N. Gemini Lake Campground

We spent 3 nights in the Pictured Rocks area and stayed at North Gemini Lake. We had the BEST campsite. It was a rustic campground which basically means it has an outhouse and old school pump for water and thats it.

Our site had a section set back for the tents surrounded by water. We called it our little penisula.

Look closely through the trees to see the tents.

Our only kayak picture. We kayaked the Sturgeon white rapid river. Haha. It is the fastest river in Michigan and it sure gave us a challenge. They told us the tip rate was 80% and we all kinda laughed doubting anyone would tip. Boy, were we wrong.

Our rate= 125% (haha, DQ went in twice!)

I lost the glasses and shirt I am wearing in the pic below.

Not pictured: the water bottle that I lost too!

More falls in Pictured Rocks

The boys standing under the above fall

"Rock Climbing"

fake backdrop

For some reason, I think these first two pics look like a fake back drop that you would pose in front of.

This is one of the many falls we saw at Pictured Rocks.

Campfire

Who doesn't love a great campfire?

Rob, Danielle and Drew

How not to make a pizza pie

Tahquamenon falls

Such a daredevil...

Tahquamenon falls-2

Tahquamenon falls are in the UP about 75 miles from the bridge. We spent 2 nights at the Lower Falls TF State Park which is a quick walk to the actual falls.

On Monday we took the 4 miles hike (8 miles RT) to the Upper Falls- Yes we could have just took the 5 minute drive, but instead we hiked our way to beauty. This was just the start of our adventure filled vacation.

Mac Island

Don't these look like senior photos?

On the way to Mackinaw Island

On the Island

Rob, Danielle, Drew and I

Mac Island Part 2

Grand Island

On Wednesday we headed over to Grand Island. GI is just off the Pictured Rocks coast line and you have to take a ferry (aka pontoon boat) to get there. There is absolutely nothing on the island (expect the most breathtaking views of Lake S. and beautiful cliffs and miles of woods and nature). We brought our bikes with us and chose to do the longest ride which was 23 miles of mountain biking around the perimeter of the island.

Lunch on the beach

What is it with Drew and very high trees hanging over cliffs?

All was going great until mile 9...

Mile 9

If you look closely, you will see why mile 9 sucked...yes that is a flat tire! and just after that, Andrew's chain broke, yes, totally snapped! We decided not to let it ruin our day and after much deliberating, we decided to trek on. 12 more miles, 4 people, 2 working bikes and a boat to catch by 6.30pm or it would be us and the bears all night!

We took turns walking bikes and riding others and still enjoyed all the beauty!

The boat ride over.

Lumber Show

We went to a SWEET Lumber Jack show in Mackinac City. If you are heading up there you have got to see this show. Its just like the ones you see on ESPN, except there are just 2 competitors competing head to head. It's called Jack Pine Lumber Shows.

Goofin' off

We met up with Danielle and Rob on Saturday in Mackinac City and then they spent the rest of the week touring the UP with us.

Mystery Spot

St. Ignace is home of the "Mystery Spot". Go here to learn more about it, put the jist is thats its just a mystery- balls roll up instead of down, chairs balance on two legs and you stand on a huge slant when you think you are upright!

The ground is level here- so how is the guy on the right always taller?