Driving and Boondocking in the UP of Michigan

 8/3/23 - 8/7/23  

Drove along the coast and stopped at Point Iroquois Lighthouse. The point is named for a battle in the 1600s when the Iroquois invaded the local Objiwa (also known as Chippewa or Anishinaabeg) to dominate the fur trade and were repelled by the local tribes.

Someday I'll learn how to take a natural looking selfie

Then inland to Lower Taquamenon Falls

Did a hike to the island and back

Also called rootbeer falls do to the tannins in the water from the leaves

Then drove to the Upper Falls where we climbed up and down 420 steps

Found a less-than-ideal spot to boondock at a former prison camp. All the structures were gone but the dirt roads were still there. A local we spoke with said he remembered the camp and that there was a ballfield across from it where the locals would play against the prisoners. All the good spots were occupied so we spent the night in an exposed pull-out close to the entrance and crossroads. Next morning we went for a 3 mile hike down some of the logging roads and found a perfect secluded spot with a fire ring. Spent two glorious nights and only saw only one guy on an atv go by. Had a chance to truly relax and cook some good meals.

Bonus was that it was surrounded by wild low-bush blueberries - my favorite kind!

Added some Moomers vanilla ice cream and dinner was served!

Huron Scenic Drive and Sault Ste Marie

 August 2, 2023

Drove along the coast, mostly through farmland to Sault Ste Marie.

Juvenile osprey 

Its parents nearby encouraging it to fly

Arrived in "the Soo" and toured the locks which connect Lake Huron to Lake Superior and bypass the shallow rapids of the St Mary River

At the start of the leveling from Lake Huron to Lake Superior

The end of the leveling

Hydroelectric dam building

Chippewa County Courthouse

This ominous tower that overlooks the city is actually a museum and viewing platform to watch the docks. Originally built by the Catholic Church as the Shrine of the Missionaries, it was meant to be part of a larger complex that would have featured exhibits about the early Missionaries. It was scuttled and given to the historical society of Soo.

Gates to the ancient Anishinaabek burial ground

Seen leaving the Walmart parking lot

Met up with Russell DeFrietas from my high school days. Had a lovely visit and a nice meal at a local restaurant.

Walmart lot for the night.

Mackinac Island

 August 1, 2023

Felt obligated to go to Mackinac Island (pronounced macinaw - the C is silent - some french thing lol) since "everyone" asked if we were going there when we discussed our trip. 

Ferry passing the "Pirate Ship" 

We initially were not impressed - the main street was so crowded and full of tourist shops, but the architecture was lovely. Since no motorized vehicles are allowed on the island there were bicycles everywhere, as well as horses. There were workers who quickly cleaned up horse poop, but it still smelled. Can't imagine the stench in olden days!

Catholic church

The religion of my childhood

Familiar austere interior - the choir loft always held such intrigue for me at my childhood church

Street sweeping when you can't have a motorized vehicle

And any hauling is done by horse and wagon

But then we hiked to the state park and into the interior which was lovely

Historic Fort Holmes - which bounced back and forth amongst British and American 

control

Fort Mackinac

Missionary bark chapel

Interior of the island library

Charming door entry

Mackinac Bridge to the UP

After walking over 16000 steps we took this ferry back to the mainland

Drove across the bridge and spent the night, with permission, in the ferry lot in St Ignace.

Our view for the night