Gaylord, MI

Gaylord, MI is in a beautiful area in the north central part of the lower peninsula.  It's dead-center position in the tip of the mitt on the 45th parallel, offers something for everyone.  It is well known as an outdoor seekers paradise.

The Gaylord was an automobile manufactured in Gaylord, MI by the Gaylord Motor Car Company from 1911-1912.  The one below is still in working condition.

Gaylord also has a fenced herd of Elk, Sika deer and Fallow deer in town referred to as Elk Park.

Elk

Fallow Deer

 

We stayed at Beaver Creek RV Resort.  The fall colors had not peaked but they were still beautiful.





Whitefish Point, MI (UP)

The oldest active lighthouse on Lake Superior is at Whitefish Point.  There is also a museum, several other buildings and things to see. The lighthouse opened in 1861 and was automated in 1971.

All vessels entering and leaving Lake Superior must pass the light.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore-Munising to Grand Marias, MI (UP)

Pictured Rocks gets its name for the sandstone cliffs that tower 50 to 200 feet above Lake Superior.  There are several beautiful overlooks. 

Miners Castle Overlook

Au Sable Lighthouse was built in 1874 and automated in 1958.  Powered  by sunlight and not kerosene, the lighthouse remain active.

A dangerously shallow bottom of brown sandstone, Au Sable reef, extends about one mile near the Au Sable Lighthouse.  Thus the name given to this part of the coast, the "Graveyard Coast". 

Mingled "bones" of the Sitka (ran aground 1904) and the Gale Staples (ran aground1928) are viewable on the beach near the Au Sable Lighthouse.  Both crafts were very much alike-both were double decked wooden freighters.  Each had two masts and were 272 and 277 feet in length, built in 1887 and 1888.  Fascinating!!

 

Bear Trapp Inn

Stopped here to have a UP tradition-pasty (similar to a pot pie)

 

 

 

 

Point Iroquois Lighthouse-Whitefish Bay, MI (UP)

The lighthouse was built in 1870 to guide freighters safely between the open water of Whitefish Bay and the St Mary' River.  It marked the narrow channel between the shallow sand bars and the shoals off Point Iroquois and the rocky reefs of Gros Cap on the Candian side of the bay.  Despite hard work and long hours, life at the lighthouse offered space and a home-like atmosphere.  Because of heavy ship traffic, in 1902 more facilities were added.  The light station then had room for a head keeper, two assistants, and their families.  They formed their own self-sustaining community, complete with a schoolhouse and a teacher.  The light station was deactivated in 1962 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Soo Locks - Sault Ste Marie, MI (UP)

 

The “Soo Locks” in Sault Ste. Marie were fascinating. The St Marys River is the only water connection between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes, The difference in the water level between Lake Superior and the connecting Lake Huron is approximately 21 ft.  The first lock was built on the Canadian side of the St Marys River in the late 1700’s but destroyed in the War of 1812.  An American company built locks in 1853 and in 1881 the US Army Corps of Engineers was given jurisdiction of the locks. Today, the locks move than 11,000 vessels (small passenger vessels to 1000 foot freighters), carrying up to 90 million tons of cargo between Lake Superior and Lake Huron each year. 

 

 

 

 

A Canadian vessel passed through the locks just prior to our arrival.

 

 

Wisconsin "Northwoods"

We stayed a few days in the beautiful "Northwoods" near Minocqua.

Minocqua Lake

 

 

  Bearskin State Trail
The trail is an old railroad bed that goes over several trestles with views of Lake Minocqua.

Beginning of Fall Colors

We visited the Vilas Cranberry Company marsh near Manitowish Waters.  It was very interesting to observe the cranberry harvest process.