AN & JFP – U.P. 2014 – Day #7

With plenty of sunshine and mostly blue skies today appeared much as yesterday, except the breeze was now from due north and the temperature all day only varied from the mid-40’s to the mid-50’s.  We had read forecasts and dressed appropriately.  Later we learned that the north wind had pushed back the lake ice causing the first cruise to be aborted and all subsequent ones canceled so we were very glad we had grabbed our opportunity yesterday.  After our usual leisurely and big breakfast we sallied forth.

After a short visit to Great Sand Beach along the side of the bay and one end of the giant sandbar we had skirted yesterday we headed for all things “Miners”.  First stop was the overlook above & to the side of the Miners Castle formation where I clicked the camera several times.  We then took the walk and steps down to the viewing platform close to the “Castle” where I suddenly noticed the camera was telling me it had “no chip installed”!!!!  Luckily I also had the pocket camera with me so I quickly swapped its chip into the big camera, but it did mean we had to revisit the first viewing platform again and re-take the shots we wanted from there.  Another visitor also took some shots of us together – in fact it was a day of such camera-swapping activities.

We drove to the start of the longer trail to the Miners Falls overlook, half of which was wet with fine spray as the falls were well supplied with water.  After more pictures we wended our way back without hurrying.  In the sunshine it was a lovely walk as the trees, while not yet full, are all leafed out with fresh green.  Next we went to Miners Beach, along which we walked, with difficulty in the very soft sand, to the mouth of the Miners River.  I noticed that this season the beach is more dune-like and a lot narrower between lake & trees than I had seen before.  Eventually we walked back to the van and headed back to town.

We took another side trip in order to visit and see the very pretty Wagner Falls which were surrounded by little yellow flowers that appear to be the harbinger of spring way up here.  This concluded the walking & sightseeing activities for around here.  Back in town we visited a very nice upper end gift store & found that they were discontinuing carrying Dickens Village houses & accessories and had all at 40% off, so instead of picking up one new building for next winter’s arrangement we picked up two.

We went on to the cruise terminal/gift shop and Annie chose gifts for her friends who were either taking care of Priscilla or picking up her mail & checking on her house.  By now we were hungry and had a mutual fancy for pizza so we went to a local pizzeria, let them cook us one, ate all of it we could and carried out the rest for consumption later since we have a microwave in the room.

As usual, such pictures as were considered “keepers” have been added to the end of our U.P. set here, and to the top of my “photostream” as well.