Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Return Trip

Isn't it wonderful to take a little vacation trip and find a spot that you truly want to go back to just because you enjoyed it so much.  Hubs and I have gone on a few short trips and have always enjoyed each of them but a few years ago we stayed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in a town called Grand Marais which is on the shore of Lake Superior.  Since it is Autumn it was a little chilly this past weekend and I was so glad I took a light weight winter jacket along with me thinking I would maybe need it in the evenings.  I wore that said jacket most of the day because we were either walking on the beach, in the woods or by a waterfall, chilling.  To get to Michigan's Upper Peninsula you have to cross the very long Mackinaw Bridge.
Once you have crossed this bridge you are going to slow down and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  We stayed in a lodge that was just over a sand dune from the beach.  Since it is Autumn there were not bathing suits or shorts and as you can see by the waves in the next pictures it was too windy to do our usual sitting on the beach with a book.
But hubs and I like to walk the shoreline and pick up pretty rocks and there are an abundance of them on Lake Superiors shoreline.
We were hoping for a little more Autumn color in the trees but we went a little too early in the season.  We spent some of our time visiting some of the local falls.  There are many of them and if there was not a road closure we probably would have continued further down the coastline to the west and saw a few more.  This one is Sable Falls.  It is a 75 foot waterfall and tumbles over several cliffs until it reaches Lake Superior.  We followed the path to the falls and then on to the lake shore and back.  We missed the sign that said no pets allowed and took Ladybug with us on our walk.  We are not rule breakers so we felt guilty when we saw the sign on the way back to the car.  But the Bugs sure enjoyed her walk.
She was ready to move on here, I was still taking pictures.
We also visited Tahquanenon Falls State Park on the Tahquamenon River.  "Longfellow's Hiawatha:"by the rushing Tahquamenaw Hiawatha built his canoe."  These are some pictures of the Lower Falls.
And here are some of the upper falls.  As you can see I was trying out some different color settings on my camera.  Hubs and I really like the waterfalls taken in the sepia setting.
They allow pets in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park on a leash so Bugs got a really good workout as well.  She was even almost to tired to give a yip every time she heard someone open and shut a door down the hall.
While Ladybug took her nap hubs and I played some Cribbage and Yahtzee.
I lost every game.  But hubs is an excellent Cribbage player and I have only won a handful of games against him.
Homeward Bound

It was a wonderful Autumn trip!  Now you ask why is she highlighting Autumn all the way through this post?  It is Alphabe-Thursday time again.  The letter is A this week.  I was not prepared and this is the only post I had in mind this week.  I may be named a cheater by the new instructor.  If you want to check out this fun game and maybe even join in take a look see.
Jenny Matlock




Hope you are all having a wonderful week!  Blessings!

23 comments:

Christy said...

Well, I hope you don't get branded a cheater right away! LOL - what a beautiful area you were in - I would love to go there!

Terra said...

those water fall pics are cool! Autumn trip counts as an A post in my book!!!!

Annesphamily said...

I like this tour you took us on. That sweet pup looked like "I am dogged tired but having fun!"! Thanks for sharing today. Anne

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Yes indeed! Your Autumn trip looked wonderful! Lovely photos and ladybug looked like she had lots of fun too!

My dad lives in northern Wisconsin, near the U.P. and we went to those falls. We always play cribbage with my dad when we visit. :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

Jo said...

well it truly does look like it was a stellar autumn trip!

H said...

What a beautiful place. I would love to have been there. Personally, I prefer the colour versions of the waterfalls because of the rusty brown in the water.

Unknown said...

Dear Brenda,
Thanks for showing your photos from that really pretty countryside.
Best wishes,
Anna
Anna's A-word(Mrs.Jenny-Rd2)

Mary said...

Looks like a lovely trip, I've never visited any of the great lakes~ love your photos of the waterfalls!

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

What a fun trip - and stunning photos. I know you enjoyed every minute of it.

Bee Lady said...

What a beautiful place. I just love Michigan. I tell people that all the time. I so need a few days off. Maybe soon. My husband and I always take a couple of days in the fall and stay in the Brown County State Park in a cabin. Not sure if it'll happen this year since we're building, but I'm hoping... Glad you enjoyed your time away.
Cindy

Susan Anderson said...

Just wonderful! Looks like a nearly perfect trip.

=)

Joy Tilton said...

Loved tagging along on your trip, wonderful pictures! Ladybug is a cutie! We have a Cocker Spaniel Ben, he occasionally does the blog for me...come over for a visit!

mrs. c said...

Wow! Those photos were amazing, girl, I am so proud of you! It looks like a wonderful trip and I bet you actually got to sleep late and sit and sip coffee. Thanks so much for voting on my photo, I don't know if I won yet. Bug looks like she had a great time too! i used to play cribbage many years ago, I guess I will have to practice for our big cave trip! I love games and can see the 4 of us staying up most of the night playing!

Unknown said...

I love your trip pictures. What a wonderful place to visit.

fuzziekit said...

Wow... beautiful. I really need to get to the up past the bridge next season. I love the spring and fall up there. Don't know why but I do. I am a summer baby and I do. The thing is I am totally terrified to drive my car over the Mac. Just am totally irrational.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

What a nice sweet little trip to end the summer with!

I need to go somewhere....

Gabe said...

I think this is a brilliant A post!

We love the UP! I have never been in the fall and seeing your pictures makes me want to venture up there someday when it is Autumn!

Deborah Ann said...

The pictures are just lovely! We've never been up that way, though we did go camping in Canada years ago, and went up through Sault Ste. Marie.

The beach looks sooo inviting - windy, cold, doesn't matter - it's just so pretty!

Write Chick said...

I've always wanted to visit here. The pictures just made it worse. Simply beautiful.

Just stopping by for Alphabe-Thursday.

Tracy said...

As far as I can tell Autumn begins with A so no cheating but who knows what the new look teacher will say

Pondside said...

What fabulous landscape! I love a beach in the fall and winter, and a bridge at any time of year, so I really enjoyed your post.

Simple Home said...

I love your beautiful photos of this part of Michigan. I've always wanted to go there. I love the song "Shout to the Lord" too. Looking at your wonderful photos and hearing that song was inspiring!
Blessings,
Marcia

Jenny said...

What a beautiful post about a lovely state! I was born in Michigan. Haven't been back in years but I feel like I took a little trip just reading your post and enjoying your lovely pictures.

Your travelling companions are really photogenic. It looks like they were quite happy with Autumn even though the leaves weren't turning yet.

Thanks for linking this week.

This whole post made me smile.

A