July 29 Little Sand Bay

maggie getting a sun tan 

That water looks cold

clear cold water

It was another cool morning when Maggie and I got up. Just a little warmer than yesterday. We didn’t have to put on the furnace at all. I cooked breakfast outside, we had bacon and eggs. After breakfast we all took a stroll down the beach. The water was calm but cold. Maggie wouldn’t even try to get in the water.  The rest of the morning we just sat outside and read. Around 1 we decide to go Bayfield where we had cell phone signal and make a few calls to family. Then we found an ice cream shop and had some Mackinac Island Fudge.  Headed back to the trailer for the evening. It looked like we might get a storm but it barely missed us. Built a fire and sat out till dark

Little Sand Bay, WI

pretty rock formations

It was chilly when I woke up this morning.  About 50 outside and the trailer was 62. Maggie and I took a pretty nice stroll along the harbor. At 5:45 there was already a group of kayakers getting into the water. Lake Superior water temperature is about 61 according to the ranger station. It’s certainly wetsuit wear if you’re going out all day. There are several outfitters who take people on a 3-4 day kayak camping trip among the Apostle Islands.  We decide to use a cruise boat to see the islands. It left the Bayfield harbor at 10:00 am.  The weather was perfect and the lake was calm. The crew said yesterday it was a little too rough to get to all the islands. Today we saw all 22 of them.  There were four light houses we went past that was pretty. We also saw sea caves and lots of different rock formations. All in all a nice outing. When we got back to town we headed back to the trail for lunch and a little nap. Later in the evening we drove the countryside and just looked around. When we got back we built a fire, cooked supper and just relaxed.

ready to cruise

lighthouse above sea caves

another lighthouse

heading to the islands

sea caves

July 27--On to Little Sand Bay, Wi

We left Tomahawk this morning about 10:00 am. It was a tearful parting for some. We will not see the grandkids again until mid-September. We had a pleasant drive up to Little Sand Bay Wisconsin.  We went thru several small towns with the population from 346 to 1800. All the towns were quaint little places. When we got to the coast of Lake Superior we cruised the biggest town for the day, Ashland population 8200.  Little Sand Bay is about 45 minutes north of there in the Apostle Island area. The road ends at our campground. There is a small protected harbor and lots of beach. The campground is small with about 30 sites. The weather has been perfect here with a high of 74. We built a fire and sat outside for a while . Later we went in to read before bed. Its been a relaxing day.  Tomorrow we are taking a boat cruise of the Apostle Islands.

beach area

on the harbor

susan relaxing

July 26--Last day at Duck Point

Tomahwak War Memorial

Watching alll the action

Ashley

Mackenna

Zoe (first time to get up on skis

Sammi & Lily playing on beach

Well today was laundry day as we head out tomorrow. Susan and I left about 7:00 am. I helped her load all the washers and then I headed to get my oil changed. When I got back I walked over to the war memorial across the street. One thing I have noticed about the small towns up here is that they show respect and thanks to our veterans and the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our country.Small town America is still present though shrinking.  We finished laundry and then headed to the grocery store to restock. Our next camping destination is a little more remote and not close to any big stores.We got back to camp around 11. Our son-in-law had rented a jet ski for the day and was pulling kids on skis. A couple of the little ones got up on skis for the first time. They all had fun today. I didn't get on skis but I did manage to get some kayaking in.  After that I started loading  the truck and trailer so I wouldn't have so much to do in the morning.

July 25 Duck Point

We had a pretty good rain last night. Things cooled off and it was about 60 when I got up. Sammi stayed with us last night and she got up about 6:45. Glad we have tv and dvd player. Susan got up about 8:15.After breakfast we carried Sammi back to her parents and picked up Ashley. Susan and Ashley went to a quilt shop and I went to Ace Hardware to pick up some wood screws  for a little project I have. Later Kristi called and wanted us to meet them at Pizza Hut for lunch . Mikes brother Chris and his family joined us along with his Aunt Margaret and her kids. Carol, Mikes mother also joined us. Pizza Hut didn't  know what hit them. 10 kids 8 adults for the lunch buffet (kids eat free). A really fun event. After we got back  I did a few little projects on the trailer. We both read and took a little nap. After supper I took Maggie for her evening walk down by the lake. When I got back we and all the kids went to an ice cream place for a treat.

July 24 Duck Point

Our boat

Moon,Ross,Stan

Today was the day I went on a fishing trip. My son in law Mike arranged for two guides to take six people in two boats. Mike his brother Chris and I were in one boat while Moon, Ross and Stan were in the other boat. Our primary target were walleye. Not much luck in the morning. After lunch we went to a different lake and a few bass were picked up. The other boat did pretty well. Both small lakes we were own were pretty. I learned a lot about how to fish for walleye,pike and musky. We got home just in time for prime rib for supper. It was good. Susan watched kids and grand kids all day. She was pretty much exhausted. We had a little campfire until the mosquito's started biting and then headed inside the trailer to do a little reading before bed.

July 23 Duck Point

Three Lakes Winery

Actually slept to almost 6 this morning and it felt pretty good. I headed into town about 7:30 to find a place to get new battery’s for my truck. I had no luck in Tomahawk so I headed to Rhinelander. That’s about a 25 minute drive. The good news is they had my interstate batteries in stock at a tire place there.  $280.00 dollars later I was on my way. When I got back we headed to Three Lakes Winery. Seven of us went and we had a great time. We definitely livened the place  up.  We bought all kinds of wine after the wine tasting. We pretty much amazed everyone else in the shop. When we got back we pretty much chilled out the rest of the evening. Gonna be an early night.

July 22 Duck Point

bundle of morning dynamite

Ashley

me and Sammi swimming

crusing in the pontoon boat  

bald eagle

supper time

Today was another nice day. Started early when McKenna and Sammi came to our trailer about 7:45 am. Susan had just arisen from her slumber. Sammi is a bundle of energy in the morning. They thought it was great to be able to come and watch tv and get early morning snacks.  Later when I was going to town to get ice found the batteries on my truck weak. Had to jump it off. Since it was Sunday probably no place to get new ones today. Actually found one auto parts store open but they didn’t carry interstate batteries. May find some tomorrow. When we got back I went swimming with all the kids. It felt pretty refreshing. One problem was I did lose my 5 year old glasses. Guess I will have to start wearing my new 2 year old glasses. Later we just hung around and watched the kids play. We did take a ride on the pontoon boat before supper. Saw a pair of bald eagles with one younger eaglet.  After supper we just chilled awhile and went to bed earlier tonight.

July 21--Travel Day to Duck Point Wisconsin

Maggie and I got up early this morning and eased around the campground. It was lightning and trying to rain. No bear ever showed up.  That was the last chance to see a bear in Michigan. We leave for Tomahawk Wisconsin today. We really loved the Upper Peninsula and would like to come back again sometime.   We loaded up and hit the road. It took us about 4 hours to reach Duck Point Resort.  Our son in law’s family has a two week reunion there every year.  It’s great to be able to see everyone. One of Kristi’s close friends Melanie also came up for a few days. Susan, Kristi and Mel went to town shopping. I put the inflatable kayak on the lake with all the kids.  Later that evening after supper a lot of us went to a ski show. It’s a home town ski team which puts on summer shows. Pretty neat thing.   Back at camp we built a fire and sat out till about midnight. That’s a late night for us. 

supper time

keaton sammi mel

ski show

mackenna zoe ashley

July 19 & 20

We left Paradise Thursday morning headed east. We only drove about 3hours. Stopped in Rapid River,Michigan.We are staying here till Saturday. After we got here we decided to do laundry. They had two washers and dryers at campground so we didn't have to go anywhere. Friday we drove to Escanaba to stock up on supplies. Along the way we stopped at a Verizon store and Susan upgraded her phone. When we got home we were going to clean the trailer but didn't quite get started. Sat outside enjoying the weather and talking to our neighbors who just happen to be from Texas. Maybe we will do some cleaning in the morning before we head out.  There has been a bear coming thru the campground getting in the garbage and into the bird feeders. Our neighbor says it likes to poke around about 5 in the morning. Since Maggie and I get up that early we may do a little bear hunting in the morning.

July 18--Four Wheeling in Paradise

Today was 4-wheeling day in Paradise, Michigan. We rented a Can Am Commander 800 ATV. It was bright yellow, I guess so we would be easy to find if we got lost. There are miles of trails and county roads to ride in this country. We found our way to several neat places. The first was Crisp Point which has a lighthouse. Really great spot on Lake Superior. The next place was the Two Hearted River where it runs into Lake Superior. There used to be a lodge here but it burned in some big forest fires early June. All in all we did about 95 miles of trails today. Susan drove about 75 of those miles. I’m trying to get her into four wheeling and she had a blast today. The weather was nice. We had a bluebird sky and the high temp was about 75. We didn’t get lost but did get kind of turned around. When we hit a highway that I knew, we just followed it back to town. The maps they gave us didn’t always match the trail markers. Once, we talked to a lady from the forest service and she had her map out trying to figure out where she was.  We got back to camp dirty and tired and ready to relax. Tomorrow we pull out headed for Wisconsin.

For some reason I can t put the caption correctly or add more captions.  The 4 way stop sign si on a county road.  The river pictures are the Two Hearted river at the mouth of Lake Superior.  

Crisp Point

Crisp Point Lighthouse

Burned forest

4 Way Stop sign

July 17

Today was a little slower paced day than usual. Maggie and I took a fairly long hike thru the woods this morning. It was nice but we haven’t seen any bears or moose yet. After we got back I dropped Susan off at a quilt shop in Paradise and I headed on to the upper falls of the Tahquamenon River.  The falls were pretty and I’m glad I went. It was about noon when I picked Susan up. We went back to the trailer for lunch. I had planned to go up to Whitefish Point afterwards but changed my mind and decide to read for a while. I then cleaned up a little around the trailer and just chilled out. It was cool enough to have a fire to sit by and that was great. Tomorrow we go atv”ing.

July 16 Paradise

I actually slept a little late for me today, woke up about 6. Maggie and I went on our usual morning walk. It’s always very quiet and peaceful early. When we got back I fed her and turned on the news. We only get a couple of stations and they come out of Toronto. Evidently Canada hasn’t changed to digital yet so all the stations are on air.  I haven’t got used to the temperature being in Celsius and the rainfall in millimeters.  Maggie just can’t get used to all the little ground squirrels around here. She sure would like to catch one. When in the trailer she is looking out the window whining and when we’re outside she is always on full alert watching and trying to get down to chase them. Our neighbors left some food on their table inside the screened tent. The squirrels had a party in there. A lady told me they are chipmunks and there are a lot of them here.. We put the kayak in the river and took off this morning. We were gone about 3 hours which is about my limit. It was a quiet float down to Lake Superior. We saw birds,ducks,geese and one bald eagle.   The wind wasn’t blowing so we got on the lake for a little while. When you got out of the river channel, there was a sand bar and the water was shallow. It probably was a 100 yards from the shoreline.  The day was overcast and not much sun but it was a nice trip. After we got back to the trailer and had lunch Susan wanted to go shopping in Paradise.  There grocery store wasn’t much but we got a couple of things we needed.  We went to a combo gas station, store and atv rental place.  After talking to the lady,{  she convinced Susan that the bears wouldn’t eat her and we wouldn’t get lost} we reserved a side by side ATV for Wednesday. There are miles of trails up here which you can ride. It should be a lot of fun. If you don’t hear from us again then maybe the lady was wrong.  Not many shops in Paradise but we did go in a chainsaw artist shop and found a carved bear whichwas just the right size for us to carry on our travels. He was selling his carvings just about as fast as he made them.  His mother-in-law (who was born and raised in Paradise} entertained us as he carved our name and stained it. Aftet that we headed back to camp and relaxed the rest of the evening.

Lake Superior

Floating with the geese

our new door greeter

 

river was slick as glass

July 15-Scenic drive

Sable Falls

grand marais, Michigan harbor 

gravel road along Lake Superior

We did a lot of driving today. There was a 50% chance of rain so we decided to go to Pictured Rocks National Sea Shore . As the crow flies it’s not far but roads are scarce in the Upper Peninsula so it was a longer than I expected.  It was a pretty drive. Went by many small lakes and streams.  We took the scenic route which put us thru Grand Marais, Michigan.  This also meant about 14 miles of gravel wash boarded road.  But the view along Lake Superior was worth it.  Getting back on pavement was nice though. We stopped at Sable Falls. It was pretty and not too far a hike even though it had some pretty steep stairways. We made a few more stops before we got to the town of Munising. Ate lunch as it was already 1:45. Went to the visitor center  to check on the painted rock cliff cruises. Should have done more research , the next cruise time was 4:30. We really didn’t want to wait so we headed home a different way. It was a little quicker but not as pretty. Still looking for my first moose or bear sighting. Got back to camp and just chilled out the rest of the evening. I got the Sea Eagle kayak out and ready to put it in the water.

Susan

along the shore of Lake Superior