Last week my husband (of 38 years!) and I spent six days in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
It was lovely, truly lovely. The Upper peninsula borders Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron, covering over 15,000 square miles. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say it's mostly forest. It gives you an idea of what all of Michigan was once like. The Upper Peninsula is largely wilderness.
There are animals in this forestland: deer, of course, and also bears, moose, wolves, and some cougars. I have to confess to being unusually attentive to my surroundings while in the woods. Certainly did not want to encounter a bear, or a wolf, or a cougar! About 30 or so cougars are confirmed to have been seen in the upper peninsula in the last few decades. They are believed, because of DNA testing, to have come from North or South Dakota. There is no evidence of a breeding population though. It seems the male cougars have come looking to establish new territory but-- bad news, guys-- there are no females. Wrong turn! Better head back west! But if you see a cougar in Michigan, know that they are considered an endangered species here. You cannot harm them, unless in defense of yourself or another person.
Did we see any unusual wildlife? Nope. Just squirrels and chipmunks, pretty much. This despite the fact that we were staying in a log home several miles off the road, in a pretty mature forest.
There were sunsets on the coast of Lake Superior...
Beaches with no one on them..
Tahquamenon Falls...OK, it's not Niagara (as someone once said to me) but these are lovely, powerful waterfalls surrounded by forest. Just beautiful.
More on this trip tomorrow. Suffice it to say-- this is God's country.
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