Love coming to this lighthouse! Too bad I won’t be there when the butterflies arrive. Too cold for me and Pearl. It was great to explore the beach, have lunch and talk with 3 ladies who were also visiting. It’s so fun to meet new people and hear about their journeys.

A bonus for me was staying at a Boondocks welcome home. Barb and Mike were great hosts and I enjoyed hearing about their life here in the north country. They are much hardier people to spend their winters in a cabin deep in the woods. Wish I had taken a picture of the great parking spot they provided me over looking Little Bay de Noc.

I am on the western exploration train now and the Lower falls was my first stop. So amazing what water is capable of doing over many centuries. It was also great that there’s now a bridge that connects to the island there. I think I walked the island twice, stopped for lunch, then walked it again.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a picture of my campsite at the Rivermouth campground but had neighbors across from me offer a walk with their dogs, dinner and a fire with them. Campers are the best!

I was still traveling with my sister Mary and Dave on our way to the SooLocks, but as it was such a rainy day we took some side trips on the way there.

We drove right thru Tahquamenon falls state park so stopped by to check out the Upper falls. Incredible!! And the rain had stopped while we were hiking! Bonus!

Next stop, Shipwreck museum at Whitefish point. So incredibly moving to read about all the ships that went down in this area. Some from storms like the famous Edmund Fitzgerald but some from other ships crashing into other ships. The movie about raising the original bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald and replacing with a bell with the victims names was touching.

Again we lucked out with the rain holding off till we started driving again. Finally made it to Ste. Saint Marie and set up camp in the rain. Much easier for me than Mary and Dave! The next day was clear and warm, we took a Soo Locks tour and then checked out the Tower of History for a birds eye view of the area.

This area never disappoints. Scored side by side campsites last minute at Bay Furnace national forest campground. Toured around area waterfalls, crazy fast tour around Grand Island on Riptideboat tours, fantastic hike at Little Beaver campground and Miners Castle.

I am able to do a camping adventure with my sister Mary and Dave thru just a small part of the UP. They acquired a small pop up camper and are learning land camping versus Boat life. They are full time sailors normally.

We started out at a friend’s place in Curtis. What a great time visiting with Mary and Steve, great host’s and great tour guides.

Next, we went to Fayette Historic Park. Love this place! There is so much to learn and explore regarding the history of this town.

I love being able to reconnect with my family and enjoy my home town. I’ve been busy catching up with my mom and sister Beth. Then my sister Mary and Dave showed up.

Some other fun things we did. Chairlift to SkyBridge at Boyne mountain, cooking with Dave while Mary entertained girlfriends from Nevada, dinner and drinks with old and new friends along with some toasty fires.

Of course I saw my mom and my sister Beth (who’s a saint!) I just have to get those pictures from Mary.

As I sat listening to all the fireworks going off around me; some I see, others I don’t and it’s just the noise. My imagination is conjuring what veterans who have heard gunfire and bombs going off all around them feel. The memories that they relive. My heart goes out to them. I know we celebrate the freedoms they fought for. But how hard it must be for some, if not all of them.

From the North, we returned south to stay with friends at the lake cottage. What a great 3 days! Great food, laughter and peace. A few drinks as well, but we behaved.

From there, we spent our last day with some friends from our days at Wolverine Worldwide. So much fun catching up with everyone after so many years.

It was a fantastic experience traveling with one of my best friends.

As we traveled north, we had to stop at the Mackinac bridge. We had hoped to drive across, explore a little, then head to Charlevoix. However, Mother Nature’s plans were different. Heavy smoke and high winds prevented us from that experience. We did stop for lunch and tried to get a glimpse of the bridge.

From Mackinac, we headed to Petoskey to visit my mom. Unbelievable Sam and mom had never met in person. Lots of video chats but this was another 1st.

After spending time with mom, we were on our way to Charlevoix and Beth’s home for fresh whitefish dinner. A group cooking effort took place. Dinner was fantastic! We were so hungry, and no pictures were taken. But one!

Our camp spot for the night was at the Elks lodge in Charlevoix. Sam had no idea what this was and I’m happy to say we met great people, had some good laughs, gave feedback on the camping area they are developing and a peaceful nights sleep.

Next day, we picked up mom and headed to Lake Michigan. Mom insisted on putting her feet in the water. Temp appeared to be about 64 degrees.

That night, we stayed at Boyne Valley Vineyard and Winery in Boyne Falls. This was my 3rd time staying, but it never disappoints. Alpine Blanc was our favorite white.

Next stop, Holton, Michigan and staying with friends!

From our surprised campground in Port Austin we traveled up the east coast to Harrisville state park.

The days were a little cloudy, so although we were interested in the glass bottom tour of shipwrecks out of Alpena, it was to cloudy to be able to see anything.

The wood vending machine was a new novelty for us both!