Do you follow @sanctuary_of_the_great_lakes on Instagram? If not, don’t miss out on another year of Alpena’s best photo-ops! Here is a recap of our fan favorites for the year of 2018:

Nothing stopped us from going to the beach…not even the month of January.

Photo by Steve Jakubcin

Alpena boat harbor. Photo by Steve Jakubcin

In February we adventured with 4-legged friends.

Photo by Sandy Blumenthal

Wintertime trail adventure. Photo by Sandy Blumenthal

In March, local Morning Doves Joseph and Josephina found relaxed outdoor recreation here at the CVB tourism office!

Visit the Alpena Welcome Center at 420 N. 2nd Ave.

Visit the Alpena Welcome Center at 420 N. 2nd Ave.

In April, we experienced somewhere around the 3rd or 4th winter in between almost spring, fake spring, and the spring of deceit.

Final snow melt off of the Blair Street Pier

Final snow melt off of the Blair Street Pier

May brought us some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Michigan…

Photo by Brandon Gibson

Rock pier by the boat harbor. Photo by Brandon Gibson

…and in June we adjusted our sails for another summer in our Sanctuary.

Alpena's small boat harbor

Alpena’s small boat harbor

July brought us warm/humid weather as we celebrated another year of independence in true Alpena style.

Waiting for more candy at the 4th of July Parade! Photo by Holly Sosa

Waiting for more candy at the 4th of July Parade! Photo by Holly Sosa

While August brought us sunshine by day and the Northern Lights by night.

New Presque Isle Lighthouse. Photo by Taran Schatz

We got back into the groove of school days in September…

The “Little Free Library” in the Chisholm Street pocket park. Photo by Miranda Knudtson.

…and took in the sights and sounds of a season change in October.

Storm over Starlite Beach

Autumn on the trails. Photo by Natalie Koreis

Autumn on the trails. Photo by Natalie Koreis

The leaves fell and crunched beneath our feet in November…

Avery Park in Old Downtown Alpena

…and before we knew it, it was winter again in December!

Christmas trees for sale off US23 North. Photo by Steve Jakubcin

 

*Featured image of sunrise at Blair Street Pier at the top of page by Justin Christensen-Cooper