Finding a quiet spot in the Pictured Rocks

The Pictured Rocks in  the Upper Peninsula offer plenty to see. There are dunes and of course the pastel colored rocks along the shores of Lake Superior. But there are also quiet, little places where you can spend time collecting your thoughts. The Hurricane River near Lake Superior is one such spot. My guide book to Michigan can help you find such places throughout the state. 

To check out the book, go to www.amazon.com/Explorers-Guide-Michigan-Complete/dp/1581572018/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

For more information on the Pictured Rocks, go to www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm

Quiet waters in the Upper Peninsula

     One of my favorite mini vacations is wandering the Upper Peninsula with my sea kayak on top of my Jeep, looking for intriguing waters to paddle. I take the kayak because it allows me to explore the bays and inlets of Lake Superior with ease and safety, and also inland lakes. A favorite destination is Beaver Lake in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Park between Munising and Grand Marais. The access is at Beaver Lake Campgrounds. From there you can spend a day exploring the lake, or you can paddle to Lake Superior via Beaver Creek. You're going to have to get out of the canoe/kayak and pull the boat at some point, as the creek is shallow. For more information on this destination and others, check out my book, the Paddler's Guide to Michigan, The Countryman Press. 
  

Rough day on Lake Superior

The winds were up a bit yesterday on Lake Supeior when I paddled through the Pictured Rocks in the Upper Peninsula, but myself and other kayakers braved the waves and found some stunning views. It was a crystal clear day, although a bit cool. The best trip on rough days is to put in at Sand Point near Munising. From there you can paddle across the channel to Grand Island or follow the Pictured Rocks to Miner's Castle. The island buffers paddlers from the waves from the big lake.

Thoughts of a hidden beach in January

With the temperatures in the teens this weekend, my thoughts went back to summer days and beaches that I want to see again. I found this one between Copper and Eagle Harbor on Lake Superior in the Keweenaw Peninsula. I was doing the research for my travel guide and stopped to snap a picture, but didn't have time to explore he beach as much as I wanted to. There wasn't a soul around and I would have liked to have walked out on the wooded point in the photo. I plan on getting back there this coming summer when doing research on a new paddling guide to Michigan for my publisher, The Countryman Press.