Sunday, July 10, 2022

Temperature 81 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Partially Cloudy, Mild Wind

Waterfalls in the Munising Region

Ah, what a way to begin the day. The RV park had a waffle and pancake breakfast between 8 and 10 am. I mean, goodness gracious, why cook when someone else can do it for you. So, along with a few of our fellow campers we had a delicious and hearty breakfast for a very reasonable price.

Returning to Elvira we settled in and prepared to attend church. However, that never happened today. It was such a beautiful day we both decided to make it a final day of sightseeing. It would have been nice to just sit outside but not with the ever present, ever hungry bugs swarming all around. So sightseeing it was.

Where to go? What to do? Let’s go find some waterfalls! And that dear friends is exactly what we did. Come on, we’ll share our day with you through our pictures.

This was our first stop. This scenic waterfall that drops 20 feet is nestled in among old growth hemlock and pine trees. A short walk on a paved path and a boardwalk leads to the waterfall.

This was such a tiny waterfall that it didn’t even have a marker for it. We finally found out that it is Scott Falls. The falls drop about 10 feet over a sandstone cliff into a a small pool. It is right alongside the road but because of its size it is easily missed. Ask me how I know!

This is AuTrain Falls which drops a total of about 50 feet. This one took a bit of doing to get to. However, it was oh so worth it.

It was down there and to the right. It might not look too steep, but oh it was. Of course you know the old saying, what goes down must go up. So down we went, then back up we came but moving really, really slow!

And now a few from our prior travels.

This, again, is Munising Falls. This waterfall drops 50 feet over a sandstone cliff into a pool below

and then becomes a gurgling brook that eventually flows in to Lake Superior.

Finally, we have Spray Falls which is 70 feet in height. It can only really be seen from the water which is how we were able to view it. This was the last stop on our cruise of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

There are of course so many more to be found and viewed but time was against us. Maybe someday we’ll be back and able to find a few more.

Finally, someone asked How cold is the water in Lake Superior? Well,

funny you should ask. I also wanted to know and so when I discovered a beach open to the public the kid in me was determined to find out.

Guess what? It isn’t cold at all. If I had brought my bathing suit along I would have definitely taken the plunge.

That wraps up our time in the UP. Tomorrow we began to pack and get ready to move again. We’ve really had a good time this past week and we were able to cross a number of things off our bucket list. I would have to say I’ve absolutely loved almost everything about out time up here, except for the darned bugs. They grow them big up here and they grow them in ample quantities!

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Temperature 77 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Clear Blue Skies

Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tour

Miners Castle

Munising Falls

So today we’re just hanging out in the rig. I believe we sort of tuckered ourselves out from all the running around we did the last three days. But no complaints from either of us since we sure had a good time.

Now, about yesterday. We started the day out by taking a

This is the Miss Munising. She has an overall length of 60 feet, draws just 4 feet and is powered by a single 570 HP engine.

Inside

there are two glass bottom viewing ports – one to port and one to starboard – that allow a clear view of the lake floor and everything that is there.

The tour is a two hour narrated, historical, excursion of two shipwrecks, Bermuda and Herman H. Hettler. In addition the tour includes a close up of the East Channel Lighthouse and a tour of some of the colorful rock cliffs and beaches that make up Grand Island,

The first wreck we viewed was the Bermuda. The lead picture of this blog is from their web site and gives you an idea of exactly what you see.

The Bermuda is a 150 foot wooden schooner that foundered and sank in 1870 in Murray Bay on Grand Island. Her top deck is just 12 feet below the water’s surface where she has remained for 128 years.

The story is told that she was loaded in Marquette with 488 tons of iron ore. However, this being the last run of the season the captain wishing to make it a truly profitable one stuffed in another 88 tons. The captain and crew made it as far as Munising where the Bermuda’s seams began to open up and she began taking on water. The captain sought shelter in Murray Bay intending to make repairs and continue the journey. That was not to be. The ship sank almost immediately after entering the bay.

Eventually, almost all of the ship’s highly prized iron ore was salvaged. Today, the ship provides the opportunity to study an intact mid-19th century canal schooner.

I tried taking some pictures, unfortunately, though clear when viewed in person, the pictures didn’t really come out. But, here are a few

This is the bow of the boat, seen here from the rail of the Miss Munising and then

through the glass viewing port of the boat. We floated from bow to stern, peering into open cargo holes, noting were the main mast would have been, and looking down into the crew’s quarters. It was a fascinating experience looking down through the clear waters at what once was a proud ship that met it’s untimely death because of the greed of its captain.

We were able to view one other wreck, the Herman H Hettler, a traditional steam barge that was built in 1890. The ship was seeking shelter in Munising Harbor during a snow storm when due to a navigational error it ran aground on a reef off of Trout Point. Pounded by the storm it quickly broke up and the pieces of the ship lay strewn on the lake floor today. Once again the pictures I took through the viewing port didn’t really turn out, except for

this one which gives you idea of the amount of wreckage on the lake floor and

this one which if you look really, really hard you will see a small white circle. That we were told was once the captain’s toilet!

OK, since those pictures were really a bust, let’s turn to some others that did come out. The really neat thing about this cruise is not only did we do the wrecks but we also did the cliffs of Grand Island.

Here they are, in no particular order and of course with no names but none the less just as beautiful as those in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Now this one was especially interesting. Note the little gravel beach there in the background?

Just minutes later our captain had us just feet from that beach!

The ceiling of the cave that we found ourselves in. It was an extraordinary experience, inside a cave on a boat. And the colors all around just took your breath away.

OK, that is how we started our day. But even though it was going on 2 pm we were far from done for the day. Now about that castle. Remember on our first cruise we talked about Miners Castle? Remember we said that it was the only part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore that was accessible by car? Yup, it is and we were going to find out how to get to it.

We went hunting for and did eventually find the road to the castle.

This is the view of Miners Castle from the upper observation deck. Look at that water, it is so clear, and such a vibrant green. What a magnificent world we live in. I feel so sorry for anyone who doesn’t have the opportunity to witness firsthand sights such as these.

Hey, you mean there is another observation deck? And only 1,000 feet that way? Sure enough it was that way but what they don’t tell you is that it is a path that leads straight down to

the lower observation deck. Oh, of course what goes down also must go up. Once again I got a great workout on this trek.

Once there were three but now there is only one. The other two some time ago splashed down into the lake. How long will there be one? Time will tell.

And the view, I mean what a view. I just stood there for I don’t know how long taking it all in.

So, two down and one more to go.

We discovered this quite by accident. However, we also discovered that the visitor center is closed. Seems the floor has fallen in and currently there are no funds to repair it. But all was not lost

for there appeared to be a waterfall here that we needed to find.

A short walk later and there it was – Munising Falls.

The small brook that leads away from the falls.

Well, time to call uncle and head for home. We had an especially full day, actually the past three days were jam packed and so much fun. We’ve enjoyed our time in this region and are super glad that we came to the UP.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.

Friday, July 8, 2022

Temperature 71 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine and Clear Blue Skies

Manistique Lighthouse

Big Boy for Lunch

Proton Got A Haircut

We’ve definitely been making the most of our time in this area.

Yesterday, instead of going north we went south. Down that way on the northern end of Lake Michigan we paid a visit to

This is the Manistique Lighthouse that sits at the mouth of the Manistique River. The lighthouse is constructed of steel plate and is painted fire engine red.

At the beginning of the 20th century Manistique was a boom town, with lumber and iron ore shipping from the harbor daily. However, the harbor was left unprotected and subject often to strong winds coming off the lake.

In 1910 community leaders convinced the federal government of the financial importance of the harbor and the need for breakwaters to be constructed. This is the one breakwater and

this is the one opposite it that the lighthouse sits on. I decided that my mission for the day was to take a stroll out to the lighthouse and back. The only issue was, it was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy out there.

This was the first section I needed to traverse. I’m standing at the end of it looking back toward the beach. Now, when you got to the end of this you turned right and

took the final stroll out to the lighthouse. Now, the lighthouse is not open so the reason for going out there is, well, is sort of just because it is there. Walking out and back I sure did get my exercise for the day.

Of course that little stroll also worked up my appetite. So I was delighted when we found

I can’t remember when the last time was that I ate in one of these restaurants.

With all of these neat toys outside I was anxious to get inside and see what else I might find.

Yup, more neat stuff. Oh, I also discovered a cheeseburger to die for.. It was a two fisted monster that was mouth watering good. I ate every bit of it and didn’t leave one crumb behind.

We had one other mission for the day. Proton was beginning to look a little ragged and he was a bit warm with all the extra fur he was carrying. He definitely needed a cut and trim. However, up until now we could not find a place to have him groomed. However, we scored today with a local groomer who was willing to fit him in. Of course it took a little over four hours but it was worth the wait. Sorry, no after picture because he just wanted to get home and collapse.

So, that was our yesterday. About today, tomorrow’s blog will be all about our day today. Want a hint? Think shipwrecks and a castle.

I’ll leave you with that and wish you a good night’s sleep.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Temperature 76 Degrees, Overcast

Pictured Rocks Cruise

Yesterday was our first day of sightseeing. The number one thing we wanted to do first was a cruise along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Some background first on this breathtaking and beautiful region of our country.

Congress authorized the creation of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in 1966 inorder to preserve the unique shoreline, cliffs and beaches. Little more than six miles across at its widest point, it hugs Lake Superior for about 40 miles. The Lakeshore consists of two zones: the Lakeshore Zone managed by the National Park Service; and, the inland buffer zone, a mixture of federal, state and private ownership.

The spectacular cliffs of Pictured Rocks consist entirely of sandstone. The cliffs were formed long ago, over a long period of time when mineral sediments accumulated in thick heavy layers transported by water, wind or ice.

Regarding the colors

Vertical streaks result from groundwater seeping through the porous sandstone carrying with it dissolved minerals. iron creates reds and oranges copper creates blue and green manganese creates brown and black Time now to go on a tour.

We were told the only real way to see the Lakeshore is by boat. Well, we didn’t bring our own, no way we were going to take a kayak, so that left a cruise as the only alternative.

This, for a fact, was much more to our liking. Some 70 feet long, twin hulls, and two 1300 HP engines it moves along at 26 mph. Yup, this is the way to go.

What a beautiful day we had. Clear blue skies. Abundant sunshine. And a big plus, Lake Superior was calm with just a light wind out of the north. We were told any wind out of the west always spells trouble. Thankfully, nothing like that today. Now, some of the sights we saw. Please understand any pictures this armature photographer took will give you an idea of the breathtaking beauty of this region, but to truly appreciate these spectacular cliffs you need to see them in person. That said,

This is Miners Castle. It us made up of several eroding caverns at its base with a steep sandstone wall leading to a crown like structure on the top. It used to have two turrets but in 2006 one fell off into the lake in dramatic fashion. This is the only cliff area in the park that is accessible by car.

This is called the Caves of all Colors. The coloring has been changing over the years as mineral enriched waters continue to seep down the cliffs.

This is known as Lovers Leap. It features an impressive arch that juts out from the shore line to an outcropping located directly in Lake Superior. Local lore has it that a couple displayed their love for one another by leaping off the arch together. However, the fact is the water under the arch is only three feet deep. Therefore, I would not suggest trying to recreate their act of love.

This mammoth cut into the cliff wall is known as Rainbow Cove. It has great mineral stained walls that are distinctly unique along with moss clinging to the upper part of the cliff wall.

The name given to this cliff is Indian Head. I thought immediately of Crazy Horse as soon as I saw it. OK, I have a very active imagination! The unique feature of this formation is the nearly vertical walls from Lake Superior to the top of the cliff.

They call this the Grand Portal. A suspended arch and a massive rock face make you feel sort of small as you slowly cruise past it.

A unique set of rock outcroppings that look like the bows of three battleships preparing to head out to sea. Hence the name Battleship Rocks.

This is appropriately named the Flower Vase. It is narrow at the base as it protrudes out of Lake Superior and widens at the top with trees lining its peak.

This has been given the name of Chapel Rock. A captivating rock formation with twin columns part way up and a lone tree clinging to its top.

This is Spray Falls that shoots out about 70 feet into Lake Superior from the top of the cliff. Many consider this the best of the best in terms of the waterfalls in this region.

Our cruise is one we will remember long after this summer trip is over. The vastness of Lake Superior, the grandeur of the cliffs, the unique rock formations and the palette of colors on display was breathtaking. This is an attraction that merits being on everyone’s bucket list of must see places.

Yup, another T-shirt.

But wait, one more thing we had to do. Well, more like try.

We were told that if you’re in the UP, then you just have to try a Pasty. A what you say?

This is what I’m talking about. It’s called a Pass-Tee. A one time staple of miners and loggers in Northern Michigan and still liked by many today in the UP. OK, we were willing to try it.

We had the Yooper. It was filled with potatoes, rutabaga, onions, carrots and beef. Let me just say one time is enough! Neither of us will be coming back for another.

So that was our day yesterday on The Road of Retirement. What a day it was. A day that will long be remembered. This summer has been one that constantly reminds us of how blessed we are. We are truly making the most of every day that God gives us. Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.