Under skies constantly changing from completely gray overcast to large patches of sun and white clouds, we braved a chilly wind to explore the southern and western shore of Lake Superior that ( with the shoreline of Ontario, Canada,) form Whitefish Bay.
Just a few miles from our rv park in Brimley, MI, we began our trip with a tour of Point Iroquois Light Station and Museum. Inside the lightkeeper's house the small museum is full of information, pictures, and artifacts from the property.
Inside the 65' light tower, a tight spiral staircase leads to the (decommissioned) light
and a view of Whitefish Bay with the mouth of the St. Mary's River on the left and Michigan on the right.
On the far side of the bay at the northwestern tip is the second lighthouse we visited. The 80' tower is part of a complex
called Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The light, keeper's house and the three buildings next to it are original to the property which is owned and operated by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, the Michigan Audubon Society, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The building in the left rear is the museum building where we bought our $13 admission to all of the buildings. $4 more gained us access to the tower guided tour and these amazing views.
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From here we saw the general area where 5 of the wrecks featured in the museum occurred.
Around the tip to the right is this second view of the mouth of St. Mary's River with blue lines delineating Ontario Canada on the left and Michigan (and the Point Iroquois Light Station) on the left.
After about 2 hours of wandering around the grounds and in and out of buildings we hopped the bike and backtracked south for a few miles to visit a couple of waterfalls.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park is home to the upper and lower falls, separated by about 4 miles. The falls are connected by a hiking trail, but we opted to drive between them. Our $9 out of state motorcycle entrance fee paid for both views.
Both falls can be accessed by a short walk along paved paths. The upper falls can be viewed from several distances along the path. The best view is down a 94 step wooden staircase.
The lower falls are divided by an 8 acre island. They are easily seen from the viewing platform, but a boat rental concession offers close-up views.
Left
After viewing both falls and visiting both gift shops for pressed pennies, we picked up CR 123 and rode southwest to M28 for the last leg home.
Moving day tomorrow.
Louise and Duane
PS 2 lighthouses + 2 waterfalls = 460 steps up and down the lighthouses and down to the upper falls and back up + 1 1/2 miles of walking to/from and all around the sites + 150 total miles ridden.
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