Munising, Michigan and Yoopers

It was very peaceful in Copper Harbor with only a few scattered campers in the campground. Labor Day weekend Friday, the place filled up and were glad it was time to move on. We usually stay in state and federal campgrounds and have lots of space but occasionally stay in private ones without a lot of space when someone is next to you.

Once we arrived at Munising Tourist Campground, We had to jump, actually a slow walk, into the lake because it was so hot. This city campground is great with reasonable rates and right on the beach with fire pits in the sand.

We never knew how great it would be here. Even with the Labor Day holiday, we didn't feel crowded.

The kids were still playing in the water once it got dark. I guess they are not ready for summer to end and return to school.

 

There are stories that Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone used to hang out in the UP hiking and exploring. They called themselves the "Vagabonds".

 

Miner's Castle

 

Path to  Miner's Castle Rock. We were all alone because we started out at 8 am. By the time we were done hiking at noon, there were cars parked a half mile up the road from the parking lot.

Chapel Falls

 Not Lady slippers, jewelweed

Fungi on moss

 

Never heard of this but Mike used to like it as a kid in Vermont.

 

In the night, a thunderstorm came across the lake. We could heard the thunder and see almost constant lightening in the distance. The storm got closer and louder and then rolled by. You could tell where it was and where it was going. A few claps of thunder made us jump out of our drawers as we were falling asleep. I looked out after it passed and the clouds were hauntingly low with and foggy darkness over the lake.

 

Keweenaw Peninsula and Copper Harbor, Michigan

 

Our mountain bikes weren't doing very well on the rack we had on back of the trailer with the rough roads. Mike was able to find a bike shop on the way between Bayfield, WI and Copper Harbor, MI that had the rack that he wanted and were willing to hold it for us. We picked it up in a  little town with lots of traffic. Once we got to our campground, he found that the new bike rack was missing 2 bolts and no place to buy them here. The campground manager was going by a hardware store in the morning and offered to pick them up for us. They were perfect and much appreciated.  

 

 

Lots of murals on buildings on our drive to Michigan.

 

The black lab was so happy to be in the water since the day was very hot and humid. His owner couldn't get him to come out of the lake.

Lake Superior

In Copper Harbor there are more bikes than cars on the roads and none are locked up when unattended. There is a bike wash but no car wash.  The post office opens between 12-3pm. When I asked if we had mail, he dug around in boxes and said "Here it is". 

Lake Fannie Hooe where we have our morning coffee and tea.

A falcon landed in front of us as we were walking to town. No picture.

 

This area is rated in the top 5 in the US. So glad we came. Much of it is over our heads but beautifully maintained and lots for our level of riding. The Bell's Beer Mtn Bike fest is Labor Day weekend.

 

We enjoyed the trails here. The humidity was so high and warm that our clothes were soaked when we got done. Not much air moves down on the paths in the trees.

We decided to get out and try the mountain bike trails before the racers arrive for the mountain bike enduro race this weekend.  They were great trails that lots of work had been done on. I felt a little uncomfortable on the bridges since they were narrow but did fine.

Some of the sugar maples are changing color.

Copper Harbor lighthouse

The chokecherries are ready to be picked.

Monastery in Eagle River

The monks of Poor Rock Abbey sell jams, jellies and bakery items.

Red Crested woodpecker

 Contemplating the canal between Hunter's Point and the island

 

I need to get off this rock

 

View from Hunter's Point

A foggy morning but had to get this lighthouse. It is kind of neat to wake up in the morning and hear the foghorn.

We were told this was a great hike by someone we didn't know while mountain biking. It took several people giving us instructions as we got closer. Turn down the private road, drive until there is a big hill down, trail head parking on left, (it was on the right), the trailhead said sanctuary, .75 miles down the path and walking around a gate, we found this sign. No phone service or 4G but we had a GPS and bug spray.

When we go to the overlook, all we could see is fog.

Took a hike in the Old Growth white pines.

No thanks

 

and thimbleberries

Lake  Fannie Hooe is upper right with Lake Superior to the left.

 

One month on the road and so glad we went after our dream. When we started we weren't sure how long this would last. Now that we are "out there", even with little hiccups, we want to keep going. When I buy or do things, I always think about the cost either in dollars, time or stress and ask myself "Is it worth the cost". I would say "Heck yeah!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our "little house on the ferry", Apostle Islands

This is the smallest ferry we have ever been on holding 12 vehicles and a few motorcycles.

We got off in La Pointe and drove to Big Bay State Park.

Beautiful walk to the beach with very fine red sand.

Rode our bikes around the island 13x3 miles. Not like most islands we have ridden on. This one didn't have big hills.

This is when Lake Superior goes into the lagoon.

A great place for an evening walk after everyone leaves.

We changed our plans to spend some time in Bayfield and found a great place to stay even on short notice on a weekend.