Michigan UP Trip

Pahaska · 07-05-2004, 05:42 PM

here are some photos I took on our recent trip across the Upper Penninsula of Michigan.

This first photo is of Tahquamenon Upper Falls. This is the second largest US waterfall east of the Mississippi, second only to Niagara American Falls.

The red color, which gives the falls its Indian name, is from chemicals leached out of the peat beds upstream. The color is really startling.

Be aware if you visit the park that the mosquitos will eat you alive without plenty of insect repellant. I sprayed with back woods Off and wore a fuzzy sweater to cover my arms and back. That was the only major problem we had with mosquitos during the trip. Near the lake, there was generally enough onshore breeze to keep them away.

PWRSTRK · 07-05-2004, 05:46 PM

Thanks for sharing, that's one of our upcoming trips. I can see the UP from where I sit right now!

Tom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pahaska

here are some photos I took on our recent trip across the Upper Penninsula of Michigan.

This first photo is of Tahquamenon Upper Falls. This is the second largest US waterfall east of the Mississippi, second only to Niagara American Falls.

The red color, which gives the falls its Indian name, is from chemicals leached out of the peat beds upstream. The color is really startling.

Be aware if you visit the park that the mosquitos will eat you alive without plenty of insect repellant. I sprayed with back woods Off and wore a fuzzy sweater to cover my arms and back. That was the only major problem we had with mosquitos during the trip. Near the lake, there was generally enough onshore breeze to keep them away.

Pahaska · 07-05-2004, 05:47 PM

and here is one side of the lower falls. The river splits around a big island and about 2/3 of the water comes down thsi side. You can hire a rowboat and row out to the island, but my wife was reluctant.

Pahaska · 07-05-2004, 05:58 PM

West of Soo Locks, this light, built in the 1800s, went out of service in 1962. It was restored in the 1990s by the Historical Society. The tower is open to climb and the view is terrific. Unfortunately, the museum was closed for the Regan funeral when we were there.

Pahaska · 07-05-2004, 06:07 PM

We took the boat trip up through the US Soo Locks, around the St. Mary's River, and back through the Canadian Soo Locks. The photo shows the US lock as we approached. We later went to the observation tower to observe the locking procedure from a great vantage point.

The booms are lowered to keep an errant boat/ship from crashing the gates. The bridges are the highway bridge and the railroad bridge to Canada. The railroad bridge has a hoist section and a rotating section. We watched the railroad bridge close for a train to Canada.

canny_banjo_man · 07-09-2004, 12:51 PM

Hi John,
WOW...!...Looks GREAT, many,many thanx 4 sharin Yr fotos with us, L@@KS as if U had a great time, U-kn, I realy MUST spread My wings a little more, & realy explore Yr WONDERFUL LAND, I truely must, tho we plannin our 6th FLA:trip in nov '05, we done the Boston trip in Jan this year, -14, a little tooooo cooool 4 me...LOL...
But when I c places like that, it kinda makes Me wanna come right on over & C 4 Myself...SIGH !...LOL...Again, Many thanx John, all the best 2 U & Yr Family...Chris...

Pahaska · 07-09-2004, 01:11 PM

of Point Iroquois Light. The sky was unbelievably blue that day. My wife spent an hour picking up pebbles from the beach; I later found a website that mentioned a special sort of polished pebbles on that beach.

Pahaska · 07-09-2004, 01:22 PM

are much smaller than the US Soo Locks and are used only by pleasure boats and the tour boats. The locks are far too small to accept a freighter and there are no safety booms such as on the US locks. The Canadian locks were closed for some time, but now are restored and are open as a public park. There are some very old buildings by the locks that are being restored.

maxandgeorgia · 07-09-2004, 08:33 PM

This seems like a wonderful trip, Pahaska! Enjoyed the photo shots

Chris, you are always so excited about anything "US." Will you share? What if we were to cross the "pond" and have the opportunity to travel and photograph your homeland? What would you recommend for us? Your favorites? Just curious--and hoping, someday. . .!

Pahaska · 07-11-2004, 06:48 PM

on Grand Island, the big island that protects Musiniing Harbor. This structure was constructed in 1869-70. It is in terrible disrepair, but is being rebuilt. The light colored bits are new lumber. We saw it from the Pictured Rocks tour boat.

The Pictured Rocks tour was great. We went out in sunlight and returned in dense fog that rolled in just as we reached the turnaround point. We returned to Munising using radar. We came out of the fog again just as we approached this lighthouse.

Pahaska · 07-11-2004, 10:05 PM

We had hoped to take the sunset cruise out of Munising to catch the setting sun against the rocks, but we were too early in the season and had to take a mid-afternoon trip.

The boat trip covers the most scenic stretch of the rocks as well as coming close to the Grand Island lighthouse. The attached photo is an example of the rock cliffs that we saw. The various colors are created by minerals leeching out of the rocks; the blue is copper, for instance.

Pahaska · 07-11-2004, 10:10 PM

We could almost reach out and touch the cliffs in this cove. Unfortunately, due to the fog starting to roll in, the lighting doesn't show the rock colors. There was a lot of copper in this cove.