Tahquamenon Falls, Upper Pennisula, Michigan

Lower Tahquamenon Falls

We got an early start to our day today because we have so many things we want to see today.  Our first stop was Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the Upper Pennisula of Michigan.  This is a picture of the first of a series of five  falls cascading around an island.   The park is beautiful and there are lots of trails to hike and lots of places to relax and do nothing.  

Lower Tahquamenon Falls

Closer Look at the Lower Tahquamenon Falls

There are falls on both sides of the island in the middle

The 2nd of the five falls - this is on the 
right hand side of the island.

Heading down the path - there are three more lower falls!

Sunning himself

This little guy just didn't want to move.  We were above two feet from him when he finally decided we weren't going to go away!

The third of the lower falls

The fourth of the lower falls

Another nice boardwalk to follow

The last of the lower falls

Just a gorgeous hike

The trails to the upper falls start here but it is a 
REAL hike so we'll drive there

Four miles upstream  is the Upper Falls and so we decided we had better drive to a parking area where we could hike a few less miles to get there!

The end of the lower falls so time to turn around!

One of the viewing platforms

Lee on a Viewing Platform of the first of the lower falls

What have we here?  He is right on the path to the Upper Falls!

Pretty Fox

He has three legs!

We found out that this guy gets along just fine with three legs.  The park people see him once in awhile and call him Tripod.  

First view of the Upper Falls

Tahquamenon Falls State Park has over 50,000 acres but the centerpiece of the park is the upper falls!  They are one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi with a drop of 50 feet.  The falls are more than 200 feet across and they have a water flow of more than 50,000 gallons of water per second!  They are stunning! 

Upper Falls

Tahquamenon River

At the Brink of the Upper Falls

Steps back up from the brink of the falls - 
there are a LOT more of them!

Viewing going down the steps to the brink of the falls

You can see the Viewing Platform for the 
brink of the falls in this picture

Here we are taking a woodland trail just to see what we can see.

While Lee was taking pictures of this guy, I turned around to hike farther down the path and another fox and I about ran into each other.  We both were so surprised that we just froze for a second.  He recovered faster than I did and took off like a shot.  I can't believe it - two fox encounters in one day!  And, this is the first time we've run into a fox anywhere on our travels!

Isn't he pretty!!

Nice Visitor Center with shops and eating 
places right before you head to the Upper Falls!

Visitor Area and Shops

Brewing Tanks

The brewery ale selections

There were several hides on the walls

I had the pulled pork sandwich special and Lee had a beef pastie which looked better than it was.  My pulled pork was excellent.  

Inside the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub

This was the first of our stops for the day.  Our next stop is Whitefish Point Light Station.