Looking for a joy ride to take in autumn’s visual symphony of color? According to Triple AAA, our bright, sunny days and cool nights this September should bring a great fall display in southern Michigan by mid-late October.

Threeolbags decided to head west and explore small town activities across southern Michigan. Our day trip took us to Saline where hospitality still offers a warm welcome to all who pass by. Located just eight miles southwest of US 23 and I 94, this tidy, quiet town offers a glimpse of a close-knit community who is proud of their history.

We stopped by The Drowsy Parrot for a delicious cup of cappuccino and delectable pastries. The coffee house is located in what used to be the old library in Saline.

The owner, Terry Morrow, is a graduate of the culinary arts school at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mi. She bought the building next door and opened the Queen of Hearts Bakery where she creates all the homemade pastries sold at The Drowsy Parrot. Morrow also takes special orders for wedding cakes. Most of her employees are college students who enjoy the camaraderie and flexible hours offered at the Drowsy Parrot. Besides espresso, specialty teas and scrumptious desserts, the menu also features made-to-order sandwiches and soups in season. The Drowsy Parrot also sells books and novelty t-shirts. Local residents prove to be loyal customers who frequent the shop daily and help promote its continued success.

As ThreeOlBags walked around Saline, we discovered a Farmer’s Market. Here farmers from miles around bring their produce to market. Fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and original artwork are displayed on tables behind their open pickup trucks. We chatted with Jonathan Goetz from Riga, MI, which is about an hour south of Saline, who owns the Goetz’s Greenhouse. Goetz was selling bushel baskets of home grown tomatoes, onions and potatoes. He also brought along some of his wife’s homemade autumn wreaths to sell. The Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday morning (8:00 a.m. until noon) from the first of May until the end of October.

ThreeOlBags found more than fifteen restaurants in town, like Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack and Marco Polo Restaurant both located on Michigan Avenue. With so many places to choose from, all palates are sure to find satisfaction in Saline.

We enjoyed meandering through Murphy’s Crossing where we found some specialty shops like Cobblestone Rose, whose European country furnishings feature the best of country living.

The Calico Cat is a book and gift shop located in a historical Methodist/Episcopal church built in 1899. The stained glass windows are exquisite to behold. They also have an annex store devoted entirely to the Christmas season.

If you are looking for a unique setting for your wedding or anniversary ceremony, check out Weller’s Carriage House. They have everything you need for a beautiful ceremony and reception, complete with a Honeymoon Package, which features Maui, Hawaii, as the destination. The building was originally built in 1845, then later purchased by Henry Ford and converted to a soybean mill. Here they processed soybean oil and used it to make plastic car parts and even soybean-based paint for his car factories. Today the buildings have been completely refurbished and are now a part of the Saline Historic District. You can have a free walking tour every Saturday at 1:00 pm.

ThreeOlBags learned about a unique group of thirty Saline High School students who represent everything positive about teenagers today. They manage to juggle school, jobs, and church activities in order to perform with the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic. The students have to compete for auditions, maintain academic excellence and have a reputation of personal integrity.

The group was started in 1994 to learn traditional American fiddle music and perform to small audiences. Since then, the Fiddlers have averaged 75 concerts each year and added the Fiddler Cloggers to their routine. They have been invited to perform twice at the White House, toured in Scotland, and have taken part in the Calgary Stampede. In November, 2002, the Fiddlers were in concert with Norman Blake, one of the greatest folk legends on guitar, mandolin, dobro, and fiddle, and Peter Ostroushko, a composer of bluegrass, classical, and Ukrainian folk songs. The concert contained a combination of bluegrass, Celtic, and western swing music. Each Fall and Spring they give back to the surrounding community in a Hometown Concert performed at their local high school. For more about the Fiddlers and their current schedule, check out their web site at www.salinefiddlers.com

For you sports enthusiasts out there, Saline offers the Bear Creek Hunt Club, located in the center of Southeast Michigan’s premier pheasant hunting region. After your adventure, they provide a rustic clubhouse where you can relax and compare stories with other avid hunters. The Rustic Glen Golf Course provides a delightful afternoon on an eight-hole course that is sure to offer a challenge for both beginner and experienced golfers.

Salt City Antiques in Saline is located in a stone house built in the turn of the century. It has twelve rooms filled with collectable treasures provided by many different dealers. If you can’t find what you are looking for, just ask. Their dealers aim to please.

We found out the city of Saline, just four square miles, is a happening place all year round. Summer time brings 10,000 visitors to the Saline Celtic Festival. The Rentschler Farm, owned by the City of Saline, is a replica of a working American farm at the turn of the century. The Chamber of Commerce announces upcoming events throughout the year.

These beautiful autumn days compel us to set aside a weekend afternoon to explore our Great Lake State. ThreeOlBags were happy to oblige and immensely enjoyed seeing the sights in Saline.

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