Whitefish Lake

Every year at the very end of summer my in-laws rent a little cabin on Whitefish Lake near Pierson, MI. Though we usually can't stay with them for the whole week, we like to join them at least for a couple of days. This year the weather was a real treat - perfect for swimming (or floating around with a kickboard if you can't swim like me), barbecues, long walks, and a spontaneous trip to a local farm. It's become our escape from the city - a place to unwind and recharge.

Living in a big city I get so nature deprived that even weeds lining the road possess an enormous amount of beauty in my eyes.

Anything that blooms always captures my attention. I must smell it, touch it, and photograph it.

{Looks like a woodpecker was busy here.}

{Gorgeous poisonous berries!}

{Anyone home?}

{Corn picking at the farm.}

{Two weeks later we still have plenty left.}

The sad realization after this trip is how old the produce usually is at most grocers. In my experience store bought corn usually starts going bad within days. Fresh farm picked corn has been in our fridge for several weeks and is still in perfect condition.

July 4th Part 3: Calumet, Brockway Mountain and Jam Pot

After celebrating the 4th with the family, we decided to explore Keweenaw Peninsula. First stop was the lovely little village of Calumet. Their main street was lined with fun shops, cafes, and an old fashioned candy store. I squealed with joy when I entered this wonderland of confections. While Mr. C and his family were looking at the gift section, I was filling my bucket with salt water taffy. 

And then of course I ate it all in one day.

Later on, we ventured to my favorite spot of the entire trip - Brockway Mountain. It's not really a mountain, but it sure feels like one. The views from the top were breathtaking, the kind that you expect to see on postcards and in the pages of National Geographic. 

{Mr. C looking so small against the vastness of nature.}

  

 {My sister in-law Karyn and I can't hide our excitement.}

Our next stop was a real gem hiding just around this corner - a little bakery called Jam Pot. It's run by monks, and offers not only baked goods but a wide variety of preserves. The place is so popular that even at closing time there were still people pulling up to the store.

They even had wild strawberry preserves, which I regret not buying.

I chose soft caramel and a raspberry peanut butter brownie instead. They were delish.

{A sign next to the shop that cracked me up and the home of these magical, holy bakers.}

To be continued... 

July 4th Part 2: Iron Mountain, L'Anse Bay and Copper Harbor fireworks

{Serene little spot we discovered somewhere along highway 141}

Here is a promised second round of pics from our road trip. The further north we went the more beautiful the nature became. Farm fields turned into big lush forests, with occasional small towns scattered along the highways. Captivated by the beauty of the scenery we had to make more and more stops.

{Enjoying a gorgeous view in Iron Mountain, MI}

We took advantage of the picnic tables set right next to the lake and had our lunch while soaking in the sun and admiring the picture perfect views.

{L'Anse Bay}

{A home cooked meal and Mr. C playing some tunes while awaiting for it.}

{Typical view in the U.P.}

{Fireworks at Copper Harbor, MI}

This could easily be the best and the longest firework show I've ever seen. Bravo Copper Harbor!

{Some cool effects that C was able to achieve by moving the camera while taking the picture.}

To be continued...