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......