We had a very restful night after our big ordeal and great rescue. It was a beautiful day and we decided to check out a few more places instead of going straight home. It looks like we are over the trauma.
First, we headed 15 miles back north to the northeastern tip of the UP to Whitefish Point.
We looked at the lighthouse,
and walked around the grounds for a bit but were too restless to go into the museum.
We went down to the beach instead
and found this sad memorial to three men lost at sea. We see these huge bulk carrier ships go under the bridge in Sarnia everyday and it’s hard to imagine them going under.
It was time to leave the Upper Peninsula. We drove over Mackinac Bridge
and took the road hugging Lake Michigan towards Petoskey State Park.
The road is also known as Tunnel of Trees because it looks mostly like the picture below. It’s a very narrow road barely allowing two way traffic, which was a bit unnerving with a big van, but if you ever drove in England you know it’s manageable (and probably wider).
We made it to the park fairly early, but the kiosk at the front was closed. Instead of the usual self registration forms, Michigan State Parks has “the yellow phone system”. You pick up the yellow phone and talk to a central location that handles all of the state parks’ after-hours and off-season registrations. It was fairly smooth and you have the option to pay by credit card or cash. We opted for cash, but only after we hung up we realized that we didn’t have exact change. Oh well, the extra $2 will be a small donation to the parks, we though.
We set up camp and headed to the beach.
The area around the town of Petoskey is famous for its Petoskey stones, Michigan’s state rock. We found a lot of cool rocks, but not many petoskeys. It’s okay since we have lots and lots of them on our beaches at home.
The Petoskey stone is fossilized coral known as Hexagonaria percarinata distinguishable by its unique structure of six-sided corallites, which are the skeletons of the ancient coral polyps.
These fossils are about 350 million years old, formed during the Devonian Period when Michigan was much closer to the equator.
These beautiful fossils look exceptionally beautiful once polished. Here is an example.
Despite the lack of Petoskey stones, the beach was long and beautiful
and when we left we were gifted with a lovely sunset.
Back at the camp, there was a knock on the door and a ranger handed us $2. It was change for our overpayment. What?
The next morning we continued west and south through the pretty little town of Petoskey.
We stayed close to the shore
and stopped here and there to look for more rocks. It’s almost as if we like rocks or something.
I finally reluctantly agreed to start heading back when I realized that I won’t be able to sift through all of the rocks on this beach.
It was time to head back home. We crossed our favourite bridge at sunset,
and parked a very dirty van in the driveway.
The next day we took some layers of dirt off the van,
and then off the driveway.
Here it is all shiny and clean and so is the driveway.
Sort of.
Time to go back to our favourite beach,
take in some of fall’s wonders in Sarnia
and enjoy fall’s glorious sunsets.
Until next time, stay well!
Footnote: do any of you remember how we got stuck in Florida just as our odometer reached 66,666 km? Well, this ordeal was at 76,666. What is happening here?
It sounds like your donation has been refused. I love this story!
It’s a beautiful area. Those fossilized rocks are neat!
Both are beautiful!
Haha, I know, right?
That was a wonderful and interesting adventure. Love those rocks.
Thank you for sticking with us and yes, these rocks are really neat! We promised at one point to show everyone what we are doing with these rocks. I should get going on that post.
So glad you survived your ordeal with no major harm done. Cheers. Allan
No harm and overall it was an amazing trip! Thanks for coming along!
I’m glad you and the van survived the 24 hours in a mud hole! It looks like you had a great time afterwards and made it home just fine. I would want to be a homebody for a few weeks after all that.
Actually….we headed back to the same area not too long after 🙂
What a lovely collection of moments and memories! The age of those fossils are really humbling. Puts into perspective how we really are just a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of life. And that tunnel of trees must’ve been so dream like to drive through. Any time of the year too I bet (we’ll, except winter).
Geology always puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? And, yes, that road is very beautiful. More than my photo is showing.
Those Petoskey stones are exceptionally beautiful. The Tunnel of Trees also looks like a lovely drive if one can get used to the narrow road. Not that we can’t drive without one, but it seems a bit concerning that there isn’t a center divider line.
Yeah, it was strange driving without the centre line for sure. Petoskey stones are simply beautiful and to think how old they are is mind boggling. I just love that we have them all around us here!
Such a great and interesting adventure. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for coming along!
Waiting for ‘our’ next journey.
Haha, coming soon!
Nice post
Thank you!
That’s a most unusual lighthouse — at least, I’ve never seen one quite like it. Apparently, the supporting metal rods serve to stabilize the structure against. strong winds.
Yeah, we also thought it was a strange looking lighthouse. It doesn’t have that romantic look that we are so used to see. more functional, and apparently for a good reason.
Love the fossil rock! I’m not much of a rock Hound but I can see how one might get into collected them. I love things that are like treasure hunts!
It’s seems like you has a lovely end to a great experience camp hosting. Except, of course, getting stuck – which us never fun but often seems to be the price of curiosity.
I love treasure hunts, unfortunately, treasure hunters are naturally curious and often get into trouble 🙂
Amazing fossils, and such beautiful views – I love the photo in the Tunnel of Trees. Like a portal to another world.
It’s a beautiful part of the world with so much to see and learn!
I’m glad you had a great time once your ordeal was over! Those rocks look incredible!
We did! Overall it was an amazing trip. Thanks for coming along!
Petoskey stones – never heard of them, so thanks for the lesson. I think the odometer might be haunted. Great photos and interesting narration as always!
I haven’t heard about them until a year ago when I found my first one on the beach and googled it to try and see what it is. Thanks for stopping by!
Coincidences aplenty. And it is easy to understand why anyone would love collecting stones.
Right? The problem with collecting stones when you live by a beach (or a desert with rocks) is that you end up with boxes of rocks everywhere. But it’s a good problem to have. Like too many books.
These are amazing fossil rocks. Thanks Anita
They really are very cool. Thanks for stopping by!
Glad to hear that being stranded and stuck in the sand didn’t interfere with your sense of adventure afterwards! I love the lighthouse at Whitefish Point and all the driftwood scattered along the sandy beach. What a beautiful sunset to return home to.
It was really nice to be back home, but we didn’t stay for very long 🙂
Looks like you have survived. I’ll have to go back and read about your recent ordeal. I remember Florida. Geez. When the odometer hits 86… you’d better plan to be pulling in your driveway. Something seems to be going on.
Haha, that’s what I said 🙂
Just read about your ordeal and the rescue. Wow! At least you guys hold on to your humour. Awesome stories. Now, Don’t go chasing waterfalls. 😆
Darn! We can’t seem to stop doing that 🙂
Hopefully you stop soon. 😬
Gorgeous skies. Fossils!! When I turned 50, my young daughter thought that was ancient. She bought me a fossil as a gift. When she turned 50, I gave it to HER as a birthday gift. We had a good laugh, but enjoys having it. Cheers, Muriel
This is such a wonderful story! Thank you!
Glad to learn about petoskeys, I’ve never seen them before. Nothing better than watching a sunrise or sunset from a beach.
I didn’t know about them until recently either!
Wow, those fossils are so cool! I’ve never seen anything like it.
I love them too! We have quite a collection by now!