Tag: Sleeping Bear Dunes

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Begins with S

Posted in Nature, Photography, WildlifeTagged , , , , , 36 Comments

This week’s challenge from Patti asks us to find images of objects that begins with the letter S. I chose a few objects found in or around sand or things that are made of sand.

Seashells and seals on the sandy seashore

Seashells on a Georgia seashore
Clam shell on sandy beach in Haines, Alaska
Harbor Seals on a sandy beach in Oregon
Hawaiian Monk Seal on Kauai’s North Shore in Hawaii

Sand Dunes

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Many thanks to Patti for this week’s Lens Artists photo challenge #136: Things that begin with the letter S.

Wandering Around America One State at a Time – Michigan

Posted in Birds, Lighthouse, Michigan, RVing, Wandering around America, WaterfallsTagged , , , , , , , 25 Comments

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.

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Swan in Muskegon Channel

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Beach on Lake Huron in Lakeport State Park

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

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Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

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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.

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Upper Tahquamenon Falls

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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.

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Sable Falls

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Miner’s Castle

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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

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

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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