Closing thoughts for 2013's Trip

This last blog entry is a little late, but it takes me a few days to gather my thoughts - 

I guess I could state a lot of statistics as before about mileage, states visited and what-not, but I think you get the idea of how Tam & I celebrate our time together.

This year's blog was titled "A New Direction".  In reflection, I think everyone experiences new directions in their lives, so I won't elaborate on my new direction except that I know my career path has led me to meet wonderful people, talented people and dedicated people, and I always stood in awe of the company I kept.

Tam & I visited beautiful places on this trip, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City and experienced crossing the Mackinac Bridge.  The UP of Michigan.  Munising and Pictured Rocks.  Saw the north woods of Minnesota, felt the strength and majesty of Lake Superior while visiting Isle Royal National Park out in the big waters.  Saw sunsets, full moons, ate pastys at Muldoons and a doughnut at the worlds best doughnut shop in Grand Marias MN.  Fought "skeeters" at Minnesota's Eagle Mountain, and in Ohio, and Wisconsin.

We came away with a deep appreciation for those who call the area home. Now and in the past, such as the French Voyageurs and the Native Americans - they were tough!   We also have a deep desire to visit the area again and begin a true exploration of the area rather than a quick "recon".

The Truck Camper is setting off the truck now and both look two kids in time out.....Its just begging us to "load up" and get going one more time...

And to think, I get to do all this with my love - Tam, thank you my love, for all that you are.

~nob

Evening at Grand Marais, MN

2014 is way to far away to do without trips - I think that the blog will turn into Jim & Tam's Big Adventures...Stay tuned!

Isle Royale

Isle Royale National Park is the least visited of all national parks.    A 22 mile, or 1.5 hour trip by ferry will deliver you to the dock at Isle Royale. The larger island surrounded by 450 smaller islands. Once disembarking from the ferry you are required to listen to a ranger talk for day visitors or backpackers.  Most people who visit Isle Royale on average stay for 3 days by backpacking and camping.  Most people visiting Yellowstone stay for 4 hours. It is wild and untamed.  The park is only opened for 6 months to people.  The permanent residents are the 950+ moose and 8 wolves.  There is much research here about the cycle of prey and predator.  The wolf population has significantly declined.  The lineage of the current wolf population dates back to a single female from the 1940's so the inbreeding  is really taking it's toll on the wolf population. There is serious concern that the wolf population will die out and the moose, with no predators, will destroy all the vegetation and then themselves die out.  There is much debate and research about how to handle this situation.

Our ferry ride over was cooooold!  

As a day visitor, when you get to the island, you are there for 4 hours until the ferry takes you back to Grand Portage.  Once we got to the island, we ventured off on a 3 mile hike in search of moose.  Unfortunately, our moose mission was uneventful.  Might have had something to do with the 80+ temps in the middle of the day.  We hiked through some of the thickest forest we'd ever seen.  We hiked along a lakeside and up on the ridge but no moose.  Lots of beautiful flowers along the way.

  
We finished up with a talk from ranger Val about the study of moose bones and what researchers learn about the age, health and activities of a moose from it's bones.
Then we headed back to the mainland.  While we were on the island, temps were pretty warm and the sun was plentiful.  As we headed back across Lake Superior, the clouds really started rolling in.  This was our sky on the way back.  If we were back home in NC and had these skies, we would have been taking cover.  But we were fortunate to just have some rain and most everybody was able to stay dry.  It was an awesome sight to watch the spectacle in the sky as we cut our way through the choppy waves of Lake Superior.

Today was a quiet day.  We gave our feet a rest and spent some time at the Grand Portage National Monument.  The weather proved to be quite unpredictable today.  We ranged in temps from 48 when the rain came to 82 with the sun's return.  A common phrase here is "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes, it will change." Or "Here on the north shore, you can experience all four seasons in one day," and we did.  We took a drive up the Gunflint Trail still in search of moose but with no luck.  We ended the day with pizza at Sven and Ole's.  Sounds kind of weird for 2 scandinavian guys to know how to make pizza but it was delicious.  I asked our server about Sven and Ole and if they were still living. There was all kinds of memorabilia and photos around that suggested they had been in business for a while.  Well, he let me in on a secret. . . Sven and Ole are really Sid and Terry, and yes, they're still living, with a very successful business here in Grand Marais.

Tomorrow we start to head home.  It has been a wonderful stay here in Minnesota.  We plan to come back.  We explored a lot of the area by foot but the way to truly appreciate all that this area has to offer is by being on the beautiful, endless Lake Superior.  Next time, we'll bring toys!

Good night everyone and thanks for following along with us~
Love to all

Eagle Mountain

A beautiful sunny day in Grand Marais!  Started with breakfast at the Pie Place.  We always like to try the local fare when we travel and today was wild rice and cranberry french toast. Sounds unusual to have wild rice included in your french toast but it was delicious!
The morning started off cool but didn't stay that way for long with a high of 82!

We wandered around Grand Marais after breakfast and stopped into the Ben Franklin.

If you remember this little store from way back when, it is one of those quaint five and dime stores but this one had a whole lot more!  It included sundries and toys but along with those classic items were wool pants, fur lined hats, Carhartt everything and galoshes!

Everything you need for winter play!

Since it was such a pretty day, we wanted to explore some more.

After stopping in at the Superior National Forest Visitor's Center,

we decided on a hike to Eagle Mountain, the highest natural point in Minnesota, at 2,301 feet, and included a 7 mile hike through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  

The heat, the mosquitoes, the Repel bug spray. . . we were so ready for a shower and to be back in the comfort of our cozy camper.

Dinner at the Gunflint Tavern included "bangers and mash" for Jim.  

For those who are unfamiliar, and I was, the dish includes smoked sausage, kraut and coffeed onions, and mashed potatoes.

Our waitress was from Portugal,  so tonight we learned how to say "thank you very much" 

in Portugese. . . obrigada~

We hurried back to our campsite in hopes of catching another spectacular sunset.

There is a cold front moving in so tonight things were a little more gray.

But Jim captured this picture of the lonely bench.

Tomorrow we are off to spend the day at Isle Royale National Park.

Can't wait!

Love and Good night~

Apostle Islands to Grand Marais, MN

 Today started out with light at 4:30!  I think that was God's way of letting us know we didn't want to miss out on anything today. We loaded up early and headed into Bayfield for breakfast.  Jim spotted Red Velvet waffles on the menu.  A first, so he had to try them since he is a red velvet cake fan. They were wonderful!  At 9:30, we boarded the Island Princess or Jungle Queen or something like that for a " 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tour."  I asked Jim if he could make a radio from coconuts and he assured me he could, so we headed off for a boat tour of the Apostle Islands with 135 of our closest friends.  A tip for future Apostle Island visitors. . .
book the private sailboat for a tour of the islands! Or better yet. . . take your own kayak.
It was a beautiful sunny day so we were going to enjoy every minute of it!  

The smaller island is Eagle Island, noted to be a bird sanctuary 

People are not allowed to visit from May to September so the birds can 

hatch and nurture their young

Sea caves at Devil's Island

Raspberry Island Lighthouse-being restored to it's 1920 origin

We finished our boat tour and headed back into town.

Next was a 250 mile trip to Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Our original plans did not include going to Minnesota but because of questionable weather in Michigan and Grand Marais calling for some beautiful days of weather, we decided to come on.  And we are so glad we did.  I know last year I said we liked Idaho. . . a lot!!

Well, we love Minnesota. . . a whole lot!!!

Prepare to be amazed!!!

Good night and may your souls be filled by these images as we were touched today~

Love to all

The start of evening outside our campsite

Tracee and Amy. . .this one's for you!

Love you guys

Pictured Rocks by Foot

Yesterday we explored Pictured Rocks by foot.  The heavy fog hung on like a blanket to an Eskimo until about 2:00.  We didn't want to lose the whole day so we ventured into town.  Visited a couple shops and learned about puddingstone, a beautiful rock unique to Drummond Island, Michigan.  Made for a beautiful pendant!

A typical piece of Puddingstone.

We headed over to the ferry for Grand Island.  Being so late in the day, our only option for the ferry was the 3:30 ride.  This would have been the last ferry over until the next day.  

We weren't prepared to stay the night so we had to put off Grand Island until the next visit.

We decided instead on a day hike at Pictured Rocks.  A 6.5 mile hike to Chapel Falls and then onto Chapel Beach.  It was so beautiful to get up close and personal with some of the magnificent rock formations we had seen by water the other day.  The air was so cool and crisp. And I guess we were moving at such a good pace that the mosquitoes had a hard time keeping up because our hike was pretty much bug free!  And the scenery was breathtaking!

The forest was so green and lush.  The woods were filled with so many bird songs.

And the air so heavy made for the all the smells of the forest to hang close to us, filling our lungs with each step and our senses with each breath.

Chapel Falls

The White Pine at Chapel Rock

The Chapel River

The Chapel River on the right feeds into Lake Superior at Chapel Beach

Lake Superior rocks

The weather called for rain today in Munising so we decided to cut our stay short by one day and head west to try and get out of the rain.  We have truly enjoyed our time in Munising and hope to come back, especially since we know more about the area.  

Lynn and Randall, we did get our pasties before we left. For those who are not familiar, a pasty is something you eat, not wear~

We also met some really nice people at the campground, local folks from the Upper Peninsula, commonly known as Yoopers. "I know, right?"

 It was a beautiful day today driving toward Wisconsin. Tonight, we are in Bayfield.  Tomorrow we will tour the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, consisting of 21 islands.  

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Ethel's at 250 and then walked along the waterfront, admiring all the sailboats that call Lake Superior their playground.

It is truly an awesome sight to look out over a lake that holds such depth, such beauty and such mystery. We have driven so many miles and from so many different places, 

we can still look out over Lake Superior.  

She keeps coming back to greet us like an old friend.

 We just experienced a small taste of  Lake Superior.  

We walked in her. Sailed across her.  

Felt her spray against our faces and held her treasures in our hands.

There is such an allure.  It is hard to walk away.

The blue gets in your blood!

Good night~

A Most Poignant Day

Today Tam and I went to Whitefish Point - a point jutting out into the depths of Lake Superior just at the entrance of Whitefish Bay.  Some 17 miles out from Whitefish Point, the last sighting of the Edmund Fitzgerald was on November the 10th 1975 at roughly 5:30pm.  That fateful day, the winds of Lake Superior reach 90 mph, with 30 foot waves, the lighthouse at Whitefish Point was not operating that night, all this was a recipe for disaster.   Lost with all 29 hands.  Some old, some young, but all left families trying to cope with the loss.  I was 17 then and remember that day.  Twenty years later, a joint effort between Canada and the US raised the ship's bell from the depths ~ 500 feet and replaced it with another bell.  All the names of the lost crew where etched on that bell and now it rests on the deck of the "Big Fitz".

As we toured the museum we were touched by the lives of those men who met their God that November evening.  A watery grave indeed and I came away with another dose of healthy respect for those who put their lives at risk for they consider a normal job.

Over past 4 centuries the total number of ships to go down is estimated at 6000 with 30,000 lives lost in the Great Lakes.

The French Voyageurs, the first white men to explore the great lakes region hoped for a passage to the orient for trade.  I think this warrants more personal study!

Here are some links to explore the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Site and the "Big Fitz:"

http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/whitefishpoint
http://www.ssefo.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald
http://www.exploringthenorth.com/whitefish/whitefish.html

Fathers, husbands, brothers and sons - may you all rest in peace

Whitefish Point Lighthouse.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore- A Day of pure WOW!

Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore . . . There aren't too many words for the pictures below - so just enjoy the WOW!

 

 

Lover's Leap

Indian Head Rock

Battleship Row.  Notice how the rocks take on the appearance of 

battleships in a row.

Check out the root system leading from the top
of the bluff to the white pine on the rocks!
This is the reason this tree has survived.

Peace to you all - God's Grace is staggering.

Munising, Michigan-
Today we traveled from Interlochen State Park (affectionately named Bugtussle by Jim).  
I have to say in all my days of camping, I have never camped with so many bugs!!! 
And for those of you who know how much I detest bugs, take a look at this Big Daddy!  
I know I have a bug phobia but for it to be too much for Jim, I know it was bad!!!  
We were ready to move on.

By the hundreds!

6 hours later, we arrived in Munising. Well, that is after we took the 5 mile drive over the Mackinac Bridge.  It really wasn't as bad as I thought.  Well, that might be because I had my eyes closed most of the time, but we were very fortunate to have a calm day with little wind.

The views from the bridge were spectacular!

We arrived at our campsite at Munising Tourist Park on the shoreline of Lake Superior.

And I mean the shoreline, 60 feet away.

Our campsite faces west so we are excited about what the evening hours will bring!

We arrived early enough to have some time to set up camp and relax.

After all, that is what vacation is all about, right?

We walked along the shoreline and got lost in the colors and textures 

of the beautiful rocks of  Lake Superior.

We enjoyed a meal of pasta and sauce made from home.

And then we waited for the show!

And we were not disappointed!

A perfect ending to a perfect day!

Good night. Love to all-

Sleeping Bear Dunes-
Today, it felt like vacation!  As soon as we saw the National Park sign at Sleeping Bear Dunes, we felt like we were home.  We have spent the last few summers traveling to National Parks and love every minute.  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore is another reason why!  We wondered where Sleeping Bear Dunes came from.  The Chippewa lore is that a mama bear and her two cubs tried to swim Lake Michigan to the shore.  The cubs perished in the cold lake waters. The mother bear sleeps and dreams and she became land.  In her dreams, the cubs are beside her in the two islands of South Manitou and North Manitou. She watches over them as they rest beside her.

The water . . .everywhere.  There are no words.  The pictures can't begin to truly capture the beauty of God's majesty in the masterpiece of these lakes.  The variation in the blue of the water is dependent on the depth.  The lighter color water is a depth of about 5-6 feet.  The darker water is a depth of about 80 feet.  In some of the other pictures below, the blue is so dark, it's hard to imagine the depth of the lake.  And it's breathtaking!

Check out the beautiful blues!

When you come to Sleeping Bear Dunes, you have to do the Dune Climb.

Straight up in the sand! And so we did.

We cleared the first peak and thought we'd see water.

I told Jim, "When we get to the top, I better say, "Wow!"

Well, we didn't yet, so we cleared the second,

And it was Wow!

And then, we came down.  Jim in a straight-on run.

Me, a little more cautious.

I had to put my feet in the waters of Lake Michigan.

And it was cold!

Unlike back east, the seashore is lined with beautiful rocks instead of shells.

I came upon so many amazing colors, with different specks and stripes and holes.

The rocks take on a different life when they are home, in that brilliant water.

Tonight, we enjoyed our last campfire here at Interlochen.

Jim burned some wild cherry wood and it was such a wonderful smell lofting through the evening winds. It seems that here, there  is always wind.

Again, the songs of the loon as the sun was setting across Duck Lake.

Tomorrow, we leave for Munising.

That trip will include a 5 mile trip across a bridge.

I will have my eyes closed for that part but ready to take in all the

new sights as we reach the mainland.

Good night all.

With love-