Empire, Michigan

Sept 14 – drove to Empire, Michigan.  Stayed at Indigo Bluffs Campground.

 The weather was perfect - spent 2 days dissecting the lakeshore and dunes.  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a United States National Lakeshore located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Leelanau and Benzie counties near Empire, Michigan.

·         The Dune Climb - Ascending the 300-foot-tall face of sand that is the Dune Climb is strenuous work, but Mother Nature was kind enough to reward those who scale the bluff with a stunning vista of inland Leelanau County and several lakes. This mainstay of the Sleeping Bear Dunes is a huge, sandy playpen: launch yourself off the dune after a running start, and land lightly in the sand after going airborne.

·         Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive – great scenic drive with a lot of stops for viewing or hiking.  Journey through the many ecosystems of the dunes: from beech and maple forests to rolling, shrub meadows and lastly to mountainous dunes overlooking Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands. With 12 informational stops along the way (including the unforgettable #9 Overlook 450 feet above the water),

visitors of the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are immersed in Dune-ology, and walk away with greater respect and awe for the ecology and beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Took advantage of the picnic area:

·         Empire Bluff Trail - Round trip is 1.5 miles.  This hilly trail leads to a high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.

·         Glen Haven Historic District - Just 5 minutes west of Glen Arbor by M22, Glen Haven Historic District boasts a wealth of educational sites: the Cannery Boathouse Museum, a working blacksmith shop, the US Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and the Glen Haven General Store. This living historical site is rife with cultural heritage—and the beach in front of the Cannery Boathouse Museum is among the best at the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

·         Pyramid Point Trail - Loop 2.7 miles long. With a spur to a lookout point high over Lake Michigan. Trail leads to a lookout at the top of Pyramid Point.

 Sept 17 – left Empire and drove across the Mackinac Bridge to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  We drove to Newberry MI.  Stayed at campground for two nights.

Sept 18 – drove to Tahquamenon State Park near Paradise, MI.

There's the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls...

From the Lower Falls there's a 4.0 strenuous hike to the Upper Falls.  The car was parked at the Lower Falls.  Why would we go back to the Upper Falls?

After seeing the waterfalls, we drove about 11 miles to the town of Paradise.  There we stopped at the Whitefish Point Light, a lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

It is the oldest operating light on Lake Superior. It is arguably the most important light on Lake Superior. All vessels entering and leaving Lake Superior must pass the light.

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