Pure Michigan, as Always, 2012

Are we ever blessed to have relatives in Michigan, so that we can visit with family AND enjoy one of the most spectacular states in our nation. We had an easy, interesting drive to Bruce's sister's in Lewiston, near Gaylord, then took off the next day for the Soo Locks.

The Canadian  Soo Locks, at Sault Sainte Marie.
Our charter cruise is on the St. Mary's River in the middle of the lock, Canada to our left,
the US further to the right.
We will leave Lake Huron, beyond the locks, and enter into Lake Superior. 

A Canadian steel mill, just past the locks.
 This operation really put the commerce of the lake into perspective.
Armco Steel also had a presence on the lakes, with two ships being named
the Armco and Middletown. They were actually on the lakes the night the Edmund Fitzgerald went down.
I happened to be reading  library books on the state history of Michigan and the shipping industry.
Made it all so meaningful.

The million dollar view from our Holiday Inn in Munising.
We were on the third floor overlooking the bay and Grand Isle to your left.
The Pictured Rocks and National Lakeshore Trail are on the right,
but not visible due to the front that moved in.

Grand Dunes Lighthouse, an hour hike from Hurricane River Camping Area, where we parked.
This was our only full day without car travel, other than the hour's drive to the camping area.
We actually welcomed the periodic showers, as we heated up in the middle of the day,
and the showers cooled us down.

Our goal was to hike to the Log Slide at the beginning of the dunes in the distance.
We were able to reach them, although the hike became progressively challenging,
with what we call  'root steps,' which are hard on the knees and hips.
Supplied with a package of trail mix and water, we reached our goal.
The log slide was historic, but not picturesque. The overall hike with return was 4.5 hours.
I think that will be our max when we visit Zion and the North Rim this fall. Those are all vertical heights.
Maybe two hours?

Nature simply does not get any better than this.
I had to pinch myself, as we walked this incredible trail.
We heard orioles, vireos, and hermit thrush, and could follow our progress with overlooks such as this.
The noise I can't get out of my head, which we thought was thunder, but way too rhythmic and regular,
was the sound of the freighters' engines way out in the Lake, not visible to the eye.
I shall never forget that haunting noise. It will always be with me.

We look like such babes in the woods.
You should have seen the through hikers, who were carrying their tents and gear on their backs.
Some were our age and older, and never broke their pace. The customary trail 'hello' and they were past us.
I was able to hang in there, knowing that the whirlpool and sauna at the Holiday Inn Express awaited us.

We checked out of our hotel the next morning, then boarded the 'Shipwreck  Cruise'
that worked in the bay  and around Grand Isle. We opted for this tour in lieu of the 'Pictured Rocks' tour,
because the morning sun hit Grand Isle, and Pictured Rocks were in shadow.
As Arnold says, "We'll be back."

The 'Shipwrecks Tour' operates with a glass-bottom boat. Once they locate the wreck,
they actually pass sideways over the wrecks.Wasn't sure if we'd be able to see much,
but hopefully you can make our the anchor in the center of the grids.
The locals had been unaware of this wreck, until one day, one of the guests pointed it out.
This was probably the most interesting of the wrecks we viewed.

Another short drive and hike to this 50-foot cascade 'Miners Falls.'
Makes us miss hiking the Appalachian mountains and their waterfalls.
Can't wait to much closer to them. And don't have to go Pigeon Forge to get there!

We don't see Lake Erie on the way up, but how cool to see Lakes  Huron,  Superior, and now  Lake Michigan
on the way back to Cathy's from Escanaba.  Bruce reported that the water was very, very cold.
The End.