I Like Thursday #501

I may have a new favorite place - Michigan's Upper Peninsula!  It's beautiful up here, and so much to see and do.

We've seen Lake Michigan - and a beautiful sunset.

                       Charlevoix

And Petoskey

We drove over the Mackinac Bridge,  and stopped at the viewpoint on the other side.

Found another Thomas Dambo troll.  This is Benny, the Beardfisher!

There are a gazillion lighthouses and beaches to wander.

Lake Superior!

I got my feet wet in Lake Superior - 

I was checking out the beautiful rocks 

and this wave snuck up on me!

We went up to Whitefish Point and visited the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum where the memorial to the Edmund Fitzgerald is.  It sank just a few miles off the point.

We hiked to some waterfalls in Tahquemenon State Park.  Lots of green here!

Sault Ste Marie, Michigan is where the Soo Locks are located, and we went on a boat ride through the locks.  The locks are needed because Lake Superior is 21 feet higher than Lake Huron and they help the big iron ore freighters move between the lakes.   A ship moves into the lock, then gates are opened and closed to allow the water to rise or fall to the level that's needed for the ship to move forward.  It's a fascinating process and we had a blast experiencing it!

Here is a boat just like we were on, 

going through the lock.

It's been a great trip so far, especially exploring a part of the country we've never been to before!  We have a few days left to go a few more places.  I think we will go home tired, but satisfied!

Joining in with Not Afraid of Color for I Like Thursday.