Palmer Park St Clair Michigan

If you haven't had the chance to visit this riverside park, you should. The park is lovely with small gardens, sculptures, music, and free wi-fi. You can stroll along the boardwalk, sit or play on the grassy area, fish, or swim or float down the river as the boats go by.

Clinton River Canoeing Fun

Yesterday we went canoeing down our local river near our house. We've never canoed here before.  In fact, it's relatively new to be able to do. There were 6 of us and we rented two canoes.











We started by River Bends Park in Shelby Township and finished at Heritage Park in Utica.

There were low areas, deep areas, trees and rocks to avoid, beach-like areas that we could pull over and get out at, and also some slow-moving water areas. We saw one small snake swimming. It came right up by our canoe and then swam away. There were also some turtles and lots of little fish swimming.

 Clinton River Canoe and Kayak Rentals  met us at Heritage Park, then shuttled us to where we launched. If you live in the area, or are just visiting, give this a try. I am looking forward to going again soon.

Shiver on the River-Belle Isle, Detroit Michigan

This past February was the second year in a row that me and the girls went to Shiver on the River on Belle Isle. Belle Isle is a pretty little island on the Detroit River in Detroit. Shiver on the River is an event put on annually that brings attention to the Belle Isle Aquarium which closed down about 6 years ago, the Whitcomb Conservancy, and the Belle Isle Nature Zoo. The event is free to the public and there are many fun activities available. This year we had characatures done by BobKat, watched a magic show, got balloons, talked to Coastie the Coast Guard robot boat, saw some dancers dancing African Style dancing, played on the huge playground, checked out the European Fallow Deer and all the other Nature Center animals, got to go into the Belle Isle aquarium, and spent some time looking at all the beautiful flowers and plants in the conservatory. I hope you enjoy the photos, and if you're in the Detroit area, stop by and check this little island out.

Entrance to the Park

Finished Caricature

Greyhound Rescue

Coastie!

Deer at the Nature Zoo

Dancers at the Nature Zoo

Checking out the Displays

Even though the Aquarium is closed about 6 years ago, they opened it for the day. 

The Playground is Huge!

     

Mackinaw City, Whitefish Point, and Tahquamenon Falls

Mackinaw City Michigan

The Mackinac Bridge connects the Lower Peninsula of Michigan with the Upper Peninsula. It crosses the Straits of Mackinac and separates Lake Michigan (on the Western side) from Lake Huron (on the Eastern Side). It is part of I-75. For some, crossing the bridge invokes a fear. I find the bridge fascinating.  My fear of heights would keep me from leaning over the side, and I really don't like how it feels to have your car moving side to side on a windy day, but otherwise I don't mind crossing it at all. For many years I even have participated in the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk.  Here are some photos taken of the bridge last weekend.

 Heading North into St. Ignace

The southbound view from the UP

View from St. Ignace

The sunset from the bridge

Frozen Lake Michigan

This is a spot that in all my years of visiting Mackinaw City, I never had seen before. The McGulpin Lighthouse was just relit 2 years ago after being out for over 100 years. The light is west of the bridge. The museum was closed, but it was still nice to look at. Down at the end of McGulpin point there is another great view of the bridge, and an opportunity to walk out onto frozen Lake Michigan. Some of the ice was busted up and pointing in different directions. I think that the blue color in the ice was very pretty. 

Beautiful Bridge View

Love the blue coloring of the ice

Whitefish Point, Paradise, Michigan

Lake Superior in the winter is beautiful and Whitefish Point is a great place to check it out. The lake freezes in beautiful ways.  The rocks below are actually sitting on top of the frozen portion of the lake. The fourth picture below shows a wave crashing above the frozen embankment.  Cliffs and caves line the shore. The pictures do not show how high these cliffs are. If you've never seen a frozen lakeshore, it's definitely worth a visit.  The lighthouse is also interesting to see. In the summer months you can go into the museum and see the bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which sunk in 1975. One of these days I'll get to see it.  

The sand and frozen waves

The crashing waves looked so cool

  View from Lake Superior

These cliffs were as tall as me

 

Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls is gorgeous in any season. There are trails to snow shoe or cross country ski on, as well as to just walk around and enjoy nature. When you are done sight seeing, you can hang out at the outdoor fireplace to warm up, or stop in at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery for a meal and drink.