Friday, August 31, 2018

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Monday, August 27, 2018

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Friday, August 24, 2018

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Imagine


In my mind, I'm reading a book beside a shimmering lake.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Monday, August 20, 2018

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Friday, August 17, 2018

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Celebration

Last Friday we had pizza and ice cream in honor of Logan's return from his internship with Next Step Ministries in Texas. Judging by the ice cream, we were excited to have him back in Michigan. 

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Pinnacle Falls

The first couple of waterfalls that Naomi and I visited in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, were very tourist friendly. Boardwalks and steps led to viewing platforms. There were trashcans strategically placed along the way. Signs clearly marked the paths. There were restrooms (with flushing toilets) and gift shops with ice cream and pasties.

Pinnacle Falls on the Yellow Dog River was not like the first few waterfalls we visited.

On Saturday, Naomi plugged the address into Google maps on her phone, and we set out from Marquette. We followed paved roads into the middle of nowhere, and then turned onto a dirt road that soon turned into a lane, leading into the wilderness.

We bumped along the dirt path, which was wide enough for one vehicle, through woods, and across clearings. Every so often, the lane would intersect with another path and the Google map (despite the fact that we were well beyond cell service) would tell us which way to turn. At one point we followed a snowmobile trail (evidenced by tall poles that marked the trail to make the path visible when it snows). Every so often, the way was marked by a hand-painted sign.

After it seemed like we'd been traveling for many miles (but was only a couple of miles since my vehicle was crawling along), Google announced we had arrived. Clearly, we had not. So we continued down the lane until trees and undergrowth scraped against my vehicle. It turns out that was the narrowest part of the lane, but since I didn't know that and really didn't want to have to back my way out, I managed to turn the vehicle around and I parked in a clearing. From there Naomi and I walked.

A sign pointed to the trail, which Naomi told me was a short hike to the waterfall. A short hike, I learned, is not to be confused with an easy hike.

The trail was well-marked, but it was steep, with tree roots that could reach out and trip you. It wound its way down a gorge. It twisted and turned, and I inched my way down the trail. Several times Naomi was concerned that I was going to give up. "That's the hardest part," she'd tell me.

Finally, the path leveled out and we could hear the river. Though technically easier, the trail wasn't any less intimidating. We threaded our way through undergrowth as tall as my shoulders. We broke out of undergrowth and glimpsed a few rapids. "That better not be the waterfall," we said.

It wasn't. We followed the trail a little further, turned a corner, and saw the falls.

And it was worth it.

The water was clear and pure. Unlike the other waterfalls we had visited, this one appeared untouched by mankind. There were no sounds of traffic, no noisy tourists, no trashcans or fences. It was pristine.

Photo by Naomi


If you make it to the U.P. and are in the mood to visit a waterfall (and don't mind venturing into the middle of the wilderness, and then going a bit further), I recommend visiting Pinnacle Falls (though, I recommend wearing hiking boots and clothing that covers your arms and legs.)


Monday, August 13, 2018

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Outhouse

When people talk about the good old days, they're not talking about the days before flushing toilets. 

Friday, August 10, 2018

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Beacon

Manistique East Breakwater

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Waterfalls

Munising Falls, Munising
Pinnacle Falls on the Yellow Dog River, between Marquette and Big Bay
Canyon Falls, L'Anse
Tahquamenon Falls, Paradise
Naomi and I ventured into Michigan's upper peninsula for an extended weekend vacation. Along our way, we explored several waterfalls.



Munising Falls is easily accessible by boardwalk and a series of steps that lead to viewing platforms. The waterfall, that cuts through a sandstone cliff, is part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Canyon Falls is a short walk from an unpretentious roadside park along US41. The rocks along the river form natural steps beside the waterfall.

Tahquamenon Falls consists of the upper and lower falls, and is the most famous waterfall in the upper peninsula. A series of steps (numbering in the hundreds) lead to viewing platforms.

Pinnacle Falls, well that's a story for another day. 

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Monday, August 6, 2018

Wild blueberries


Marquette farmers' market

Sunday, August 5, 2018

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Friday, August 3, 2018

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Wednesday, August 1, 2018