Do We Really Have to Go Home?

There comes a time in most every vacation when you have to turn around and head for home. That time came for us, but we were determined to make vacation last as long as possible. We deliberately left ourselves three days to drive home so that we could do some things along the way. 

After one last breakfast with Dad and Mom, we turned north and crossed the Mighty Mackinac Bridge. Once across, we stopped at the visitor center for an up-to-date map of Michigan. I also picked up a brochure for Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises. As we merged back onto the interstate, I tentatively pointed out to Dan that we had never done the boat tour, and that there were times that fit our agenda. To my great delight, he merely remarked, "so call them." 

With our spots on the boat secured, I turned my attention back to the scenery. While there was definitely was more color in the trees in the Upper Peninsula than there had been south of the bridge, I still hadn't really found "the spot." Within a couple of hours, we reached the southern shore of Lake Superior. At last, I got my "stop-the-car!" moment when I spotted several brightly colored trees reflected in a quiet stream. 

Our next stop was when we saw a sign for Sable Falls. (Top of page) We'd never been to that waterfall, so we stopped to investigate. It was just a short walk and some stairs to the overlook, and it was well worth the stop. 

Our arrival in Munising was perfectly timed for our cruise. We walked in, bought our tickets, got in line, and got on the boat. We made a point of asking one of the crewmen where we should be for the best photo opportunities. I'm so glad that we asked, because it was not the spot that we thought it would be. Obviously, not too many other people thought so either, because for most of the first half of the trip, we had it all to ourselves. We have visited Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore many times, but it was so very different viewed from the water as opposed to from the bluffs above. 

Spray Falls

Lover's Leap

East Channel Lighthouse

Once our boat returned to shore, we really needed to put some miles behind us. Wouldn't you know... the best autumn color of the day was right at twilight. Oh well, we still had one more day. 

***Congratulations! You have reached the end of the second-to-last post! Watch for the last one, though, because I really do think it may be the best of all!***

Bonus Pics

The other side of the road from my "Stop-the-car!"

Sable Falls

The water really was this pretty green color along some of the shoreline,
and so very clear! 

Chapel Rock
If you look carefully, you will see tree roots from the tree on Chapel Rock
reaching across to the main shore. It was once supported by rock,
but that support fell away and left the exposed roots.