It was exciting to come up with an idea for a new game. But coming up with a name for the new card game proved difficult. The working title that I used, “Islands”, was useful when talking about the project with friends and family. But the name, while descriptive of the game’s central theme, was too generic. I wanted something that was distinctive. Something that would be memorable. And, importantly, a name that would work well on the web.
Michigan: The Great Lakes State
I proudly call Michigan my home. “The Great Lakes State” is the only state consisting of two peninsulas. These peninsulas are connected by “The Mighty Mac”, an incredible five mile long suspension bridge. But that’s a story for another time. The state is surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. Michigan is also home to more than 11,000 inland lakes. You are never more than six miles from a lake when you are in Michigan. So it should come as no surprise that Michigan is also home to a large number of islands.
Michigan’s Manitou Islands
I pondered a name for my new card game for some time, brainstorming ideas with friends and bouncing ideas off anyone who would listen. Many seemed like solid options but none really struck the right note with me. So I continued to ponder. And ponder. Sometimes, breakthroughs happen when you least expect. Without consciously thinking about a name for the game, it hit me. Islands. Michigan. Places I love. Things I love doing. These concepts all converged on a single theme. Michigan’s Manitou Islands.
Adventuring on the Manitou Islands
The Manitou Islands are part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which boasts a 35 mile stretch of Lake Michigan’s coastline. The park is also home to North and South Manitou Islands. These islands are near and dear to me. I have fond memories of camping there with my father and two older brothers when I was just a kid (in hindsight, it probably wasn’t a good idea to smuggle all those snakes home with us – sorry Mom). I carried on the tradition by bringing my own kids to the islands and sharing my passion for the outdoors with them. I’ve visited the islands a half dozen times or more over the years and each adventure adds a new, rich chapter to the memory book.
Manitou was the obvious name for my new card game – a memorable name, connected to the game’s theme, and connected to me.
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