Grand Marais

We moved on to the east end of the National Lakeshore, staying at Woodland Park in Grand Marais. Because of road work on Highway 58, we had to take a long route around the south. We set up and ate a quick lunch before heading out to see the sights.

First we stopped at the Visitor Center, but no one was there, so we drove on to Grand Sable Lake, a peaceful sight, since few boats were on it. Next we drove to the Log Slide overlook, where loggers used to send their logs rushing down a wooden chute to the water. All that remains is an indentation in the sand. Signs warn that the trip down to the beach is quick, but the return climb is strenuous and takes an hour or more. Rescuers may take a while to arrive from Grand Marais. We chose to stay up on the overlook and watch the more intrepid work their way back up the steep dune. From the overlook we could barely see the Au Sable Light Station on a point to the west and the breakwater light at Grand Marais to the east.

Log Slide Overlook

Dunes up to 300 feet high

We drove to Hurricane River to see the campground there, which did have a few sites we thought we could have gotten into. Most of the sites were occupied by tent campers and class B campers.

We turned back east to visit the Sable Falls and take the trail to the dunes. The falls are accessed by climbing down several stretches of wooden steps, but the reward is the sight and sounds of a lovely multistage waterfall. Some people had climbed over the fence and were wading in the Sable Creek and even climbing the waterfall.

Au Sable Light Station

Grand Sable Falls

The hike to the dunes was interesting because of the marked changes in the ecosystem from hardwood forest to meadow to apple orchard to small evergreens, then dune grasses, and finally only sand.

Take only photos . . .

Looking for agates?

We were glad to head for home and fire up a grill to roast some turkey brats. We used a "FlameDisk" that someone was passing out at AirVenture to promote the product. It's billed as a substitute for charcoal, but quicker, easier, cleaner, and better for the environment. It worked well, but it's rather small and expensive. At sunset we walked down to the beach with Sweetie and lots of other folks to watch the sunset.