatened or endangered. It’s not at all uncommon to come face to face with them while driving, hiking or paddling through the park, or to be serenaded by frogs and coyotes at night. You may even catch a sight of the elusive cougar, a creature whose presence in this part of the country is still being hotly debated.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes take their name from a charming Native American legend about a mother bear and her two cubs who perished while swimming across the[[Show as slideshow]] lake to escape a forest fire. Bears are not unknown in the park, but they’re rare and solitary animals who aren’t often seen. Much more common are forest creatures like deer, fox, porcupines, squirrels, bats, and raccoons, while the rivers and inland lakes are home to otter, beaver, muskrat and mink.

In all, 50 species of mammals can be found here. Most are small and numerous – like the eastern chipmunk, nicknamed the “timber tiger” because of its voracious appetite and fearlessness in stealing food from campsites and picnic tables. A much rarer predator that haunts the park’s more remote areas is the bobcat, a small wild cat whose effective camouflage make it hard to see.

Cougars, all but wiped out in Michigan early in the 20^th century, may now be making a comeback. And although the presence of the big cats at Sleeping Bear has

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Bird life is also plentiful at the park. So far 240 species of birds have been identified here, and birders flock to Sleeping Bear each year in hopes of catching sight of another rare specimen. The waters attract large numbers of loons, ducks, cormorants, herons and kingfishers, as well as rare trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes during migration season. The woodlands are home to warblers, thrushes, hawks and owls, while the open meadows provide welcome habitat for bald eagles and threatened sandpipers, bobolinks and grasshopper sparrows.

Two species in particular have found a special refuge at Sleeping Bear. The Prairie Warbler, one of Michigan’s most threatened birds, nests in the juniper scrublands just inshore from the park’s Lake Michigan beaches, while the beach itself is home to the Piping Plover – a charming little shorebird whose existence is threatened by coastal development. Each year, park rangers rope off sections of beach so the plucky little plovers can lay their eggs in the sand without fear that they’ll be stepped on by unwary sunbathers.

The plant life of the dunes is every bit as fascinating as the animals who live here, since the vegetation at Sleeping Bear is specially adapted to survive in the sandy dunes and beaches with their constant wind and blowing sand, their hot, dry summers and freezing winters. There are succulents like sea rocket, tough leathery shrubs like bearberry (a relative of the western Manzanita), and pitcher’s thistle, a rare deep-rooted thistle with silvery leaves and flowers. The dunes are also home to several “ghost forests” – eerie groves of trees that were buried long ago by blowing sand and uncovered years later by the same incessant winds.

In spite of the near-desert conditions, vegetation at Sleeping Bear is unusually lush because of the nearby waters of Lake Michigan, which keeps the air cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and moister throughout the year. The two Manitou Islands, in particular, are filled with unusually large plants, like the Grove of the Giants, a forest of massive 100-foot white cedars on South Manitou.

But it’s one thing to hear about all the diverse plants and animals that survive and thrive in the unique terrain of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and another thing entirely to experience it first-hand. Coming around a bend in the trail to see a mother deer standing in the forest with her fawns, or gazing down the 400-foot face of the dunes as a school of enormous lake trout glides through the blue water like a fleet of small submarines, is a truly unforgettable experience.

For more information about the wildlife of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the park headquarters.  To learn about lodging, dining and entertainment choices in Traverse City — contact the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-TRAVERSE.

As the cinematic opening approaches many tour operators and travel suppliers are jumping on the Eat, Pray, Love (EPL) bandwagon by offering special packages to help you create your own EPL journey towards self discovery.

Here’s a few offerings:

As a promotional partner for the film, Lonely Planet has created an EPL page to help build excitement around the destinations and motivate travelers to discover the world – and themselves – through travel. 

If you want a chance to win your own EPL journey of a lifetime, enter the STA Travel USA Sweepstakes.  The grand prize is a 21-day trip for one to Italy, India and Indonesia, including airfare, tours, accommodations and travel guides.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts created “Bali, Pray Love” packages that include a consultation with the Balinese healer Gilbert spent time with during her stay and a Balinese cooking class featuring local aphrodisiacs. The Milan, Florence and Mumbai properties offer guests concierge services to help them eat, pray or love in style.

Ayana Resort and Spa in Ubud, Bali has an “Eat, Pray and Love Everything About Bali” package.  Ubud is the cultural center in Bali where Gilbert found herself and found love.  Personally, we also found Ubud to be a magical place that is rich in history and tradition.

Abercrombie & Kent Journeys for Women has several trips that resembles an EPL-type journey through other parts of the world. But if you’re looking for a closer match to an EPL experience look at their “Treasures of Northern India” package.  This offers female travelers to spend time with local women at a bead-making workshop in the holy city of Varanasi, witness a spiritual Aarti ceremony on the Ganges at night, see the Taj Mahal at both sunrise and sunset, and visit Khajuraho’s Hindu temples.

Looking for a more affordable EPL package?  Your options are at your fingertips with a Google search.  Many places that are never mentioned in the book or movie are jumping on the EPL bandwagon.  For example, San Antonio is billing the whole city as an “Eat, Pray, Love” destination where visitors can eat their way to happiness, begin their spiritual journey and fall in love.  The city has created various packages for those seeking an EPL adventure.  Or, you can take a boat to the glam Little Palm Island in Florida for the “Eat Pray Little Palm Island” vacation, to enjoy a moment of Zen and “explore the inner arts of pleasure and devotion.” The Sonesta Bayfront Coconut Grove in Miami area is offering a special EPL package for the movie’s opening weekend (Aug. 13-15).

Where ever you decide to go for your Eat, Pray, Love adventure, just relax, enjoy and experience the transformative power of travel.