HWY 61 Moose

Heading back from Thunder Bay Ont. we spotted a moose standing behind the Thunder Bay mileage sign. I got out to take his picture and he snorted at me and then proceeded to walk into the woods.

Skyline Drive in Duluth during the fall.

One of the best drives in the fall is Skyline Drive above Lake Superior over looking Duluth and the harbor. There is something wonderful about a good vista above Duluth.The San Francisco of the Midwest some people call it. Drive up and down the hillside and speculate how they do it in the winter. Look at the interesting homes on the hillside and on top of Skyline drive. Look for raptors flying south for the winter. It's fall and it's wonderful!

Wagner Falls

Leaving Munising Michigan on M-94 is a small waterfall named Wagner Falls.Not the largest but is a very nice stop. Munising has several falls in the city limits or nearby.The landscape around town is hilly with several small streams. It's a nice little town with a population of about 2,500.

Pictured Rocks National Shoreline

East of Munising is the village of Grand Marais. Just outside of this little town are the Grand Sable Dunes. When Lake Superior was at a higher level after the glacial melt it deposited sand on the shoreline which is now exposed after the lake receded about 11,000 years ago. Give or take a thousand years. Ask a Palo Indian for a exact date. These dunes tower hundreds of feet on a extreme angle down to the lake. People do hike down for a swim but the hike back up is a killer.

Takes about a hour reported one adventurous soul. I elected to stay at the top as it was 85 degrees and humid. To the west is Sable Light on a wooded point. Down the road a few miles was Sable Falls which had three tiers. Hot tourists had to get into the falls with great care because there was slippery algae on rocks. This area was fantastic and off the beaten path. Just inland from the Dunes was Sable Lake. A nice place for fishing or a swim. Grand Marais is very small but had a few motels and a very nice harbor. I must return for some hiking and exploring someday.

Pictured Rocks Cruise, Munising Michigan

One of the most enjoyable cruises on Lake Superior. The coastal cliffs and rocks are very intresting and the turquoise water makes a nice contrast to the yellow sandstone rocks.The cruise starts right downtown at City Dock. The cruise service has four boats which are very busy during the summer. You pass cliffs,beaches and the big view of the Indian head.The captain gives local history,bad jokes and alot of information on the area. It's a very relaxing two hours plus. The time passes quickly due to the changing coastline. I've done the trip twice and would do it again.

Munising Michigan

Munising Michigan is the launching point for the Pictured Rocks Cruises and National Shoreline.

Pictured is the city dock and Munising bay. In Munising Bay is Grand Island. This area has many outstanding beaches. The water quality is very clear and has a nice turquoise color.

The Cruise is very pleasant along the coast. More to follow: