The majestic shorelines of the Great Lake State are truly impossible to describe in words and photos can't capture the organic beauty. Michigan's lower and upper peninsulas engulf three of the Great Lakes--Huron, Michigan and Superior--all of which host chilly pristine waters. And most importantly, you can catch flawless sunsets!
After our stint in Detroit Rock City, we took the scenic route around Michigan's lower peninsula, which is referred to as "the mit," due to its resemblance to a baseball mit. Making our way around the mit, we stayed at a questionable county park, which might as well have been a scene from a horror film. Regardless, we did make some friends who shared their campfire with us, some hot dogs and stories. To solidify my apprehensiveness of the creepy park, they told us a nearby mental institution ran out of funds a few years back and let all of the patients free--cool. By dawn, we were out of there!
The following campground, however, totally made up for the previous night. We got primo waterfront property on Lake Huron with all the bells and whistles. By that I mean a rainbow over the water, shooting stars at night and a stunning sunrise over the lake.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park was an unplanned destination but one of the best decisions made. It's a park that makes you keep asking yourself, " Are we in America? In Michigan?" Situated on the coast of Lake Michigan, it's home to the largest sand dunes in the US. Finally, a place I could kick off my boots and roll around in piles of sand!
After crossing over the Mackinac bridge to get to the Upper Peninsula, we stopped by Pictured Rocks National Park for our first overnight backpacking trip. Again, absolutely stunning. And I learned a valuable lesson--no peeing at night--after an unidentified animal was wresting the food locker and growling outside our tent!
The grand finale in Michigan was Isle Royale. It's the home of a small moose population, 12 wolves, some loons and a handful of backpackers. The journey entailed a two-hour boat ride there and seven hours back, as it is an island in the middle of Lake Superior. For nine days (62 miles) we walked across the island with a tent, sleeping bags, food, a few articles of clothing and a jet boil. Nature was omnipresent and real life was put on hold. One of greatest experiences of my life.
Next up, Canada Eh!
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