We Have a Winner!

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A few days ago, I posted a Michigan-related trivia contest – with the hope that I would be able to award a fellow traveler with a free signed copy of the third edition of Moon Michigan – just in time for the fun-filled winter season.

Here are the questions I posed:

1) What is the name of the park pictured on the front cover of the new edition?
2) What’s the difference between a fudgie and a pasty?
3) What are the two most common nicknames for the world’s third longest suspension bridge?

Well, I’m delighted to report that we have a winner. One Katie A. – a resident of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – was the first person to email me with the correct answers:

1) Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
2) A “fudgie” is a summer tourist on Mackinac Island and a “pasty” is a pastry filled with meat, potatoes, and other fillings and is a traditional food of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
3) Mighty Mac and Big Mac

So, congratulations, Katie! Apparently, she recently moved to Michigan and hopes that the guide will help her “discover things to enjoy” in her new state. Happy travels!

To elaborate on the quiz, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located along the northern coast of the Upper Peninsula, alongside frigid Lake Superior. This park is truly a magnificent place for nature lovers and recreationists – especially those who appreciate quiet beaches, wooded trails, and lovely waterfalls. I should add, too, that Michiganders don’t reserve the term “fudgie” exclusively for summer tourists on Mackinac Island. Though it’s indeed the most prevalent usage, I’ve also heard the term throughout the rest of northern Michigan, from Traverse City to Petoskey. Oh, and if you’re hankering for a pasty recipe, here’s a pretty good one (with clear instructions and helpful images) – though there’s also a basic recipe within the Moon Michigan guide. And in case you were wondering, “Mighty Mac” and “Big Mac” refer to the incredible Mackinac Bridge, the five-mile-long link between the Lower Peninsula (the “Mitten”) and the Upper Peninsula (“Yooperland”).

If you’re still curious about what this diverse state has to offer – especially during the winter months – please check out my Author Q&A or pick up a copy of Moon Michigan in an online store near you.

Hope your next trip to the Great Lakes State is a memorable experience indeed!

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As always, I’m open to ideas for future posts. If you have any suggestions, burning questions, or destinations that you’d like me to explore in greater detail, please comment below or contact me at laura [at] wanderingsoles [dot] com.