Maya and I at one of the many waterfalls.
After three days of the most interesting and changeable weather I have ever experienced, the sun began to shine. The lake that was so wild and wooly became gentle.
Not sure how long this weather would last I took the boat ride to see the famous pictured rocks. These are sandstone cliffs abandoned by the glaciers when they receded. They are colored by minerals in the groundwater that seeps through the cliffs. Erosion by ice and waves of Lake superior cause the unusual formations. It was wonderful being out on the boat and the cliffs were stunning! Originally I wanted to kayak to see them (there were many Kayaks out) but I have the wrong type of kayak for the power of this lake. They warn that squalls can come up quickly and there are many places where the cliffs are so sheer that it would be impossible to escape from the storm. I observed that on the boat trip and was glad I took the easy way out, am I getting old?
The area is also famous for it’s many waterfalls which Maya and I explored thoroughly. We found a dog beach too, which was surprising because the national parks normally prohibit dogs from just about everywhere. On the edge of the dog beach we found another surprise, a huge patch of wild blueberries! I sat in the warm sand and stuffed myself with blueberries until Maya grew bored and we had to move on.
Our good weather held out for three whole days, on Sunday we head towards the Dakotas. I was fortunate to know Lake Superior in many of her moods.
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- The color of the lake was so intense, especially where there was a shallow bottom.
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- These caves were made by the action of the waves and the ice.
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- This pine tree is growing on top of this formation. There is not enough soil for the roots but if you look at the left hand side of the tree you can see a rope of roots going across to the mainland.
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- Another odd root formation. This tree looks as if were growing over a boulder and then the boulder was removed.
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- This arch was too shallow for the boat to go through but many kayakers did.
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- Hanging gardens of Munising Michigan.
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- Who’s looking at you?
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- This fellow seems happy with his perch.
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- More of the mineral stained walls, see the tiny kayak in the foreground?
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- Very whimsical structures.
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- Another waterfall, a man was at the base catching brook trout.
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- Wild blueberries in the sand.
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- An old lighthouse from the 1800’S.
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- Where the river meets the lake.
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- Hurricane River
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- Patterns in the water
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- Our dog beach.
Away! 
Thanks for the pictures. If I can’t be there in person it is nice to see Lake Superior through your eyes.
Really enjoyed this post! Once more the photos are amazing and stirring my emotions for exploration of the naturally beautiful sights provided by “Mother Nature.” I’m putting Pictured Rocks on my “To-Do List” Thank You Pam! BTW you and Maya look fabulous!!!
Next time I go I want to kayak! Thanks for your support.
I’ll kayak if you bicycle ride 😉
Pam ~ I’m curious was Maya allowed on the Pictured Rocks boat ride?
Thanks Marsha! The weather was terrible the first three days I was there but on the day of the boat trip the sun came out.
Great photos. We took the Pictured Rocks boat tour at the beginning of July and it was cold and windy. At least that meant no mosquitoes 😉
Terrific slide show gallery emerges when you click on the first of the GIFs above. Excellent photo blogging.
Thank you, Mike