Category Archives: Ann Arbor

An Ann Arbor Coffee and A Drive During the Polar Vortex

Posted on February 2, 2019 | 15 comments

We just escaped what was deemed the “Polar Vortex” here in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Midwest. Temperatures were brutally cold never getting close to 0 degrees Fahrenheit for two days. You add in the wind and it was pure misery. That didn’t stop me from capturing the scene at dawn during an Ann Arbor coffee and a drive.

A lot of shops and places were closed during this time for good reason, but Roos Roast, a popular Ann Arbor coffee shop and roaster, was open. It was a great thing in that it gave people a place to come in and warm up and have some hot caffeinated beverages.

You could tell how cold it was based on the ice on the windows which you can normally see right through.

I absolutely love the Roos Roast coffee mugs. The coffee of choice to put in it on this morning was some basic drip coffee made from their signature Lobster Butter Love coffee beans. I always wanted to capture this mug with a Main Street backdrop. It took -16 degree (actual temperature) conditions for me to do so.

Magical. While I was capturing about a block away from the shop, I directed a couple of police officers that were looking for an open coffee shop. They had wondered where I got this cup of coffee.

No worries as I did not drink any coffee out here. My gloves were also on stand by. I took these shots and I was quickly back inside warming up. The good thing is that the bitter cold lad to a lot less traffic which enabled me to stand right in the middle of Main Street to capture.

Ann Arbor bucket list item, check!!!

After freezing with my cup of coffee, then warming up, it was time for a drive. I headed for quick stroll down Huron River Drive. I’ve mentioned this route on nultiple occassions as it is beautiful no matter what time of year. That certainly holds true in arctic like conditions.

The sun coming out in full swing did nothing for the temperature. It just magnified the winter beauty that this part of Ann Arbor and Huron River Drive gives off. Again -16 degrees, brrrr.

It was a shivering but fun morning doing one of favorite Ann Arbor activities, getting a coffee and going for a drive down Huron River Drive.

Have you ever found yourself in bitter cold conditions in your travels? Ever come into contact with a Polar Vortex?

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Posted in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Road Trip, winter

Tagged Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor coffee, coffee, coffee shop, Michigan, midwest travel, polar vortex, road trip, Roos Roast, winter

The 2018 Coffee Moment(s) for Me

Posted on December 29, 2018 | Leave a comment

Happy Holidays to all! 2018 is almost in the books. It’s been another coffee filled year. Shocking I know! I’ve enjoyed numerous coffees via the AeroPress, French Press and various pour over devices along with an endless number and variety of specialty lattes. That is just the tip of the iceberg.

My coffee experiences this year have been confined to mostly the Ann Arbor area in Michigan. Traveling has been infrequent as we got ready for and brought another little future coffee drinker into the world.

2018 in coffee is highlighted by the Pixgram Video below. The background song choice this year is “Waking Up” by Dexter Britain. How fitting since I tend to drink a lot of my coffee in the waking hours of the day!

The cover photo honor and most memorable moment this year goes to a summer experience I had at Comet Coffee. I took part in a Japanese iced coffee tasting as part of Ann Arbor’s first Caffeine Crawl. What a day bouncing between shops, mingling with shop owners, baristas and other fellow coffee lovers. It was also memorable because it increased my interest for learning about cold coffee. In fact you have to love any coffee experience at this shop because it sits right within the architecturally beautiful Nickels Arcade right across from the University of Michigan.

All of the coffee photos in the video came from my Coffee Ann Arbor Instagram account. The memorable experiences in this little part of the world for coffee lovers seems to be endless.

Too many more coffee moments in 2019! I look forward to seeing you all in Ann Arbor and beyond out on the caffeinated open road. Cheers! Aaron

Check out the great coffee moments from last year in The 2017 Coffee Moment(s) for Me.

Experiencing Ann Arbor Fall Colors in Nichols Arboretum

Posted on November 7, 2018 | 4 comments

In all my time around Ann Arbor I had never gone on a stroll through the vast and hilly Nichols Arboretum, “the Arb”, in the Fall. I had the chance to walk the western end of the park the other day alongside University of Michigan Hospital. It sure did not disappoint.

I found myself looking up, up, up at the taller than life trees as I captured Ann Arbor Fall colors. I walked amongst 100-year-old native and exotic trees in a 123-acre landscaped masterpiece which is co-owned by the University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor.

Nichols Arboretum is a highly recommended spot for photographers, going for a walk or run or just getting away from it all for a few.

The Huron riverfront, vast hills and subsequent climbing, along with all of the walking trails made for a memorable Autumn experience.

Up-top the tallest of the hills I exited the Autumn beauty finding myself on E. Medical Center Drive at the hospital.

Tip: Don’t put the camera away if exiting here. I was able to capture beautiful views of the surrounding area just outside “the Arb” as I walked alongside the hospital entrances.

Where else would you recommend capturing Ann Arbor Fall colors from?

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Posted in Ann Arbor, Autumn, Michigan

Tagged Ann Arbor, arboretum, Autumn, Autumn colors, fall colors, fall leaves, Michigan, Midwest, midwest travel, Nichols Arboretum

The 2018 Edition of Pure Michigan Fall Colors

Posted on November 3, 2018 | 15 comments

This year’s edition of Autumn is almost done in Pure Michigan and the Midwest.

To be honest you really can’t go wrong anywhere this time of year in Michigan. The beautiful red, yellow and orange Michigan fall colors will pop out at you at a moment’s notice. What makes it exciting is that every year is different due to the weather. Things will change earlier or later and in different patterns then you expect. I kind of like the Fall colors mixed in with the greens of summer. The more colors to capture in one spot I say the better!

Most of my Fall color exploration was confined again to the Ann Arbor area. Well without further ado:

Parker Mill County Park, Ann Arbor Fall colors

A go to Fall spot, Parker Mill County Park on the east end of Ann Arbor.

A scenic place for children to run and play in Ann Arbor at Island Park.

Fall leaves dot the landscape at Fuller Park in Ann Arbor. The world-renowned University of Michigan hospital straight ahead.

Go-to Ann Arbor neighborhood spot to capture Fall colors. Argo Drive alongside Beckley Park.

Go-to Ann Arbor neighborhood spot to capture Fall colors. Argo Drive alongside Beckley Park.

Looking up, up, up for the bright colors of the season.

Frosty morning at Beckley Park in Ann Arbor.

Frosts, hard freezes and Fall colors work beautifully together.

Hard freezes and frosts are beautiful to capture at dawn amongst the colors.

Out on the open dirt road trail at Huron Meadows Metropark.

Huron Meadows Metropark, Brighton, Michigan fall foliage

I might like spending time at Huron Meadows Metropark in Brighton in Fall.

Huron Meadows Metropark, Brighton, Michigan

My favorite Fall tree which changes color before all the others. Fall has begun in Huron Meadows Metro Park in Brighton.

I head out on that Michigan dirt road once a week in Fall every year to capture Huron Meadows Metropark Fall colors.

Fall Roadtrip along Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor

A Fall drive along Huron River Drive is a must Ann Arbor and Michigan experience.

Fall Roadtrip along Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Always have the camera out and ready along Ann Arbor’s Huron River Drive.

Pure Michigan fall colors coming to life in Livingston County.

The colors of summer and Fall work beautifully together.

Romantic Fall picnic anyone?!

Hanging out alongside the Huron River at dawn just outside Ann Arbor.

Historic Delhi road bridge, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Recommended stop. A drive or walk across the historic Delhi road bridge over the Huron River.

Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor Fall colors

Delhi Road at Huron River Drive just west of Ann Arbor.

You never know where you’ll find Michigan Fall color magic. At Huron Meadows Metropark.

The bright reds, oranges and yellows of the season.

Love going into trees and looking straight up.

Colors popping at Mount Brighton. That means skiing down those hills is coming soon!

Strolling Kensington Metropark in Milford at dawn.

Autumn sunrise, Kensington Park, Milford, Michigan

Watching an Autumn sunrise over Kent Lake in Kensington Metropark.

Out on the open Kensington Metropark trail in Milford.

Out on the open Pure Michigan Fall color trail.

Random Washtenaw County dirt road Fall color exploration.

A spot to just stare out without a care in the world. The bridge at Barton Nature Area in Ann Arbor.

A scenic backdrop for kids to play at. At Fuller Park in Ann Arbor.

A scenic backdrop for kids to play at. At Fuller Park in Ann Arbor.

Island Park Fall goodness in Ann Arbor.

Random dirt road exploration in Washtenaw County.

Brighton and Livingston County, Michigan fall colors

Get out on Winans Lake Road in Brighton and Livingston County during the Fall season.

Corn maze at Chamber Farm on Farley, Pinckney, Michigan

Corn maze fun amongst the colors at Chambers Farm on Farley in Pinckney.

Check out some of the Michigan fall colors I captured last year in The 2017 Edition of Autumn in Pure Michigan.

Where have you gone around home or in your travels to capture this years Fall colors?

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Posted in Ann Arbor, Autumn, Michigan

Tagged Ann Arbor, Autumn, Autumn colors, Brighton Michigan, fall colors, fall leaves, Livingston County, Michigan, Midwest, midwest travel, road trip

Out on the Open Road Ann Arbor Winter Style

Posted on March 8, 2018 | 6 comments

Being “Out on the Open Road” can be a challenge in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Midwest during the winter months. Road conditions and the resulting slow times in the car can get on my nerves like many at times. It is was worth it though when I’m able to see the beautiful snow scenes that this time of year produces. This was especially true on some recent drives on and around Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor. Well without further ado.