With Labor Day behind us, we left Wisconsin and headed to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We found a wonderfully peaceful (and totally deserted) campground at Kleinke Park, a Menominee County park right on the shore of Lake Michigan. We had our choice of sites, so we backed the APPLE into a beachfront spot under the big pine trees. For the next two nights we had campfires under the stars, and we each witnessed brilliant shooting stars. Later we fell asleep to the lapping of the waves right outside our home. The full moon lit a shimmering path across the water and into our bedroom. We strolled the beach with only gulls for company. Both mornings we awoke to glorious sunrises glistening over the lake. We jumped out of bed and took pictures right from our front door. We could not have had a more blessed resumption of our journey.
Next, we headed for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It is on the northwestern shore of Michigan's lower peninsula, west of Traverse City. There we met up with Ralph and Mary Lou Feldt who have been campground hosts there every September for five years. We originally met Ralph and Mary Lou in Oregon in June, and they told us about this little known National Park, so we thought we'd look them up.
They showed us some of the highlights of the area and took us to the Point Betsie Lighthouse. This is a hilly region fringed with massive coastal sand dunes and dotted with clear lakes. We enjoyed checking out the huge 450-foot sand dunes, bluffs, beaches and scenic drives in the area. We soaked in the beauty of a crimson sunset and rejoiced in the beauty God provides all around.
With a hint of fall in the air, we headed north through Sault Ste. Marie, MI and on into Ontario, Canada. We spent 6 days exploring three beautiful Provincial Parks. First we camped at Chutes Provincial Park where we hiked and photographed the beautiful Aux Sable River and the waterfalls in the area. ('Chutes' is French for 'waterfall.') We even had an unusual sunrise here that produced golden shafts of light bursting through the spruce treetops in the early morning fog. A huge beaver paddled lazily downstream as a trio of ducks fought the current up stream. There were splashes of color everywhere.
Next we checked out Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park on the Mattawa River. Tom was delighted to see three grouse here and almost wished he had something to shoot with besides his camera! Our next stop was at Fitzroy Provincial Park on the Ottawa River just west of Ottawa. This was a beautiful campground under tall pines. We made new Canadian friends here and spent many hours laughing together and learning more about our northern neighbors as we relaxed for the weekend. The weather was beautiful for the whole week we were in Ontario. As we traveled eastward the hills were covered with increasing splashes of color, reminding us that it wouldn't be long until it would be peak color time in Maine--our intended destination at the end of our Canadian sojourn.
On to Quebec...We ended up staying on the outskirts of Quebec City for a few days. What a fascinating area to explore! This area reminded me very much of being in Europe. It was the first time since crossing the border that we felt like we were in a different country (aside from the colorful $ we'd been spending). This area was once called New France, and the French influence runs deep. At times it was challenging to find our way around since all the signs are only in French! In Quebec City only about 10% of the people speak fluent English. Another 15% can speak and read some English. We ordered in a restaurant by pointing at the pictures and smiling a lot. It worked just fine. We took a guided tour of Old Quebec City that was really interesting. There were many historical sites including the old city wall, the citadel on the bluff overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the Chateau Frontenac and the Plains of Abraham where General Wolfe defeated General Montcalm in 1759 to claim this land for England. We learned a lot of history while we saw the sites where it all happened.
One day we headed northeast along the St. Lawrence River to see more of the fall colors in the Laurentian Mountains. There are lots of beautiful maples turning the mountainsides glorious shades of red, orange, green and gold.
We started the day with a visit to the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Beaupre. Saint Anne was Jesus' grandmother (the Virgin Mary's mother), and this church was built in her honor. It is a site of great healing, and there are piles of crutches that bear witness to that fact.
Next we headed to the Canyon of Saint Anne to see the 243-ft. waterfall and cascades. We spent time 'just a swinging' on the various suspension bridges over the river.
We ended our day with a trip to L'Ile D'Orleans, an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River where we felt like we had stepped back in time. Many of the buildings are 150-200 years old, and the architecture was unique. This island has rich farmland. At the northern tip of this island, the water in the river begins to turn salty-and it is over 300 miles from the ocean! Even though this area is far inland, the river is affected by tides that are typically 21-feet!
We couldn't leave the area until we spent some time at Montmorency Falls. This falls is 272-feet, 98-feet higher than Niagara Falls! We took a cable car up and hiked down the 487 steps along the falls.
After enjoying a morning photographing and hiking at the falls, we headed north into the Laurentian Mountains again. The higher elevations looked like they were draped with a nubbly afghan of red, orange, gold and green.
We met another nice couple from British Columbia who shared a wonderful story with us of a time of miracles they experienced. They are also focused on making a positive difference in the world. I hope we see them again some day. The weather turned colder while we were in Quebec. Daily highs were only 13 degrees... Centigrade, that is (or 55 degrees F). We knew it was time to head back into the U.S. and check out the colors in Maine. Our next travelogue will share our leaf peeping in New England.
Kay & Tom
