Michigan vacation photos

[Lefty48197]

This is a view of the Mission Peninsula lighthouse taken from about 1/2 mile into Grand Traverse Bay. You can walk right out into the lake on sand and rocks. That big pile of rocks in the foreground is probably the site of many pagan rituals. The site is very close to the 45th parallel:

Charlevoix Harbor:

That's one big assed Petoskey stone! A few swipes with the belt sander proved that it was a Petoskey. I'm not sure how it'll finish up, though. The surface is pretty rough. I found a couple of other big ones too:

The "Mighty Mac" as viewed from the North:

The sandy shores of Lake Michigan along US 2 in the Upper Peninsula:

A birch forest in Keeweenaw County:

Copper Harbor viewed from Brockway Mountain.

Canyon River Falls:

Just because there's only rocks doesn't mean that the trees won't grow:

One of the virgin pines in the "Estivant Pine" area near Copper Harbor.

[susanna]

1. Love it! I could bore anyone to tears...

...with my UP photography LOL. I take dozens of rolls of B&W and color film every year on my annual trips around the Water Wonderland (anyone remember that as a license plate slogan?).

Your pictures are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing them!

edited for title

[Lefty48197]

3. I could look at pictures of the U.P. for hours. Days even.

In fact, this trip has me thinking: 1)property 2)retirement.

[susanna]

5. Me too...

On both looking at pictures and property/retirement. :-)

[alvis]

2. Great pics!

Michigan looks beautiful. I've never been there. Personally, I'm thinking #6, the birch forest, would look great shot in T-Max film (high definition B&W film). Processing is a little more expensive, but it's a favorite of mine. The first pic has a very good composition, IMO. I like it.

[Magical]

4. Brings back memories

Pure beauty...thanks for sharing those...

I grew up in Michigan and vacationed at Black Lake many times. My brother lives in Harbor Springs. Lots of fond memories.

When I was 16 I hitchhiked with a friend from Royal Oak up to the U.P. at Newberry. Rented a canoe and canoed the Two-hearted river. We only had 'permission' from our parents to hitch-hike into Wisconsin and back to Detroit...Well, when we got a ride out of Sault Ste. Marie that was going all the way to Edmonton, Alberta, we debated on whether to 'disobey' our folks. Suffice it to say we ended up making it to Vancouver Island, before turning around.

Amazing how I thought I was so grown up and my dad shouldn't worry about me. Now I have a 13-yo son and I can't imagine having him hitchhiking cross country at age 16.

My buddy's brother-in-law bought 100 acres in the U.P. for 15k and built his house from the trees on the land. They make jewelry and travel to shows in the summer to sell it.

No complaints about living in Seattle, however. I used to dream of the mountains and coast when I lived in Michigan.

[newyawker99]

6. What beautiful pictures!

Thanks for sharing them with us. :thumbsup:

[Lefty48197]

10. You're welcome New Yawker! C'mon out and visit...

... I'll be glad to help plan a vacation for you!

[1gobluedem]

7. Mission Point is gorgeous

A woman who used to work for me got married on the beach at Mission Point last September. It was part-Druidy and very Gaelic. Very interesting and beautiful.

My only objection was that she picked the Michigan-Notre Dame football Saturday. Fortunately there was a TV at the reception.

[susanna]

8. LOL!

Priorities, priorities! But of course you were right. ;-)

[Lefty48197]

9. I feel your pain GoBlue

One year, my sister (also of the Blue faith) dared to get married on the very day that the Mighty Spartans fought their valiant battle against the army of Notre Dame. I hear the reception was very nice.


















JUST KIDDING!!!!!
The stone formations on Mission Point are great. People use rocks to spell their names, or the names of lovers in the beach. They are everywhere, along with other decorations made of stone. A few years ago, they had build sort of a 'hot tub' out of stones out on the end of the point, where the big pile of rocks is now. When the tide would come in, it would fill the tub, and when it receded, there was still a nice pool! If I lived closer to that place, I get the feeling me and my lawnchair would spend a lot of time out there.

[1gobluedem]

11. My father was a football coach for 33 years

Our entire family was raised on high school and Michigan football. For that reason alone, I could never imagine getting married in the fall! And here in Ann Arbor, there are few, if any, weddings on home football Saturdays because there aren't any hotel rooms available -- all filled with out of town fans. I wouldn't have it any other way.

On the Friday before the first home game every year, I follow a little ritual. First, I go to Moe's on North U to see all the faithful back for the season buying up the latest garb. Michigan songs blaring onto the sidewalk from the speaker over the door -- it's usually bright and sunny and everyone is in a great mood. Then I get in the car and drive past the Pioneer High parking lot at Stadium and Main to see the lines of RVs, flags flying, grills going. I cap it off by driving to Elbel Field, parking and watching the marching band in their final evening rehearsal before the game.

I live about a mile up the hill from Elbel and often wake on Saturday mornings to hear faint strains of 'The Victors' wafting up the hill from game-morning rehearsal.

Goodness, I'm getting a little teary just thinking of it. I love my Michigan football!