Wandering Around America One State at a Time – Michigan

Posted in Birds, Lighthouse, Michigan, RVing, Wandering around America, WaterfallsTagged , , , , , , ,

State 20:

Welcome to the next post in my series highlighting states we have visited throughout the years. I hope you will enjoy coming along for the ride!

I will be featuring the states alphabetically. The next state is

Michigan

Michigan became the 26th state on January 26, 1837. The capital is Lansing. Michigan is the only state with two peninsulas.

Our wandering around Michigan took us to three great lakes, two national lakeshores, huge sand dunes, magnificent waterfalls, a beautiful island with no motorized vehicles allowed, a lock connecting two great lakes, lighthouses, and gigantic cliffs.

Our Michigan journeys included camping in Muskegon State Park on Lake Michigan and in Lakeport State Park on Lake Huron.

20080610Muskegon-Channel-Swan
Swan in Muskegon Channel
20080611pmLakeport-(7)
Beach on Lake Huron in Lakeport State Park

We picked a beautiful day to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan.

20100528Sleeping-Bear-Dunes-(24)
Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
20100528Sleeping-Bear-Dunes-(49)
450 feet above Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

We had a great view of the Mackinac Bridge from our campsite at Macinaw Mill Creek Campground. The campground was our home base for a visit to Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Bridge at sunset
Mama Swan with babies

 

Mackinac Island Ferry
On the ferry to Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
Lilacs were blooming at Fort Mackinac
Mackinac Island

After crossing the Mackinac Bridge we spent a few days in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, otherwise known as the UP. We spent a day marveling at the spectacular waterfalls in Tahquamenon (rhymes with phenomenon) Falls State Park.

20100601Tahquamenon-Falls-(23)
Upper Tahquamenon Falls
20100601Tahquamenon-Falls-(88)
Lower Tahquamenon-Falls

We drove up to Sault Ste. Marie for a look at the Soo Locks.

Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie
Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie

Another day was spent exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

20100602Pictured-Rocks-(12)
Sable Falls
20100602Pictured-Rocks-(52)
Miner’s Castle
20100602Pictured-Rocks-(70)
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Our campsite at Porcupine Mountains State Park was right next to the rocky shore of Lake Superior.

20100604Union-Bay-(7)

We enjoyed seeing a few of Michigan’s Lighthouses.

Muskegon Lights
Round Island Light, MI
Round Island Passage Ligh, MIt
Cheboygan Crib Light, MI
Old Mackinac Point, MI

To read previous posts about the states featured in this series just click on the state name: Alabama      Alaska      Arizona      Arkansas      California      Colorado     Florida      Georgia      Hawaii        Idaho  Illinois      Indiana      Iowa     Kansas     Kentucky     Louisiana     Maine     Maryland     Massachusetts

25 thoughts on “Wandering Around America One State at a Time – Michigan”

  1. Now this is a state we absolutely enjoyed. It was fun seeing you had visited some of the places we had and also seeing ones we missed that we’ll have to go back to. There were so many golden nuggets tucked away visibly in that region. These were some of the post we did back in Sept on that, our first, cross country journey. https://usathroughoureyes.com/2016/09/05/camping-wolf-lake-campground-muskegon-michigan/ , https://usathroughoureyes.com/2016/09/10/muskegon-mi-to-beulah-mi/, https://usathroughoureyes.com/2016/09/10/beulah-mi-to-mackinaw-city-mi/, https://usathroughoureyes.com/2016/09/10/chocolate-lab-in-costume/, https://usathroughoureyes.com/2016/09/09/camping-pictures-wolf-lake-campground/
    Its great seeing places that others have traveled to and through. You guys keep setting the bar for us to go higher, lol.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I certainly enjoyed this post! Hubby spends a lot of time in Michigan on business, and he has been saying for years that we need to visit in the warm months sometime. Your pictures are wonderful, and it looks like it was a great state to visit, especially in the RV.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. If I had to move back to the Midwest, Michigan is the state I’d want. We’ve always enjoyed our visits and Mackinac Island is one of my favorites and Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Thanks for taking me back!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I’ve been looking forward to this post, as this is where Diana and I hail from. I’m glad to see the photo of Old Mackinac Lighthouse, Beth; my great grandfather was the general contractor on it back in 1892!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Beautiful! We’ve heard Michigan is a must see for RVers. My dad was from Michigan so I’ve been to Detroit and Dearborn. Never knew there was so much beauty so I’m looking forward to our journey there-maybe this summer. Your post will help us!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Beth, I don’t know if you enjoy historical fiction, but there is a wonderful book, The Loon Feather (by Iola Fuller) that takes place primarily on Mackinac Island in the 1800s. The book was written in the 1940s and was likely geared toward young girls, but it’s a good story and gives a real flavor of what the island must have been like in its heyday.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. We are hoping to head through this area next fall. Thanks for all this info. I hadn’t even started to think about where to try booking reservations. I’ve heard it’s getting tougher and tougher up there because it’s so popular. I’m hoping if we wait til mid September or so, it won’t be quite as crazy. We’ll see. Anyway, beautiful photos!

    Liked by 2 people

    2. I am a 60 Michigan native who recently moved to southern California. The fall can offer some amazing colors in Michigan. The state has a site called Pure Michigan which might help you with booking dates.

      Most ”tourist” activity, slows down after Labor Day weekend.

      Just wanted to throw in my two cents worth, if it is of any help. 😀 ren

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey – thanks, yes, it’s very helpful! I’ll check out that site as we get more into planning. I am definitely glad to be looking at the period after Labor Day to visit. I have a feeling everything will be crazy up until then. Thanks again for the info!

        Liked by 2 people

  10. I grew up in Michigan so I have been looking forward to this post. Michigan really is beautiful during the spring and summer but I don’t recommend it in the winter time! Great pictures — thank you for the nice memories!

    Liked by 2 people

  11. I am a Michigander of 60 years. You hit some of the wonderful highlights and yes, the fall color can be spectacular!

    Should you ever go back and want to visit another island, check out Isle Royal.

    Four months ago, I uprooted and relocated to southern California. I miss the beauty of Michigan. I do not miss her bitter winters.
    Thank you for this wonderful post. You did a grand job, capturing the essence of MI.
    ren

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.