Houghton, MI - 62

I spent the month of July on the waterfront at Houghton RV Park.  I really like Upper Peninsula of Michigan and especially enjoy this area and have stayed at this park several times.  Most days, I walked and biked and then either went hiking, shopping or just relaxed beside the canal. 

Most of the places I went I have blogged about before so I didn’t take as many pictures as I usually do.  If you are interested in the area, you can look at the blogs I posted in August of 2011 by clicking on the links to the right or here Travelingwpam blogs for August 2011 

Of course I have to post some pictures!!  One of my favorite hikes in the area is Canyon Falls. 

Above is the falls and a look up into the gorge. 

One of my first sightseeing days, I went up into the Keweenaw Peninsula.  I stopped at Brunette Park, a park I had found really interesting several years ago.  But it was quite different, the rocks I had found so interesting were not to be seen.  I later heard that Lake Superior was about a foot higher than normal, so I figured that the rocks were covered up with water.  I went back a couple of weeks later and realized that was the case.   The first picture below is the one I took this year, the second picture I took in 2011 and called the rocks “bacon like”.  

While at Brunette park, I kept hearing a bird calling and finally saw him/her about 20 feet above my car.  I think it was trying to scare me away or else let others know I was around.  It appeared to be a young bird, but I don’t know what type.

 

One day, I drove up to Copper Harbor.  I walked around town some and also went to a hiking trail that I had not been to before, Hunter’s Point.  The first picture below was taken at the point, the one below that was view just off the trail.

Most mornings I walked 4 to 5 miles on the paved trail that led from the park to Nara Nature trails.

On my second or third day in Houghton, I biked the 4 miles to the Nara Nature Trails.  I planned on walking both boardwalks.  But as I started walking the first one I saw the boardwalks were damaged. 

As you can see in the picture above one side of this part of the boardwalk had partially collapsed and this was one of the not-so-bad ones.  The first few I saw, I walked carefully on the non-collapsed side, then after 4 or 5 of these I came to one that had fallen on both sides.  I decided that I didn’t know if I could trust the boardwalk so I turned around.  I found out that all the snow they had this winter and the heavy spring run-off damaged the boardwalks.  Luckily for me they started repairing these just a few days after my first walk and I was able to enjoy them the last couple of weeks I was in Houghton.

One day I drove out to Porcupine Mountain State Park to hike the East and West River Trail that I have enjoyed so much in the past.  Below are several pictures I took while hiking this trail.  I really like this loop because you get to see the waterfalls from both sides of the river.  Again, more pictures of this area can be found in the August 2011 blogs.

 

When I was driving to the state park, I noticed a sign that I found so interesting that I saved it on my GPS so that I could take a picture of it when I was headed home.

I’m not sure what it means, aliens abducting cows or maybe it is a drone taking pictures of the cows?????

A sunset picture taken from my site--

From Houghton, I went to Iron River, Michigan where I currently am for the month of August. 

Grand Marais, Mi

My first stop in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was at Woodland Park in Grand Marais.  I stayed here a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the area, so I thought I would try it again.  Unfortunately this trip the bugs were very bad.  I was there for 9 days and I only sat outside 2 of those days and not for long either time. 

I usually just put bug spray on and go hiking or whatever, but for some reason the bugs really got to me (physically{bites} and mentally) and I just didn’t want to do much hiking.

For regular readers of my blog this may seem like a repeat as everything I did this trip I did when I was here before!  But I did see a few different things. 

I enjoyed the walk to Sable Falls, which is part of Pictured Rocks National Seashore.  The walk from my campground was about a mile on the Lake Superior shore and then a very short walk into the woods.  The mosquitoes were so bad in the woods that I walked in quickly took a few pictures and walked back out.  They were not as bad on the shore.

I also visited Seney National Wildlife Refuge, where I saw quite a few babies.  Including some baby swans (below), baby ducks and baby Sandhill Cranes --

I only saw a few Loons this trip and they were far away.  But I did get to hear them, which is an amazing sound!

Once or twice a day, I walked 2.5+ miles to the coast guard station.  On one of my trips I saw a man pushing a bike out of the garage, then I realized it was not just a bike--

It’s a mower cycle, at least that’s what I’m calling it.  I was hoping he would be outside when I walked by on the way back because I wanted to know if it worked, but he wasn’t. 

I took a trip to the other side of Pictured Rocks where I had to go to the main overlook and get a shot of Miners Castle. I attempted a hike to Miner Falls, but the bugs chased me back to my car!!

From Grand Marais, I headed to Houghton, MI where I am staying the month of July.  By the way, there are very few mosquitoes here!!!

Mackinaw City, MI - 45

I stopped in Mackinaw City for a week in the middle of June.  I have always liked going over to Mackinac Island and planned on going over at least once (I ended up going twice).  Also there were other places I hoped to visit while there.

My favorite thing I did while there was to visit the island.  The only way to get to the island is to take a ferry and since cars are not allowed I took my bike.  Both times I rode my bike around the island 4 times for a 32 mile bike ride (plus the 1.5 miles to and from the campground to the ferry for a total of  35 miles!).  I thought about going inland, but decided to stick to the perimeter road.  I have been to the interior before and should have gone again, but I didn’t want to have to bike the hills!!! 

A busy day on M-185 – Michigans only public road where cars are not allowed --

Another shot from M-185--

The downtown part of Mackinac Island can get a bit busy with pedestrians, buggies and cyclist.  Below is a shot taken before 10:00 before it got too crowded.

On my first trip over to the island, I waited an hour to go on a Mighty Mac trip.  This is where the ferry goes under Mackinac Bridge.  To get to the island, they don’t need to go under the bridge but once or twice a day they take this special trip.  In the picture below you can see 2 cars crossing the bridge.

The only time they allow pedestrians on the bridge is during the labor day bridge walk.  I have done that 3 times in the past 25 years and it was always interesting looking through the grates at the lake below.  Well this was different.   Looking up at the bridge, through the grates at the cars and sky. 

In the picture above, you can just make out two people just to the left of the platform that is attached to the wires in the upper right.  They are painters.  On the ferry ride, we learned that it takes their crew 7 years to paint the whole bridge.  By the time they finish, they start all over again! 

I missed the lilac festival by a week, but they were blooming.

A close up of another lilac--

There was some type of bug near the water in Mackinaw City that was driving me and others crazy.  They didn’t bite, but they were annoying.  When I got on the ferry, of course I headed up top and they were all over the seats and sides of the boat.

Mackinac point light house with the bridge in the background—

Mackinac Bridge -

I had planned on going to Petoskey and biking on the Little Traverse Wheelway, but I had biked so much on the island that I just walked a few miles while there. 

After leaving Mackinaw City, I headed to Grand Maris, MI.

Manistee, MI - 41

I stayed at Little River Casino RV Park in Manistee, MI June 8 - 14.  I originally picked this spot because it was centrally located to several places that I wanted to visit on the west side of Michigan.  I ended up not doing everything I thought I would because I found 2 trails that I enjoyed and did them both a couple of times.  While it is a nice park, I doubt that I would stay there again as it is normally too expensive.  But they made a mistake when I made my reservation and quoted me a very low price.  I didn’t think too much about it because I was staying a week and some casinos are lower in price.  The park did stand by the rate that I was originally quoted.  I paid $15.00 per night for a spot that typically cost $36.00 a night during the week and $40.00 + on the weekend.  

As you may have noticed I have been biking more than I used to.  I have really enjoyed visiting the different trails and the rails to trails paths are typically not too hilly so I really like that! While in Manistee, I biked the Betsie Valley trail from Frankfort, MI.  The first 6 miles of that trail is paved and then it is dirt.   People are not the only ones who like this trail!!

a close up --

The trail crossed a small marshy lake--

Just past the paved section is Crystal Lake.  On one of the trips I went about 50 feet on the unpaved section and stopped and enjoyed the view below before turning around and heading back.  On my second trip, I rode an additional 2 miles (4 miles round trip) on the dirt path which was very close to the shore of beautiful Crystal Lake.

After putting my bike back in the car (I now carry my bike inside my CRV), I took the scenic route back to the RV park.  In doing so I saw several swans and then noticed the one below sitting on it’s nest.  Of course on the day I decided to stop and take a picture the swan was facing away from the camera!

The view from my lunch spot one day after riding for a while --

I also visited Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore a couple of times.  They now have a bike trail and had just opened an additional part of the trail. 

They were doing some work on the trail, so yes those are carts on the trail.  But they typically don’t allow motorized vehicles. 

I did take the scenic drive while there and stopped  for a few short walks.   I did not walk down this dune!!

A few times when I got back home early enough, I went into town and walked the Manistee Riverwalk.   Below is the Manistee lighthouse on a foggy day, which is close the the end of the riverwalk.

The river walk was a nice 3.0 mile round trip walk. 

From Manistee, I headed up to Mackinaw City.  Can you believe this, I am actually caught up with my blog!!!!!!!  I leave Mackinaw City tomorrow for the Upper Peninsula. 

Shipshewana, In

Once again, I stopped at Shipshewana, Indiana.  I was there June 1 – 7.  

While there, I walked a bit but mostly biked.  About a mile from my Campground is the Pumpkinvine Trail, another rails to trails path.  The first few days, I drove a mile to bike about 20 miles.  Then I got smart and rode the mile to the trail.  The road is a busy one, but there is a wide shoulder where the Amish and Mennonite walk and bike along with the horse and buggies. 

The trail went past many farms and a couple of RV manufacturers. 

A bad thing about this trail --

There is a Dairy Queen in Middlebury just beside the trail.  I thought that would be great on a warm day, a place to get some ice cream.  But I did not stop, of course I typically ride early in the morning so I did not have any ice cream cravings!

On Tuesday, I went to the flea market in Shipshewana.  It is huge!  Since I am not a shopper, my pedometer showed that I walked 30 minutes without stopping. 

From here, I headed into Michigan with my first stop being in Manistee, MI to be a base for touring the west side of Michigan.

Maumee Bay State Park

A few years ago, I visited Maumee Bay State park and enjoyed it so I decided to go back.   I was there May 28 – 31.   While there I walked and biked in the park and I went to the Ottawa National Wildlife refuge and the Maggie Marsh Wildlife area.  One of the reasons I like the park is the huge campsites that are paved.  The picture below is the “yard” of the site beside mine and my RV. 

I didn’t spend much time in Ottawa National Wildlife refuge, but enjoyed a morning in Maggie Marsh Wildlife area.  When I first got to the wildlife area I noticed a Bald Eagle nest and an eagle was feeding her little one --

I spent a good bit of time on the boardwalk --

I spotted this bird that may be a Yellow Warbler (I’m not very good at smaller birds)--

I don’t know what type of bird is in the picture below, but he seemed as curious about me as I was about him.

A disadvantage of the area is that it is very close to the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.

From here, I headed to Shipshewana, In.