Last week we were able to get away for a few days for our annual Color Tour of upper Michigan, though it is later in the season than we typically like. But you take what you can get...and we had a lovely, if somewhat wet and cold time! Have camper, and puppy, will travel!
When we plan our excursions we like to revisit some favorite haunts, and explore new places as well. We were surprised to find that most campgrounds had closed for the season, but we managed to find a wonderful KOA campground in St. Ignace that was still open, and a couple of questionable establishments which we by-passed. Fortunately we also found a very nice pet-friendly motel in Marquette for one of the nights, and certainly found the service very good, and the new owner was very friendly and accommodating.
The color was past prime in the Upper Peninsula, but we still had a lovely time exploring. Our first "must see" location is always Pete's Lake, near Munising. We have photographed many a sunrise there over the years, but not this year. This year we found it a great place for Kaycee to romp, and us to reminisce about a great photography workshop we took in October a number of years ago, led by John and Barb Gerlach.
It was one of those perfect fall weeks. Stunning color, good temperatures, and wonderful leadership. We also met some interesting photographers in the group, and actually found a couple we clicked with that we ended up traveling with a bit - to Colorado and Yellowstone, as well as to Costa Rica. We have also taken a summer workshop from the Gerlach's - we highly recommend all of their workshops, whether in Michigan or other areas. Check out their schedule at
www.gerlachnaturephoto.com.
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| Dinner overlooking Otter Lake, at the Buckhorn Resort. |
The Gerlach's introduced us to the White Birch Forest as well, and it tends to hold it's color longer. Unfortunately it is also aging, and we were saddened to see how many of the birch trees have died and fallen to the forest floor. It is a lovely spot, in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and that cold wind blew off the water as we walked the road and tried to get some good shots in spite of the wind.
Now home, we were able to winterize our wonderful travel trailer today. We are already thinking of the adventures we will have in the Spring! Hopefully we get some time away this winter, but no definite plans at this point. Work tends to get in the way!
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