Our last day in the UP was nothing short of spectacular: perfect weather --partly sunny, low 70s, low humidity, light breezes and some of the most incredible and fantastic scenery in Michigan, ending with a wonderful meal at a lovely eatery right in Munising.
The day began with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and even a second cup of coffee (we brought our Mini Nespresso with us). A little after 10am we drove the 5 minutes or so into town and down to the Pictured Rocks Cruise dock and straightaway joined the queue waiting to board the Chapel Rock. Promptly at 11am we backed away from the dock, turned around and headed north out of Munising Bay toward Lake Superior.
For the next 2 hours we traveled along the National Lakeshore while our guide pointed out the various formations, some of which had names such as Chapel Rock and Miner's Castle, and discussed the unique elements that make the Pictured Rocks "pictured" (lots of stuff leeching from beneath the rocks it would seem). One might also refer to them as "painted" rocks but I suppose too many folk would confuse them with the painted desert.
The ride was smooth, the lake cooperative and at several points we were able to get so close you could almost touch the rocks. Anyway, the photos here don't do justice to the beauty of the area but they might give you a sense of what you're missing if you haven't been.
After we returned to Munising we stopped at Muldoon's for pasties; they were well-known in the area for that particular UP specialty. We both got the traditional (beef, potato, carrot and rutabaga). I thought the flavor could use some punching up[ (say curry?) but then they wouldn't be traditional.
We stopped back at our hotel (it was close to Muldoon's) where we relaxed and had our afternoon HB (hot beverage per Sheldon in the Big Bang).
Once refreshed, we headed back out for an afternoon of exploring the National Lakeshore from, well, the shore. A short drive out of Munising off H58 we found Miner's Falls, then drove a bit beyond to Miner's Castle (which we had seen from the boat earlier in the day) and then down to Miner's Beach so Susie could put her feet in Lake Superior. It's now official: on this trip she has been in two of the five Great Lakes.
It was getting late in the day so we headed back into Munising, stopping for gas. Once back at the Holiday Inn we poured two glasses of wine and sat outside on the lovely patio overlooking Munising Bay. That evening we drove the 2 minutes to our dinner venue: Tracey's at the Roam Inn. We both had Potato Whitefish (lightly crunchy whitefish in a Puttanesca sauce) and split an order of scrumptious crispy, fingerling potatoes in cream and leeks.
Tomorrow we head back to Grand Rapids. It's just something we have to do.
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| the Chapel Rock |
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| leaving Munising |
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| on our way out onto the really big lake |
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| you can only stand up for pictures on the lower rear deck |
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| note the kayakers |
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| we pulled into one of the rock coves |
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| looking out of the rock cove |
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note the tree growing on the rock outcrop;
it gets its only sustenance from the root draped across to the other rock |
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| spray falls |
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| again, the rock cove our boat pulled into |
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| lots of rock slides along the lakeshore |
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| more kayakers - a favorite place for the more adventurous folk |
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| Miner's Castle |
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| the old lighthouse on Grand Island |
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| Muldoons for pasties |
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| hints of autumn to come along the drive to Miner's Falls |
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| enjoying a glass of wine from the hotel terrace |
