Post-trip:

I have gotten in the habit of allowing myself a day or two extra on the return to ramble and see things on the way home. And there's a lot to see on The North Shore and in the Superior National Forest around the BW, as well as in Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan. I timed it just about perfectly for the peak fall foliage this year. I took my time coming home and saw a lot of beautiful scenery and fall colors.

Wednesday, October 3rd:

On Wednesday George was gracious enough to drive me up to Judge Magney State Park to see the Falls and Devil's Kettle there and then back out through the country on a back road to his house.

The falls at Judge Magney State Park

Judge Magney SP was one place I had not been to yet and was well worth the visit on a beautiful fall day.

Grand Marais harbor

Afterwards I had lunch at The Crooked Spoon in Grand Marais and then rambled out past Devil Track Lake, Two Island Lake, and Eagle Mountain across The Grade, then down the Caribou Trail enjoying the day and the scenery before heading on down The North Shore to Duluth for the night.

Superior National Forest

Thursday, October 4th:

Thursday I drove into the U. P. of Michigan and up through the Porcupine Mountains, along Lake Superior, and then east and south to try to find the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness. Due to inadequate maps and road signage, I chose the wrong one out of the maze of back roads, logging roads, ORV, and snowmobile trails, but still had a nice drive through what I believe may be locally known as "The Baraga Plains" on another cool, beautiful fall day.

Golden aspen and birch in WI

Porcupine Mountains waterfall

U. P. of MI

On the way to Marquette, I made a mid-afternoon detour to the McCormick Wilderness to take in more beautiful fall foliage. Why spend an hour of daylight on such a beautiful day in such a beautiful place sitting in a motel room?

Friday, October 5th:

Friday I headed south out of Au Train on H03 and then decided to try to drive down through Big Island Lake Wilderness.

On the road to Big Island Lake Wilderness

I remembered Beaverjack had said he would be there in early October and I thought I might find him. I did find Big Island Lake Wilderness but not Beaverjack.

Big Island Lake

I stopped at Minerva Lake for a lunch of apples, peanut butter, and dark chocolate.

Minerva Lake, Hiawatha National Forest, U.P. of MI

It was another beautiful drive on a beautiful day, finally ending in Saginaw, MI, for the night.

Saturday, October 6th:

Saturday was just about getting home to Morgantown, my life, and my wife. I really liked the area I was in, especially Omega and Horseshoe, which I'd like to see more of, but other places beckon too.