Friday, October 26, 2018

Mid October 2018

October 11 2018  Marie and I went on an adventure to P. J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon County. 
We walked at the northern section, past the campground, along Little Black Creek.  The creek flows into Lake Michigan at this point.  Usually on the beach, the creek has some twists and turns before entering the big lake, on this day it headed straight into the lake. 
  Looking to the north with Little Black Creek meeting Lake Michigan
      Looking to the south
     Looking west at Lake Michigan, it was very windy!

 We found the old wood bridge replaced by metal.
We tried to follow the trail back along the creek, but it was flooded in places!
 That is the trail in the center of the picture with the creek on the far right!  We were able to go part of the way but then the water was just too deep for our boots.
 
The same day we stopped at Black Lake Park also in Muskegon County.
 This is Little Black Lake, the same water that flows through Hoffmaster and into Lake Michigan.
 

 Some fall color, but things were still mostly green.

 The next day was off to Crockery Creek Natural Area with Mike.  Some color here too!  October 12





Mike and I celebrate our anniversary in October, (41 years!) and for the last few years we have visited Mackinac Island to mark the occasion.  We stayed at The Inn on Mackinac built in 1867.  





Most of our stay on the island was very windy, cold, with rain and snow.  We did manage to do a long hike along the Tranquil Bluff Trail, and some even longer bike rides.

The island can be reached by private boat, by ferry, by small aircraft, and in the winter, by snowmobile over an ice bridge. The airport has a 3,500-foot paved runway, and daily charter air service from the mainland is available. In the summer tourist season, ferry boat service is available to shuttle visitors to the island from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.

Motorized vehicles have been prohibited on the island since 1898, with the exception of snowmobiles during winter, emergency vehicles, and service vehicles. Travel on the island is either by foot, bicycle, or horse powered carriage. Roller skates and roller blades are also allowed, except in the downtown area. Bicycles, roller skates/roller blades, carriages, and saddle horses are available for rent. An 8-mile road follows the  perimeter of the island, and numerous roads, trails and paths cover the interior.  M-185,  the United States only state highway without motorized vehicles, makes a circular loop around the island, closely hugging the shoreline.  Mackinac Island is about 8 miles in circumference and 3.8 square miles in total area.



 

 
 
 
 


 

 
 
 
 
 
 We took one last ride around the island before hopping on the ferry to head home.  The clouds moved in and a strong wind kicked up.   
 
This is the ferry as it came to the island from Mackinaw City (about 8 miles).  The Mackinac Bridge is approximately 5 miles behind the ferry.  On this day, at 12:30 in the afternoon,  the dark snow clouds obliterated the view of the bridge.  It was a wild ride on the ferry that afternoon, however a rainbow appeared while we crossed Lake Huron!  Even with the not so perfect weather, we very much enjoyed our trip.

In mid October, the fall colors were not yet at peak.  Still we did see some color and many plants still flowering.  I would say a pretty nice Autumn season.  Thanks for stopping by.

4 comments:

Allen Norcross said...

Having the brook move like that must be a little disorienting! Our woods are flooded too in many places. We've had a lot of rain.
Nice shots of the fall colors, and the fall fungi.
Congratulations on you anniversary. The island looks like an amazing place to explore and that inn is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

What a treat to turn on my computer and find your post! It was windy that day and no way to cross Little Black Creek. In your photo looking south along the beach, you can see where the creek used to flow! We were brave to walk there - big waves crashing and quicksand! I miss the old bridge and it wasn't even old, perfectly good. Walking in rushing floodwaters was fun but we don't take any chances of getting wet. Those gray and white fungi were unusual. We had two nice walks that day. I'm glad we get out, no matter the weather. Thanks for posting our adventures! Your photos of Mackinac Island are gorgeous. Makes me want to go there! M :)

Plants Amaze Me said...

Yes walking in the moving water was a little scary, but we don't really take to much of a chance. Fall colors are really showing now, mostly bright yellow.
Thanks, we have pretty much covered Mackinac Island, it is still a fun place - on the off season.

Plants Amaze Me said...

M :) Maybe you should plan a trip to Mackinac Island, possibly with our oldest sister? But go early or late in the year, or else you will be very aware of the horses, if you know what I mean.
No we don't take many chances, if we got all wet that would be the end of our day, at least!