Move Beyond Ordinary

Before reaching our destination, we had an overnight stay at a Harvest Host. You guessed it – a winery. Wineries are our Harvest Hosts of choice. Courtyard Winery was a great stop. The staff was super friendly and wanted to know about our travels. The winery had an excellent selection of red wines and arranged a delectable charcuterie.

Hamlin State Park was on Lake Ontario, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to explore much. This trip was to spend time with Mitch’s brother in Rochester, and this park was close to where he lives. We spent two days of family time. One of the benefits of travel is the opportunity to visit friends and relatives when you pass through their area.

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Before our next destination, we spent the night at Fireland Winery. We enjoyed the band while we sipped red wine and snacked on a charcuterie array. This week, we stayed at a Boondockers Welcome. These hosts allow RVer’s a place to stay on their private property for up to five days. Our host, David, graciously provided us with a dozen eggs from his chickens while we were there.

His home was a short distance from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is the only national park that started its beginnings as a national recreation area. In 2022, it was the ninth most visited park, putting it ahead of Glacier National Park.

We hiked two trails while there. The first was Brandywine Gorge Falls. It was a great hike to the falls as the water roared and cascaded down the steep incline. It was a beautiful sight on this early morning hike. I never tire of seeing waterfalls.

The second hike was on the Ledges Trail. At the trailhead a wedding ceremony was being performed so we strolled up ahead so as not to be intrusive on the special moment. Once the ceremony was complete we began our hike. This hike was unique as it had varying ledge structures adorning the trail. The ledges were eerie due to the stone’s dark colors, spotted moss-covered areas, and the low light levels from the dense tree canopy.

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We stopped at a Harvest Host for two nights before heading to Ohio. Our stop was in Shipshewana, IN at the Menho-Hof Amish Cultural Center. A tour of this facility was significant in enlightening the three divisions of the Amish culture and their beliefs. They built this structure to educate and have others understand their way of life. The Amish community rallied together and made the outside structure of the building in one week without using any nails. It is genuinely remarkable and worth visiting if you are nearby.

On to Marblehead. Just my luck, there were two lighthouses. One in Port Clinton and the other in Marblehead. The Marblehead lighthouse was a wonderful visit during daylight but while we were there, the blue supermoon occurred, and we made a trip back at night. We got some great pictures, but the one I wanted where the moon was above the lighthouse would have had us there till 3:00 a.m., which was a little past our bedtime.

The next day, we rode almost 10 miles to hop on the ferry to visit Kelley Island. It was a beautiful day for a ride. We stopped to see the Glacier Grooves and visited Kelley’s Island Wine Company Vineyard on our way back. With a glass of wine and a charcuterie board, we spent the next hour basking in the sun and enjoying the atmosphere. We rode back to the campground to enjoy a campfire and prepare for our next destination.

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Holland is best known for the magnificent tulips adorning its city. Unfortunately, we missed the Festival of Tulips which celebrates their Dutch heritage. We must revisit from late April to May to see the millions of tulips proudly displaying their beauty.

We rode our bikes to Holland State Park where the Big Red Lighthouse is a main attraction. The beach was filled with beachgoers enjoying the day and where colorful kites could be seen dancing in the sky. On our way back from the park we stopped to climb the stairs to get an aerial view of the bay and Lake Erie. We couldn’t help but stop and admire the stunning sailboats gliding along the waterway.

The next day, we arose early and visited the best farmers market I had ever seen. This was a highlight for me. From fresh produce to beautiful flowers, best of all being there during blueberry season. The sweetest blueberries ever. We strolled down the main street, stopped in a gluten-free bakery, and treated myself to an oversized chocolate cookie. Yum!

The highlight of our morning was a visit to Kilwins to purchase a caramel apple. If there is a Kilwins, Mitch knows we are entering the store for my peanut-crusted caramel apple. However, we got more than a caramel apple. The shop owner was making fudge, and he graciously instructed us on how fudge is made. We walked out with an educational experience instead of just a caramel apple.

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Upon our arrival, we were put into a queue to get our water for the week. The parking lot was packed as it was a beautiful day to enjoy the sun and sand. While this park is unique because the campground is connected to the beach, it also has tight spots, making it challenging to get into and out of with our size rig.

The Ensign Regatta was being held the same week, and we enjoyed watching the sailboat parade leisurely through the inlet onto Lake Michigan. That afternoon the winds kicked up, and the rainstorms made an appearance. It continued through the night until the following day. It was a heck of a storm, and the rough surf kept beachgoers away.

It was an excellent time to visit the town. A small farmers market was happening that day. The city has an annual sculpture walk, and our favorite was the Sea Maiden, created out of shiny steel. There were many small art galleries, restaurants, and shops. The Pentwater Yacht Club was abuzz with activity as they hosted the regatta.

Fortunately, our departure was a lot easier than our arrival. Mitch was happy the wheels made it through the sand without much fanfare.

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We hiked the Pyramid Point Trail, which took us to the cliff overlooking Lake Michigan. The sign warned hikers of injury; if you ventured down, it would probably take two hours to climb back up. We watched as a young man made his way up, and when he reached the top, he was out of breath and beet red. His girlfriend asked if he got any rocks. His reply was priceless, “Hopefully, enough to make you happy.” Ah, the things we do for love. We continued the trail to the high point of the dunes and practically slid our way down until we reached the woods. From there, the trail led us through a meadow. It was peaceful, and we were alone for the rest of the hike.

We visited a lavender farm, and this one was more successful than the last as the lavender was blooming. Imagine our surprise when we entered the barn to find floor-to-ceiling lavender drying to make soaps. sprays, lotions, and ice cream. We then ventured to Dune Bird Winery. The reds were delicious, and the atmosphere was relaxing. A hummingbird piqued our interest as it visited the many beautiful blooms.

The visit to Old Mission Lighthouse was made on National Lighthouse Day. Visitors could peruse the lighthouse, and the log cabin and beach were an added plus.

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Our campground, Tiki RV Park, was in St. Ignace, a 15-minute ferry ride to Mackinaw Island. The downtown had a community park where the boardwalk would take you to the lighthouse. Every Saturday until Labor Day, they had a firework display. In the last three years, we haven’t been to a place where the 4th of July fireworks were within a reasonable distance, so I was excited to watch the night sky light up.

The massive Mackinaw Bridge connects the upper and lower parts of the peninsula. We decided to go for an 18-mile bike ride which required us to drive across the bridge. Going through the toll booth took us longer than traveling across the bridge. After our ride, we stopped at Mackinaw City. The town has many shops and restaurants, and of course, we had to visit the lighthouse.

We took the 7:15 ferry over to Mackinaw Island. The ferry carried primarily people who worked on the island. The first item when we arrived was to rent a tandem bike. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island. Bikes, carriage rides, and on foot are the modes of transportation. It was our first experience on a tandem, and the best part was the deserted streets. The 8-mile ride around the island was peaceful, with a view of the water and a stop to climb the Arch Rock – all 207 stairs.

Our next stop was a tour of the Grand Hotel. Somewhere in Time was filmed here, and it has been a vacation oasis for generations. The history of this hotel is fascinating, and it has the most extended veranda with rocking chairs I have ever seen. After six o clock, all guests must be in dress attire. FANCY!! We left the hotel to go back into the town for lunch. The number of people now roaming the streets was unreal. It reminded me of Disney’s Main Street. We enjoyed our stay on Mackinaw Island, but for us, it was a one-and-done.

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Today, we sought to visit as many falls as possible.  The falls we visited were spectacular.  Some were visible from the road, and others required a hike into the woods.  Each had its beauty and uniqueness.  I never tire of seeing waterfalls and often think how amazing it would be to own a home near one and listen to the sound of the rushing water each day.

With the second half of our kayaking trip canceled, Mitch suggested we hike along the top of the cliffs to catch a photo of Lovers Leap.  This was after visiting the falls and grabbing some lunch.  Not our usual part of the day to start a hike, but this was a ten-mile hike with two waterfalls along the way.  We came across the first one, Mosquito Falls, and continued through the forest until it brought us to the outer edge of the cliffs.  This part of the hike was enjoyable.  Kayakers can be seen below, visiting the same route we had taken the day before.  Midway, Lovers Leap was a sight to behold, and my much sought-after photo was captured.  We continued along the edge stopping at various spots to enjoy the view.

Now the not-so-fun part of this hike.  Did I mention that six miles was the longest hike I had been on?  We are now at eight miles, and fatigue is starting to rear its ugly head.  My concern was to avoid hiking the last two miles in the dark.  Mitch assured me we would finish before sunset at 9:50 pm.  There was a decision to be made, go and view Chapel Falls or take the route bypassing the falls to get to the parking lot. Typically, I preserve, but I choose the latter.  I wanted this hike to be over.  The last two miles were through the forest with muddy pathways; the only highlight was a deer spotting.  By 9:10 pm, we were in the parking lot and amazed at how many cars were still there.  All I can say is that I was glad it was over.

Of the fourteen falls in the area, we visited nine.  Hopefully, these pictures will make you understand some of the beauty we have seen in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As of now, the Northern Lights have yet to be seen.

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We stayed at Pictured Rocks RV Park & Campground in the town of Christmas.  This post office gets deluged with cards and packages during the holiday season to get its cheery stamp.  Our first stop was the Chamber of Commerce.  We were directed to all the attractions in the area, and I asked about the Northern Lights (a bucket list item).  We were informed that chances were slim as it wasn’t the right time of year. While Pictured Rocks is the main attraction, there are also 14 beautiful waterfalls just waiting to be viewed.  We booked a six-hour kayak tour to see the cliffs from the water.  Our time started at noon, but we hiked two waterfalls before our tour.  The Miners and Munising Falls were incredible and gave us glimpses of the other falls waiting to be explored.

We arrived at our meeting point on the beach and were told our tour would be only three hours due to a storm in the afternoon.  Bummers, this meant we wouldn’t be paddling to Lovers Leap.  However, the three hours provided the most fantastic scenery.  These cliffs earned their name as mineral streaks stained the rock into the most magnificent display of colors.  If I had one wish that day, it would have been for Mitch not to be colorblind.  He cannot get the full vibrant color display before us. However, he can see shades to help him distinguish some colors.  These rocks remind me of the Grand Canyon in that, while the pictures are spectacular, it’s nothing compared to being there.  One of the cliffsides looked like nature’s color palette with all its artistic beauty.

The Bridal Veil waterfall is the tallest in Michigan at 140ft.  I can see why it got its name as it looks like a bride’s veil cascading to the waters below.  By kayaking, we got close to the many caves along the way.  One was called the Bootleggers Cave.  During prohibition, the Canadians would bring spirits via boat, place them in the cave, and at some later point would be picked up by the bootleggers.  

The beauty of the Upper Peninsula is stunning, and we know we will be back again for a more extended stay.

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We made it to the Upper Peninsula!  Mitch’s big rock for 2023.  We stayed at Hancock Campground City Park.  We like the city parks we have visited.  We rose early to visit Hungarian Falls. (BTW, Michigan has a ton of falls and lakes).  Early risers get the worm, as the saying goes, but the best part is hiking when it’s just Mitch and I.  We aren’t rushed by people itching to see the falls, and we often stop and listen to the sound of the water flowing freely and other nature sounds.  Interestingly, we often come across exposed roots, which we dubbed “nature’s stairs.”

From there, we drove on Brockway Mountain Drive.  It was very picturesque, and we were enthralled by the trees lining each side of the drive.  The varied color greens of the trees make it more interesting.  At one point, the road was sectioned off due to a car show, so we veered off and stopped at a dockside shack offering muffins and hot drinks.  We welcomed the hot beverages as it was chilly with the winds coming from the water.  We continued along the road and stopped at Jacob Falls.  These falls can be easily seen from the road, but we did stop to take pictures.

The end of the Keweenaw Peninsula boarding Lake Superior was Ft. Wilkins Historic State Park.  1884 the government built this fort as the copper rush was booming.  Lake shipping interests asked the government to build a resource to navigate supplies that could be shipped in and copper to be transported out.  The government was concerned about the violence and disorder that might arise from the influx of people participating in the cooper rush.  In 1923, the fort became part of the Michigan State Parks.

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