Labor Day Weekend in the Porkies

With the campground sold out for Labor Day Weekend we decided to stay close by to help if needed and to answer the many questions about the park.  After coffee time Saturday, we took one 3.8 mile hike near the campground that took us along the Lake Superior shore line turning back into an old growth forest ending at the bottom of the Porkies Ski slopes. Two yurts and two cabins scattered in the forest provide shelter to those willing to walk in and stay in the woods, but since people were staying in them, we didn't take any photos.

The trail leading to one of the cabins.

A quick view of Lake Superior from the trial.

This trail gave us more wildlife than we typically see. As we walked through the gorgeous old growth forest, I spied a large deer crossing the path and running full on through the forest followed shortly by a smaller creature with a gray head, likely a wolf of coyote. They were focused on each other and didn't even notice us. A short distance further, we stopped as we heard large birds flying out of the grasses. We learned later that grouse flocks live on the ground and make a great noise as they fly out. While we were stopped, I turned and looked up our trail in time to see a medium sized black bear about 50 yards away turning and running away from us. It had come around a corner and evidently was surprised by our presence. It took off back around the corner then also headed out running through the forest. We waited a bit then I turned on a downloaded music playlist on my phone, raised the volume and walked past where it entered the forest to make sure it didn't return to greet us. The rest of the trail we walked without the tunes playing. The encounter was brief enough not to scare us, especially since the bear seemed so frightened of us.

I saw the bear where the trail turned the corner.

Beautiful old growth hemlock forest. Notice snow skis not allowed on this trail.

We reached the ski slopes looking down at the Bunny Hill.

Small but inviting lodge at the bottom of the slopes.

The ski lift will be opened at the end of the month for fall color views.

Brand new deck and fire pits built over the summer.

On Saturday, Ed broke up firewood to prepare for the evening. The large covered stack behind him is free for our use. We had posted signs inviting anyone to a marshmallow roast at the Camp Host fire pit. The camp ground was alive with many families and several large family reunion groups. Most of the large groups had their own plans going. I saw one group making tie dye shirts and others playing group games as well as large cook outs. We only had four children show up for the roast, but those four were just precious hanging with us most of the evening asking a million questions after we told them we used to live on a boat. I felt my teacher mode kick in and had a great time conversing with these precocious kids.

These two showed us then went back and got their sisters.

It was a beautiful night to just hang out.

Ed made more coffee than usual and it was all gone by 9:30.

Monday morning--full campground.

Same view three hours later. 

Other direction Monday morning.

Other direction three hours later.

By Labor Day Monday afternoon, the campground was almost full again, but the clientele changed from families and family groups to mostly retirees and almost no children as school has started all over Michigan and Wisconsin.  

The beautiful weather turned to clouds and then a huge overnight storm early Tuesday.

Coffee fixings had to be moved into the shed as the rains continued throughout the morning.

This family with seven children came for hot chocolate as they were leaving Tuesday morning.

We hung around the house Tuesday as the weather was yucky planning our next hiking adventures for the clearing weather coming.