I admit that I was a little bit spoiled by living in Pennsylvania my entire life. I take for granted the availability of inexpensive, non-commerical, family-friendly places to visit where I can picnic, look at some water, spend time in a clean, quiet forest, and even learn a little bit about history. I have been able to do all of these things in the many parks that surround the places where I have lived. I was able to do all of these things during the three summers that I vacationed in Northern Michigan as well.