Grand Marais, Michigan Is Worth The Trip

Posted: August 16th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Grand Marais Bay Sunrise
Image by James Marvin Phelps (mandj98) via Flickr

Grand Marais is located in Michigan’s remote Upper Peninsula along Lake Superior’s shoreline.  Originally an active fishing and logging village, today it is a quiet, often-missed gem of a tourist attraction.

We recently took a day trip to Grand Marais, although there are motel and cottage accommodations available, as well as a campground for longer stays.  The paved roads through the center of town are lined on both sides with a few business establishments.  Some pedestrians make their way along the sidewalks. The ambiance is that of a “step back in time”…comfortable and inviting.

We began our day with a stop at the City Park near the main drag of town.  A sloping lawn expanse leads down to the sandy beach area of the marina harbor.  The waters are calm here, protected from the wind and waves of Lake Superior.  The soft sand is pliable and damp…perfect for making sand castles.  The water is warm, as we wade; walking all the way around the harbor until we see the breaking waves of Lake Superior.

From the City Park, we drove to the Lighthouse and Mariner’s Museum.  We pass the United States Coast Guard Barracks; an attractive, clean building.  We park in a gravel lot and read the memorial sign about the two boys who lost their lives in the mid-1990′s while walking on the breakwater structure to the lighthouse; swept overboard by a huge wave.  Today, Lake Superior looks calm and the wind is light.  We take the hike out to the lighthouse along a concrete barrier until we reach the rocky breakwater connecting the lighthouse to the mainland.  What a beautiful view!  The crystal clear blue water of Lake Superior makes the underlying boulders seem as if they’re only ankle-deep, when, in fact, they’re several feet below the surface.  Two teenage boys take turns diving and jumping off of the breakwater platform into the cool depths of the water…climbing back up to do it again and again.

Around the bend, we see another expanse of beach area, so decide to explore that, as well.  From the small, paved parking area, a ramped boardwalk leads up to a stilted viewing area.  This flat deck is large enough to allow wheelchair accessibility and has ample bench seating for comfortable viewing of the gorgeous blue water of Lake Superior, as well as beautiful sights of the surrounding sand dunes.  There is a double staircase leading down to the thick sands.  Walking toward the water, millions (maybe billions) of Lake Superior stones and rocks are visible; the colors glistening in the sunlight.  Wading in the water in this area is difficult because of all
of the stones and rocks.  But, it is a gorgeous sight, nonetheless, and impossible not to pick up some of the rocks for closer inspection or to take as souvenirs.

Heading back into the downtown area, the Pickle Barrel Museum and Post Office are well worth the time to explore to gain insight into the history of the area, as well as learning how to identify the famous Lake Superior rocks.

The day would not be complete without making a stop at the Lake Superior Brewing Company, which has a menu offering appetizers, sandwiches, basket meals, and full dinners.  A special snack is their freshly popped parmesan and garlic popcorn…the serving size is ample enough to share with the entire group.  Of course, you can order a refreshing drink of soda or spirits on tap.  However, the most unique feature is that they brew their own root beer and creme soda…a refreshing treat after a long day of beachcombing, rock collecting, and exploring.

Our day at Grand Marais, Michigan has given us the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, away from the hustle and bustle of modern conveniences, while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Author: Laura Weaver

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