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With the  sun shining (and snow melting!), I’ve been able to enjoy my very favorite thing in the Mt. Pleasant area; the expansive, beautiful parks system built around the Chippewa River in both Mt. Pleasant proper and Isabella County.

In MIllpond Park, the river is high and bubbling with running water overshadowing ice from the winter. I can tell it’s the first days that hint at spring, because the park is full of people walking, running and trying to bike on trails that still have snow and ice in some spots.

 

 

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For the Morning Sun I frequent the parks, looking for feature photo opportunities. There hasn’t been a March in 15 years when I haven’t smiled noticing how many people are suddenly filling the paths and spaces in the parks.

 

 

 

 

 

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I love to venture anywhere along the Chippewa, and finally can again with the thaw. Isabella County parks are waking up, and the photo opportunities have been lovely already.

 

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The Chippewa is first on my list when I start to explain what I love about the Mt. Pleasant area. I am now impatiently waiting for all the ice to melt and temps to be a little warmer so I can start paddling!

 

 

 

photo 5Lisa Yanick-Jonaitis has been a journalist  for the Morning Sun for 15 years and you can hear her chat about news and community every weekday morning with the Breakfast Flakes on 95.3 WCFX. She is also a mentor-in-residence at Central Michigan University Research Corporation and a member of the United Way of Isabella County board. Yanick-Jonaitis moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1995 to attend Central MIchigan University, graduated in 2000 with a Bachelors of Art in Journalism, and has since adopted Mt. Pleasant as her own and town of choice to raise her two children. You can find her on social media by following  @liasyj_msun on Twitter or lisayanickjonaitis on Facebook and Instagram.