Waugashaunce Point Trail in Wilderness State Park

Posted on by farlane
Waugoshance Point by Jim Sorbie

Waugoshance Point by Jim Sorbie

I’m going to try to share more posts about great Michigan trails & hikes that are a little off the beaten path. If you have a favorite, share it in the comments! DWHIKES has the 411 on Waugashaunce Point Trail in Wilderness State Park north of Petoskey on Lake Michigan is a great trail that is DEFINITELY off the beaten path:

Waugoshance Point is easy to spot on a map, just look for the large peninsula jutting out from the northwestern corner of the lower peninsula: that’s it. If only for that reason it was an attractive place to want to take a hike. An added bonus was the fact that it marks the western end of the Mackinac Straits amidst three remote lighthouses and is completely devoid of trails. I simply couldn’t come up with a reason NOT to go.

Waugoshance Point is truly spectacular in the summer when the rock beaches are home to a myriad of waterfowl and a dizzying array of lake shore wildflowers. I just couldn’t wait though. The snow was gone and I needed to get out. The trail head, if there was a trail, is located at the end of Waugoshance Point Road which gives access to the back-country cabins of Wilderness State Park. From there I’d trust my topo-map to guide me along the shore out to the point. Though there are no hills or cliffs to speak of the area turned out to be quite diverse and beautiful, as you’ll see…

Here’s a great aerial photo by Jim – see more in his From the Air gallery on Flickr which also includes another view of the Point from August of 2022.

Shades of Blue .. Waugoshance Pt by Jim Sorbie

Shades of Blue .. Waugoshance Pt by Jim Sorbie

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Labor Day Weekend 2024: Don’t drive like an idiot edition

Posted on by farlane

County Road Ends at Water by Glen Arbor Sun

via Leelanau.com… The Glen Arbor Sun shared this photo a year ago, and I think it’s the perfect reminder for everyone to pay attention to your driving & traffic laws as we head into the Labor Day Weekend. Have fun and please don’t drink & drive – you simply don’t want to end up as a traffic statistic.

And yes, Jeep lovers, we know that you can deflate the tires to get out of a mess like this. The point is don’t break Federal law by driving on the beach in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or any of the other idiotic things that might seem like a good idea at the time!!

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Loosen up, summer’s almost over

Posted on by farlane
Formal Day at the Beach by Jonathan Brandt

Formal Day at the Beach by Jonathan Brandt

I just realized that summer is almost over, and I hope that we can all act accordingly!!

I have featured Jonathan’s photo of Grand Haven’s “Formal Day at the Beach” before & I will undoubtedly share it again!! Near as I can tell, the event no longer happens but it looks super fun. See the latest from Jonathan on his Flickr.

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Is Michigan’s Best Beach in Manistee?

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First Street Beach in Manistee by Tess Bladen

I missed the news back in May, but mLive.com just shared a reminder that First Street Beach was named Michigan’s top beach by USA Today readers.

Now this is no shade to Manistee’s First Street Beach because for my money, it’s one of the best, especially for finding beach glass. I am for sure wondering if readers think this is our best beach or if they prefer another. Let me know in the comments or on the Michigan in Pictures Facebook!!

Manistee Tourism shared Tess’s photo on their First Street Beach + Douglas Park page. Visit for a live web cam and info about the three playgrounds, bathhouse & concessions, dog park/dog beach, and all kinds of other amenities!

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More from Michigan: Lighthouse Park Sunrise edition

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Lighthouse Park Sunrise by Caitlin Rose

One of the reasons I started Michigan in Pictures almost 30 years ago (wow!) was that I remembered how much I missed the beautiful variety of my home state when I wasn’t living here. Another equally important reason was that I hoped to help those of us who live here – including myself – get more out enjoyment from the amazing bounty Michigan has to offer.

Along those lines, my friend Caitlin shared some really great wisdom the other day that she’s letting me share with all of you:

I have a thing for getting up in the middle of the night and driving to big water to watch the sun rise. I stretch and breathe into the sunrise and then I rise and move and dance while the beach has few occupants. I peruse the rocks for treasure, also while dancing.

I swam, I snacked, I napped in both my hammock and on my air couch before heading home. There was a “one out one in” line at the beach entrance when I left at 2:30. I giggled to myself as it was already cloudy and PACKED with people by then… I had a wonderful day of recovery and solitude. I am proud to be free to get up and go where I want, when I want, and how I want. Early mornings on a day off might not be ideal to everyone but to me, this is it ✨

Sounds ideal to me too! You may not be able to see her post, but you can check out Caitlin’s latest photos at ChasingPrudence on Instagram. Here’s more about Lighthouse Park.

2024 West Michigan Photo Contest

Posted on by farlane

Hoffmaster State Park Rainbow by Lillian Dotzlaf

The West Michigan Tourist Association invites you to participate in their 2024 West Michigan Photo Contest. Prizes include packages from some great businesses & they are looking for traveler photo submissions from the entire west half of Michigan – all the way from the Indiana border to Mackinac Island and into the Upper Peninsula.

“We love getting to see all of the amazing photos from all throughout West Michigan – it’s a highlight of the summer!” said Kaylie Pomper, Marketing Manager. “We love seeing so many different perspectives from the photos shared with us. It’s a great way to see involvement from the communities that make up our beautiful state.”

Pomper also noted that photos do not need to be taken this month in order to submit them to the photo contest. “If you have West Michigan photos from your past visits to the area, we encourage you to enter those as well! West Michigan is photogenic all seasons of the year, so don’t feel that you’re only limited to submitting summer photos.”

All photo entries must be received by July 29th, 2024. Judges will be awarding prizes in the categories of “Beach/Lake Photo; Travelers Exploring Iconic West Michigan Destinations; Downtown Photo; Fairs & Festivals Photo” with an additional prize awarded via public voting by WMTA’s Facebook audience.

Lillian won the public vote last year & shared “I am elated I won the public vote category with the rainbow photo I took just after my Dad passed away. I am so blessed to call this place home. Thank you WMTA for giving me the opportunity and to Mackinac Island for the phenomenal prize package. I know I’ve got an extra angel looking out for me.”

Indeed!! Check out Lillian’s work on Instagram and at Little Lill’s Photography on Facebook!

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Double Rainbow Sunrise

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Rainbows Over Lake Michigan by James Eye View Photography

Atmospheric Optics is the go-to for information about rainbows and other marvelous sights in sky. They explain the science behing double rainbows:

Light can be reflected more than once inside a raindrop. Rays escaping after two reflections make a secondary bow.

The secondary has a radius of 51º and lies some 9º outside the primary bow. It is broader, 1.8X the width of the primary, and its colours are reversed so that the reds of the two bows always face one another. The secondary has 43% of the total brightness of the primary but its surface brightness is lower than that because its light is spread over its greater angular extent. The primary and secondary are are concentric, sharing the antisolar point for a center.

James got some great shots of a double rainbow at sunrise over Lake Michigan in Empire yesterday morning. See more by clicking the pic. and view & purchase his work on his website.

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Meet me on the Deck in Muskegon!

Posted on by farlane

The Deck in Muskegon by The Deck

NOTE: I thought that Adrian Soto of Social GR had taken these photos, but they were taken by the restaurant. Still very cool!

Adrian Soto of Social GR was at The Deck in Muskegon the other day and shared their photos, writing “🌴 Another great restaurant that makes you forget you’re in Michigan and feel like you’re somewhere in the Caribbean is The Deck in Muskegon! 🌺🍹 With its vibrant atmosphere, dishes, and refreshing drinks, it’s the perfect spot to transport yourself to paradise. 🌞✨“

A big thanks to Felicia Rivera for finding these photos & for sure check out Adrian’s adventures in food & fun on his Facebook or at Social GR.

What’s YOUR favorite waterfront hangout in Michigan?? I’ve always been a huge fan of the view from The Cove & Rick’s Cafe in Leland’s Fishtown, but I’d love to hear about your favorite place!!

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Piping Plover Protection

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Piping Plover Chick by Bill VanderMolen

If you’re on the Lake Michigan shore this weekend, there’s a chance you may see one of these small shorebirds scurrying along the water’s edge with some unique legwear. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore page on piping plovers begins:

The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is an endangered shorebird. They are sand-colored on the back and white below. During the breeding season adults have a black forehead band between the eyes and a single black band around the neck. (Its larger relative the Killdeer is commonly seen at parks, playgrounds, and golf courses, and has two dark bands around the neck.) Piping Plovers nest only on beaches and prefer beaches with cobble. There are three small populations: one in the Great Plains, one on the Atlantic Coast, and the one here in the Great Lakes. They winter together on the Gulf Coast but travel to the separate areas during the breeding season.

…The greatest concentration of piping plovers in the Great Lakes occurs at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The areas around the nests are roped off during the breeding season to protect the birds from disturbances that would cause them to abandon their nests. Also, plover eggs and small chicks are very well camouflaged. Well-meaning plover watchers could easily step on them if allowed in the nesting area.

…As part of the piping plover monitoring and recovery efforts, each bird is banded with colored bands that identify it. Color bands allow researchers and park staff to keep track of longevity, faithfulness to nest sites and mates, and genetics, among other things.

Lots more including pictures on the Park website.

Bill took this back in July of 2018. See his latest on Instagram!

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Michigan Beach Gem Season

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Miners Beach Gems - Munising by Steven M Last

Miners Beach Gems by Steven M Last

The warming temps are definitely bringing out the rockhounds on Michigan’s Great Lakes beaches! Stephen got this beauty shot featuring a rose quartz in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising. See more on his Flickr & happy hunting!

More Michigan rocks & stones on Michigan in Pictures.

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