12 Days + 1,946 Miles + 4 Campgrounds + 6 People + 1 Dog = Our 2021 Upper Peninsula Summer Adventure

Day 1 – Travel Day from Home to Sault Ste Marie

We set out with our family, heading north on 127. We had a tip from our UP Travel Group that the best place to get a paper map when you are already en route is the rest area just north of Clare.

We woke up in the campground and it was light enough that we could explore and the kids could get out on their bikes which is the ultimate thrill of camping – riding round and round the campground.

Day 2 – Soo Locks

And, while we were out in the St. Mary’s River, our kiddos were invited into the Captain’s area of the boat and they even got a chance to steer!

The Valley Camp has fantastic displays throughout the ship, where you can both see ways the ship functioned in its hay-day, like the living quarters, the coal shoot, the mechanical area, and the hold where iron ore pellets or other shipments would have been held.

Day 3 – Travel Day + Tahquamenon Falls

And on this hike, you’re rewarded with great views early on that really spur you on to keep going and get to the Falls!

We genuinely enjoyed this walk through the woods and exploring the Falls. We really wish we had been able to do the Lower Falls as well, but time didn’t allow for it.

Day 4 – Pictured Rocks

We made it to the Pictured Rocks Boat Tour just in the nick of time (good thing we had pre-purchased our tickets!) and ran onto the boat.

Day 5 – Oswald’s Bear Ranch

I confidently climbed in the driver’s seat, put the destination – Oswald’s Bear Ranch – into the navigational system, and followed the directions on the screen.

Day 6 – Heading to the Keweenaw

It was time to pack up and move again. While sad to leave the raspberries and the incredibly quiet campground, I was excited for both a change of scenery and for unlimited hot water in a bathhouse (it really is the little things when you’re camping).

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Our 2021 Upper Peninsula Summer Adventure

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