Leaving from Cincinnati after work tomorrow and the plan is to do some paddling (kayaks) at Painted Rocks on Saturday, camp for the night somewhere around Ottawa NF, then head over to the Apostles for the next 5 days or so. Have never been in the area before. Could someone guide me towards where to put in or what I should see around Painted Rocks, any tips/gotchas re: Ottawa NF, and any other roses I might stop and smell along the way to the Apostles?

Do you mean Pictured Rocks? They stretch along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from Munising Michigan to Grand Marais Michigan. (Yes, I know there's another Grand Marais somewhere).

I haven't been there n quite a while, but here are some links.

http://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm

Here's one specifically for kayakers.

http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/kayaking.htm

Have a good trip! I'd like to see pictures or a trip report!

Pictured rocks has like a 12-mile water trail, yes? Memory is getting old. I've only seen them from the land side, would be awesome to paddle it.

Check out the Big Spring Michigan state park if you can swing it - very cool to glide over 40 feet of water and see the bottom bubbling sand from springs. Palms Book State Park (kitch-iti-kipi)

Ottawa NF, isn't that where Sylvania Lakes are? You could paddle to a reserved campsite there for that overnight.

Apostles, I have paddled a bit in the Madeline Island Lagoon and the large 1 mile long beach/bay area. Of course there are tons of kayaking options around, and sounds like you know what you're doing there.

Another vote for camping at Sylvania!

Yes, my bad. It was indeed Pictured Rocks. Two of us spent quite a lot of time saying, "WOW!" there. Pretty magnificent place and the water quality really surprised me. We could see very clearly down to about 30-35' and the water was a very beautiful jade green color. It was also a very uncharacteristically warm 77 degrees. We paddled about 12 miles from Miner's Beach to Chapel Rock and back, and plan to make another trip there soon.

Stayed in Ottawa NF on the way to the Apostles. Just needed a place to sleep, so we just grabbed a quiet place to pitch the tents.

Joined the rest of the group (8 total) in Bayfield Sunday and had to blow off Monday's open water crossing in the Apostles due to 35 knot winds and 8' seas, but did a few miles and some sea caves on the lee side, as well as got a nice hike in. Storm that night stirred up the water and brought it to around 50 degrees, which required a bit more caution and thicker wetsuits. Got out the next couple of days and camped on Oak & Stockton Islands, then came back to Bayfield to try and catch some of the sea cave paddling we'd missed on the first day. Got out to Sand Island that day, but didn't stay long due to rising water (went from 1' to 3' within about an hour) and wind, both coming from abeam. Canceled the next day and headed for home when we heard 6' seas and severe thunderstorms with hail were predicted. Actually, the thunderstorms weren't an issue as it rained a good part of the week, but the hail was scary. I hear Green Bay got 1" hail.

As they say, "the lake is the boss". We didn't argue with the boss. Saw a few eagles, a bear, and a few shipwrecks, heard a few loons. Enjoyed not sweating to death in the 90+ degree temps and high humidity back home. Had a good time, took a lot of pictures and came back safe, so it was a good trip.

The trip leader posted some pics and a video (duplicates many of the pics) if you're interested.

Thanks for sharing the pics - wow some beauty there!!

Amazing to think of Superior at 77 degrees unless it's a shallow bay or lagoon. Mmmmmm, swimming!