Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

 Last hoorah for this trip....Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan

Started with the scenic drive!

Onto the dune climb!

Now, my cousin Eric's wife, Lysette TOLD us to do the Dunes form the scenic drive and NOT do the 3.5 mile hike, but we DID NOT listen!

First dune (yes FIRST dune) which I though was the only dune!  

At sign number 3, we saw a lady who was huffing and puffing and we asked if we were close?  HAHAHAHAHAHHA.....there are 26 (TWENTY-SIX) signs to get the end of the dunes!

At number 7, considered turning around.....

At number 8 considered turning around......

At number 9, TURNED around!

On the way back....

My calf's (calves?) will never be the same!!!!  Said OUCH every time I moved!

Last campground for this trip!

Oh, what the heck, one more little hike (Ernie stayed back to get the fire started)

This trail was supposed to be .8 miles (they lied) but I was armed with my bear spray (I was a little freaked out because I was the only one on the trail)

Getting closer, making progress....

THIS was the view we WOULD have seen if we had finished the Dune Climb!  Wish I would have known that a little sooner!

HOMEBOUND, Saturday, September 16, 2023

Stopped to see my cousin Ralph and his wife Mary, who live in N. Canton, MI.

Thanks Ralph, Mary and Harley for your hospitality!  It was so wonderful to spend time with you at your beautiful home!  Next time, we will spend time at the COTTAGE!  LOL!

Love you all!

HOMEWARD BOUND!  

Beautiful site to see!  Thanks to our son, Jesse, to keep the home fires burning while we were away!  Love you!

6,026 miles in 22 days!  Time for Norrie-Marilyn to get a much needed BATH!

Until the next trip..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Upper Peninsula (Yooper) and Lake Michigan

 Lake Superior...

Heading for the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial at Whitefish Point in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Took a little hike to see the sunset on Lake Superior.

Couldn't really see from this view, SO....

Down the path we went, I am not good with distances, but this was a long way down on a very narrow path!

Where's Waldo (Ernie)....he kind of blends in with the tree!

This man loves a good path challenge!

Where's Waldo (Robin)?  I stayed a little higher on the the path!

BUT, we go some good pictures of the sunset!  My view point...

Ernie's viewpoint, after making his way down the treacherous path!

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point!

Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial - Listened to Gordon Lightfoot all the way here!  

𝅘𝅥𝅮𝅘𝅥𝅯🎵The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down, of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee𝅘𝅥𝅯𝅘𝅥𝅰🎵

The museum is a little eerie, had a few goosebumps while here!

Not sure what is happening in PA, but the leaves are starting to turn up this way!

Driving through the Upper Peninsula, oh ya!

Discovered smoked fish!  Now, we had been seeing signs for smoked fish on the entire drive through the UP, but just didn't sound appealing!  Until, just be fore the Mackinac Bridge, stopped for gas at a little tiny gas station and when we went in, the smoked fish was the first thing you see when you walk inside.  

What the heck, may as well give it a try!  OMGosh, it is absolutely delicious!  Ate most of it that night and tried to find more, but NO luck!  We did find smoked whitefish dip, but that was it!  If you are ever up in the UP, GET THE SMOKED FISH....you won't be sorry!  (No pics of the fish, just wanted to let you know it is GOOD)!

The Mackinac Bridge (5 miles long) - Lake Huron on the left, Lake Michigan on the right!

No more smoked fish after this point (that we could find anyway)  trust me we looked at every mom and pop store we could find, for a smoked fish sign!!!!!

Great little campsite, however!  Wilderness State Park

Nice little stroll on the beach!  Lake Michigan is SO beautiful with gorgeous clear blue water!

I am ready for the sunset....

How many sunset pictures are TOO many?  Never too many, in my opinion!

How many sunrise pictures are TOO many?  Never too many, in my opinion!

Nearing the end of our trip!!!  Heading for Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore