Kayaking Lake Michigan

 We kayaked the sea caves in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior with South Shores Adventures.  These caves were deeper and more adventurous than the ones at Pictured Rocks, with winding passages, echoing chambers, and dramatic arches carved by centuries of waves. It was an unforgettable paddle through some of nature’s most impressive shoreline formations.

Heading in. See that crack way back there.

We are in the crack

Further in. You can't do this if you claustrobic 

Winding our way through the caves.

The cliffs at Pictured Rocks dazzle with color, but the caves 

here promise true adventure—dark, winding, and untamed.

Yet another cave to explore

Tresa and me

The gangs all here

Pat, Tresa, Robin, me, Cara, and Randy

If I could only do one paddle, I would choose this one over Painted rock.

Tubing the Manitowish

 We went tubing with Rivers Edge Adventure Company—a true summer tradition in the Northwoods. This relaxing three-hour float down the scenic Manitowish River is the perfect way to unwind. Hop in at Rivers Edge, and they’ll pick you up downstream when your journey ends. You return to civilization feeling refreshed. They even have tubes for your cooler—now that’s floating in style.

Cheers

No, 

we did not wear life jackets because the river is only 3 or 4 feet deep

If a leisurely three-hour float isn’t your speed, you can also 

kayak or canoe the river for a quicker, more active adventure.

We found an island to stop for lunch

Armed and dangerous 

You got me

Something I said?

Seaman Mineral Museum

 I enjoyed visiting the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum—one of North America’s premier mineral museums. Nationally and internationally recognized by collectors and connoisseurs, it features the largest public exhibit of Great Lakes minerals and the world’s finest collection of Michigan specimens. The museum’s exhibits showcase the rich colors and stunning beauty of nature’s masterpieces. 

A sheet of native copper 5 feet high

Petoskey stone is Michigan's state stone. 

It is fossilized coral 

An unusually large 18 bladed copper fan

Scolecite from India

Just a feast for the eyes

Beryl, Schorl

This outstanding specimen of native copper from the 

local Quincy Mine shows large complex twinned  crystals

So much to look at.

Just a few of the many beautiful minerals on display—each one a natural masterpiece showcasing vivid colors, intricate crystal structures, and the geological wonders of our planet.

Marquette Michigan

 Marquette, Michigan, is a vibrant city on the southern shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula. Known for its natural beauty, Marquette features rugged cliffs, scenic trails, and a bustling harbor. It's home to Northern Michigan University and rich in history, once serving as a key port for shipping iron ore. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy year-round activities like hiking, biking, skiing, and kayaking, all set against the backdrop of stunning lake views and dense forests.

The Superior Dome, constructed in 1991, stands 14 stories tall and spans 5.1 acres beneath its roof. Built with 781 Douglas Fir beams and 108.5 miles of fir decking, it has a permanent seating capacity of 8,000, with space to accommodate up to 16,000 people for larger events. 

With a diameter of 536 feet, the Dome is recognized as the fifth-largest dome structure in the world by diameter. Remarkably, while the four larger domes are constructed of steel, the Superior Dome holds the title of the largest wooden dome on Earth. Engineered for durability, the structure can withstand 60 pounds of snow per square foot and wind speeds up to 80 miles per hour.

The Marquette Regional History Center showcases the rich heritage of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula through exhibits on Native culture, mining, logging, and local life.

Early home built snow-mobile

Early music machine

One of George Shiras III cameras and trip mechanism. 

George Shiras III (1859–1942) is widely considered the father of modern wildlife photography for his groundbreaking innovations in flash photography and remote camera trapping. He pioneered the use of remote-triggered camera traps, where animals would trip a wire that activated a magnesium flash and camera shutter—capturing dramatic, candid images of deer, owls, raccoons, and other nocturnal creatures. These hauntingly beautiful nighttime photographs, many taken in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, revolutionized the way wildlife was documented and helped lay the foundation for modern conservation photography.

Compared to earlier structures, this 1855 home is a luxury cabin.

It features a wood floor, doors and windows. The logs are chinked with moss. 

Ojibwe tribes' man drying his catch

The Ojibwa built at least six different styles of lodges or wiigiwaam. 

Some of the beautiful crafts of the Ojibwa people. 

Boxes decorated with porcupine quills