Is there such a thing as a perfect weather day? If so we experienced it today. Temperatures in the mid 70s, a light breeze, blue skies and puffy clouds, and the opportunity to enjoy it all at a beautiful spot: the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, MI.
On our drive there we passed many trees beginning to change color - bits of red, yellow, and orange could be seen among the many many evergreens along the roadside. I expect brilliant colors will be all over within the next couple of weeks but that brings huge crowds so we were just as glad to just enjoy a foretaste of what is to come and no crowds.
After a short stop at the Visitor Center to get a map of the park, we drove to the overlook where we could see the rock outcropping called Miner's Castle as well as the gorgeous blue Lake Superior.
A steep walk downhill gave us yet another view
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and from there our first "taste" of the beautiful colors that can be found on the sandstone cliffs that make up this area. Water seepage through the rocks carries the various minerals in the rock and soil to the surface providing an amazing look - what almost at times appears to be large murals with reds (iron oxide), greens and blues (copper), brown and yellow (sulfur), black (manganese) and white (calcium).
After lunch in town at the Dogpatch, we picked up our tickets for the almost three hour boat ride that took us out into the lake along about thirteen miles of everchanging views of cliffs, outcroppings, beach and small dunes as well as many a small sea cave.
Here again is that same Miner's Castle but from a boat looking back at the land.
This outcropping looked like a huge flower pot holding a tree. From the side there appeared to be a rope leading to the pot but it was actually the tree roots stretching back to the land.
And here was a much larger "pot" filled with lots of trees
And this one looked like an Indian's face looking out to the sea.
This was an open cave
While this was a collapsed ourcropping undermined by waves crashing into the sandstone
Lots of little sea caves could be seen along the waters edge many large enough for kayaks to slip into, a popular activity in these waters.
This huge arch is big enough for smaller boats to go through but the water is very shallow under it.
Places like above and this next picture appeared to be a canvas dripping with many different colors of paint
There were beach areas scattered through the area
And little waterfalls that provide a spot to rest and cool off for hikers in the park
As well as larger falls like this
And then just more colorful views to numerous to share but here are a couple more
On Grand Island which is in the bay not far from the boat docks we could see this old lighthouse
After our three hour boat trip, we returned to the car and made the very long drive back to our campground. It was well passed time for supper followed by some quiet time after a full day of seeing some of God's natural creations.
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