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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Until it looked like the woods were on fire
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.
The trees and other vegatation have to learn to exist in this harsh rocky terrain
The park also contains the world's largest piece of glacial copper
We also drove along Marquette's lake shore area and stopped to view the Marquette Harbor lighthouse
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.
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.
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