July/August 2021 Trip – Northern Wisconsin, Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores

Click on any image for a larger view

Northern Wisconsin

Spray Falls - Pictured
Rocks National Lakeshore

My family lives in northern Wisconsin, part of our trip is to see them.  We haven’t seen my sister and her husband since the start of the pandemic.  We had a trip planned last year but nobody felt comfortable given the virus conditions in 2020.

Once in WI we stop for cheese.  We enjoy Henning’s Cheese.  They specialize in cheddar, having many flavors.  We also pick up a few packages of cheese curds.  They are not a favorite of mine but my mom and Nicida love them.  Several bags of cheeses curds disappeared during our brief visit to northern WI.

The town where my mom lives is small, a few thousand at most, we walk the town in no time.  It is relaxing and quiet.  We think our neighborhood in TX is quiet, it’s not even close.

Northern WI lake

We get out to visit family, play some pickleball; it’s quite unusual for a small town to have several pickleball courts.  We also break out our kayaks on one of the local lakes.

Too soon we have to leave; I set our schedule to see several highlights in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

East Channel Lighthouse

 We travel to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  I had seen this area once about 40 years ago and have always wanted to come back.  We catch a late afternoon tour boat leaving within an hour.  People are already standing in line waiting for the boat to arrive.  By the time we get on most of the upper deck, prime, outside seats on the right side of the boat filling first.  Both sides do get to see the Pictured Rocks, the right side on the way out, left side when we return.

Colors from the water seeping out of the rocks is outstanding.  Each color reveals a different mineral:  Iron – reds/oranges; limonite – white; manganese – blacks/browns; copper - blues/greens.  The best way to see Pictured Rocks is by boat.  It is well worth the trip.

Munising Falls

The next day we return to explore Pictured Rocks NL by foot.  Park brochures direct us to many waterfalls, several lighthouses, and a few wooden hulled sunken ship remains.  Driving to the various sites and hiking trails is necessary as the park extends 40+ miles along the Lake Superior shoreline.  We speak with National Park rangers and volunteers for their input on the best things to see.  Munising Falls is near the visitor center east of Munising.  From there we drive to the trails leading to Minor’s Falls, Castle, then walking down to the beach.  Many people are taking advantage of the warm weather swimming in Lake Superior.

Miners Falls

One of the locals informs us the water is quite warm, 68° instead of the usual 55°.   All three locations provide different views of Pictured Rocks.  Early this evening heavy rain falls, and later a thunderstorm passes overhead with loud rolling thunder passing from one side of the camper to the other, lasting for 20 – 30 seconds before fading in the distance.  The rolling thunder reminds me of my mom telling me the angels are bowling.

Miners Castle

Miners Beach

The next morning the air is fresh and clear.  We pack, heading for our next destination.  On the way we detour, staying north following along Picture Rocks area.  Some 30+ miles later we arrive at the Au Sable Light station trailhead, near Hurricane River campground.  The trail is wide, easy hiking, three miles round trip.

About half way to the lighthouse there is a sign describing local shipwrecks with steps leading to the beach.  At the bottom of the steps we turn right following the beach a few hundred yards finding the remains of a wooden ship, a few hundred yards beyond we find a second.  Each has huge pegs sticking out of the wood skeleton used to hold the ship together.  Scores of other ships are under water off the point; the reason for the lighthouse.  

Returning to the trail we continue to the light station. 

Au Sable Light Station

We see little evidence of man other than the light station.  It is a still active light station originally built in 1874.  Looking further to the east we see that Pictured Rocks has turned into high sand dunes overlooking Lake Superior.

Sable Falls

Driving on we stop at Sable Falls, worth seeing, as we were told by the ranger, 168 steps down to the bottom and 168 back up to your car.  After descending the 168 steps we continue on to the beach.  We see many families enjoying the warm weather and water.  A clan of Mennonite families is out enjoying the beach.  I find it unique seeing kids playing in the sand and water with ‘everyday’ clothing.

View from Au Sable Light Station

At Grand Marias we stop at the beach looking to add to our rock collection.  Removing my shoes, rolling up my pants, I take the first few steps into Lake Superior.  Hmm, not to cold, I can actually feel my toes after standing in shin deep water for a few moments while searching for the perfect rock.  I am not alone, many other beachgoers are also searching for their perfect rock.  Fortunately there are many rocks to choose from.

Mackinac Straits bridge

We continue on to St. Ignace, our stop for the night.  This is the launching point for boats going to Mackinac Island.  Arriving later in the day we decide to stay at the campground.  Walking down to the shoreline we find an unobstructed view of the Mackinac Straits bridge between the upper peninsula and lower Michigan.  Later that night I head out with camera and tripod to make a few photos of the bridge.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Top of the dunes,
450' above the shore

Today’s goal is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  On the way we travel the backroads.  We pass through many small towns each full of tourists.  We stop at one of the many farm stands picking up cherry items: jams, chocolates, granola, and BBQ sauce.  The chocolates and granola are quite tasty, haven’t tried the others - yet.

450' climb to the top

The Sleeping Bear Dunes is the largest freshwater dune system in the world.  The entire area, from Canada through the Great Lakes was formed by glaciers which receded about 14,000 years ago.  The highest dunes tower above the Lake Michigan shore by 450’.  We are introduced to these dunes from the top.  We creep close to the edge of the top of the dunes but we are still not able to see the shoreline.  An observation stand allows us to see the waves washing on the narrow beach far below us.  Signs caution people to consider the walk, slide, or tumble to the bottom.  A rescue will cost around $3,000.  We see dozens of people, mainly young adults scrambling, on all fours, back to the top.

View from Empire Bluff hike

The Empire Bluff Trail offers different views of the Dunes.  Small lakes dot the dunes offering people different places to play in the water.  Betsie Point Lighthouse south of the Sleeping Bear overlooks Lake Michigan.

Betsie Point Lighthouse

Near our next destination, in central MI, we pass through a Mennonite community.  We see many homes with long lines of laundry out to dry.  Lumber milling seems to be the work of choice.  Each of the homes has stacks of logs and cut boards.  Our campground is on a river, we assemble our kayaks then paddle a mile upstream.  Returning seeing a family of swans on the shore.  As we approach, mom or dad start honking - swim orders to their five cygnets.

Stay tuned for the rest of our trip

Thank you for stopping by,

Mark