Vagabond exploring life with my little trailer in tow
It only took me six years but I finally camped by the shores of the all five Great Lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior. Surprisingly, I camped in just two states to achieve that bucket list item: Michigan and New York. And, no, I really can’t pick a favorite Great Lake, that’s asking way too much of me, a person who has a deep devotion to any body of water bigger than a rain puddle.
Back to one of my happy places on this earth, the Porcupine Mountains of far west Michigan, right at the shore of Lake Superior. Honestly, this was the place I’d planned my whole Great Lakes/UP trip around. I had such a magical time here in the fall of 2017 that I’ve wanted to come back ever since. And this is why. Look at that campsite right next to the lake. There aren’t many of these spots, but it’s worth the time and effort to score one.
As I drove from Pictured Rocks to Baraga, I realized I was retracing the route I had taken on my very first Alto trip, way back in May of 2016. And I’m pretty sure I found the same rest stop on Lake Superior, too. That Alto looks pretty good after 5 years on the road. On to Baraga, and new adventures…
Once more on this Great Lakes tour, I had a chance to get out on the water. No, not in those little kayaks, but as a passenger on a catamaran cruise up the coast of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Well worth the 80 miles round-trip driving to Munising and back and the $48 cruise ticket because you get to see rocks and cliffs like this.
Late one day at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, I decided to watch the sunset, from start to finish. I walked down the beach till I found a nice big rock that made a comfortable bench, dug my toes into the warm sand, and settled in to watch the show. 9:12 PM This far north, the sunsets come late in July. It’s after 9PM and the sun isn’t even close to the horizon yet. I wait, though. I have nothing but time and patience this evening.