Michigan Shopping

Ascending Spirit Healing Center and Gift Shop: Metaphysical Finds in Gladwin

by M_Nuance

Mid Michigan has some charming places, but is, admittedly, a bit light on alternative culture and holistic businesses. So, it was quite a surprise to stumble across a Reiki healing shop. Equally refreshing was the adjoining shop teeming with healing stones, sage, incense, mystic candles and a treasure of metaphysical/spiritual finds. Handmade, Mexican yoga mats in Gladwin County? Who knew?I'm always impressed with the fresh feel inside Ascending Spirit. Stone, wood and crisp, lightly tinted walls -- there's nothing cheesy or seedy about the shop. Even though it's a small shop, it is never lacking for unique, must-have items. Probably the only supplier of Crystal Journey Candles, and handmade incense in Mid Michigan, but I wouldn't stop shopping at those. There are books on a variety of religions, philosophies and metaphysical interests, detailed healing stones and some wonderfully...

Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland: The World's Largest Christmas Store

by Stephen-KarenConn

Don't get separated from your wife here, or it may take a very long time to find her again. This family owned business is so huge they give you a map when you enter the store so you can find your way around the 7 acres of buildings. You would do well to make a note of which entrance you came in also, so you can find your way out again. Bronner's records more than 2 million visitors annually and they are open 361 days per year. Much more than just a shop, Bronner's also has numerous displays throughout, depicting Christmas from around the world, which makes it a very interesting free museum. Over 100 style of nutcrackers and 400 Nativity scenes are among more than 50,000 trims and gifts available at Bronner's. If it has to do with Christmas, you will probably find it here.

Cabela's: North Dioirama: African Exhibit

by Stephen-KarenConn

The North Diorama in Cabelas (pictured here) showcases the African Big Five: Elephant, Rhinoceros, Leopard, Cape Buffalo and Lion - up close and in action. We marveled at the skill of the taxdermist in creating such amazing lifelike scenes. The animals look as though they were frozen in time. At the South Diorama you will discover exotic big-game animals from Russia and the South Pacific, displayed in their natural habitat.

Cabela's: Largest Outdoor Gear Store in the USA

by Stephen-KarenConn

Cabela's of Dundee has become the number one tourist attraction in Michigan since it's opening in the fall of 2000. The 225,000- square-foot complex, costing $60 million, sits in the middle of an 150 acre site which is being developed with hotels, restaurants, a campground and other complimentary businesses. It was the sixth in Cabela's chain of retail outlets, which boasts itself to be the "The World's Foremost Outfitter." Cabela's of Dundee is much more than just a store. The centerpiece of the building is "Conservation Mountain," a 35-foot-tall mountain wildlife exhibit complete with waterfall and stream. There are several other displays which are designed to dazzle the outdoor enthusiast and promote wildlife conservation. There is even a 65,000 gallon walk-through freshwater aquarium and a trout stream full of huge fish running through the store. We don't hunt and seldom fish, but we...

Cabela's: World-Class Muesum-Quality Dioramas

by Stephen-KarenConn

This Polar Bear, fending off a pack of Timber Wolves over his Musk Ox prey, is just one example of numerous displays that you will see at Cabela's of Dundee. There are African scenes complete with Lions and Elephant, Bison, Elk, Deer, Mountain Lion, Pronghorn, Bear, and much, much more - to say nothing of the enormous live aquarium. We have visited several world-class museum's of natural history, and the exhibits you will see at Cabela's are of a quality equal to the best. It's free to view, even if you don't buy a thing.

http://resources.hewitt.com/key/

by Eric-Sabin