Tahquamenon to Paradise then South

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We left the campground and its mosquitoes and headed north on M123 to Tahquamenon (rhymes with phenomenon) Falls State Park. We went first to the upper falls and were amazed at how different they are. The water is brown from the tannin that leaches out of the cedar, spruce and hemlocks. Below the falls the water is foamy caused by the combination of soft water, the force of the water going over the falls, and proteins in the water from the marshes that drain into the river. It gave me an unexpected hankering for root beer. The falls drop 50 feet and are 200 feet across, there is a lot a water coming over these falls.
We then went to the lower falls, a series of 5 smaller cascades. Very pretty, too. There is an island in the middle and you can rent a rowboat and row over to the island. They have a nice boardwalk that goes alongside the falls and the forest is beautiful.
We drove from there to Paradise, a small town with a fancy name, where we turned south. We picked up I-75 just north of St. Ignace, MI, and drove over the Mackinac Bridge with Lake Michigan on one side and Lake Huron on the other. Really beautiful water again.
Just south of the bridge we stopped in Mackinaw City to stroll through Colonel Michilimackinac State Park where they have a fort and we could see both lakes. We watched ferries heading toward Mackinac Island on Lake Huron and saw the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.
We're heading for home now, but have stopped for the night in Harrison, MI, and are in the midst of a pretty good thunderstorm.

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Photos

Upper Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI

Lower Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Mackinaw City, MI

Comments

[Alice Pendergast]

Wow! I feel like we are back in Michigan again. You visited the same places that we did last fall. It is a beautiful state, isn't it? Great pictures, Charlie! Wish we could have traveled with you, but family obligations called. Have a safe trip home. Love, Alice

[Barbara]

You're getting to see a bunch of nice looking lighthouses.

[peggy]

Hi, it's amazing the exciting spots you two have discovered. you pics are so perfect. Charlie you should work for National Geo. this has been fun. peggy