Various Ramblings
Michael Nowak
Cha-cha-changes!
Cha-cha-changes!
Various Ramblings
Michael Nowak
Seeing can mean believing.
Seeing can mean believing.

lake michigan

30 Days of Thanks - Day 5

Today I’m thankful for the Great Lakes. It’s a vague and generalized thing to be thankful for, but I could go on forever about each lake that I have experience with and I just don’t have time for that right now. I’m thankful for their beauty and for their resources. I’ve watched countless sunrises and sunsets over the lakes, stared at the stars all night on the beach, and cooled my body on hot summer days for decades. These lakes are just glorious all year.

I’m grateful for a place to sit and think while I listen to the waves crash on shore. I’m thankful for friends who also enjoy these beautiful places along the lakes. When I lived in Texas or New Mexico, I missed being near them so much. While in Oregon and Washington, I had the ocean and it was a great substitute.

The Great Lakes must be protected and cared for, so go see them for yourself and learn how important they are to the world.

Sunset on Park Point in Duluth, MN over Lake Superior

Sunrise over Lake Superior on Park Point in Duluth, MN

Another Lake Superior Sunrise in Duluth, MN

A cold January sunrise in Duluth, MN over a frozen Lake Superior

Lake Huron sunset, 9pm, Seagull Point Park in Rogers City, MI

Lake Huron sunset in the late fall near Rogers City, MI

Lake Huron Sunset near Rogers City, MI featuring a tamarack tree losing needles in late fall

Summer sunset over Lake Michigan in Grand Haven, MI

Sunrise over Lake Michigan in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (from about 2005)

Summer Sunset over Lake Michigan

Waves crashing on a Lake Michigan beach

Way Back Watery Wednesday

I have the Great Lakes on my brain, so I wanted to share some photos from around the glorious shorelines. When I lived in Michigan, I didn’t take advantage of the outdoors the way I would today. I can’t wait to get back and explore all of the things saved on my map. For now, enjoy some photos of the lakes that are unsalted and shark free!

Lake Superior

Lake Superior is pretty special. It’s large, moody, and definitely in charge. These photos are from Duluth throughout the years.

Lake Huron

Lake Huron is home, and the sky is often magical. Most of these are from the Rogers City area in Michigan.

Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan became home when I moved to the southwest corner of the state for college. Trips to the beach were memorable and fun. These photos are from all along that coast.

#ForestFriday - Along the Coast of Lake Michigan #PureMichigan

Continuing with the theme of the week… Michigan’s lovely coast. These photos are from the summer of 2010, and I’m almost 95% sure it was at the Rosy Mound Natural Area near Grand Haven, Michigan. My memory is a little rusty, but with the dunes in the distance and the Forest Overlook sign, I’m almost sure of it. Either Way, enjoy some coastal forest photos from where I spent the majority of my life.

#WayBackWednesday - Ludington State Park, 2007. #PureMichigan

Back in 2007 some friends and I took a trip to Ludington State Park on Michigan’s west coast. The park sits along Lake Michigan with dunes, trails through the woods, and access to nearby lighthouses. The whole coast of Lake Michigan is amazing, but this little slice is extra nice. If you get the chance to visit Michigan, make sure to travel along the shorelines of the Great Lakes and stop at Ludington State Park.

We lived in nearby Allendale, MI where our college was located so this was an easy little trip for us. We were a bunch of twenty somethings headed camping and we definitely made some memories. The photos I share are from an old camera and are mostly the natural beauty. I didn’t find many photos from our campsite, probably because we were having a real good time.

Spring here in Texas reminds me of summer up in Michigan. The temps are warm enough, the sun is plentiful, and the air is breezy. Here’s to the summer nights of the past and hopefully some in the near future on one of Michigan’s coasts.

#ForestFriday - Sleeping Bear Dunes Backcountry

In 2010 I embarked on the one and only backpacking trip I've ever taken, to date, and it was in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore White Pine Backcountry area of Northwest Lower Michigan.  Wow, that was a mouthful.  My buddy and I packed up, (he mostly) carried in a normal sized tent, normal sized gear, and beer, and camped at site number 1.  It was nice to be away from most people and so close to the lake.  The hike in was about 2 miles, and you can find out more information about the area HERE.  Enjoy some photos I found from the trip.  Enjoy the forest near you!

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