Montreal River Falls

Here's a place we've sailed past many times, in fact we ran aground once in our Cal 40 trying to get a closer look!

It was a beautiful hike and we had a swim on the way  back.

Keweenaw Back Roads

We sold our boat this spring so opted for a car-camping vacation this year. We decided to check out some of the places we've only seen by water along the Keweenaw coast. Here's the Keweenaw, it's the very tip of the U.P. - see the arrow pointing at the top of the page? (click on the map for a bigger view) It's about a 6 hour drive from the Mackinac Bridge so not a lot of people venture there.  We used this awesome map to navigate the back roads - actually not roads at all but ATV/ORV trails.

Our first adventure was to High Rock Bay

We traveled a pretty rough road out of Copper Harbor and learned a few days later that there was a much better road we could have taken.  It was well worth the bumps and we spent two wonderful nights here.  Weather was great and water was warm. This view looks East, to the point, from where we set up our camp.  You can see the Manitou Island Lighthouse - it's the white spec in the distance.

White pines and the evening sky

Setting up our camp

The road ends at the end of the Earth - did I mention we were the only ones there?

The Keweenaw is known for its Thimbleberries and there were plenty!

We had a visitor the first morning...Once he knew we were on to him he moved pretty fast.  By the time I got my phone/camera he was heading back for cover.

We could have stayed at High Rock but really wanted to explore and get to Keystone Bay, a place we've sailed by a few times and wanted to see by land.  We had a great map and had some directions from a guy we met along the way.  He said something like, "you might be able to get through..."  The circle on the far right is High Rock Bay.  The circle with arrow southwest of High Rock is Keystone Bay.  On this link, you can move the satellite picture around and see the lay of the land between High Rock and Keystone.

Once we started down the road to Keystone, we both wondered whether we should keep going.  Already committed, we put it in 4WD low gear and hoped for the best.  On our way out we timed it - .1 mile in 12 minutes, that's a mile in 2 hours!  But it was so worth it!

Keystone Bay looking East

Looking West

We weren't alone, there was one other truck when we got there.  Here's the view from our camp.

Evening skies - yes, we did have a thunderstorm!

The heaven's opened up

We had a snug situation through the thunderstorm and not one bug thanks to the foresight and engineering skills of my wonderful husband!

Next, to the Montreal River Falls...

Stormy 4th of July

The 4th of July is a special time in Marquette - the days are long, dark doesn't come until about 10:30, and hot summer days are what we live for!  Inevitably, as we wait for the fireworks every year, the weather changes and the anticipation of the fireworks turns into confusion as the entire city wonders whether they'll be cancelled (or not).  Usually, it's 9 or 9:30 when 3/4 of the town has brought blankets and chairs to the beach to experience the show.  This year was no exception - a wonderful, hot summer day turns on a dime...

It was scary!  The wind came up and it rained.  Here's another view 

We weren't sure if they were going to have the fireworks, most people left - then in the rain, thunder and lightening, the show began!

Presque Isle Paradise

Not far from our house, about 8.4 miles to be exact, lies a tiny island named "Little Presque Isle".  I think it's named that because in the city of Marquette there's a park called "Presque Isle" that's much bigger.  Little Presque is one of our favorite places to go to walk on the beach, swim, or just sit and listen to the waves.  We go there year round, and when it's frozen, it's easy to walk over to the island.  In summer, we stay to the west of the island, where it's more private.  June 30th and July 1st we spent the afternoons there.  Amazingly, the Lake was warm enough for swimming and there were no bugs - not one fly or other critter to disturb our paradise.  It's a short walk through the woods and my favorite part is the smell of the pine needles on a hot day.  Here's what it looks like as you're walking through the woods approaching the Lake.

We set up a tent in the shade for the afternoon.

No one was on the beach in either direction - that's "Little Presque" - the island.

It was in the 80's, hot in the sun, cool in the shade and absolute paradise!

Infinity Pool - U.P. Style

You've heard of man-made, well this is the epitome of beaver-made.  This lake is essentially a beaver dam, identifiable by the three lodges occupying it.  I'm sworn to secrecy as to the location as it took our adventure seeking hiking buddies 3 tries to find it.

A single wild rose greeted us as we approached.  Saw a few lady slippers this day too.

Oh, and did I mention waterfalls?  All pictures taken with my new Samsung Galaxy S2 phone, except the lady slipper.  Next task is learning to zoom.

A Fall Camping Trip in the U.P.

Sunrise at Huron River

Evening Camp

Coffee n Bacon

Dinner's in the dutch oven

All was right with the world for 2 glorious days and nights in early October!  Temps in the 80's, swimming, sitting by the fire, good food and friends.

Looking west

Marquette at its Finest!

A great video of the Tall Ships entering Marquette Harbor!  It was spectacular sailing alongside these beauties.  Nick, the fella with the beard, captains a local schooner, Coaster II, for 2 hour, 4 hour and sunset cruises.  His son, one of the lads hoisting a sail in this video, was recently hired as crew on Pride of Baltimore II.  What an adventure!  

Sailing the Keweenaw

A quiet evening at Bete Grise Bay on the Eastern shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula.  The post title links to more pictures from our trip and a short video to get the full experience!  It was six wonderful days with my husband and without cell coverage!

Fourth of July in Marquette!

This is what we refer to as "the wall", where boaters can tie up for the day and listen to live music from the International Food Fest in the park.  We've been tying up just in front of the coast guard boat these past few days after sailing.  If you're in Marquette, stop on down and visit.

Moose Country

Took a drive to the Silver Lake Basin yesterday and saw this along the way.  Will go back and hike the nob in the background someday soon and possibly camp at the lake.

Reposting this link to photos of the U.P. and beyond!

I'm reposting this link to photos by Lars Jensen, a traveler, outdoor adventure guy and great photographer.  He lives in Ann Arbor, MI and travels the U.S. extensively.  He spends quite a lot of time at some of our favorite places like Pictured Rocks and the Porcupine Mountains.  His blog is pretty interesting too, especially if you want to learn more about outdoor photography.  Check out other places we've been in the blog category, places to go.

Back to the Falls

Hiked back to the waterfalls we were at last Sunday, built a fire and cooked the best veggie paks!  This shot is of the falls through the smoke of our fire.

Kid Rock MTV video in the U.P.!!

This is our backyard! This is where we hike and sail. Sailed here from Marquette in August (see eagle in tree from an earlier post). Great footage highlighting our gorgeous Lake Superior and Pictured Rocks. Post title links to the video

Stopped by this waterfall today on a great hike near Laughing Whitefish River.  Ended up crossing the river in our boots, luckily we were almost back to the car.  Did about a 6 mile loop. 

Grand Island getaway - August 2010

Sailing along Pictured Rocks last week. Had a wonderful, relaxing 5 days on the boat anchoring at Murray Bay by night, sailing Pictured Rocks by day. We had a friend along who was first mate, and I was assigned cook duties. Had pesto pasta from the garden and tomato, cucumber salads.

Zephyr proved to be very comfortable, had 8-10 foot waves going over and made record time.

Extreme hot weather = swimming every day!

Check out this link for current lake superior temps. 70 degrees offshore - warmer near the beach in Marquette. Been swimming every day in the big lake, our beach of choice is the boat anchorage.

Northern Lights earlier this week

This is the view from the end of our street, 5 houses down. Thanks to the person that took this photo! What a treat...

Tall Ship Europa on its way to Duluth

Last Saturday the Europa made an unexpected stop in Marquette. As it left Sunday afternoon, we were lucky enough to sail alongside. More pictures on post title link.

Holy Hoed Garden!

Tomatoes, basil and squash, oh my! Planted on Memorial Day, 5/31, it's looking pretty good. We've had a lot of rain and had the luck of getting composted alpaca manure from our friends at Avalon Farms. Can't wait to harvest!

Incredible photographer travels the world

From the U.P. to San Diego, Hawaii and the world, this guy travels, hikes and takes amazing photos.  Found this guys blog last year while searching for a local waterfall.  He's spent a lot of time hiking in the U.P. (and worldwide).  He lives in Ann Arbor and works at U of M.  Worth bookmarking for sure.