Vacation season has just about arrived, and I can't think of anywhere better to travel than right here in Michigan.

This rich, diverse area is teeming with activities and opportunities to match almost any interest - where else can you cross-country ski, fish for lake trout and dance the night away at an electronic music festival within the borders of one state?

I recently made my first trip to the Upper Peninsula. I'm from Ohio, so I had only heard rumors about the area's rustic charm. I expected to see some beautiful scenery, but the endless green forests and the pristine, Caribbean-esque blue of Lake Superior's lonely, southern shores confirmed my loyalty to the state I now call home. And that was before I tried the fresh whitefish.

And speaking of food, the homemade fudge, peanut brittle, freshwater taffy and smoked lake fish that proliferate in the Upper Peninsula almost make the long drive worth it.

Not only is Michigan surrounded by one of the most breathtaking lake systems in the world, but the Michigan Department of Natural Resources also has to preserved miles and miles of shoreline in the form of easily accessible state parks.

I'm a proponent of the state park system because it promotes low-cost, nature-oriented places to camp, fish, hike, boat or just lounge on the beach.

The Michigan DNR also keeps the best interest of the state's wildlife and natural habitats in mind - by protecting and preserving the creatures and places that are so important in keeping the state beautiful and environmentally functional.

But while Michigan is home to some of the most enchanting natural areas in the nation, there's plenty to do for the non-nature lover.

Detroit is, admittedly, no New York City or Paris, and will likely never even be on par with a city like Chicago. But Detroit has its a fair share of great festivals and concerts that can send the most levelheaded, indie-music kid drooling.

Summer's a great time to check out the many local music festivals around the state dedicated to jazz, techno, traditional Hiawatha American Indian music and blues, as well as plenty of other summer festivals honoring everything from local artists to the U.S. Coast Guard to cherries.

It's no wonder tourism is one of Michigan's largest industries, second only to manufacturing - and we all know where that industry has been heading in recent years.

Considering the Big Three are stagnating in their own bad decisions and state officials are still struggling to restore order to the floundering state budget, Michigan will benefit from all of the money travelers spend.

Because Michigan's economy is in such disrepair, it's all the more important for us Michiganians to support our state with our wallets whenever possible. Purchasing locally grown or caught food, and camping or staying in locally owned resorts and motels, keeps our dollars in the state where they're sorely needed.

As a promoter of local and sustainable food systems, I had a great, reassuring moment on my trip when I was back in the Lower Peninsula.

I stopped at a little family-owned bakery in Northport, at the top of the Leelanau Peninsula, for some homemade cherry turnovers.

When I asked the store owner if she used Traverse City-area cherries in her baking, she frowned and said no - the cherries she used were more local than Traverse City.

Traverse City is only about 30 miles away from Northport, and I loved that the residents there really strive to purchase products as locally as possible.

It's that mindset more Michiganians should adopt in day-to-day life and when making summer plans.

Besides supporting the local and state economy, traveling within Michigan - instead of to more distant locations - can save plenty of money in gasoline and travel expenses, which are becoming harder and harder to keep up with as gas prices rise.

I understand there are plenty of other fascinating, wonderful places around the country and world to visit - I've never been west of the Mississippi River within the United States and would jump at a chance to visit the Rocky Mountains. But I encourage everybody to not forget about the amazing natural resources we have right here in Michigan.

Trust me, the lakes and forests just aren't the same in Ohio.

Liz Kersjes is The State News opinion writer. Reach her at kersjese@msu.edu.