May 5, 2021
"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." —Henry David Thoreau
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." —John Burroughs
As we drive over the man-made Mackinac Bridge, I am thinking this is going to be a long day. Our plan is to drive up to Lake Superior to the east end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Drive west through the park then south to Seney National Wildlife Refuge. I am also excited because we will be hiking in as many places as possible until the sun sets tonight.
When driving in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, you spend most of your time in some kind of State or National Forest.
Christy found this place online. The Helmer House Inn was built in 1881. We stopped here for their Bakery & Cafe. We picked up some tasty baked goods for our day trip in the UP.
After several hours in the car, we were all happy to be hiking to Sable Falls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Yeti is telling me, "try to keep up old man!".
Our first look at Lake Superior, this is the third great lake the dogs have been in on this trip.
Yeti isn't used to rocky beaches, but he seems to love being here.
Christy walking her little polar bear on the beach.
Christy spotted this Giant Waterbug on the rocks. It turns out this waterbug has a nasty bite.
The sand dunes here look like they have taken a beating recently. Just like the ones back home on Southern Lake Michigan.
We stopped to check out Sable Falls.
I love the sound of waterfalls. It is so relaxing. I could sit here for hours.
This was a memorable little hike. But it is time to go, we have more places to visit.
This visitor center was not open. The east end of this park is not the main entrance. The west entrance in Munising is the main entrance.
Our next stop was a hike out to the Au Sable Light Station.
This old dirt road is also part of the North Country Trail.
The rules are a bit confusing about where dogs are allowed. So I stopped to read this Pets at The Park post. Of course, I was immediately distracted by The Poop Fairy notice. I must still be twelve years old because seeing the word poop always makes me laugh.
Yeti checking to see if dogs are allowed on this trail.
Christy & Nola enjoying a hike along Lake Superior.
That is the first patch of blue sky we've seen since our first day of this trip. It looks glorious and now I'm even more excited to be hiking here.
We climbed down to the lake to get the dogs a drink.
More blue sky...thank you Mother Nature.
Nola and Yeti look as excited as I am about seeing the lighthouse.
The Au Sable Light Station and grounds.
Nola and Christy looking at the pictured rocks in Lake Superior
There is so much color in the lake here.
I just can't help myself.
We did spend about 30 minutes talking with this young couple who were hiking the North Country Trail. We always seem to meet interesting people on our hikes.
Christy took the dogs so I could take more pictures of the lighthouse. She doesn't love history like I do.
Our next stop was a hike to Miners Falls.
Interesting flowers in the UP.
We had beautiful blue skies and sunshine all afternoon.
Miners Fall from the top of the stairs.
Miners Falls from the middle of the stairs.
Miners Falls from the bottom of the stairs.
We stopped at Munising Falls but the parking lot was packed. So we grabbed some pasties for dinner in town. If you don't know what pasties are click here.
We stopped here on our way south from Munising.
This was a nice hike to an impressive waterfall.
On our way out of here, I pulled over to photograph a roadside waterfall.
We have a long drive back to our cabin...
...but we still have daylight so we stopped at Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
We started on the Pine Ridge Nature Trail.
I've never seen red lilypads.
The sun was low in the sky but it lit this hike beautifully.
This trail has several decks over the wetlands.
It was a beautiful evening for a hike.
This trail took us into a pine forest...
...and grassland where we saw this sandhill crane hanging out.
He seemed to be enjoying the late afternoon sun as much as we were.
The colors were magnified by the low sun and deep blue sky.
Even Yeti seems impressed with Mother Nature treating us to a wonderful day outside.
These two passed out about two minutes after we left Seney NWR.
We were driving back to the Mackinac Bridge along Lake Michigan on Route 2. I saw this view in my rearview mirror and pulled off the road at a rest stop. We walked along the beach as the sunset.
This was the historical marker at the rest area. I was so excited we stopped here when I saw this sign. I have now been at the southernmost and northernmost points of Lake Michigan. Somehow all our crazy ideas on how to spend our free time occasionally turn into an incredible memory. Today was one of those days.
I enjoyed Part 2. Always great photos & your narrative & thoughts makes it even better.
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