My first stop was Crisp Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse is located on the Northern Coast and is in the middle of no where. I've done those types of trips before, but this drive took the cake. I drove 2 hours east and then hit the dirt road portion. 45 minutes and 20 miles later I arrived at the coast. My little civic made the trip like a trooper, although it was quite close at times. The entire drive I was praying it would be worth it. It certainly was.
The lighthouse itself was recently renovated and therefore is not overly visited. Janet my trusted guide, didn't even know it was there. The lighthouse is located on a sand and rock beach that stretched for miles. Off to the east I could see the mountains in Canada and a few ships making their way through the channel. To the west, I could see the faint outline of the cliffs I visited last weekend. It was a spectacular view and the weather was gorgeous which made the experience that much more enjoyable.
The bricks from the original structure that have washed ashore since the renovation.
The view from the top of the tower looking east.
My next stop was at Whitefish Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse was disappointing. It was very touristy, as there were several museums attached to the Coast Guard who still operates the lighthouse. There were tons of people and the tours were expensive so I intended to just walk the beach. However, the people taking the tours also extended to the beach. This itself wouldn't be bad, but most of the beach was closed off due to the nesting of an endangered bird.
The only wildlife I saw at the point, the line of seagulls, reminiscent of Finding Nemo.
My last stop was actually two stops best combined into one. This was two waterfalls known collectively as Tahquamenon Falls and designated as the upper and lower falls independently.
The lower falls were actually divided between three falls. The below one was the first falls. From there the river is split in two by an island.
Take notice at the bottom of the above photo in the lower right corner. There is a mom and one baby deer crossing the river. I had no idea they were there until I was editing the photos.
This is the next photo I took, that shows there are two babies crossing the stream. Again, no idea they were there until later.
There was no way to get a good view of the left falls unless you rented a boat to go to one of the five islands. This did require more than one person, so we will save that for the next trip.
The upper falls was much more dramatic. A straight drop of about 25 feet. Just like some of my other adventures, there were some spectacular colors throughout the rocks and in the water due to the high volume of iron in the soil.
This is a more straight on view taken from a distance and above. The park service has done a nice job placing viewing points along the river at different levels and angles.
Another platform was labelled the "brink" and placed you right at the water's level when it was going over the rocks.
Another view from distance, this time getting the entire expanse of the falls.
A view from above, but a sharper angle.
The last viewing platforms moved to the river's level, once again allowing for a full view of the falls.
Beyond the travels, I have been working very hard at both classes and work. But once again my beautiful setting has been a bit distracting.
In particular, we currently have four fawns running around the bluff. The newest of the brood is the little guy below. He walked right up to the porch.
This is our yearling boy who comes up nearly every evening to graze through the buffet that is the backyard. He has gained quite a bit of weight since I've gotten here after this rough winter.
Finally, this is the mom and oldest fawn. This was the same fawn I posted pictures of earlier and he has grown quite a bit. This time he didn't drop to the ground while mom ran away, but followed her as they bounded off down the bluff.
Other shots from the couch.
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