Sable Falls Hike

Yesterday was unfortunately the first Thanksgiving in my life I spent by myself.  Due to Covid, the isolation was self inflicted.  I woke up early at 5:30am and started writing.  I finished the research for my new book a few days ago.  It feels good to be writing again. This newest book is based off the Gitche Gumee Beach Rock Identification Guide I published several years ago.  The book will cover the 22 rocks listed in the guide.  There will be a chapter for each rock written from the perspective of the rock.

My sons, their families, and I had a Zoom get together late morning and then I started cooking.  I love Thanksgiving dinner, so I cooked it all -- for me, myself, and I.  Now I have lots of leftovers to feed me as I focus my energies on being a writer.

First, in the morning when I was working on the book, I noticed a large Barred Owl fly across my yard into a tree the other side of the driveway. 

My turkey.  It came out great!

I started the hike around 4:00pm.  After parking, I headed toward the steps and went down to the bottom of the boardwalk.  Then to get more exercise, I went up the steps and back down.  The second time I rewarded myself by continuing down the path to the beach.  I did not see another human.

The erosion at the end of the path is still out of control.  The park service tried to install the rope/log steps to help people to get down to the beach.  They did not last long.

People are making their own path to get to the beach, to the west of the original path.

Log Slide to Au Sable Lighthouse Hike

 On Thursday it was perhaps the last warm day of the season.  Winds were light (for a change) from the south with temps near 50 degrees.  So my friend, Barb, and I decided we had to go on a hike.  Plus, I wanted some photos of the Jacobsville sandstone cliffs that are exposed along the way.

We had a few peaks at the sun, but it was mostly cloudy.

There is a brand new bridge at the point where I access what I call Jacobsville beach.  It is obvious the park service is trying to dissuade people from going down to the right, as shown in the photo below.  They piled up some tree limbs, plus there were some naturally fallen trees.  We carefully managed our way down.  I just had to get the pictures I need for the book!

Tree just hanging out.....

We spotted this from the top of a 40 foot bluff.  At this spot there was no way to get down.  Do you think it is natural or cultural?

I have never spotted this boundary marker before.  It is in the field near the lighthouse.

The rainbow was not bright and it was only out for a minute or two, but we saw it!

Barb spotted these swans on Sable Lake as we were heading back home.

Winter surfers in Marquette

 While I was in Marquette the other day, I took time to drive over to Presque Isle.  My goal was to check out the waves.  I have heard about a group of guys who winter surf in Marquette.  Now I know where they do it.  There was also one brave kayaker.