We made our traditional trip to our cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to celebrate the 4th of July. Our cabin, or camp as they call it in the UP or Deer Home as our 3 year old grandson, Owen has named it, is located on Little Stevens Lake surrounded by the Hiawatha National Forest. We have been celebrating the 4th in the UP since we built the cabin in 2000.
Some of our 4th of July adventures were the tried and true things we do each year, and some were new. We started the vacation with something new – paddle boarding. We have had kayaks for over 25 years and enjoy kayaking, see my post Adventures in Kayaking for more of our paddling adventures. (https://www.catherinepaonessa.com/post/adventures-in-kayaking). I have always wanted to try a paddle board, and when Ann and Rod showed up at the camp with they’re new boards, it was the perfect opportunity. The day was warm with a slight breeze. I watched Ann and my niece paddle around the lake. It looked a little tricky, and the potential for a dunk in the lake was high. I hemmed and hawed, but decided to give it a try. After changing into clothes that could go in the lake with me and taking some pointers from Ann, I climbed onto the board. Hands and knees first, then, on my knees, with paddle in hand, I pushed off from the dock. A few strokes of the paddle and I was off. Okay, I thought, this is fun. The board was steady and paddling on my knees was great, but the proper way to paddle board is standing, so once I was sure of my balance, I stood up. I hadn’t noticed when the slight breeze turned into a stiff wind, but I was being blown out into the lake. My knees were shaking, not sure I like this, I thought. I tried turning the board into the wind, but controlling it was difficult. I thought about the chilly, weedy lake below me and quickly turned chicken. Very carefully, I lowered myself back to my knees. Much better. I was in control again, I like being in control. I paddled back to the dock. I figured I saved us over $2000 with my little paddle board adventure – we do not need boards to add to our collection of kayaks.
A tried and true adventure followed, with a trip to Miners Fall Mini Golf near Munising with the extended family. And while we’ve played mini golf many times, playing with a 3 year old made it a new adventure. They had plastic, hockey like sticks for little players. He loved it. The holes with hills and slopes, the water falls and rocks to hit around captured his adventuresome spirit. Watching him whack his ball through the course and shout “9” every time we ask him what he got, was a joy.
We celebrated a traditional 4th of July with the Munising Parade and a picnic with friends and family. Thank you again Ann and Rod for hosting us all. A new twist on the day were reusable water balloons. The kids and some of the grownups had a ball. I choose to stay dry with the other grownups and babies in the dry zone – which everyone respected. We ended the day with a trip to Sand Point near Munising. The beach is spectacular with views of Grand Island and Pictured Rocks Lakeshore. Owen loved swimming in cold Lake Superior – I think you have to be under a certain age to tolerate it. We made him get out when his lips turned blue – that was the rule when Grandy (grandpa) was a boy.
We tried something new with a trip to the single track bike trail at Valley Spar near Munising. We’ve ridden some single track at Riverbends Park near our home, but this was more challenging. The trail wove through the woods, over bumps and around corners. It was fun and hard at the same time. The tricky part for me was when, after a turn on a downhill there was a quick uphill. More than once I had to get off my bike and push up the hill because I hadn’t maintained enough speed on the turn. I’d like to keep trying this mountain bike thing, it's very satisfying when you survive.
Hiking in the UP in July is kind of unpleasant because of the bugs, but kayaking is wonderful. The breezes on the lake keep the bugs on shore. I was lucky enough to be able to get out in my boat every day. I got caught in one downpour while trying to get a paddle in before some afternoon showers, but I didn’t melt. We spotted 2 bald eagles resting in a tall white pine in Stevens Lake early in the week. On our last day at camp, we took the kayaks to Chicago Lake, about 3 miles south of our cabin and explored. We spotted a loon on a nest. The nest was on a small island, or more appropriately, on a large clump of grass and sticks. The loon was very still and had flattened itself down low on the nest. We didn’t get too close and didn’t stay in the area long, not wanting to disturb her. We also saw an eagle, first soring high in the breeze, then landing near shore where it seemed to be taking a drink.
While we’ve been kayaking for years, it was a new adventure for Owen, let’s face it, just about everything is new for a 3 year old. He bounced his fingers on the lily pads, fished with his plastic golf club turned fishing pole/paddle and was old enough to sit in the middle of the kayak and not fall out – successful adventure all around.
Whether tried and true, or something new, I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!
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