Getaway 2020: Day 7

 Day 7

Jason and I woke up early to get a run in. The North Country Trail was just a mile from our campsite and I couldn’t resist. The trail was a thin, single track that wound in and out right along the Lake Superior shoreline.

 There were a few spots to take trails down to the beach and we took advantage! The beach was so beautiful and peaceful in the early morning light. 

Back up on the trail, our path got skinnier yet and we ran right through where people were camping. It was a little awkward, even though we were on the trail, and the bugs were terrible, so we opted to run back towards camp via the beach. 

Jason was a really good sport and said he must’ve cleared at least a thousand spider webs with his face. I snagged a few rocks here and there and then we popped back up onto the trail and headed back to camp. 

Upon arriving, we found Emerson camped out at the ranger's station, taking advantage of the wifi that reached about ten feet around the building

The showers were new and hot, but clearly not made for tall people. I had to back bend and squat the entire time to have my head make it under the shower head. Anyway, I was clean and glad it was done. 

The kids trickled out of the camper and got themselves together and we all piled into the car to headed towards Tahquamenon Falls. 

The falls were so busy! There was a constant stream of people coming in and out. We made our way about a mile in and found a spot where we could get in the river. The family quickly kicked their shoes off and got in. The rocks were slippery and the water was cold but it was refreshing on this hot day. 

Then, we decided to hit the road to a new destination. After we stopped in Paradise for fuel and ice cream (and a fish sandwich for Jason), we headed further north. 

I hadn’t been to Whitefish Point since I was a kid, but it was just like I remembered. The sand was hot and the beach was filled with rocks. 

We spent a couple hours rock hunting, building cairns and skipping stones. It was sunny and warm and we were all content just to relax and look out over the blue water to Canada. Emerson was extra excited about the Canada thing because she has a strange affection for our neighbors to the north!

 A few crazies even swam out to a sand bar because you know this crew can’t help but get in the water when they have the opportunity. And I think Grey took home his weight in rocks!

We had such a nice, laid back time on this beach, and we stayed for much longer than we had planned.

It was time to head back to the campsite.  Except...no one really wanted to camp there another night.  We knew that we were just a few hours from being back at the cabin with real beds and the beach and the boats and after a quick family poll, we decided to just pack it up and head south.  

It felt good to back in familiar surroundings. We took a girls' trip to town to do a little back to school shopping,

I got to run in an all-time favorite spot of mine,

and we had a few friends from downstate stop over for Happy Hour!

And after ending our trip in the same way we began it, with boat rides and campfires and late mornings that lead straight to the beach, we headed back to the farm.  We were all happy to have had a week away, exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but there really is no place like home.