Amie
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Lower Michigan’s Hidden Gem: Ocqueoc Falls
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A pleasant drive through farm country brings you to the largest waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. With it, comes a pleasant surprise. Measuring in at only 10 feet in height, I held low expectations for Ocqueoc Falls, but what we found at the end of a short walk was anything…
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Hiking Thomas Rock
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Thomas Rock, previously known as Gobbler’s Knob, may not have the 360-degree views that the neighboring Sugarloaf Mountain has, but it still offers something spectacular. We discovered this scenic site back in 2013 and it has yet to lose its charm. Visitors follow a paved, interpretive trail to the top…
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To the Top! Michigan’s Tallest Point – Mount Arvon
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We visited the top of the world! Well, Michigan’s top of the world. At 1,979 feet above sea level, Mount Arvon is Michigan’s highest point. It resides in the Huron Mountain range, a wild and untamed area that stretches roughly from Marquette to L’Anse. Accessible by most vehicles, Mount Arvon…
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Blueberry Lemon Muffins
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Ingredients 1 package of Kodiak Blueberry Lemon Protein Packed Muffin Mix 1 cup milk 1/4 cup oil 2 eggs Instructions Preheat oven to 375F Place paper baking cups in a 12 count muffin pan or grease pan Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Hand stir until the batter is…
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Camping with Dogs
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Camping with dogs can be a challenge but also some of the best camping experiences. We have two beagles, Brisco and Delilah, who LOVE going camping with us. If you have ever owned beagles, you know just how much they love all those new smells. Both have their own needs…
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The 2 Lighthouses of Presque Isle
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New Presque Isle Lighthouse 130. That’s how many steps there are to reach the top of the New Presque Isle Lighthouse. Built in 1870 on the Presque Isle Peninsula in lower Michigan, this lighthouse soars 113 feet high. It is one of the tallest lighthouses on the Great Lakes and…
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An Explorer’s Guide to Big Pup Falls
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Located off of Country Road 510 between Marquette and Big Bay, Michigan is a small but beautiful little waterfall called Big Pup. Although not as impressive as it’s “big brother” down the road, Big Pup offers something magical to those who take the time to visit it, especially in the spring.…
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Climbing the AAA Walls
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“Welcome to the AAA Walls” The sign that greeted us was dwarfed by the massive rock wall looming before us. Based on topographical maps, we knew that something pretty large sat near AAA Road (Marquette County, Upper Peninsula) but we never suspected it was a solid wall of rock. “With…
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A Perfect Campground: 12 Mile Beach
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What does it take to make a perfect campground? Amazing views? Great Hikes? To us, 12 Mile Beach Campground in the Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore has it all. Located right on a sandy bluff above Lake Superior. And I mean right above. You could spend all day with your…
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Find Peace at Wagner Falls
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Wagner Falls is an amazing little waterfall. It is easy to access and beautiful in every season. This multiple drop waterfall is roughly 20 feet in height and located on Wagner Creek, just outside of Munising, Michigan. Our most recent trip was this past January where we put on our snow…
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A Bucket List Worthy Falls: Bond Falls
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There’s no denying that Bond Falls is an impressive waterfall but there’s something about visiting it in the winter that makes it even more magical. This 50 foot tall, 160 foot wide cascading falls is located in Paulding and is without a doubt one of the Michigan’s best. We visited…
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Gear Review: DEEQI Adjustable Tree Straps
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To make it a bit easier to set up the Clark NX-270 hammock, we invested in a set of DEEQI Adjustable Tree Straps. These 12 foot polyester straps have 40 loops and can safely support up to 400lbs. These are fantastic straps. Easy to use and extremely easy to adjust. It takes…
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Snowshoeing to Kakabika Falls
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Located 12 miles northeast of Marenisco, Michigan on the Cisco Branch Ontonagon River is a multiple drop waterfall called Kakabika Falls. While not extremely large in size like some of it’s neighboring waterfalls, Kakabika occurs in a series of S’s as the river drops in elevation. It’s quite a peaceful, short…
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Gear Review: Clark NX-270
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How you camp is just as important as where you camp. Having a suitable shelter that fits your needs plays a major role in having a successful (and happy) trip. Back in April, I made the decision to switch from a tent to a hammock. It reduced the weight I…
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The Beauty of Ogemaw Falls
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Waterfalls are a hot topic these days. People are starting to branch out from Tahquamenon and explore the other wonders of Michigan. To us, the more wild the better. Ogemaw Falls is one of those. It’s simple, elegant and remains untouched. This remote waterfall has a lot to offer if…
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Camping Cookbook: Rocky Road Pudding
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We don’t normally eat desserts when we’re camping or hiking, but sometimes we need to treat ourselves with something easy and tasty. This makes 2 servings.
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Discover Leatherby Falls
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Leatherby Falls is one of the most impressive and unique Michigan waterfalls we have visited. Chutes, drops, slides, cascades…you name it, it has it. Located on the West Branch Huron River, this waterfall is wild and very remote, which of course is one of the reasons we love it. It’s…
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A Remote Destination: King Lake Campground
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What’s better than a remote campground? How about one with a lake view and islands? King Lake State Forest campground is a remote and beautiful place, located near Covington, Michigan. With only 6 sites, designed for tents and small trailers, this is a perfect place to visit if you’re looking…
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The Hike to Abram’s Falls
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We decided to take the 5.2 mile round trip hike to Abram’s Falls. The trail has a total elevation gain of 675 feet with the first part being almost entirely up hill. It’s a bit rocky but nothing compared to the Appalachian trail we had hiked part of the day…
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A Sweet Potato Chip
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Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of nutrients and make great snacks for the trail or the camp.
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A Weekend at Big Bay Lighthouse
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My mom loves lighthouses so when my sister and I had the opportunity to get her a mother’s day/birthday gift to one of the few bed and breakfast lighthouses in Michigan, we took it.
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An Easy Hike to Big Sable Lighthouse
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If you’re looking for an easy hike that takes a couple of hours or for a place to have a picnic and hang out, Big Sable Lighthouse is a great location. The hike is around 2 miles, each way, down a sandy but well-worn path that starts at Ludington State Park.…
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Breakfast Burrito
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What You’ll Need 6 tablespoons powdered eggs 1.5 oz freeze dried potatoes 1 to 1.5 oz freeze dried shredded cheddar 1 to 2 tablespoon diced sweet pepper 1/4 cup bacon bits or 1/3 cup sausage 2 to 3 8″ flour tortillas Chopped tomato
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42 miles of Happiness: Hiking the Pictured Rocks
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Hiking the Pictured Rocks – really hiking – is amazing. It is one of the trips that will stick with me forever. Two hundred foot cliffs, numerous waterfalls, lake shore as far as the eye can see and mountainous dunes.
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Hiking Preparation
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It’s almost time for our 42.2 mile hike through Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore. This will not be our most challenging hike but it will be our longest. We’ve taken many things into consideration planning this trip and thought it would be a good time to reflect. Why Pictured Rocks…