When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
— Wendell Berry, The Peace of Wild Things
Presque Isle (French for “almost an island”) is a 323-acre forested headland that juts into Lake Superior, located in the northern tip of the city of Marquette, Michigan. The park supports over 100 species of native plants and diverse habitats, including black rock beaches, bogs, and forest. It is rumored that albino white-tailed deer can be seen at the park, and their presence has made its way into local folklore.
Read MoreNational lakeshores are owned and operated by the National Parks Service, which means they usually have more well-maintained trails, historical markers, and maps; however, it also means that they have more rules. We had Kari’s beautiful adventure pup, Kindi, with us, and the NPS does not allow dogs on many trails due to interference they can cause with local wildlife (including bears). But there were still many beautiful spots we could access and keep Kindi by our side!
Read MoreWe arrived at Brighton at around 10:30 a.m, greeted by the salty smell of the sea and the wind whipping our faces. It was in the 70's and perfect: sky bright blue, water beautifully aquamarine, tourists not yet outside. We took our time walking along the Brighton Pier as the workers were dashing about in preparation for its opening, appreciating how much the sea made this day feel like an actual vacation. Then, we made our way down to the pebbled beach, walking along the line of cute shops and restaurants, reaching the skeletal remains of the old pier washed out to sea.
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