Amie
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Camping at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
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If you’re looking for a campground in the Copper Harbor area, you’ll quickly find that your options are limited. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park is one of three options currently available for campers and in my opinion, has the best to offer for what you pay. The park itself features…
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Hiking to Hunter’s Point
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While not the best views in the area, Hunter’s Point provides a quick stop with some interesting sights. Located just west of Copper Harbor, Hunter’s Point is a 9.4 acre of land that juts out into Lake Superior. It has pebbly beaches (and trails) with some nice views of basalt…
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Camping in the Porkies: Union Bay Campground
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Union Bay Campground is a modern campground located in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Without a doubt, this campground has some of the finest sunset and sunrise spots in the area. Even in a modern campground, camping on the shores of Lake Superior in July can be risky. It’s prime…
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Hiking Hogback Mountain
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Considered Marquette’s second most popular summit, Hogback Mountain’s rugged terrain, hemlock forests, and stunning views make this an incredible hike. While the trail is well marked, getting to the summit of Hogback isn’t easy. It is a strenuous hike across bare bluffs and up steep mountainside. The first half of…
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A Weekend at Town Corners Lake State Forest Campground
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It is well known by now that Steve and I love staying in Pigeon River State Forest (Pigeon River: There’s No Place Like Home). The wildlife is abundant and unique, and the scenic views are beautiful.
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A Winter Visit: Black River Falls
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Bobbling frozen bubbles and a roaring winter waterfalls. Not quite an enchanting winter scene but definitely nature making a statement. Black River Falls is a steep, wide chute nestled between two large outcroppings. Reaching 20 feet in height, this single drop waterfall it is not the tallest in Marquette County, but it…
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Round Lake Campground – Serenity in Michigan’s L.P.
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Pigeon River State Forest is without a doubt, our favorite place to camp and hike in Michigan’s lower peninsula. Time and time again, we have shared its beauty with people who love being in the outdoors. One of five campgrounds in Pigeon River State Forest, Round Lake Campground is by…
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Rafting the Snake River
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Adventure is right around the corner. Never has this statement been truer than when one decides to pick up a paddle and hit the river. We were spending a week exploring the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and what better way to explore the mountains than through the waterways.…
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Gear Review: Warbonnet Superfly
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I wanted a high quality, highly versatile tarp/rainfly to compliment my Clark NX-270 hammock. After weeks of research, I settled on the Warbonnet Superfly Rainfly and have not been disappointed. The Specs of the Superfly Ridgeline Length: 11 feet Width: 10 feet Weight: 15 ounces “All Season” Tarp The Pros “Great…
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Mead Creek State Forest Campground
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Finding a decent campground can be a difficult task. Because so many options are out there, small campgrounds like Mead Creek can be overlooked. We encountered Mead Creek in 2011 as an unplanned stop on our travels across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is located on the outskirts of the Seney…
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Flying through the Sky on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
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We began our journey from Colter Bay well before the sun began to rise. We were traveling to Driggs, Idaho and leaving behind our warm cabin bed in the Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming. The experience ahead of us was very special and unique. We were looking forward to…
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Exploring Pictured Rocks: Au Sable Lightstation
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Buried within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a picturesque lighthouse known as Au Sable Lightstation. This 144-year-old active lighthouse provides visitors with beautiful views of Lake Superior and a history of the area. Built in 1874 on Au Sable Point, this lighthouse was intended to not only eliminate a “dark…
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10 Essential Items for Hiking
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Being new to hiking can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. What do you have to take? What don’t you really need? After all, you can’t carry everything. What are the must-have items and why? Here are some basic items that are good to include in gear for any…
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A Winter Stay at Teddy Lake Yurt
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There’s something special about staying in a Yurt. It’s a unique experience that most Michiganders have yet to discover. Our first experience with one was at Teddy Lake in Michigan’s Craig Lake State Park. The Teddy Lake Yurt is available year-round, making it a perfect winter get-away. Because it is…
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Bushwhacking to Mulligan Falls
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Mulligan Falls is one of those remote, wild waterfalls that has no easy access point. There are no established trails through the overgrown banks, not even a game path. But at 40 feet in height and with multiple drops, all different from the last, the incentive is too good to pass…
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Hike Lansing: Lake Lansing North Park
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Finding a great place to hike when you live in Mid-Michigan can be challenging. The terrain is pretty flat and there is city everywhere but places like Lake Lansing Park North provide a break in the mundane. The park contains over 530 acres of natural recreation area, including over 5…
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Two Favorite Waterfalls of Marquette County
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Marquette County is a waterfall explorer’s dream. With all different types and sizes, we never know what we might run across. Morgan Falls and Carp River Falls are two that offered us plenty of surprises. Located at the end of Morgan Creek, Morgan Falls tumbles 20 feet over a volcanic…
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Michigan’s Finest: Point Betsie Lighthouse
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With 3,200 miles of shoreline, it’s no wonder why Michigan claims more lighthouses than any other state in the country. Point Betsie is one of the most unique and arguably the most beautiful of them all. Built in 1858, Point Bestie is one of the oldest lighthouses in Michigan and the…
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A Hike to Pyramid Point: Sleeping Bear Dunes
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Located in Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pyramid Point is a moderate hike with a stunning view of Lake Michigan. The trailhead is located off of Basch Road, about 10 minutes north of Glen Arbor. There were maps available at this location that show the 2.7 mile loop as…
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McCormick Wilderness Area & the West Branch Yellow Dog Falls
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Upon approach, the McCormick Wilderness trailhead looks like any other. However, before embarking on your hike, you must leave detailed information about where you are going, how long you will be there, and your emergency contact information. Why? Because the trails are unmarked and it is easy to get lost.…
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The Beautiful Quartzite Falls
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It is well known by now that we love everything about Slate River. From its towering slate walls to it’s unique, rugged river bed. With Slate River, there is always something special around the bend. In 2015, Steve and I visited Black Slate Falls for the first time. This waterfall…
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UPDATED: Top 15 Favorite Michigan Waterfalls
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It’s been nearly two years since we compiled our list of our favorite Michigan Waterfalls. While we still have not seen all 272, we have crossed a dozen or so more off of our list and thought it was about time we update our list. These are our top 15…
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The Hills of Blind 35
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Welcome to the Huron Mountains. That’s the message we received when we crested the top of the Blind 35 Hill. No special platform, no group of people. Just simply the mountains. Since buying the property in the area, we have been eyeing the massive rock face that we have begun…
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Camping at Cheboygan State Park
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If you’re looking for a place to stay that’s out of the tourist area but within driving distance to Mackinaw City, Cheboygan State Park is a great option. Located 20 minutes south of Mackinaw on historic US-23, this small but busy campground offers a variety of camping experiences for everyone.…
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A Lighthouse and Shipwreck: 40 Mile Point
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On October 19, 1905, a wooden steamer towing a schooner-barge encountered rough waters. The two ships rolled in opposite directions, causing the schooner-barge to break free. The wooden steamer lost part of its stern and got stuck on a sandbar. The captain and the ten crewmen were able to make…