Michigan Part 1

We began our journey through Michigan in the upper peninsula on the Keweenaw Peninsula.  Traveled to the northern most part of Michigan to Copper Harbor.  This is where US 41 begins, ending in Miami.  Boarded a ferry for a 3 1/2 hour ride into the heart of Lake Superior, heading to Isle Royale.  Isle Royale is the least visited of all the US National Parks.  The only transportation once you arrive on the island is by foot or boat.  We rented a "housekeeping cabin" for a night.  We hiked quite a few of the trails and even saw a moose.  

The Beginning of US 41 at Copper Harbor

Boarding the Ferry to Isle Royale

Rock Harbor Lodge on Isle Royale

Our cabin on Isle Royale

Moose from a LONG way away

Hiking on Isle Royale

We crossed paths with this ore carrier on Lake Superior. Over 1000 feet long!!!

Copper Harbor Lighthouse

After our return to the mainland, we headed to Munising, Michigan.  This area is know for the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  Took a boat cruise along the lake shore and saw many beautiful sights.  The campground was right on the lake, directly across from Grand Island.  We did get our kayaks into Lake Superior and made our way to Big Furnace.  This is one of many historical iron ore melting facilities in the upper peninsula.  A beautiful kayak and we were amazed that we could see the bottom the entire trip.  We were about 35 miles from Marquette, so took one day to drive over and ride our bikes on the wonderful paths in the city.  Rode to Presque Isle Point where we had more beautiful views of the Superior lakeshore.

Miners Castle from hike above

Pictured Rocks from boat cruise

Pictured Rocks from boat cruise

Indian Face Rock

Grand Island Lighthouse

Miners Falls

Big Furnace

Museum along bike path in Marquette

View from Presque Isle Point

Presque Isle Point lighthouse

We spent one day hiking on the North Country Trail along the cliffs above Pictured Rocks and had these beautiful views along the way.

Beautiful spot for lunch

The clear water of Lake Superior

Our destination with Spray Falls  and a boat in the background

Headed further east to Tahquamenon Falls State Park.  The upper falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi with 50,000 gallons of water PER SECOND cascading over the falls.  We hiked from the lower falls to the upper and back for a total of 8 miles and then enjoyed the Tahquamenon Brewery as our reward!!

Tannin stained upper falls

Tannin stained lower falls

We took a day trip to Whitefish Point to visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. This narrow area in Lake Superior is one of the most deadly in the lake.  This is where the Edmond Fitzgerald sank just off shore.  29 men lost their lives in this disaster in 1975.

We will now cross the Mackinaw bridge and explore some of the lower peninsula of Michigan.  More on those adventures later......

Wisconsin Part 2

From Madison we traveled to Kohler-Andre State Park.  The Village of Kohler built up around  the manufacturing of Kohler products.  This is also the home of Whistling Straits golf course.  After our 3 hour tour of the Kohler plant and our visit to Whistling Straits, we will never look at toilets, tubs, sinks and golf courses the same again. While the Kohler Design center was full of beautiful Kohler products, the plant tour was amazing and is highly recommended.  The pictures can only describe the golf course.

Kohler Design Center

Tubs, Toilets, Sinks and Faucets Galore!!

Entrance to Whistling Straits

This hole backs up to Lake Michigan

The clubhouse

Then on to beautiful Door County.  We stayed at Potowatomi State Park.  Did some sight seeing, bike riding and played the Peninsular State Park golf course.  Also attended our first ever fish boil.  Quite a fun night out.  Here are few pictures of the lighthouses and views on the peninsular.

Sturgeon Bay from Potowatomi Observation Tower

Cave Point

Cave Point view

Cana Island Lighthouse

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsular State Park

Flowers in the park

Blooms on the beach

Golf at Peninsular State Park

Fish for the fish boil

Dinner is done!!

From here we made our way to Oshkosh to ride a bike trail and visit the Air Museum.  Did not have the best weather but did enjoy the museum and two days of riding.  

Biking the Wiouwash State Trail

On to the most northern part of Wisconsin and the Apostle Islands.  The stop started out with three straight days of rain.  Luckily it finally cleared, and our friends, Nan and John Banks, came to Bayfield for a visit.  We also took a day to ferry to Madeline Island where we rode to Big Bay State Park and did some hiking. 

View from our hike to the sea caves in Bayfield

Had to cross the river on fallen trees!!

John, Nan, Cheryl and Steve at Bayfield Harbor

Headed to Madeline Island on the ferry

Hiking on Madeline Island

View of Lake Superior from Madeline Island hike

It is now on to Michigian......