Traveling-with-TLC

May 20-24: Tahquamenon State Park, Whitefish Point, Vermillion Preserve and Marquette.

Some adventures are fun from the outset and some make good stories later. This adventure was one of the latter. A storm was brewing (in fact a few hours after we passed through, a tornado hit Gaylord, Michigan). We were heading to spend several days at a County Park at Trout Lake. The reviews looked good and the lake looked like it would be the perfect size. Ted called ahead and let them know we planned to stay. As we headed off the main road, the area seemed to get seedier. The clouds got more forbidding and the wind picked up. We arrived at the campground and no one was there. The only building that seemed like it could be a bath/shower house was boarded up with stall walls tossed nearby. Since we thought the people were expecting us, we went back to town to see if we could find some information. The lady at the general store said she would call Crystal, the park manager, to see why she wasn’t at the park. We went back. Honestly, it felt a little like something out of “Deliverance”. Three pickup trucks were there now and the bathhouse was open. I went in to get the scoop and a very rough looking large lady came to “greet” me. “What to you need?” I explained about our reservation. She said the women’s room was closed but we could both use the men’s. I peaked inside – uh, nope. Honestly, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough!!

We drove another 45 minutes to the state park at the mouth of the Tahquamenon River. No, I cannot pronounce it! I can barely spell it and only with help from Google. We booked for three nights so we could explore the area. Nice looking, clean park right on the river. Better! Unfortunately, they are either very tough up there or on some kind of economy kick. The bathhouse was heated to maybe 52 degrees and the hot water shut off after 3 minutes. Since I waited 2 minutes for the water to heat up. Wet hair, cold water and a cold concrete stall can make you feel a little like you are in prison!

OK, enough of the “story”. Here’s the good part. Tahquamenon Falls area is very unique and much more impressive than expected. There are 5 Lower Falls that flow into a large pond and the Upper Falls which are about 50 feet high. The water is caramel color because the area is so acidic and tannins leach out of the watershed into the water. The marsh marigolds, trout lilies and fern fiddleheads were unusual too.

Ted was in a jovial mood, probably because of the 94 steps to the Upper Falls, he thought that was about 1 step too many!

A new trend: Birch bark hats. What a clown!!

We went to White Fish Point, which has a Lighthouse, Shipwreck Museum (Think Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE2LOhs5jaE) and a trail to the beach. On our way to the beach we met a lady who lives in the mitten of Michigan. Ted talked to her about birds for a while. Then she and I visited while we enjoyed the local flora. Carolyn had polio as a child, but that doesn’t stop her from going out hiking most days. Meeting her was such a treat! She knew local plants, and I learned quite a bit from her.

Our next adventure was down a dirt road to the Vermillion Preserve. It’s REALLY north. We didn’t see moose, but we DID see beaver: another bucket-list goal. I’ve always wanted to see one in the wild and 2 swam right up to us to check us out!

We spent a few hours driving dirt roads looking for Sharp-tailed Grouse and our elusive Connecticut Warbler. I guess we need a reason to return. Maybe a little later some Spring, the Upper Peninsula is just a bit too cold and remote for me.

Once we pulled up stakes, so to speak, in Tahquamenon, we headed to Marquette. Just another pretty place with fabulous views!

It’s such clear water.

We drove to Wisconsin and arrived at a nice campground with long, hot showers just before dark. Tomorrow, Door County.