out on Lake Superior on a boat

traveling  around and learning about Grand Island

Grand Island’s geology is an extension of the sandstone strata of the adjacent Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Island sandstone cliffs as tall as 300 feet in height plunge down into the lake. A 23-mile perimeter trail skirts much of the island’s shoreline.

Part of the Hiawatha National Forest, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service

 only about 35 people live on the island, shared by eagles, loons, and black bears

access to the island is by ferry

then you are left to hike a few miles in to your home, lighthouse or small campground

(even more rocks to discover here!)

 Offshore from Munising, the Grand Island National Recreation Area covers approximately 13,500 acres of Lake Superior woodland. Grand Island’s glacier-cut lake shoreline measures approximately 35 miles in length and is about 8 miles from north to south.

two historic lighthouses and the original houses of the first settlers

remain on the island to this day.

—

‘we talk of our mastery of nature, which sounds very grand;

but the fact is we respectfully adapt ourselves, first, to her ways.’

-clarence day

—

grand island, pictured rocks national shoreline, upper peninsula, michigan, usa

September 2025

—

source credits: Hiawatha National Forest – Grand Island

welcome to lakenenland

Lakenenland is the creation of Tom Lakenen, a former ironworker with a knack for welding and a big opinion on modern art. What started as a personal protest over 25 years ago against the “snobby” art world, turned into a whimsical, weird, and completely free roadside attraction that now draws in thousands of visitors each year.

The sculpture park sprawls over 37 wooded acres on a plot of land near the Lake Superior coast, and showcases more than 100 metal sculptures, everything from towering dinosaurs and lumberjacks to political satire and larger-than-life wildlife scenes. Here he showcases his tremendous talent for turning junk metal and scrap iron into awe inspiring, entertaining works of art.

Some are silly, some are poignant, and some will have you asking, “What exactly am I looking at?” But that’s all part of the fun.

Lakenenland is one of the most beloved attractions in the Upper Peninsula, and includes a Sculpture Trail, a winding road through the woods featuring more than 100 of Tom’s whimsical, colorful and sometimes “tell it like it is” metal art sculptures. Every piece of art started out as junk metal or scrap iron and has been transformed into something quite special. Lakenenland also features a bog walk, a massive timbered framed pavilion, two fishing ponds, a playground, and two entertainment stages.

a place to rest for people stopping by from the north country trail

You can drive or walk through the park, but walking is by far the best experience. The North Country Trail runs through the park on one end and Tom has set up a space for travelers, skiers and. hikers to stop, rest, talk, and eat along the way. The park is open 24hrs and free to the public 7 days a week.

Tom invites you to stop by and see for yourself why the Detroit Free Press called Lakenenland , “The coolest unofficial roadside rest stop in the state.”

‘my sculptures cause an uproar, astonishment, and put a smile on your face.’

-florentijn hofman

—

Chocolay Township/Marquette, Michigan, Upper Peninsula, USA, September 2025

—

source credits: lakenenland, detroit free press, upper peninsula michigan

on a quiet camping night

in grand marais

just after 9 o’clock

the sky with no moon

all the stars were out

we looked

over the lake

began seeing green

glowing in the night

colors began to slowly change

first jade

then

purple

red

yellow

and

back again

and move

streaking

shooting

rolling

tumbling

all around us

more people began coming out

to see this stunning light show

moving faster and faster

instantly gobsmacked

we soon ran out of words

nothing left to say

just trying to take it all in

not miss a second

twirl around with it

 absorb it all

embed it in our memories

as it silently

danced and swirled all around us

the milky way

the big dipper

the constellations

each twinkling star

all played a part

a magnificent circus in the sky

on and on for over two hours

i’ve never seen anything like it

i don’t expect that i may ever again

it still feels as if it was all a dream.

—

“As it was getting dark, the aurora gradually appeared, though it was dim and overshone by the bright stars. The aurora in bud looked pearl white, and slowly grew stronger concentrating its power to blossom. Later, it became slightly glowing bands of light, still static and stationary. As the lights built in intensity, the darkened color turned to green while the lights started to move and transform. When the activity grew to a greater level, they split into ribbons, floating around. In minutes, the ribbons gathered like crimson silk curtains hung vertically in the sky. The lights danced like curtains swinging in a light wind.” – Jie Ji

—

northern lights, grand marais, michigan, upper peninsula, usa, september 2025

so many rocks, so much time

the shores and beaches and water

of lake superior

offered up an endless supply

luckily we were all unapologetic rockhounds

who found one after another after another and yet another 

beautiful rocks each more beautiful than the next

quartz and granite and jasper and agates and beach glass 

all kinds of beautiful mineral swirls and colors

 even puddingstones  and who knows what

hard to throw any back

every beach we stopped by throughout our trip

 everywhere we went 

our eyes went to the rocks

no end to these beauties

of course we had to have a rock party

outside our room 

at a little motel across from lake superior

one of us used the microwave spinning tray

one used the mini fridge tray

one used a chair with bath towel

for our displays

we sorted and showed each other what we’d found

 looked them over and got excited all over again

 made a pile of what we’d give back to the lake the next day

hard to part with any of them

we were at full nerd level 11 

 all so happy.

—

‘not all who wander are lost. some are looking for cool rocks.’

-author unknown

—

Lake Superior, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, USA, September 2025

much loved and immortalized by many

feared by some

 sasquatch

the legend, the lore

with sightings all over the upper peninsula

ever elusive, then right in plain sight, the big guy really gets around

—

kitch-iti-kipi, named long ago by native americans,

means 

‘mirror of heaven’

michigan’s largest freshwater spring

water always flowing, always 45 degrees

200 feet across, 40 feet deep

 turquoise crystal clear water

see all the way down to the bottom of the spring

 take a self-operated raft across

with a small group of people

mirror images on the water

 sky and trees above

 views

up, down, all around

easy to lose yourself in it.

—

‘hidden in the glorious wildness like unmined gold.’
― john muir

—

Palms Book State Park/Indian Lake State Park

Manistique, Michigan, Upper Peninsula, USA

September 2025

someone built these structures 

on the shores of lake superior

 a place for people 

 sit, relax, gather, rest

contemplate

take it all in

‘whatever good things we build end up building us.’

-jim rohn

—

Lake Superior, Upper peninsula, michigan, Summer 2025

upper peninsula businesses 

do not disappoint

they always surprise 

each a unique experience unto itself

filled with interesting people and products

the reason why

you simply cannot resist them.

—

‘people don’t buy goods and services, they buy relations, stories, and magic.’

-seth godin

—

grand marais, michigan, upper peninsula, usa, summer, 2025

the upper peninsula journey continues

with a visit to upper and lower tahquamenon falls

‘when water falls, it flies’

-anthony t. hincks

—

tahquamenon falls state park, upper peninsula, michigan, usa, Sept. 2025