Mackinac Island October 2020

In early October 2020  We took a trip to Mackinac Island for our 43rd wedding anniversary!  We have been going for a stay on the island for a few years now.  This island is part of Michigan and it is very touristy especially in the summer months. We have covered much of this island by biking and hiking including most of the remote parts of the island.  

Transportation is by bicycles and horses on this island except for vehicles like an ambulance, sewer truck, fire trucks, big machines to fix the roads.

We get to the island by ferry boat which is about a 30 minute trip from Mackinaw City.  In the photo above (taken from  Mackinac Island) you can see the Mackinac Bridge with Lake Huron near us and Lake Michigan on the far side (west) of the Mighty Mac.

We use Star Line ferry service, this is at the dock in Mackinaw City.  

In the photo below you can see the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

   Mackinac Island

  Usually after checking into the inn, we bike around the outer perimeter of the island, about 8 miles.

   Shops on the island

   Arch Rock

 We stayed at the Inn On Mackinac.  Built in 1867.  It is a nice place to stay with a great breakfast and a spa pool, also big porches and lots of flowers.   

     Harebell

We used a special light to look for Yooperlite rocks. 

Yooperlite rocks are actually Syenite rocks that are rich in fluorescent Sodalite.  Using the black light at night on the beach we searched for Yooperlites but found none.  We did have an interesting 4 mile ride back to town in the dark!

It was a fun trip with good weather.  The fall colors were at their peak on the drive up north.

So remember this was last October, it is very green in Michigan right now of course.  Thanks for stopping by.

Kayaking, biking, hiking, and wildflowers in Ottawa County Michigan

Kayaking on Stearns Bayou May 14 2021

We often walk at Stearns Creek Park, an Ottawa County park in Robinson Township.   In the picture below you can see one of the beaver houses along this area.  The land behind the beaver house is part of Stearns Creek Park.

We put the kayaks in at the Odawa/Battle boat launch, see start on the map.  We paddled until we were starting to get stuck on posts/trees, something just under the water.  It was time to head back anyway.  It was a beautiful calm evening.  I’m glad we went.

May 17,  I was lucky to be able to ride bikes with my sister, Sugar.  I started from North Cedar Drive at the M 231 trailhead.  I pedaled north over the bridge and Grand River, Spoonville Trail, then met her at the new trailhead off 120th Ave just south of Leonard Road.

Grand River from M 231 bridge.

      M 231 bike path on bridge also called Spoonville Trail.

     New bike trail going around Terra Verde Golf Course

We rode on this new section and it was beautiful.  We counted 5 bridges along here.

We continued over I 96 into Nunica.

I 96 at Nunica Exit

For now the paved bike trail ends near the Nunica post office, it will continue east.  And from Nunica the paved trail goes west into Spring Lake.   Sugar and I have biked that part too, it is called North Bank Trail.

That same evening as the bike ride, Mike and I walked at Crockery Creek Natural Area. We kayaked this Creek a few weeks ago.

Flowering Dogwood 

The Wild Geranium were going wild!

A beautiful Herb Robert.

Crockery Creek Natural Area - Ottawa County Michigan 

I made this post almost completely on my iPad and all the photos are from my phone.  Ugh technology makes my head spin!  But I did it.

Thanks for stopping by. 

More Spring Wildflowers

 Here are some pictures of spring from the last few weeks.

           Large Flowered Trillium at Aman Park

                            Miterwort in my woods

     Bloodroot in my woods

     A nearby swampy area I enjoyed for a few hours.  

     A tree flower ready to open.

We visited Gales Pond County Park and Genevieve Casey Nature Sanctuary in Oceana County Michigan.

    Leatherleaf

 

We also went to Clear Springs Nature Preserve and Henderson Lake Nature Center.

      Trailing Arbutus

I visited our son, daughter-in-law and family in Texas.  I left April 29th and came home May 4th, things had really changed in those few days.  So much green!

     It was a bumpy ride to Texas but well worth it to play and play with those sweet grandkids! 

When I came home Mike had flowers, and a steak dinner for me.  And a walk at Riverside park in Ottawa County.

      Redbud at Riverside Park!

A perfect Wild Geranium

   Wild Blue Phlox!

                        In our woods I'm just starting to see Squawroot!

I'm sure I missed some flowers and adventures.  Hopefully I can post again soon.  Thanks for stopping by.

There are bugs in the next photo so stop here if you don't want to see bugs.  I thought these mites were very interesting.