The Upper Peninsula’s all four seasons are a magical place. This is photographers paradise. It is a one of a kind place with 90% untouched forested land of picturesque landscapes and numerous vistas bordering three of the great lakes. It feels almost like you are going back in time especially after visiting Mackinaw Island. Mackinaw Island is a no-vehicle island where people travel by horse and buggy. The Upper Peninsula is home to countless quaint towns with excellent restaurants, lots of shopping and best of all many fudge shops.
One of our favorite places to visit was Pictured Rocks Natural Lakeshore on Lake Superior. It’s mosaic shoreline of rock beaches, coves, and etched pictured cliffs are one of it’s many splendors. We took a boat tour around the island which toured the pictured rocks up close and personal and the East Channel Lighthouse on the southern tip of Grand Island.
Another favorite adventure was visiting Tahquamenon Falls State Park. These falls are milky white with an almost vanilla flavor if you could taste them. We went during fall foliage which made it extra spectacular. There is a brewery a the top of the mountain!
Just to top things off after a long day exploring we sat at the beach at our hotel and were entertained with a Northern Lights show. This was spectacular.
Another fun day was our wildlife adventure at an Elk preserve in Gaylord where we witnessed a female elk (cow) about to give birth. She was looking for some privacy from the male elk (bull) who was trying to keep his cows all together. This was definitely worth the trip.
Another one of our wildlife adventures was visiting Oswald’s Bear Ranch – a family run bear sanctuary. We fed the bears fruit loops and enjoyed seeing them all shiny and plump on the last day before hibernation. We stayed until feeding time and took many bear photos.
No matter where you go in Upper Peninsula it will be beautiful and be sure to bring your camera for many nature photo opportunities!
Some of my favorite Upper Peninsula Photos:
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
– John Muir
