The founding Forefathers of the city decreed that a peninsula that jutted out into Lake Superior (called Presque Isle) should never be developed, but instead, kept free for its citizens to enjoy forever.
We are so lucky that they had the foresight to preserve this wonderful lake area. Some of it has sandy beaches, but most of it has rugged stoney cliffs and shore full of natural beauty.
We have ore docks which the ore boats come into to load up with ore, so often you can sit on a picnic table, overlooking the lake and watch the ore boats coming into port.
Here are some pictures for you to see. (And Joannie from Joannie's Random Ramblings, since my pictures cheer you up, these are especially for you!):
First, a shot of the rocky shore, littered with driftwood:
First, a shot of the rocky shore, littered with driftwood:
The walkway out to the lighthouse:
There is a sign not to walk out on the walkway to the lighthouse during stormy or windy weather. Several people have died there because they were washed overboard:
I usually stop my walk where the rocks begin out to the lighthouse.....
On my way out to the lighthouse, these mallards were riding the waves:
Our lighthouse:
I was lucky the day I went out the take photos for you....an ore boat was coming in to dock at our port:
It came delightfully close to the lighthouse walkway, so I could get some photos and wave at its Captain!:
This is a photo taken from the lighthouse walkway, looking back at Presque Isle:
This close-up shows you the rocky cliffs that exist all around the peninsula:
On the walk back from the lighthouse, the mallard was showing off and showing me how he "hangs ten" in the water:
A close up of the shore:
Many tourists come and collect the Lake Superior stones for their many colors and smooth shapes:
After you drive through virgin forests of the peninsula, here are the shores on the other side:
Many folks also boat all the way around the peninsula:
Nothing but nature to love and admire:
What is THIS???? A spaceship in nature??!!!
Nope.It is Northern Michigan University's football dome...the only all wooden dome in North America!
My husband and I are both graduates of N.M.U. and loved attending school in such a beautiful place.
It is right across the bay from Presque Isle. All students that attend NMU have wonderful nostalgia about Presque Isle, too, because you can walk to it from campus with a little ambition and good shoes :-)
It is right across the bay from Presque Isle. All students that attend NMU have wonderful nostalgia about Presque Isle, too, because you can walk to it from campus with a little ambition and good shoes :-)
If you ever make it to the U.P., make sure you make plans to ride out to Presque Isle. It has many hiking trails, wild deer, and virgin forests (the forefathers forbade cutting the trees or building any houses on the shoreline). Many, many weddings are held there, also.
Oh, and if you come, would you let me know? I would be happy to be your tour guide!!
30 comments:
Just love that walkway! Yes, I would love to come if I can and look you up!
Such a beautiful place to live...you may just get inundated with requests for tours...Loved the stones and shore line.
You have convinced me!! Loved all these beautiful photos - I can see why you love this place so much! I am hoping we can make it to the UP in August. We want to visit Seney Natl Wildlife Refuge again (gotta try my new Sigma Lens there!) but I want to see if I can squeeze in Presque Isle too. I'll let you know - that would be great if we could at least meet for coffee! :-)
Your photos are gorgeous, as usual. I especially loved the first one of the lighthouse. You are lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
Ok, I need to be educated. I am very familiar with the North Shore of Superior and the ore boats along there. Are there ore mining companies on the shore of Michigan and which side of the Lake? My wife and I haven't been along Lake Michigan east shore since 1989. Stayed at a motel on the lake that had hundred or more swans on the water there. Great photos....
Oh man a trip down memory lane for me! I attended NMU and loved visiting that area as well. I took so many walks around there and had some pasties for dinner there on many occasions. Funny it is properly pronounced Isle, like "aisle" while near where I live currently there is a Presque Isle harbor, but pronounced "eel". I prefer how it is said in Marquette myself.
I so need to go visit that area again! Thanks for all of your pictures!
Your wonderful pictures also soothe MY soul. Thank you for these. Many years ago in a previous life I lived in Flint, Michigan (for 9 years) with my then-husband. We had a cabin on Lake Superior that was only accessible in the summer because the water was frozen. Your pictures have brought back some good memories. That ex-husband and I are still on good terms and we talk on the phone frequently. I'll point him to your pictures when we talk next. Again, thank you!
Smiles, DJan
What awesome pics ... exquisite photography, you have a real eye for capturing the 'soul' of God's beautiful creation. TY for sharing.
TTFN ~ Marydon
Roshni: Just let me know if you are ever coming up to the U.P., I would love to meet you!
Wanda: Yes the shoreline is breathtaking in many of the areas of Lake Superior.
Shellmo: I would LOVE that. In fact, I would be willing to even come to Seney too with you and try some photos myself....but if we can't do that , for SURE come to Marquette and name the time/date and I will meet you there. The first weekend in Ishpeming (about 15 miles from Marquette) there is a small Rennaissance Fair and then the following weekend there is a Rock and Gem show up at Michigan Tech in Houghton...but during the week we will be home and on the other weekends we should be in town too..just give me enough notice so I can be sure and reserve a day or two when you will be around. It will be such fun to finally meet! (And of course, you need to bring Scout!)
Loree: Thanks! I love the lighthouses on Lake Superior too!
L.D.: I am a bit confused regarding your question...Marquette and Presque Isle is on Lake Superior and not Lake Michigan....there are iron ore mines near Ishpeming and the ore is shipped out of the Marquette ore docks which is on Lake Superior. The north shore of Lake Superior is in Canada, the south shore of Lake S. is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (where I am from). The U.P.'s south border rests on the north of Lake Michigan, the U.P. sits between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan and the Mackinac Bridge is in between Lake Michigan and Lake Erie and leads to the lower peninsula of Michigan. I know it is confusing, you will see better if you get an atlas out. ha
DVM's Wife: Wow! Maybe I knew you then..what years did you go to NMU? I was there from 1970-72 and then went back to school there from 84-88!
My husband went there from 68-72. He lived in Gant Hall and I lived in Meyland and then Magers. Small world, huh? I never had a pastie on Presque Isle, but had many a Togo.
Do you remember Togo's sub sandwiches? They still make the BEST ones in town!
DJan: So when you lived in Flint, and owned the cabin on Lake Superior, where was the cabin? (What was the nearest town in the U.P. that it was on?) Yes, send your Ex to my blog, I have lots of pictures of other places (waterfalls, etc.) from the U.P. he might enjoy!
Blushing: What a wonderful compliment. That was so nice of you to say!
I always love your neighbourhood, forest and lake, such a beautiful place. You have presented them very well in pictures.
Wow, what a wonderful visit! I'm so glad I stopped by. It was like a quick vacation! Your photographs are just breathtaking. My favorite photo is of the colorful round pebbles. How I'd love to be there and experience it personally!
I am a bit younger than your years at NMU but my husband was there during those 84-88 years you mention. I stayed in Hunt Hall several years before transferring away to another college.
I don't remember the Togos but do remember the yummy gyros from another spot. I've been away for so long!
I was in Duluth, MN last October and we made sure to stop at the lighthouse. I wish there were more than there are in CA. Even OR has more lighthouses than we do.
More great pictures. Looks beautiful around there.
Rainfield: Thanks, and I love looking at your tropical world, too.
Annette: Thanks! I love bringing the photos to you, too. Isn't it nice that we can see each other's worlds thru the blogs?
DVM's: Yes, you are talking about Vango's on Third St. They still make wonderful gyros!
JJ: We go to Duluth a lot! My husband's sister lives there. It probably was cold for you in October there...everytime we visit it is windy or rainy there. But it is pretty there on the big hills.
Grannyann: Thanks! It is beautiful all along the Lake Superior shoreline!
Joan these pictures should be hanging on a wall, absolutely breathtaking....I love them all especially those stones. I could spend hours in a place like this. Thank you my friend for sharing, you make us all happy when you do.
Have a great day.....:-) Hugs
I'm glad they decided early on to keep this place the way nature intended. It's a beautiful place. The trees, the lake, the wildlife, the lighthouse, and even the ship combine to make this place wonderful.
When we lived up there, I took a friend bike riding along the waterfront in Marquette. This brought back some nice memories.
I sure wish Dan and I could get away during the summer months to enjoy what is so close to us!! Your photos make me yearn for that opportunity even more!
Thanks for sharing! It may be the only way I get to see these things!!
Bernie: Thanks so much. Just let me know when you want to visit us!
Ratty: I agree. I thank the forefathers every time I visit there that they kept it for everyone. There is even a Native American Indian Chief buried there, with a marked headstone.
Sue: When did you live up here? Did you go to NMU?
Cathy: I know the bad part of running a campground is that you can't get away in the summer, which is a bummer! I am glad you enjoyed the photos.
Gorgeous photos! I've never been north of Pennsylvania, unless you count a layover in JFK lol I'd like to visit up north someday :o)
Beautiful! You're right, it's wonderful that some areas of the country will remain undeveloped and unspoiled. Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures. I'm going to show them to my husband and hint around at what my next birthday present should be. (Panasonic Lumix 18x zoom ... I've got it memorized!)
VaBookworm: Just let me know when!
You being an athletic trainer: did you know that NMU (where the dome is in the photo) is an Olympic Training Center???? You could always apply for a job there! :-)
Lesley: That's right! Leave notes all over the house...in his undies drawer, in the refrigerator, in the garage for him to find...and if you need a testimonial as to how I LURVE my camera....just send him straight to ME. ha Good luck...!!
Great photos, you live in such a beautiful place. I love the lighthouse.
SquirrelQueen: Thanks! C'mon up on vacation, I will show you in person!':-P
Beautiful Photos! Presque Isle is very picturesque. Thanks for sharing! :)
It is so easy to see why you love this nature preserve so much!
Far Side: Thanks! Yes, Presque Isle is one of the most beautiful places around here for lakeshore beauty...but all of Lake Superior is spectacular!
Merisi: Yes, it is gorgeous and all of the Marquette area is very proud of the area and make sure it is pristine.
whats the name of indian buried there? you should post a picture of that.
Anonymous: It is Chief Kabawgam, and if I get the chance, I will go out there next summer or later this fall and get a photo of the tombstone..great idea!
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