It's time to visit the Upper Peninsula

With the temperatures in the 80s and 90s in southern Michigan and about 100 along the East Coast, its time to think about a trip to the Upper Peninsula where it's in the 70s. A cool drive along the shore of Lake Superior on M 28 is just the tonic we need this time of year. There are stunning beaches and an either calm or stormy Lake Superior. For many, the U.P. conjures up images of woods and waters, and there's plenty of that, but there is also a lot of urban culture. Try visiting Marquette, which has about 25 art galleries, Northern Michigan University, and a top flight hotel -- The Landmark. A bicycle trail follows the lake front through town, and restaurants and smalll cafes thrive.

Christmas in July

The hot weather probably has many of us wishing for Christmas in July. Well, here it is -- the Upper Peninsula town of Christmas in a photo taken in July. Christmas is a few miles west of Munising, and owes its existence to it's name. A small gift shop in the town doubles as a post office, so you can have your Christmas cards post marked with the word Christmas. There's also a casino, but I doubt if they give away gifts.

Misty, cool day on Beaver Lake

I'm back from a ten day paddling trip through the Upper Peninsula, most of the time I was on Lake Superior, but I found this lovely inland body of water, Beaver Lake, in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore between Munising and Grand Marais. There's a small campground and boat launch there, and it has a creek, Beaver Creek, that empties into Lake Superior, so you can get to the shoreline of the big lake. It's a bit of a trip. You have to get out of your kayak and "line" your boat through the creek, which means pull it. It's about a quarter mile to the big lake. Many of the days I was there, it was misty and cool, and I'm yearning for that weather again as I sit at my computer in southeastern Michigan editing my photos in 90 degree heat.

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.