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| The final map including locations and distances is shown above. |
We packed for about 2 hours before we left. We brought a tent, some camping supplies, some clothing, a few items of personal effect. Both being technophiles, I wasn't sure how a whole week without our phones was going to go. I knew I *could* do it, I had before, but Lucien I wasn't so sure about. He said he was excited to see the adventures I had planned, but being an inexperienced camper, and having never been west of the Sault, I wasn't sure what to expect of him. I had nothing to worry about.
We left the morning of July 9th and headed for the land above the bridge. The weather was warm, and we wore soft smiles on our faces as our troubles faded further and further from our immediate thoughts. Our talks were excited quips back and forth until about Bay City, where our cell service started to die, (we were using our phones for music.)
So, at Bay City, the ipod came out and we played music I had picked up, a random assortment from Janelle Monae to Coheed and Cambria, and of course, everything in between.
As we got ready to cross the bridge, I offered to drive, but Lucien said he was able.
I had our path memorized; our first destination was a place I had been many times before with Paul and the kids. I had mixed feelings about going there. I wanted to see it, to be there, to breathe the air of the place, but I didn't want the old feelings to come back, and the sadness of missing my children. I breathed deep of the cigarette I had lit and guided Lucien on; M-123, to Paradise Michigan.
We hit the lower falls of Taquaminon first, a small gentle rapids. Luci's breath was taken away, I kept hearing the giggles of my brood, who were several hundred miles away. I caught onto Luci's enthusiasm though, and soon we were both giggling like children, running from view to view. I even took him about a half a mile onto the North Country Trail. We bounded back up the trail and decided to head to the campground to make camp.
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| Lucien on the North Country Trail near Lower Taquaminon Falls. |
We had a small amount of trouble finding the campground I had reserved, but we had camp set up within an hour of arriving. We decided to pick up a few things at the grocery store, then headed to Whitefish Point. We got there just before sunset.
I thought of the previous times I had been there, how it was always cloudy and grey, and how my companions would all disappear to do their own thing, there I was, hand in hand with Lucien, who was becoming a bit grumpy due to the blackflies and the lack of rest and food. He took some absolutely amazing photos however, and we headed back to camp to make a fire and cook hot dogs.
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| Sunset at Whitefish Point |
The first night was cold and our mattress was not inflated all of the way, I slept well, but poor Lucien slept terribly.
We woke up the next morning, he sleep deprived and unhappy, I had a craving for coffee and didn't want to make a fire, so I headed to town to pick up breakfast for us.
I arrived to find camp completely taken down and Luci asleep on the picnic table.
I left him his breakfast and wandered off into the woods. I got about a forth of a mile up the trail before I decided to turn back and check on him.
He was ready to go this time. We decided to head to the upper falls hand in hand.
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| Upper Taquaminion Falls |
I felt the presence of my sons and my ex there, from happier times from before he went mad, I felt myself too, laughing while running away from my parents, a full canteen when I was 16.
We decided to hit Marquette, in particular a park I went to as a young child, and was taken to once in my early teens. We went by way of Munising.
