Bayfield and Madeline Island and Lake Superior

Bayfield Wisconsin is famous for it's fruit orchards. Unfortunately we are too early for thier biggest crop which is apples. We got in on the last of blueberry season and were able to pick-your-own. Started to rain but we got enough before we had to dash out of patch.

The orchard was housed in a really cool old barn

We bought some "pasties" before we left the UP of Michigan and have been enjoying them on the road. Actually they are better than I remembered--especially with brown gravy. Meat, potatoes, rutabagas, all wrapped up in flacky crust and baked. Old miners lunchbox fare.

The many personalities of Lake Superior. Depends on weather conditions, time of day, mood of the lake. Always captivating.

Ashland Wisconsin's claim to fame are the many murals scattered around the downtown that tell about its history.

Another recreated 1800 military fort.

We wanted to take the car ferry from Bayfield over to Madeline Island to have a look around. Was raining this morning but weatherman promised it would clear up by noon. So we decided to believe him and go while it was still raining.

Sure enough, half way there it began to clear and sun came out.

It was nice trip but unfortunately it is Monday and between that and Virus, many coffee shops, galleries, places of interest closed. 

From Madeline Island looking back at that passing weather front.  Another change in the mood of the Lake!

Sun shining on the beach with black clouds behind makes the water change again.

And then in the moon light.  

Tomorrow we will leave the South Shore and head to Duluth and up the North Shore of same Lake Superior. Looking forward to being there--feels like "home." We lived there in the early 70's, both kids born there, lots of memories there.

Speaking of memories. . .

We spied this camper in our campground. It is EXACTLY like the one we had when our kids were little. We bought ours in 1977 and had it for over 20 years. This one is vintage as Bethany has not manufactured a pop-up camper since 1980.

Sand Hill Cranes and Dunes, Michigan Upper Penninsula

Sand Hill Cranes at Seney National Wildlife Refuge. We also got several sightings of them just driving along the road here in the UP. They are beginning to get their winter grey coloring so they will be heading south soon. Amazing how hard they are to spot in the tall grasses. Thier mottled look works really well for camoflauge. Many times we hear them before we see them!

Large population of Trumpeter Swans. They were introduced in the 90's and have florished.

The sand dunes along the South shore of Lake Superior were a surprise to us. We got a good look at them at Picture Rocks National Lakeshore.

This dune goes right down to the water. It's cool, very wet sand and people dig thier toes in and climb down and back up. No, we didn't even think about it.

Such a different shoreline than the Lake Superior shore that I know in Minnesota. Soft sand and huge dunes unlike the rocky shoreline I remember. Same beautiful blue/green waters.

Eastern Kingbirds

Sault Ste Marie and tour through the Loches.

Good thing to do on a rainy day. Tour boat was comfy and dry and everybody masked up.  Got up close to some really BIG vessels and barges going up and down the locks. Can't help but be impressed watching those things maneuver through the channel and locks.

Tahquamenon Falls. Largest in Michigan

Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. This was display about the infamous Edmond Fitzgerald, that went down in Lake Superior in a November Gale in 1972. We remember the incident and of course Gordon Lightfoot's ballad that told the story in a gazillion verses.

Lower Falls of the Tahquamenon. Two actually, one on each side of an island.

We have left Lake Michigan behind and are on Lake Superior's South shore now

Very well done light house and museum at Whitefish Point. And it actually was open!

We had to have some local fish and chips. This one was recommended. Crisp and lightly breaded and greasy. . .just right.

Bridges

We were quite taken with the Mackinac Bridge. We stayed quite close to it so enjoyed many views of it and finally traveled over it on our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

When it was finished in 1950's it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Now it ranks 24th but still longest in North America. It has quite a legacy.

Then driving on we happened to stop at a road side rest at the Cut River and discovered this interesting bridge over the span. Hiking trails all around and a staggered stairway that went down to Lake Michigan and mouth of Cut River.

Looks like I have two heads. . .We're just being extra friendly

Mackinac Island

Didn't realize how beautiful Lake Michigan is. The waters here are as clear and blue as on any tropical beach I have ever seen.  Or any snow melt mountain stream. 

Took our bikes on the ferry and spent the day on Mackinac Island.  I know we have been there many years ago but honestly, the only thing I remember is the horse drawn carriages and the fudge shops. . .and that it was pretty. It still is a lovely island that works hard to keep it's quaint ambiance, still lots of fudge and chocolate shops. Still no cars on the island so bicycles and horse drawn vehicles and just walking get the visitors about. We biked the 8 mile circumference along the lake shore. 

The Grand Hotel keeps it's air of grandeur and is the biggest employer on the island. The governor of Michigan has a summer residence here also.  There is a school here so obviously there is a sizable permanent population.

It has a fort to explore complete with costumed tour guides that tell you all about it. Sits on a high hill that was obviously a great location to guard the port. It's quite a climb just to hike up there. Great view of downtown and port. Was first British until the Americans took over after Revolutionary War. Then Brits took it back again during war of 1812 but was returned again to US when that war ended.

Garbage pick up by horse and cart. No cars or trucks here even for services.

We visited an indoor butterfly garden and got some good pictures.