“Light the Town!”
Story Behind the Name
The chant heard at every Rochester Big Bright Lights event. We lit the town… then Tom unplugged the lights for a nanosecond.
Rochester
Whenever you hear me talking about Michigan cities that have a great sense of place, Rochester is one of those cities. It’s what every hometown should be. It’s beautiful, vibrant, welcoming, has great people and is creating new opportunities for people and businesses every day. Rochester is also very rich in history. In 1817 it was the first settlement in Oakland County, and a ton of the structures there remind you of the town’s rich heritage.
If you’re into biking and being healthy (I highly recommend being healthy; it’s really good for you) the Paint Creek and Clinton River trails come right into town. They’re a great way to explore Rochester and lower your carbon footprint by getting out of your car. Rochester is also a comfortable place to live. There are tons of beautiful homes within walking distance of town. Pick one out and move right in. Just make sure it’s for sale first. As for the town, it’s awesome. There are tons of great shops, restaurants and fun things to do, and something cool is always happening downtown.
And if you’re looking for a great town to live, work or play in, Rochester has everything you need for a wonderful quality of life, Michigan style!
Boyne City
Having never been to Boyne City before, I have to say that the drive into town was beautiful. The homes along the lake are spectacular, and the town is clean and comfortable. It’s a beautiful lake community I could easily live in. Boyne City is located at the far east end of one of the biggest and most spectacular lakes in northwest Lower Michigan, Lake Charlevoix. Just one drive through town tells you that this is a hip and very healthy community. There are tons of new and classic shops to choose from and some fantastic restaurants.
You can tell they really take a lot of pride in this town. It’s also a great family community with beautiful spaces right on the water to enjoy. And if you’re into boating, this is probably one of the best places in the entire Midwest to be. You’re only twelve miles from the town of Charlevoix by water, and from there, you’ve got the entire Great Lakes to explore.
As we were about to leave town, I ran into a really good friend Jim Flynn who’s been vacationing in Boyne City since he was a kid. He offered up a boat ride for me and the crew. I lost my hat on the wild ride, but we sure had a great time in Boyne City.