Wax Campground, Nolin River Lake, Cub Run, Kentucky

We got an early start and found a Panera's for breakfast to catch up on the blog. We drove south the entire length of Indiana and camped for the night near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky at another wonderful Corp of Engineers Park on Nolin River Lake. As with every weekend, the campground was filled with children. We didn't unpack or unhitch as we knew we had a long drive through Tennessee and Alabama to arrive home. Instead of stopping at Gunter Hill Campground in Montgomery as planned, we stopped in Clanton for lunch downtown at a nice Italian restaurant that served fresh French bread with olive oil and spices for dipping along with the turnip lasagna and chicken Parmesan. We continued along the stop and go traffic on the interstate on to Valparaiso showing up for happy hour. This was a superior camping trip with  our 5,465 mile loop tour of Lake Superior and Upper and Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

The standard huge sized campsite at Corp of Engineer Paris

Beautiful woods along Nolin River Lake

Children with paddle boat towing more floats

Our beach finds from Lake Superior and Lake Michigan

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Beverly Shores, Indiana

We found a great local restaurant in the historic district of Holland before we drove along the blue star highway going past u-pickem blueberry farms after the day before it had been u-pickem cherry farms. We set up camp at a beautifully wooded huge campsite noticing several painted river rocks left by an artistic kid. We headed to the visitor center and enjoyed the film on the formation of the dunes by glaciers and their preservation story. We drove to the trail head for the Cowles Bog Trail and hiked by the marshy bog and up the steep dunes to the lake. We found some polished stones so it was worth the slog back up the mountainous dunes. We took the lakefront drive past the 1933 Century of Progress homes under restoration and drove to Mount Baldy. This dune is massive at 126 feet. We headed back to Dunewood Campground and grilled our chicken and steamed fresh local green beans and potatoes.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center

Along bog trail

Huge trees and more wildflowers

Interesting foliage

Great boardwalk across the bog

The bog

Lake Michigan beach

Beach looking toward Chicago

Resting after the dune climb

Down the dune

Up the dune

Holland State Park, Holland, Michigan

Before leaving for breakfast, we walked the old railroad trail from near the campsite at Platte River to the Lake Michigan beach. It was a crisp, clear morning and we found more wildflowers along the wooded trail. We made good time traveling along the shore to Holland and met up with Larry and Hera at the Big Lake Brewery. From there in the historic district we walked to the farmer's market which was just closing and bought local blueberries and Ranier cherries. We window shopped and stopped into an art gallery and the Cherry Republic to sample all things Michigan cherries. Back to Holland State Park we climbed the stairs to Mount Pisgah and enjoyed the spectacular view of  Lake Michigan. We hiked the loop trail through the woods and then went across the street to the harbour entrance with Big Red Light House and the concrete breakwaters along the beach. The beach was crowded with folks picnicking. We headed back to the campground for a great happy hour and delicious dinner hosted by Larry and Hera making it a very late night.

Holland historic downtown

Art on the sidewalk

Street music

Old fire station

Climb to Mount Pisgah

View from top of Mount Pisgah

Big Red Lighthouse and busy harbour

Ducks loved it here

Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Honor Michigan

The national park campground had spacious wooded campsites and finally no mosquitoes so we were able to sit out without putting up the screened porch. We headed into Empire for breakfast at Joe's Tavern and then proceeded along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive stopping at the scenic spots and then hiking the Cottonwood Trail. Next stop was The US Life-Saving Station and maritime museum at Sleeping Bear Point. we strolled through Glen Haven Historic Village. We drove through scenic seaside village of Glen Arbour on the way to the Bay Farm trail that took us through Port Oneida rural Historic district. After hiking our eight miles for the day, we relaxed and grilled steaks, corn on the cob and sweet potatoes on the grill and finished off the cherry pie for dessert.

Covered bridge in National Park Service Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

A closer view showed the boats to be on boat lifts off from shore

The Cottonwood Trail across the dunes

Amazing wildflowers growing in the sand along the dunes

Along the dune trail

Spectacular number of flowers blooming in the sand

The dune walk that was mobbed by the afternoon 

The beauty of the beach

Overlook to Sleeping Bear Dune

The steep dune climb with sign posted for $3000 rescue if you could not make it back up

Mama sleeping bear and two cubs drown and became north and south Manitou Islands

Ranger explained the life saving equipment

Life saving gear

Old Coast Guard Station now a Maritime Museum

Hotel in Glen Haven Historic Village

Old General Store with museum

Blacksmith demonstration

Old cherry packing plant now museum for old boats

Life-saving boat with engine added

Puddin on bow

Lichen on fallen logs

Bay Front Farm Trail crossed the bike path through meadows

Port Oneida rural historic district and farm

Platte River Campground hike to Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan sandy shore and rocks for beach finds

Sandy hiking trail from campsite

Mackinac Island on the way to Platte River Campground, Honor, Michigan

As we headed out at daybreak, we saw the sunrise over the wind farm near Garden. We found breakfast at Dreamland Restaurant and Motel. We crossed over the spectacular bridge from St. Ignace  to Mackinaw City and found the ferry terminal. We jumped on the 9 am Star fast ferry that took us back under the bridge for a view before heading to historic Mackinac Island State Historic Park. The harbour was lively with sailboat crews mobbing the docks. We picked up the visitor guide map at the visitor center and headed down main street to follow the Lakeshore Boulevard biking trail along Lake Huron. We stopped to admire Dwightwood Springs and Arch Rock before we took Scott's Shore Road through the woods to get away from the hordes of bicyclists. We stopped at British Landing Nature Center and then followed State Road past the Crack-in-the-Island and Cave of the Woods geological sites before passing  by the cemeteries and Skull Cave. We came by the garrison at Fort Mackinac and the Governor's residence on the bluff before heading back through the crowd of shoppers and found the Winchester Tavern for cold beers and delicious flat breads for lunch. After hiking almost ten miles, we were glad to jump on the fast ferry on the upper deck and dodge the spray as we barreled across the waves back to the car. We drove through Traverse City stopping for a local cherry pie and groceries before ending up at Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for two nights.

Stunning sunrise over Garden and wind farm

Comfortable ferries with free parking and shuttle to the dock

View of the bridge over Mackinac Straits linking Lake Michigan to Lake Huron from the ferry ride

Lake filled with sailboats

A gorgeous sunny day to explore the island

Only a twenty minute ferry ride with boats leaving every twenty minutes

No cars only horse drawn carriage taxis or bicycles

Gorgeous homes along the harbour

Flowers galore

Relaxing views of Lake Huron

Luxury resorts

Old springs

The Arch

Cairns built along the rocky shore by tourists

Wildflowers galore along British Landing trail

Cave of the Woods

Horse drawn carriage taxis

Cemetery gates

Skull Cave

Fort Garrison

Governor's Summer Residence

Quaint church

Bluff view of harbour 

Crack-in-the Island