Munising to Grand Marais and Back

A late start this morning put us on County Road H58 east out of Munising, headed into the depths of Pictured Rocks National Seashore. Yesterday we took a look at the park from the lake side, so today we decided to explore it from the "topside", going through some extraordinarily beautiful forest.

Yesterday, we saw Miners Castle from the water side. Today we got a glimpse of the formation from above.

Yesterday:

And today:

From the observation platform, it's a looonnnng way down to the water!

The top of the rock formation does, indeed, look a lot like a castle turret.

A pair of Peregrine Falcons were perched on the very top of the rock as we arrived, but one flew off into the distance, leaving his (her) mate to stand watch. A bit of research reveals that these Falcons primarily feast on seagulls.

A few miles along the highway brought us to Log Slide observation site. Back in the day, when millions of white pine and white fir were taken from these forests, the preferred methods involved work in the winter because snow and ice made it easier to transport the timber. An ice path led to this steep slope, which itself was watered to create a thick ice slide, and the trees were pitched over the edge, where they landed on lake ice. Picked up from there by mules and sleds, the timber was transported to Munising or Grand Marais.

Imagine the timber sliding down this steep slope, and bouncing about at the bottom! Dangerous work, for sure! Signs at the top of the slope recommend caution descending this slope. It's not advised for people with cardiac or respiratory issues since the time descending is about 90 seconds, but the time climbing back up is about 90 minutes!

Sixty some miles after we left Munising this morning, we arrived in Grand Marais, Michigan, expecting a thriving fishing community with some tourist activities. Well.....
The population of Grand Marais is now about 350 souls, down from 480 in 2010. There are three breweries, two restaurants, and a food truck parked in the public park at the head of the bay. We chose the West Bay Diner for a light late lunch, and were not disappointed with the Reuben sandwiches. We ordered a New York Reuben (sauerkraut) and a Manhattan Reuben (cole slaw) and they were both wonderful, if not healthy! Our server is the owner of two Boston Terriers, so we had a great time loving on Sasha, who was able to go with us today since the weather was cool and windy. This is a cute little restaurant, with the entrance in the back through the kitchen, and the menu written on a blackboard. There is a deli counter as well along with only one cook, so don't go to the West Bay Diner if you're in a hurry!

Tomorrow is a travel day, further north into the UP. We'll be Yoopers yet!