Last week a friend and I decided we needed an adventure, but neither of us had time for a long, fully planned and packed adventure.

But I have been feeling a keen need to find something amazing to photograph, something outside my own home and local parks. My friend had explored a colorful place, several weeks ago, just an hour north of us.

I asked her to take me there.

I mean — Saginaw Michigan just screams adventure. Right?

Of course right!

Saginaw is near the Shiawasee National Wildlife Refuge where you’ve all hiked with me to see pelicans and eagles and sandhill cranes.

Saginaw is not far from the Chippewa Nature Center where I’ve brought you along to find stunning color in the fall.

Saginaw isn’t even far from Midland Michigan and it’s Dow Gardens complete with a walk in the tree canopy. You’ve been with me there too, at least a couple times.

But this time we went to visit the Saginaw Shine Bright Mural Project.

And let me tell you, this place satisfied all my photography cravings in one big ole splat of gorgeous color.

Though I don’t know that it’s a location I’d want to explore alone, and certainly not at night, it was fun to spend a bit of time there with someone else who appreciated the art. It’s huge and it’s bright and it will definitely make you smile.

No matter the angle you view it from, whether you sit in your car and admire it from across the river or get all up close and personal, it’s well worth the visit.

And on the way home we stopped for a barn.

Of course.