A couple weeks ago we took a vacation in Mackinaw City at a local campground/resort that we can always seem to get into no matter how long we wait to make reservations. It’s a practically perfect place with the campsites facing the water and great views of the Mackinac Bridge & Island…. the only thing that keeps it from being perfect is all the rocks that are in the lake (water shoes are a must).
There was always a gentle breeze coming off the water and you can hear the sound of the waves crashing on the beach and evening bon fires on the beach where everyone could gather round and share their day along with some delicious s’mores.
Our days weren’t just spent laying around the beach enjoying the beautiful view though! We took off and played tourist in our own state and headed up to the U.P.!
Our first stop was at Whitefish Point on Lake Superior. The water here is crystal clear and as cold as ice…. it’s one of the great lakes that really never warms up and is home to many ship wreaks and the ship wreak museum. Just going there to spend some time on the beach is worth it because it is such a beautiful place and worth the drive.
But if you decide to go into the museum (which you should) this is one of the items that you’ll be impressed with… and the main reason that we went because my youngest daughter really wanted to see it.
This is the bell that was pulled up from the Edmund Fitzgerald that sunk in 1975…. I’m sure that if you’ve ever listened to the radio you’ve heard the song about the ship wreak made famous by Gordon Lightfoot.
Our next stop on our trip was Tahquamenon Falls.. or just the upper portion since the kids were getting tired and hiking wasn’t something that they wanted to do more of that day. Just a fact or two for you… the upper falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi and has a drop of nearly 50 ft and is more than 200 ft across.
I just like going to take in the beauty of it and to hike the trails that follow it.
When were were there it was hot but there was a cool breeze coming off through the gorge and you could smell the pine trees…. it was such a clean, fresh scent. A smell that tells you that you are truly up north!
I leave you with one final picture… the evening sunset over the Mackinac Bridge.
Have taken a family vacation yet? What did you do?
Guess what…. of course it’s Wednesday and I’m linking up with Angie from Seven Clown Circus and Amanda from Parenting by Dummies!
I haven’t been up there in too long! Michigan has some absolutely exquisite scenery.
Well… I think that a road trip in order!
Gorgeous! I’ve never been up there!
It’s a great place to visit even with kids! Andrew walked most of it by himself too!
We go camping every weekend at a local campground. We have our own campsite and it’s definitely a great family activity. The pics you posted are wonderful and it looks like it was a nice trip. Those waterfalls are just beautiful.
It was a great trip! We camp with my parents a couple times a year at the campground they’re at… they stay there from May – September.
That looks gorgeous!!
It really is… there are a so many places like that here in Michigan.
Pretty. I love water falls. The only thing I don’t like about going “up north” is the long drive.
OMG…. the drive is horrible. I thought that I’d never get home when we left Mackinaw and were heading home… it seemed like the highway went on forever!
I haven’t been there in years, but our daughter was just there over the weekend with my mom and some family friends.
We go to Mackinaw City almost every year, but this is the first year that we’ve been up the U.P.
Looks absolutely gorgeous! I’m sitting here in a pool of sweat and that lake sounds absolutely perfect!
The lake was perfect… although I didn’t go very far in because I knew that it was cold.
Love this! I need to explore more of the U.P. I’ve been over the bridge, but that’s about it. I am dying to go to the falls!
It’s beautiful up there! If you get up there make sure that you get to the Pictured Rocks.
Looks like such a beautiful place! I did not know that about Lake Superior and all the ship wrecks. I have been to Michigan but never the U.P.
It is beautiful! There are a lot of ship wreaks up there! It’s kind of interesting how rough the waters get on Lake Superior… similar to the ocean.
I was there when I was a kid, I think it’s time to go back and take mine now…
It’s a great place to visit! There is so much to see and do here in Michigan!
How beautiful! I’m about to start my vacation; going to South Texas to visit family. Your pictures make me jealous–I’d love to go up there too!
I’ve never been to Texas… It seems like there are either big cities or lots of open land there. I’m probably wrong, huh?
Oh it is just beautiful. Makes me want to go there right now! Lovely photos too!
My husband is from Michigan and has some wonderful memories from camping in the UP as well. We actually vacationed at Torch Lake last year and couldn’t get over the clarity and color of the water. It was like being in the Carribean without the salt water and sharks. We also drove over to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Beautiful views all over the UP.
What breathtaking photos, especially the water fall! I love the idea of playing tourist in your own area and everything you did sounds amazing.
I’ve never been to Michigan but wow, what beauty!
That water looks soo clear and ready to be swam in!
Amazing! So beautiful. I want to come there and drink local wine!
It’s been too long since we’ve been up there. I love the area around Mackinaw.
It’s one of my favorite places to go! I love sitting by the water and just listening to the waves.
We are going to Mackinaw City and Mackinaw Island next week. I just love it there. I am a fellow Michigan blogger and will be reading