Michigan Bound!

October 2025 -- After much research, I decided to go to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (and Mackinac Island) for my fall trip with Ty.  It was a long drive. Mackinaw City is about 740 miles from Clear Spring. The first night we stayed at a Super 8 in Waverly Michigan. We got an early start the next morning and headed to the UP. 

The Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island

Welcome to the UP

After crossing the Mackinac Bridge, I drove US Route 2 along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. We made several stops along the lakeshore. Eventually, we turned inward towards Munising. I had booked a 3:30 Picture Rocks Cruise. Ty stayed in a kennel while I was on my cruise. Accommodations for the second night were in Munising. I had pizza for dinner.

Fall is a great time to travel.

On the second day, we went to the Miners' Castle, Twelvemile Beach, Log Slide, Tahquamenon Falls, and Soo Locks. We crossed the Mackinac Bridge and stayed at another Super 8 for the final two nights in Mackinaw City. Dinners were Subway and KFC.

Three Great Lakes:  Michigan, Superior, and Huron

Peak fall foliage

Leaf colors

Beautiful sky

On the third day, we went to Mackinac Island. Shepler's Ferry Service picked up us at the hotel and brought us back later in the evening. It was a 15-20 minute ferry ride to the island. While on the island, Ty and I took a horse carriage tour, toured Fort Mackinac, and hiked to Arch Rock. We took the last ferry of the day (6 pm) to return to Mackinac City. We left the next day for home. I made frequent stops for fueling, food, bathroom, and dog walking.

My travel companion

The UP still had old fashioned gas pumps.

Lake Michigan

October 18, 2025 -- Michigan is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes. Lake Michigan was the first Great Lake Ty and I encountered when we traveled to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. After crossing the Mackinaw Bridge, I drove Route 2 along the coast of Lake Michigan. We made several stops along the way before heading north towards Munising. I had a 3:30 pm boat trip scheduled to see Pictured Rocks.

Ty and I on the shore of Lake Michigan

Beach vegetation

Playing in the water

Fall foliage

Lake Michigan Beachfront

Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake located entirely within the US. It is the third largest Great Lake by area, but second largest by depth and water volume. Ty enjoyed playing in the surf and biting at the water. He got pretty wet. It was his first Great Lake to experience. There were two more to come.

Northernmost Point

Headed for the beach

Changing colors

October

On the first day of our visit to the Upper Peninsula, there was a nationwide "No Kings" protest. . The authoritarian policies and corruption of the Trump Administration were the reason for the protests. I agreed with the protests and did my little part.

No Kings 

Pictured Rocks

October, 18, 2025 -- My primary destination in the Upper Peninsula (of Michigan) was Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Before deciding on a fall trip, I had never heard of Pictured Rocks. I was captivated by the pictures I saw on the internet. I decided that's where Ty and I would go. Of course, there were other sites to see in the Upper Peninsula. It was getting near the end of the tourist season. 

Pictured Rocks Cruises

Our boat

The amazing colors of Pictured Rocks

Miners' Castle from the water

Nature's Paint

Vertical striations

Lovers' Leap

Caves

Battleships

Hidden cove

Battleship row

An arch

East Channel Lighthouse

Indian Rock

Chapel Rock

A collapse

Spray falls

Hello hiker

Poor Ty had to stay in a kennel while I enjoyed my cruise of Pictured Rocks. The cruise company offered free kenneling of dogs. They had large dog crates available. You had to have a lock and water dish. Ty would get his chance to ride a boat soon enough.

Miners' Castle

October 19, 2025 -- Miners' Castle is one of the most famous landmarks along Michigan's Pictured Rocks shoreline. It is also the only cliff area in the park accessible by vehicle. Though I had already seen Miners' Castle from the water (on my boat cruise the previous day), I wanted to see this spectacular landmark from another perspective. 

We got an early start. It was about a 5 mile drive to Miners' Castle from Munising. The drive was quite picturesque due to the vibrant colors of the leaves. There were three observation decks. Ty and I went to all three. It involved about a half mile of walking. There were steep steps to the lowest overlook.

Pictured Rocks most famous landmark

Only one turret now

Miners' Castle is a famous rock formation in Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore that was carved by erosion and is known for its distinctive turret. The castle used to have two turrets, but in 2006, one of the turrets unexpectedly plunged into Lake Superior. The castle was named after miners looking for minerals in the area (none were found). It holds great spiritual significance to indigenous peoples, but lacks a Native American name.

Colorful leaves

Video of Miners' Castle

Another view

Coins for good luck  |  Keep off the castle!

Along the drive to Miners Cave overlooks

Miners' Beach sits along the shores of Lake Superior. It is visible from the Miners' Castle lower overlook trail. The beach is about a mile long. I remember seeing it from the boat, too. It is a mile hike to get there.

Picturesque Miners' Beach

Where I go, Ty goes (most of the time)

Doggy window