Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

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Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby Colliemom » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:13 pm

Most of you know that I spent Thanksgiving week, way up in the west central part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, west of the city of Marquette. It is the first time that I have ever been into the U.P. that time of year, much less that far over. The weather ranged from snow upon arrival to snow showers upon departure and everything in between, including about 2 days of beautiful sunny weather. My friend Brenda and I put on a lot of miles sightseeing while we were there and I wanted to share some to the highlights with you.

We had a light mix of rain/snow on and off on our way across the peninsula and about 10 miles from our destination we were greeted with abput 8 inches of fresh snow from the night before. Needless to say it was beautiful driving along looking at all the snow covered black spruce of which the area has in abundanceboth along the highway and the road to the resort.
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Once we arrived at Maple Ridge Resort, out home for the week, we had a beautiful view out our windows of Lake Michigamme. It was so nice and cozy looking out at the open lake and the snow on the ground. Good time to have a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy.
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The next day we ventured to the cities of Ishpeming and Neguanee and went to the Michigan Iron Industry museum. This museum is well worth the visit if you are ever in the area. It depicts the history of iron ore mining in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the mines, the miners, and the final products produced with iron ore, the which of we know is many. The Carp River which runs behind the museum was once the site of a Forge and is a beautiful area. There is an observation platform from which to view the area and also a boardwalk going father down into the forge area. The which of we didn't due to the snow.
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On the second day, I drove over to an area west of where we stayed close to a town called Bruce Crossing and we were lucky in that the snow had melted down and we were able to go back in and view Agate Falls. This is another nice stop along the highway, with a rest stop parking/picnic area and a nice hardtopped, handicapped trail over to the falls. The viewing platform is on the edge of a deep gorge, so it's hard to get a really good pictures of the falls and this time of year, they tend to blend in with the snow a bit.
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We than ventured over to the cities of L'anse and Baraga at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula, that point of land which juts north from the peninsula into Lake Superior. There we stopped at the Shrine of Bishop Baraga, the snowshoe priest whom the city of Baraga was named after.
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While in L'anse, I stopped and snapped a picture of one of the Falls River Falls right in downtown. This is a series of waterfalls coming down the Falls River and can be accessed by a walking trail that goes about a mile up river. The falls are beautiful and some are quite large. This is one of the smaller ones and the last one down. The falls also depend on how much water is coming down the river too.
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I also stopped and took a picture of the Sturgeon River neat Alberta, south of Baraga. On the other side of the highway bridge from where I took this picture, the river continues down a series of rapids and eventually into Canyon Falls. A neat place to do some photography. If the river is low, you can actually walk out on the flat shale rocks and take pictures in the middle of the river above the falls. I've gotten some spectacular shots there. This time of year the roadside park and path to the falls are closed for the season.
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We stayed close to home the day before Thanksgiving but later that evening the sky started to clear around sunset, creating an interesting contrast between the clear and the cloudy sky.
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Later in the afternoon on Thanksgiving, we went down to Van Riper State park and drove around a bit. Found this neat camper cabin back near the lake. It's available to rent for $80 a night and from the looks of the view, I would be really tempted. Please note though, like all Michigan State Parks, pets are not allowed in state buildings.
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But the evening sunset on Thanksgiving was probably the icing on the cake as far as the week was concerned. It certainly went out in a blaze of glory
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Until it looked like the woods were on fire
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Black Friday we took off and headed for Marquette, not for shopping but to sightsee. These pictures were taken a Marquette's Presque Isle park, a gem of an island just on the north edge of Marquette. It is a naturally preserved area with a swimming beach, pavillion area, a beautiful drivng around around the perimeter of the park along it's wild and rocky shore with periodic turnouts or parking areas to get out and enjoy the views, there are deer running aruond here too and on certain days of the week, the park roads are closed for a couple of hours, so that cycylists can enjoy riding without being interrupted by cars. The are miles of bike/walking paths leading to this area. Just a fantastic place for those who enjoy the outdoors.
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The trees and other vegatation have to learn to exist in this harsh rocky terrain
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The park also contains the world's largest piece of glacial copper
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We also drove along Marquette's lake shore area and stopped to view the Marquette Harbor lighthouse
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One of the last places we stopped was a "Tourist Falls" in Marquette. These falls are created by the Upper Peninsula Power company dam on the Dead River and depending on the time of year can be quite spectacular. There is one falls right at the outlet of the dam and another farther down, but that one wasn't much this time of year. Depends on how much water is being released by the dam and the water levels in the river.
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And like all vacations, they eventually come to an end, unless you are lucky enough to be retired or a full time RVer with an "extended vacation". Hope you enjoyed this little tour of Michigan's U.P. in early winter.
Sue and the Furry Crew
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby cpatinjones » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:17 pm

Beautiful area! That was a great way to spend Thanksgiving week. Thanks for sharing.
Carolyn
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby Irmi » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:32 pm

Sue, those pictures are so nice! I especially like your sunset pictures. I'm so glad you & Brenda were able to take the time to visit and explore that area of the U.P.
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby Rufflesgurl » Thu Dec 01, 2011 3:42 pm

Sue - Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous pictures!! Loved seeing the area.

Linda
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby AlmostThere » Thu Dec 01, 2011 4:30 pm

What a wonderful trek and even better shared with a friend. Great pics, Sue!
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby dayspring39 » Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:40 pm

Sue you find so many interesting places when you take a vacation... I am glad you thought to share with us...
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby Nasoosie » Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:59 pm

Wow, Sue---very impressive photos and dialog, and what a lot of work went into putting that together! Thanks you so much for sharing that trip with us. Those sunset pics are award-winners, for sure. I feel almost as if I were there over the holiday with you and Brenda! Were dogs allowed where you stayed this year? I don't remember your saying you boarded them....just curious if you were able to find a place that allowed them.
Life is about learning to dance in the rain
Happy travels!
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby Colliemom » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:07 pm

Yes Soos, dogs are allowed there. There is a daily charge extra for them, but because they do allow them, is the reason I go there. They love it. So many places to see and so many things to check out. They are usually bushed by nightfall.
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby BarbaraRose » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:18 pm

Gosh, those photos made me feel like I was back home, with the snow! It can be so very pretty when it covers everything like that! The sunset photos were magnificent! The cabin reminded me of when my mom and I would rent one just like that right on Lake Superior north of Duluth each year. Those were always great trips for us. Beautiful waterfall pics too! Glad you had so much fun with your friend.
Barbie, Romeow, and Sophie, missing Lola! (and lots of ferrets running around in my heart!)

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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby Carolinagal » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:54 pm

What a wonderful place to spend Thanksgiving, your pictures are fabulous, Thank you, Sue, for posting all of them. I know it was a real job, but I so enjoyed them. Some make you feel you're there. Sunset pix, are magnificent !!!! Some really beautiful country up there, of course, I'm partial to that state. ;) .

Thank you,
CArol :)
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby kdmac » Thu Dec 01, 2011 9:53 pm

I would have loved to be there for Thanksgiving, it is just beautiful country. The snow pictures were so peaceful, I couldn't help but think how very lovely it would be on a hot summer day, as well. I hope you make that a Thanksgiving tradition...and that sunset sure was something, one in ten thousand.
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby Echo » Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:03 am

Wow Sue, those sunset pictures were super. But that first one with the contrasts was breath taking. I was simply stunned, it looked as if the tree was superimposed over it's own shadow.

Thank you so much for the time it took you to put that together and post it for us. You rock!!! :D
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby snowball » Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:04 am

Really so very nice!!! loved the sunset pictures really pretty...
Thanks for sharing with us
sheila
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby Redetotry » Fri Dec 02, 2011 3:40 pm

Great pictures Sue, I particularly like the sunset ones also. So glad you enjoyed the week with your friend. Always nice to find someone to travel with.
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Re: Pictures from Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Postby chalet05 » Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:21 am

You were in a part of the UP we didn't get to so I can see I need to go back! Beautiful area and photos!
Anita
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