For the past week, a pair of British content creators have been roaming across Michigan, posting their enthusiastic first impressions of the Mitten State on social media — and their reactions have sparked a following and Michigan’s overall approval.
The two social media stars, known online as “Josh & Jace” are from the United Kingdom. The pair also have visited Louisiana and Texas. This time they landed in Michigan the week of Jan. 10 and began their statewide tour in South Haven, where they marveled at Lake Michigan.
“There is no way you’re telling me that is a lake,” Josh said online on Jan. 11. “That is the Pacific Ocean, mate!”
So far, they have covered the west side of the state while working their way northward. In short clips online, they captured their disbelief of Lake Michigan’s size, sand and wave action; they have dined at recommended restaurants, including Sleder’s Family Tavern in Traverse City and Wally’s Bar & Grill in Saugatuck; and they even attended a Hope College basketball game while visiting Holland.
The pair also tried sledding for the first time at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and visited Boyne Mountain’s “Iglu” and 118-foot high suspension SkyBridge — which they considered a warmup to crossing the Mackinac Bridge.
“We are here at Boyn-eee Mountain!” the duo exclaimed in a video from the golf, ski and waterpark resort before heading out to try the SkyBridge and other attractions.
Josh and Jace have thoroughly documented their first impressions of Michigan’s harsh winter and various foods and attractions. Their following on TikTok has reached 1.6 million as of Jan. 21.
The two take local recommendations online to seek out that state’s hidden gems — and they take suggestions seriously.
Recently, their journey north had to pause.
On Monday, Jan. 19, Josh was hospitalized after being diagnosed with a bulging disc and a ligament tear in his lower back. As of Wednesday, Josh was resting with medication — including Vernors — a bottle was handed to him during his hospital visit to introduce its “healing powers,” he said he was told.
In addition to Vernors, Josh has also been shocked to learn about drive-thru pharmacies, which they don’t have in the United Kingdom.
“When I said I wanted to experience everything American, the health care system was not on my bucket list… Well at least I can tick that one off now,” Josh said on Facebook on Jan. 19.
The pair have not announced when they will continue their tour.
Here’s how to keep tabs on Josh and Jace in Michigan:
How can I watch Josh & Jace’s travel content?
The British travel content creators post regularly on their socials: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube or on Josh’s Facebook page. They encourage locals to give recommendations via the comment sections to dictate where they venture to next.
According to the comment sections on their TikTok, Michigan residents have recommended ice fishing, attending a hockey game, the ice motorcycle races in Gwinn in the U.P., Detroit-style pizza, and wearing warmer winter clothes amid the surge of Arctic air.
Where are Josh & Jace visiting next in Michigan?
According to their recent travel posts, they were last at Boyne Mountain and intended on continuing north, eventually to the U.P., though they have not confirmed plans.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Who are Josh & Jace? British social media stars experience Michigan
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
