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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Last Day

On Thursday we left Munising to drive back to Mackinaw City. We planned to take a scenic route back. It was really interesting to drive it because there were no other cars, no houses...just a road out in the middle of hills and forests!
We stopped near the Au Sable Lighthouse to tour it. The sign said it was a 1.5 mile walk to the lighthouse, so we started out. After we had walked about 5 minutes we came to another sign that said it was 1.6 miles to the lighthouse. We kept walking and then found another sign that said - 1.5 miles to go. Pretty funny!

This is the path we were walking to the lighthouse.


After we had been walking, we came to another sign that said "shipwreck", and pointed to the beach. After a little walk down the beach we found it.

This is the remains of the Gale Staples which went down in a storm in 1918. The entire crew was saved and this is the remains that have washed up on shore.
On another note - look at those waves! There were people surfing Lake Superior on this day.


While we were on the beach, we saw this rainbow. It's not real bright - hope you can see it!


I love the stones on the shore.



After more walking we finally sighted the lighthouse through the trees.


When we got to the lighthouse, we found it was the last day that they would be taking people on tours for the season. The keepers area was restored beautifully to the early 1900's era. After touring that area, we were allowed to climb the tower.


This little window was about 1/2 way up. What a pretty sight!


Here's the stairs we climbed - 99 of them in all!




Isn't this a pretty lighthouse?


We then started the hike back. There was one more shipwreck sign that we had missed on the way out, so we went back to the beach.

This is all that remains of the Mary Jarecki. She sank on July 4, 1888.






Here's the only critter I captured with my camera during the week. We also saw 3 bald eagles, 7 deer, several herons and one dead porcupine.


This is the remains of an old log cabin.



Heading back across the Mackinac Bridge.


We stayed in the same hotel we had been in a few days earlier, and again had a room overlooking Lake Huron.

This was the scene we were greeted with when we got up in the morning. It was beautiful weather after all the wind and rain during the week. And of course - we had to leave!




Excuse this blurry picture. I took it through the windshield as we drove.
We drove home via the Tunnel of Trees, which is a scenic route from Good Hart to Harbor Springs. This road goes along the lake shore and really does look like a tunnel of trees for most of the drive. It was a beautiful way to end our week away.
That's the end of all the pictures - vacation shots at least! Thanks for following along!

19 comments:

Unknown said...

You did alot in the time you were gone, and got to see so many nice places. I love all the pictures, I still think you could make a living taking photos!!!

Pat said...

I can't get over those waves! It must have been a sight to see!
I'm very impressed with your hiking and climbing all of those stairs. If I could do it I would need oxygen and a stretcher afterward!

Karin said...

Hubby and I have traveled over the Mackinac Bridge several times - loved that whole area! You took some great shots! LOVE the lighthouse! I bought 2 little littlehouses and they decorate hubby's bathroom in the red, white and blue theme! So cool!

Sadie said...

Wow. So many breath taking photos! Looks like an awesome time!!

Heather said...

You got so many beautiful pictures! I love the shipwrecks, they always look so cool! They drive you took back home looks like it was a beautiful, relaxing drive!

LuAnn said...

Love, love, love the lighthouse pictures. The window one is great.

What a wonderful trip !!!!

Sharon said...

Wow those photos are so beautiful.
I love the lighthouse.
All of steps made me breathless!!
Thanks for taking us on your trip.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Brooke said...

love the rainbow! :) we saw one Wednesday night under the bridge. I thought it was a great way for God to say "I'm here" to those people who desperately need hope.

Anonymous said...

Well, you did go all the way up didn't you? Did you go all the way to Copper Harbor? That was at the end of the road when we went. Lots of places along the way we didn't stop. Had kids with us. "Are we there yet?"

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I'd love to visit there but I'm not sure I'd make it up those 99 steps. You've inspired me to post my B&B pictures.

Kim said...

Really enjoyed looking through your vacation photos. It gave me some great ideas of places I want to visit and weekend get-away ideas. The Tunnel of Trees is top on my list. Are there places to eat along the route, or is it best to bring food along for a picnic? Thanks again.

Brenda said...

Your pictures are wonderful! That one of the lighthouse through the trees and the staircase I especially like. You're really good!
Glad you had such a great time. Oh, btw, did you ever find out the exact mileage to the lighthouse. I think I would've got discouraged after the 3rd sign! The mile that stood still!

Leslie Basil Payne said...

Hi Mari,
Found your blog via "Chocolate Covered Daydreams." Your photos are beautiful! Years ago I took a bicycling tour through Michigan and was so impressed by it's beauty. So glad you had a good trip.

Sylvia said...

Have really enjoyed following your week in photos. What a great holiday you had.

LL Cool Joe said...

I love the staircase shot and the one through the open windows. It reminds me of a Magritte painting.

Christina said...

Those are amazing pictures. I really enjoyed every one of them. I got a kick out of the 1.5, then 1.6 etc. Too funny but obviously worth the hike, The lighthouse is beautiful. So glad you had a good time on you road trip back home.

Rebecca said...

How amazing! The rocks on the shoreline, shipwrecks, the lighthouse...beautiful scenery and exercise, too!

I think the lack of commercialism would be my favorite thing about spending some time there...

Jean said...

I just caught up on your vacation posts. So much beauty!!!! Thank you for taking us along!

Jean said...

By the way, it's good you got that trip out of the way. You'd better stay home now so you don't miss the blessed event!!