Wetherells visit to St Ignace, MI

It feels so civilized to be back to the east side of the U.P.  We have and internet connection most of the time.  Usually we have 3 to 4 bars on the phone and family is coming to visit. 

We are staying at Tiki RV park in St Ignace.  The same family has owned park since 1972.  The Wetherells came up on Friday night and pitched a tent on our site (Les and I kept offering our living room but camping is on the familys mind {even after the air mattresses deflated [two nights in a row]}).   Saturday we headed to Tahquamenon Falls just outside of Paradise.  We stopped at the lower falls.  As a girl, my folks always took us to the upper falls (the big dramatic water fall experience).  The lower falls is an interactive spot.  Lovely board walkways though the woods, that lead to overlooks of the cascades down miles of subtle drops, falls and pools. It didn’t take long before Abby, Jessie and I figured out how to get into the water.  People who were better prepared were swimming and lunging under the falls. 

We were dressed for wading.  Wading up stream is not a problem.  You did feel the pressure on your legs.  But… Turning around to come back to shore was different ( you couldn’t dig in with your toes anymore).  I was glad when the three of us got back to the bank without drama or incident.  We wanted to stop at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery for lunch.  But I didn’t bring the beer map and phone bars are at a premium in Paradise.   We did have a happy accident in finding the Fish House. This is an almost scary but yummy restaurant with fresh catch fish.

Castle Rock is still only $1.00 to climb.  Some of the best money you will spend in the U.P.  This is a great climb up, super view and the fun of the classic gift shop.  It doesn’t matter how many times you climb Castle Rock, Each time is new.  Castle Rock is the perfect opener to my personal favorite.  

Now, I was a grownup the first time I went here.  We never did when I came with my dad for the simple reason that it is a “G@#$%^N Tourist Trap”.  However this is a geological miracle.  Discovered in the 1950’s, the Mystery Spot defies explanation.  Some (Chris) may think they have answers.  That is all well and fine BUT…..the Mystery Spot is a real experience beyond description.  Abby and Jessie were willing participants.  The whole family got involved to embrace and perhaps question the Mystery.

Along Highway 2 there is about twenty miles of sandy public beaches.  All you do is park along the road, walk over the sand and lake grass.  This beach rivals any I have seen in NC, HI, FL or Spain (however the usage season may be shorter).  This day the water was perfect and clear.  A seagull gave us a personal fishing show.  It was perfect in simplicity.  Shortly after it was time for the kids to go home.  Thank you so much for visiting.  We all had so much fun, but I believe I will forever have a small fear of Pixi sticks J.  

(31 JUL 2011)