Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

This morning we drove up to Whitefish Point, which I think is the Northernmost point of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was off this point that the Ship Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior in 1975 - they say it is the most treacherous part of the Great Lakes and many many ships have been lost over the years in this area. There is a Shipwreck Museum here, but John opted not to go through it.

Anyway, this is the Whitefish Point Lighthouse . . .


We walked out on the beach at Whitefish Point - the sand is very fine and white, and the beach is covered with driftwood . . .



And there are WAVES on Lake Superior . . .



At least there were waves this morning - it was SO COLD!!! About 42 degrees when we were on the beach, and windy.

We left there and drove past the falls that we saw yesterday, and then across the Upper Peninsula to the little town of Munising, which is where you catch the boat cruise to see Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. You've heard of National Parks and National Monuments. This is our nation's first National Lakeshore, and lies along the coast of Lake Superior. It's gorgeous!! Here are just a few of the rock formations we saw today . . .

This is the boat we were on - fittingly called "Miss Superior"



They say these rock escarpments are over 50,000,000 years old

John was totally impressed!

This is Miner's Castle

Painted Cove and Bridal Veil Falls

The coloration in the rocks comes from deposits from the ore in the soil

The red and yellow is from iron deposits

The white is limestone

The green and blue is copper

Caves of the Bloody Chiefs

You can really see the coloration in the rocks here

John's appreciation was mind boggling!

Lover's Leap

Indian Head

Grand Portal

They used to be able to drive the boat through this arch

before the rocks caved in

Totally blown away now!

Battleship Row

Chapel Rock

Check out the roots of the tree growing on Chapel Rock

They extend over to the main escarpment and are buried in the dirt there

Nature is amazing!

East Channel Lighthouse

By the time we were on the boat, it had warmed up to a balmy 52 degrees or so. But the boat wasn't going very fast - about 14 miles an hour - and with a shirt, sweatshirt and jacket it wasn't too bad. I totally enjoyed the cruise. As for John, well, the photos speak for themselves!!!