The music behind the Pure Michigan ads

I noticed that a lot of you have visited this blog looking for information about the music that plays in the background of the Pure Michigan ad campaign. A quick bit of research and reading some of the video comments on YouTube solved this little mystery. The music is "Main Titles" from the motion picture, The Cider House Rules, and is composed by Rachel Portman. The whole soundtrack is filled with hauntingly beautiful music and now I picture the Pure Michigan commercials whenever I hear it.

Oh, and for those who might not know - actor and comedian Tim Allen provides the voiceover for the commercials.

Enjoy one of my favorites, "Trailhead" -

Beautiful collection of photos from Mackinac Island

The ferryboats are running back and forth to Mackinac Island now. The ice has broken and soon the main street on the island will swell with summer tourists. For those longing to be on the island and enjoying its beauty you don't have to wait for a vacation. Browse the Mackinac Island photostream at flickr.com. It's filled with wonderful shots from all around the island. I think it serves as a reminder to visitors that there is more to Mackinac Island than the downtown fudge district.

If you are thinking of making a trip up to Mackinac Island I highly recommend Mackinac Connection: The Insider's Guide to Mackinac Island. It's a great way to get ideas for seeing different parts of the island that a lot of folks miss. Plus, if you're thinking of staying at one of the numerous bed and breakfasts or other inns it gives reviews of the accommodations.

Favorite vegetables to plant in your garden

Mother Earth News magazine polled its readers last fall as to what their favorite vegetables were to grow in their gardens. The results were broken down by specific geographic areas such as Midwest, South, The top vote getters for the Midwest region are listed in this week's poll question for you to vote on.

[poll id="24"]

R.I.P. Mark "The Bird" Fidrych

Former Tigers pitcher and Rookie of the Year, Mark Fidrych, died in a truck accident on his farm. Fidrych won 19 games as a rookie pitcher for the Tigers in 1976. Injuries kept him from having a longer career and since 1983 he had been happy working in trucking and construction. His quirky antics on the mound included scratching at the mound like a chicken, strutting around the mound, and talking to the baseball. His affable demeanor and success on the field endeared him to fans. An all around nice guy that will be missed.

Here is an interview with Mark Fidrych from 1985:

A previous Tigers Opening Day photo

Play Ball !!!, originally uploaded by suesue2.

Hey, even though our lovable Tigers are off to a slow start (currently 1-3), Opening Day is still a great experience. The weather looks promising and hopefully the boys will be charitable enough to pull out a 'W' for the fans.