Big Spring 001

Last week we took a trip to see Karla’s brother and wife in Oneida, Kentucky. We decided to go by way of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our first state park was probably the highlight of the trip. Located in Palms Brook State Park is one of the most awesome natural wonders I have experienced, a big spring called Kitch-Iti-Kipi. A short trail winds through beautiful white cedars so thick that it seems dark even during the day. In the middle of the cedar stand is a 200 foot wide pool of emerald colored water.

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Big Spring 002

A self-operated observation raft is used to float across the 40 foot deep pool. The water is so clear that you can see all the way to the bottom.

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Big Spring 003

Ancient lime-encrusted tree trunks are viewed as you slowly float over the top. On the bottom of the pool are clouds of sand kept in constant motion by the gushing of 10,000 gallons of water every minute.

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Pumpkin Patch

On the eastern shore of Lake Michigan we saw lots of color. The various apple orchards, red maples and pumpkin stands made for an enjoyable road trip.

PumpkinPatch

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 001

At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore the shoreline is covered with beautiful white sand dunes that are ever changing. Wind moves the sand constantly covering the trees. Years later they are exposed so that they look like a ghost forest.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 002

In this photo the black vegetation in the distance that appears as a sleeping bear gives the park its name.

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Natural Bridge State Park 001

While in Kentucky we stopped at Natural Bridge State Park.

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Natural Bridge State Park 002

It eroded out of the limestone and is another natural wonder worth seeing.

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Covered Bridge

Coming across Indiana we saw a few of the covered bridges that are still in use in Parke County. There are 39 covered bridges in the county but we only had time to see three. We almost missed this beautiful bridge but Karla spotted it on the map and directed us to the spot. We had to take some pretty narrow back roads to get there. We noticed a sign that said “Trespassers Will Be Shot”. I wanted to go back and take a picture, but Karla didn’t think that was a good idea.

CoveredBridge