Off to Munising

After a leisurely breakfast at the White Lace Inn we left Sturgeon Bay on Monday morning and headed southwest toward the city of Green Bay. Driving along the southern end of the actual bay, we couldn’t help but notice just how green the water actually is.

Skirting the city of Green Bay we turned north toward Marinette, WI where we crossed over into Michigan. Quite a bit of US Naval shipbuilding going on, at least on the Wisconsin side, but things seemed somewhat bleaker once we passed into the Upper Peninsula. 

We pushed north along the western side of Lake Michigan, enjoying wonderful views looking east toward the Door Peninsula. Arriving in Escanaba at lunchtime we decided on doing just that: having lunch. And right along our route was the Stone House Inn where we enjoyed two delicious salads and an incredibly effervescent server.

From Escanaba we continued north but away from the water and pushed to our final destination, Munising. We arrived mid-afternoon and notwithstanding some serious construction for such a small town we had little trouble finding our lodging, a very up-to-date Holiday Inn Express. Located just west of town on M28 along a bluff overlooking Grand Island and Lake Superior we felt for the first time on this trip as if we might enjoy a good night’s rest. (Mind you Sturgeon Bay wasn’t bad, but it was just one night.) 

After checking in and settling in we had an epiphany of sorts. We felt the need to reduce our hopping about from place to place and were able to extend our stay in Munising for four nights rather than two. So here we would stay until Friday and our drive back to Grand Rapids.

Later that evening we drove into town and strolled along the waterfront, right near where we would board our Pictured Rocks Cruise. 

Next on our agenda; where to find dinner. It was Monday after all; moreover, one or two places were closed permanently. We ruled out pizza and one place that offered pretty much everything fried and in some sort of plastic basket. While we were strolling on the dock I stopped a woman working in a cruise line uniform and asked for a recommendation. She suggested Foggy’s just west of town. 

Located just across the highway from the Kewadin Casino, the place was packed, including the bar, but we managed to grab a table and order drinks and a couple of whitefish dinners. Loud, very chaotic and incredibly short-staffed the food was just OK. The good news is it was a 3-minute drive back to our quiet room and comfortable bed.

Tomorrow, Pictured Rocks!

sign inside the elevator at Holiday Inn Express -- should be a federal law!

from Munising harbor to Grand Island