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Grand Marais is French for "bid marsh." Michigan has many marshy areas through both peninsulas. There are several points of interest in this area to see before I move on. Look further to see the Pickle Barrel House, the harbor light, Au Sable light house, Light Keeper House Museum, Grand Marais Ranger Station, and the Sable Falls   The Pickle Barrel House is on the US National Registry of Historical Places.   An aerial view of the harbor at Grand Marais.  The range light at the end of the sea wall.  Au Sable light station.  Lightkeepers House Museum  Grand Marais Ranger Station. Several other places existed along the Superior shore that were bases the the lifesaving corps.  Au Sable Falls which are part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.    Before I moved on to the Pictured Rocks, I had to stop at the beach to look at the colorful agates.
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 We used the state park campground just south of Paradise as our base for two nights. The gray line in the map's upper right corner indicates the international boundary.  Throughout the state there are fisheries to harvest fish to restock the lakes and streams. Some fish were in outdoor areas while others were in buildings.  There is not much open in Paradise. We biked north to reach Whitefish Point.  I packed a lunch to enjoy at Whitefish Point.  The lighthouse was surrounded by several buildings. A nice museum is on site.  This is the view from Lake Superior toward Paradise.  From our campground we traveled to Newberry and stopped at the lower and upper Tahquamenon Falls.  In this direction we saw the lower falls first.  The upper falls are more impressive to me. I was surprised how brown the water is.   Shore at Deer Park.  When you look closer to the rocks, you can see a wide variety of colors. It is fun to see what you can find. This area of the state looks good to ride. I would not expect much traffic. I will be taking roads that are less likely to have car traffic. I will stair step my way up to Sault Ste. Marie.  From De Tour to Goetzville.   I saw this on Zillow, a remodeled lighthouse. I would like to see the inside.  The roads were in good condition and I enjoy a good shoulder.   Typically you will see several freighters a day. I have never seen such large ships.  I enjoy stopping to enjoy the view for a few minutes.   These are the "Soo" locks. There is a great observation area to watch the locked fill and the ships move on. The Soo refers to the Sault Ste. Marie city area (pronounced Soo Saint Marie). The St. Mary's river connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Sault is the French word for rapids. These rapids needed to be portaged and the usefulness of locks allowed larger ships to carry the iron ore and other heavy cargo. There is a Sault Ste. Marie Michigan and Canada. This is a major hub in this part of the state and province. The Michigan city is the second largest city in the Upper Peninsula. There has been a settlement here for the last 12,000 years. The first European settlement was established by Father Marquette, who also founded St. Ignace. These areas were used as a mission and posts for fur trade. Onward to the a State Park campground along the water.  Along the way I stop at the Irogquois Point Lighthouse. In 1853 the first lighthouse was approved by Congress.   Campsites were just off the bay and Canada can be easily seen from the shore.  I moved along the main road and the shoulder was plenty wide, smooth and clear of debris. I stayed in Cedarville which developed in 1884 as part of the lumber area. Now it is a wonderful vacation area.  You will see some very big sailboats on the Great Lakes. Some have sleeping quarters.  This is just one of the places you can rent gear to enjoy the waters. Brave souls even go out in the colder weather too.  I will try this on warmer days.  From Cedarville you will find Les Cheneaux Islands. There are 36 small islands along a 12 mile stretch of Lake Huron.  On the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula you will find the Village of De Tour. The gray line above indicates the US-Canadian border. Drummond Island is across the straits on the right border of this map.  Metis are a multi ancestral indigenous group in Canada and the US that lived in the this area. Fur trade was very big in this area as the Europeans spread through the region.  The De Tour reef light station. The gap is very narrow and tricky to navigate.  Drummond Island is the 7th largest lake island in the world and the 3rd largest in Lake Huron. It is 134 square miles. This is the north shore showing a salt water coral bed. http://www.visitdrummondisland.com/fossil-ledges.html  Another view of the fossil ledges. It is hard to believe that salt water once was in this area. There are mineral deposits throughout Michigan.   Going to Drummond Island is worth the trip.  Some areas are best with the mountain bike.  Here the road tour tires will work. When people saw my Lower Peninsula tours, they would ask when are you going to do the Upper Peninsula? In the gallery area you will find some photos from the Great Lakes Relaxed tour done by Adventure Cycling. I decided today that instead of heading home one I get to the Mackinaw Bridge I will head east and trace the UP! I have to do something during the winter riding season. Please continue with my tour.    From the St. Ignace State Park looking south toward the Lower Peninsula.  What a beautiful setting to camp. A train track was just behind where I was standing and I awoke two times during the night by the train.  It was a day of on and off rain. I decided to just put the rain gear on. That is a shower cap from the motel on my head. I now have a nice waterproof cap from Sealskinz.  Some times there are interesting sights that I later wished that I had stopped. I later researched Castle Rock, which is also know as "Pontiac's Lookout" by the Ojibwa Tribe. The rock is 195 feet above the water and provides a view of up to 20 miles. From here you will see Mackinac Island, Lake Huron and St. Ignace. Pontiac is a well known Odawa war chief from the mid 1700s who lead the Native Americans against the British. He moved throughout the Great Lakes Region.  Now further east on the Lake Huron side. Last winter I decided to stay inside when the outside temperatures is below 50 degrees. This plan last year, I believe, allowed to stay less congested and I did not require a doctor visit to get antibiotics. That helped to me decide my plan for this winter. Last year I was able to be outside by early March.  I set up one of my bikes on a trainer in front of the TV in my den. On the screen is a DVD of a training ride lasting an hour going up a mountain outside of Boulder, Colorado. I am given directions on what I should be doing.  The recumbent with a view of a YouTube to help pass the time. I find that my focus wanes during inside rides compared to the same ride time outside. These videos can be very engaging. The ones that I watch give me a rider point of view and I also enjoy the drone perspective too. Many places that I see are areas that I will never visit. What areas do you want to see? There is probably a video for you.  I have mounted one of my tour bikes onto a mag trainers and I mounted this holder for my tablet.  Maps of cycle routes help me find a path.  This is the cycle route following the Erie Canal.  I use Google Maps to find specific towns and areas along the route I will then internet search the towns and points of interest in the area.  I can pull photos.  Some times there is even a bike in the photo. Please check more of my blog posts.
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AuthorI love my riding days and look to find interesting and informative items to share. 
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