The setting was Munising, Michigan earlier this week; specifically the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The mission was to see if my kayak could handle the big lake they call "Gitche Gumee" (it obviously did as I am writing this, eh?). I had no doubt the craft could make it on Lake Superior with a beach in sight. Once that beach is out of sight and you are surrounded by 200 foot cliffs that have no shoreline and miles and miles of water on the other side, intimidating is a good word that comes to mind. The ticker kicks a few extra beats while you are initially taking it all in. Thankfully, there won't be any Gordon Lightfoot re-makes of the "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" song as I made it back to shore safely with no drama to report after a nice float. A local told me they had to rescue a kayaker this past weekend from the north side of Grand Island (also in Munising) and the guy didn't start anywhere near there. The wind changes with a splash of panic apparently had something to do with it. 
After the float, I kicked it into tourist gear and checked out the mecca of Marquette, the Superior Dome! That has to be a nice treat for those sub-freezing November football games. While I didn't see any local restaurants with the Izzo/Mariucci sandwich specials, their hall of fame plaques were pretty impressive just the same.
A great getaway it was.
Trail Head
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| Superior Dome |
