Sunday, August 17, 2014. Pictured Rocks and across the U.P.

We started the day by heading toward Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the northern boundary of Upper Michigan (the U.P.). This boundary is washed by Lake Superior, then largest of the Great Lakes. Pictured Rocks is a pretty descriptive name. The rocks are rugged and very colorful from the various sediments that has formed them. It is suggested that the best way to enjoy the Pictured Rocks is by boat, canoe, or kayak, but we settled for using some of the observation towers.

Where to go next? We decided to head toward Mackinac Island, Michigan, since we've heard about it and it's automobile-free atmosphere. By the way, we discovered that the name of the Island is actually pronounced “mac-a-naw.” The city across the bridge into lower Michigan is actually spelled “Mackinaw City.”

We weren't ready to leave U.P., so we camped at Straits State Park on the edge of St. Ignace. If you walk down to the beach near our campsite there is a great view of the Mackinac Bridge that connects the two areas of Michigan.

After a run to a nearby grocery store, we drove around the city to get our bearings for the next day when we planned to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island.

Chris and Kathy under the 5-mile long Mackinac Bridge