Awe Inspiring

We are hiking in the UP again, Pictured Rocks.  We drove up with the Weigands, their first backpacking trip, and had dinner at the iconic Sharky’s in Munising. We hit the trail early in the morning, after we got our permits.  We headed down the washboard roads and changed our itinerary right away. Starting at Potato Patch rather than Miner’s Beach.  The distance we cut off was small but saved up from a big descent and a rapid ascent with little horizontal milage covered.  The views were stunning and more beautiful around every corner.  We hiked to Mosquito Beach and were surrounded by “waterbugs.” The colorful kayaks rentals were everywhere.  We ate lunch at Mosquito Beach, some smoked salmon on tortillas and spicy chocolate.  We have gotten our trail meals pretty dialed in: light, tasty, and satisfying. The first day was about an 8 mile hike to Chapel Beach again the sights were amazing.  Chappel Beach has a Chapel Pine that is growing on the outcrop and a long thick root that feeds the whole ancient tree, visible and exposed due to erosion.  The blueberries were plentiful and the following morning I added some to my oatmeal.  Portions of the trail to Chapel beach had eroded into Lake Superior water and the trail was rerouted deeper into the woods.  It was harrowing how close, mere inches, the trail ran to the edge of 200 fot drops.  Many of the streams splashed down the high shores making waterfalls of splendid beauty.  Along one portion of a large sand outcrop that was still nearly 100 feet above the water line we were buzzed a drone, owned by a massive boat way down below.  We continued east from Chapel Beach with plans of staying at Beaver Creek.  The woods were pretty but the high colorful cliffs became more subdued.  The berries became more plentiful but so too did the rain.  Hiking in the rain is always better than work.  The trail was thick with sand as we closed in on Beaver Creek.  WE strung up a tarp at Beaver Creek and cut ferns for dry seats and laughed the night away just eh same.  We debated some options as Sonya’s feet had become blistered and she was unsure how much further she wanted to hike on them.  Amy scored a new pair of Ray Bans near the group camp.  The morning was dry and dry feet always hike better than wet feet.  We hoofed it all the way back out.  Amy and I were far in the lead hiking our own hike, when she screeched and dropped her pack near a very high cliff.  No sooner did the pack hit the ground than her shirt came off as well. A cedar waxwing flock was overhead and she became a repository for their berries.  Changing on the trail was the only option. Coming out a night early allowed us to grab a Minocqua hotel and dinner and some beer at the Brewery.  We ate well and then headed down the street to German House with an open-air beer garden and shuffle board table.