Grand Marais, MI to Munising, MI

The leg from Grand Marais, MI to Munising, MI was fog, fog, and more fog.  I left in the dark with all lights, radar, and AIS running to avoid going bump in the night!  Visibility was around a half mile, sometimes better, sometimes worse.

A fisheries research vessel was parked alongside the entrance breakwall as I departed.  As I passed I saw lights on and one guy walking the deck and it looked like they would move soon.  At least he saw me leave and the direction I took! 

I noticed later on AIS that he went east toward the Soo.  A cargo ship was also on AIS further offshore and downbound to the Soo as well.  No conflicts in my direction...so far!

About two hours out a power boat that had stayed at the town dock the previous night approached from the stern and according to the radar tracking (MARPA) he was only gaining on me at about 3.5 knots.  Pretty slow for a sleek power boat.  Later in Munising I found out he was only running on one engine.  He soon passed me and I noticed I could only keep him on the radar to about 3-4 NM.  I am finding the useful range to this radar is pretty short, even with large ships. 

I rounded Au Sable Light in fog and could barely pick it up at less than 1/2 NM.  I never saw the Grand Sable sand dunes at all.  However, as I approached the Pictured Rock National Lakeshore the fog began to lift enough I could see the water fall coming over the high cliff east of Grand Portal Point.  Unfortunately, it was too far for a good picture. The fog made the steep cliffs look more like I was somewhere along the Ireland or English coast.  It began to clear as I got further west and the sun started to have its effect.  It cleared up by the time I got to Munising.    

Grand Marais to Munising - 09/04 - 35.2 NM

Au Sable Light - About One Half Mile - If You Look Closely

Fog Always Brings Travelers Looking For Rest 
Looks Like A Finch

A Bat Landed On The Genoa Trying In Vain To Find A Place To Sleep For The Day...Unfortunately, His Persistence Led To His Demise When In Attempting To Scare Him Away I Batted The Bat With The Boat Hook!  He Went In The Drink And The Last I Saw He Was 'Dead In The Water' So To Speak!

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore In The Fog

Lots Of Interesting Rock Formations

This Arch Was Huge - The Trees Give Perspective

Unfortunately, The Fog Obscured Some Of The Beauty

Tour Boat Out Of Munising

First Signs Of Fall Colors

Still Overcast - A Sunny Day Would Bring Out More Color

Close Up Of Stony Beach At Base Of Cliff

The High Cliffs Run For Many Miles

Water Depths Allow Passage Close Under

Suddenly Along Comes This Long Stretch Of Sandy Beach!



This Is Called Miners Castle

Oldest Wooden Light House - South Grand Island
Built 1867-Abandonded 1913

Munising & Grand Island Area

Munising, MI - Bayshore Marina