Summer 2018 Part 5: Picturesque

Today we began with a visit to Whitefish Point, the northern-most stop on our trip and located on Lake Superior. Beyond this tip of land, the lake opens up significantly.  Numerous shipwrecks have occurred over the years around this area.

Whitefish Point on Lake Superior

Lighthouse at Whitefish Point

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located here, as is a lighthouse, keeper's quarters, and a gift shop.  Walking out on the boardwalk to view the lake here is a bit eerie; a marker memorialized the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald reminds you of the ominous nature of the lake.  The winds were calm on our visit and the lake appeared inviting, but reading the panels in the museum lets me know that the waves can be terribly dangerous on the lake.

Edmund Fitzgerald memorial at Whitefish Point, MI

The museum fee seemed a bit steep, but considering it's open less than half the year, I suppose we must pay for the other half of the year, too.  Nevertheless, the exhibits were informative and several artifacts were fascinating.  I especially like the Fresnel lens -- reminds me of Waterford crystal -- ha! But no pictures of it.

A guide offered lots of information about the U.S. Lifesaving Service; he knew his subject and was passionate about it.  Wooden boats with paddles to the rescue!

Turning southwest, we visited Tahquamenon Falls.  Two of the Lower Falls were visible from the visitor center overlook; knowing our time schedule for the day, we skipped the mile long trail to view the others.  Then we drove the four miles to the Upper Falls, where we hiked the half mile and 160+ stairs to view the falls.  Despite being above the 45th parallel, it was quite warm here on this day and the exercise had our blood pumping.  We left sweaty.

Lower Falls 

Lower Falls

Upper Falls

Upper Falls

We continued our journey to, perhaps, my favorite of all the sites on this trip: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  At the dock, the town of Munsining was having a Tuesday afternoon farmer's market complete with a local band.  We bought a blueberry vanilla loaf with lemon glaze and some banana bread - breakfast for the next few days.

As we began our Painted Rocks National Lakeshore tour, we saw this lighthouse on the opposite shore.

Our six o'clock boat tour of the rocky face cliffs was a perfect choice.  The late afternoon sun illuminated the rocks in breathtaking fashion.  A photographer's dream.

Our boat captain narrated the out-tour noting the many structures, teaching us about the seeping minerals giving color to the rocks.

Bridal Veil Falls

Kayaks on Lake Superior along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshor

Staining on the rocky face is caused by various minerals seeping out of the rocks.

Indian Head

The water was calm: great luck for us! So we got a special treat - the captain pulled the boat into a cave where we got up close with the rocky cliffs.

It was nearly nine o'clock when we departed the dock in search of dinner.  The Fish Basket, an outdoor eatery welcomed us; the cook insisted we Southerners try his whitefish, fresh from Lake Superior that day.  Glad we did; it was good!

This photo was taken after 9:00 PM . . . notice how light it still is!

We were far from camp . . . but the day had proven to be worth the trip.  Jamie spotted "more than you want to know" deer on the way; fortunately, they stayed out of the road.  A roadside rest area provided a moonlit view of Lake Michigan before we arrived back at camp.

Moonlight over Lake Michigan

Summer 2018 Part 4: Horse Powered

We boarded the 8:30 AM speed ferry to Mackinac Island.  Seventeen minutes later we disembarked at the dock to this long held #bucketlist site.  We were ahead of the crowd.

Jamie, John, Becky & Mary for the selfie shot on the ferry

Sunny skies and water spray on our ferry ride to the island

 Leaving the dock, we stepped into a street scene from a movie, or it could've been Disney World's Main Street.  Shops and restaurants lined each side of the street, while horses with buggies made their way through the street.

Street view on Mackinac Island

Some horses carried passengers; some carried supplies.  All were working.  A local pointed us toward the carriage tour headquarters where we purchased tickets and boarded a carriage with a dozen other folks to tour the island.  Horses and bicycles are the only forms of transportation available on the island; there are no cars or motorized alternatives.

Golf, anyone?

The horses were beautiful.

Our guide narrated the tour, pointing out several historical sites, and giving us insight into life on the island. It's hard for us to imagine how life slows to a standstill in the winter months here, then bustles with activity from April to October.   At one point, we traded carriages - and horses - for the second part of our tour.  We were told the different types of horses we needed for pulling us up the hill versus for strolling through the streets of town.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Three hard-working horses hauled us to the top of the hill where we were awed by the view of the lake and Arch Rock.  This limestone formation frames a view of Lake Huron like no other.

Arch Rock on Mackinac Island

View of the lake from atop Mackinac Island

We exited the carriage at the last stop.  A short walk downhill and we arrived at the Grand Hotel. And how grand it is!

The Grand Hotel

Red geraniums were so pretty on the porch at The Grand Hotel.  The Mackinac Bridge is visible on the horizon.

For $10 each we were allowed to tour the public areas of the hotel, soak up some sun rays on the massive front porch, and smell the flowers in the garden.  For an additional $37 each, we were treated to a buffet lunch nearly as massive as the porch.

A well-appointed dining room with formal place settings on a white linen tablecloth, fresh floral arrangements, dinnerware reminiscent of grandmother's china,  a view across the porch of the bluest water, a delectable selection of salads, vegetables, meats and desserts . . . an experience worth the price.

Lunch at The Grand Hotel Dining Room

View from our table

Just a few of the dessert items offered

After lunch, we relaxed on the porch, experiencing the summer island life of history's rich and famous.

Jamie conducting business on the porch at The Grand Hotel.

John soaked in a little sunshine after lunch on the porch of The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel

View of Mackinac Bridge from the porch of The Grand Hotel

The garden fountain at The Grand Hotel

Hotel shuttle

View of The Grand Hotel from the ferry

When we'd had our fill of the island, we boarded the ferry for the return trip to the Upper Peninsula, then headed north once more for the hour's drive to Sault Sainte Marie.  Lucky us: we arrived just as a couple of freighters were going through the Soo Locks.

Ship passing through the Soo Locks

Ship passing through the Soo Locks; the bridge to Canada is visible in the background.

Soo Locks

A two story viewing station sits along the locks providing a close-up view of the process.  The ship's deckhands wave and holler out "where are you from?" to onlookers.

I continue to be astonished by the size of these boats and by the amount of cargo they carry; the sheer number of containers atop the boat is amazing.

Souvenir shops beckon tourists; the freshwater taffy shop got our few dollars.