AN & JFP – U.P. 2014 – Day #5

This was supposed to be an “easy” day, although it didn’t quite turn out that way.  Once again we were gifted with an almost perfect summer-like day, although our luck may run out tomorrow.  We did begin nice & gently and were virtually the last people in the breakfast room, although plenty of good food was still available and of which we took good advantage.

We began heading west and just before our turn to the north I mentioned Seney Wildlife Refuge & we made a spur of the moment decision to visit as it was virtually right there.  As usual, expectations exceeded reality although we did see an active osprey “nest” and via a telescope in the Visitor Center could see the fledglings moving about in it.  We took the 7-mile drive through the refuge, glimpsed a beaver crossing the road ahead of us, saw swans going through what we assume were mating rituals with much noise and flapping of wings (although not when we had the camera ready, of course).  We ignored ducks & geese (which were not overabundant) and after 6 ½ miles finally saw a pair of loons.  They were feeding and were under water more than on top of it, but at least we can say we saw real live loons in the wild!

We then headed off to Grand Marais and as we crested the last hill I was surprised to see “whitecaps” on a calm day.  Once we were parked ready to go walking on the beach we realized that what we were seeing were mini-icebergs!  There is still much ice out on the lake in this area.  We walked, with difficulty, on the very soft sand and/or pebbles for quite a long way before turning back feeling we had satisfied any need for exercise.  Ha!

Our next stop was Au Sable Falls & surrounding dunes and if we thought yesterday’s steps were a lot we now realized our mistake – this was truly “a lot”!  The falls were in pretty good spate and well worth the descent to the viewing points.  We then continued on down a trail that wound up at the shoreline, with towering sand dunes to both sides of us.  One in particular kept shedding pebbles and sand, mostly singly but occasionally in a mini-avalanche – fascinating to see.  In due course we headed back, and as we stopped for a breather on a strategic bench Annie complimented me on my agility and endurance (considering the number of birthdays I have had!)  Before leaving the area we made two or three more side trips for assorted photo ops.

Finally we began the serious run for Munising arriving in the latish afternoon.  We topped off the fuel tank, primarily to be able to “de-bug” the windshield & replenish our drinks supply and then checked with the cruises.  There were no runs today because of the ice conditions blocking the bay entrance, but may be tomorrow or the next day if the off-shore breezes shift the ice out into the lake.  We will check.

We are checked into the hotel for three nights, we have run into town for a great surf and turf dinner Yooper style, hot-tubed AND swum and feel we have had another very full day.  We did take some pictures, hardly masterpieces of the photographers’ art, but to provide memories.  Such as they are they have been added to the end of our U.P. set here, and to the top of my “photostream” as well.