When we got up the next morning in Manistique we were greeted with a very fogy morning!
This was taken in the front of our hotel. We took our time leaving as this didn't look like good driving weather!
Bob noticed these cool spiderwebs, beautifully decorated with the morning dew, so I spent a little time outside with the camera.
It started to brighten up and we hit the road.
Our first spot of the day with Kitch-it-kipi or Big Spring. I had heard of this and seen it listed as a place you had to visit in your lifetime, and after seeing it, I agree!
It's a Spring fed pool that is 40 feet deep. The Springs put out 10,000 gallons of water per minute and the water is so clear you can see mineral encrusted tree trunks and fish swimming near the bottom. You can also see that sand at the bottom bubbling where the spring water comes out. The name means "mirror of heaven" and it came from the Native Americans who lived there.
This is a floating pavilion with the center cut out so you can see down into the pond. There is a wheel that people take turns on that allows you to go from one side of the pond, to the other.
Here's Bob taking his turn at the wheel.
Tree trunks near the edge of the pond.
These are trout near the bottom. The camera doesn't capture the depth well but they were down deep, probably close to 40 feet. These were big fish, about a foot long.
Here's a picture looking across the pond. It shows the color of the water and how you can look through it to the sides. The pond is not shallow, even on the edges, it gets deep very quickly.
It was really beautiful and if you ever get a chance you have to go here!
Next up was Tahquamenon Falls, about 2 hours north. It is the second largest Falls in the United States, after Niagara Falls.
It's known for the brown streaks in the water, which comes from tannins from cedar swamps which the river drains. These are the upper falls.
We did the 96 steps down to get to the viewing platform! (and of course back up when we were done)
It's an impressive sight and sound too!
We saw touches of Fall showing up in the area.
We then drove about 15 minutes to check out the lower falls, which are not nearly as big, but still a pretty sight.
Then it was time to head south. After about 1 1/2 hours we came to The Bridge!
Here we are crossing over the famous Mackinac Bridge - it's 5 miles long.
We stayed in Mackinaw City and came back to the beach in the evening. The Mackinaw Lighthouse was closed for the day, but I always enjoy seeing it.
Here's the bridge!
And a little different view - the view from below.
I don't know why, but all kinds of kayaks were piled near the bridge. They made a pretty splash of color.
The sun setting under the bridge.
And that's the end of a wonderful vacation. We drove about 1200 miles, not counting the miles on the ferry. We had perfect weather and saw a lot of God's beautiful creation. We are thankful.
