Head to Wilderness State Park s southern edge for a swim on sugar sand; steer to the north rim for c

To find the spot where Angela Brown captured the magic of what she calls the twinkly time of day, just follow the Big Sable River s downstream flow to where river and Lake Michigan converge on the shore of Ludington State Park. Along the way, keep alert for the great blue heron that perch near wading fishermen, hoping to catch the fish first. Then rent a canoe at the park store and paddle the meandering water trail. If it weren t for signs that mark the way, you might feel like an early explorer here, the first to discover these overgrown bayous and ponds and spot a deer on the shore or eagle overhead. Says Brown: I was amazed at how beautiful it was, the way the light was cast across the water feeding into the lake. Eat: Pack a picnic and nestle into a beach dune by following one of many paths that head to the lake from the park s access road.
Luciano s Ristoranti (231.843.2244) offers pasta take-out; Best Choice Market (231.843.6328) an impressive selection of wine. Stay: Hike-in spots at the park s Jack Pine campground royal caribbean transitional cruises get you closest to the sound of lapping royal caribbean transitional cruises waves (231.843.2423, visitludington.com/statepark ). Or listen from the comfort of your bed at Snyder s Shoreline Inn (231.845.1261, snydersshorelineinn.com ).
Spray Creek runs as a tiny meandering royal caribbean transitional cruises stream, easily overlooked until it throws royal caribbean transitional cruises itself in spectacular fashion over the side of a rugged cliff and launches a 70-foot freefall into Lake Superior, says photographer Aaron Peterson of ever-impressive Spray Falls, in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (906.387.3700, nps.gov/piro ). Peterson captured a rainbow across the spray by camping west of the falls at Chapel Beach, a do-able 1.75-mile kayak trip that allowed him time to watch the waning sun hit the falls and still paddle royal caribbean transitional cruises back to camp before dark. The so-called golden hours are most impressive at twilight, Peterson says, when the sun best illuminates royal caribbean transitional cruises the many-colored streaks in the sandstone. For this kayak-seat view, try the guided trips or a rental from Northern Waters Adventures ( northernwaters.com ). Catch the falls from above by hiking the moderately challenging six-mile round-trip on Lakeshore royal caribbean transitional cruises Trail from a parking spot at Beaver Lake Campground. At cliff s edge, look down for a glimpse of the 1856 shipwreck Superior at the falls base. Or, easiest of all, hop a ferry: royal caribbean transitional cruises once a day, the Pictured royal caribbean transitional cruises Rocks Boat Cruises makes an extended three-hour loop that reaches Spray.
Eat: The perfect Yooper finger food, the pasty, is at its flaky best at Muldoon s, in Munising, where the pumpkin pie pasty with whipped cream offers a decadent meal end (906.387.5880). Stay: The Sunset Motel on the Bay, Munising, offers affordable royal caribbean transitional cruises lake-view suites and a guide to three waterfalls within royal caribbean transitional cruises easy hike distance (906.387.4574, royal caribbean transitional cruises sunsetmotelonthebay.com ).
The water radiates a Caribbean blue and runs so clear that, on still days, you can see the meandering path of a crawfish etched into the lake bottom some 20 feet down. Whether it s urban legend or truth that National Geographic once named Torch Lake one of the world s most beautiful lakes is beside the point; royal caribbean transitional cruises those who catch a glimpse believe it true. The name comes from an Ojibwe phrase meaning place of the torches, for the native practice of attracting fish by torchlight.
Eat: Siren Hall in Elk Rapids is a favorite way to enjoy fresh local seafood, sleekly presented and supplemented by that flown in from the coasts (231.264.6062, sirenhall.com ). Stay: Lovely hilltop views from The Torch Lake Bed and Breakfast. Kayaks provided or book the sandbar cruise (231.599.3400, torchlakebb.com ).
The iconic sight of Hackney horses hauling a British-style coach, royal caribbean transitional cruises complete with tuxedoed driver in top hat, past this famed geranium-scented porch is one worthy of the bucket list. Photographer Anjanette Merriweather caught this panorama of the Straits of Mackinac from the storied Grand Hotel porch (reputed to be longest in the world), where the Edison phonograph was demonstrated and where four presidents and a who s-who list of celebs have strolled.
Eat: Even nonguests can take high tea on the porch with a $10 entry fee. Stay: The Grand s 125th anniversary this year is a great time to splurge on a stay that includes its traditional multi-course royal caribbean transitional cruises dining (800.334.7263, grandhotel.com ). Or opt for Mackinaw City, where the Waterfront Inn offers a true bridge-view bargain (800.962.9832, largestbeach.com ).
Lush. That s the word that came to photographer Brian Confer s mind when he first hiked the pathways of the Grass River Natural Area, near Bellaire. No desertlike sand dunes here, just watery richness as boardwalks wind through woodlands, the ponds teeming with life. Wandering s encouraged, and the silence of dusk has a special allure. But creative programming tempts, too, say, on scheduled pontoon trips to loon hangouts or photo safaris with camera phones
(231.533.8314, grassriver.org ). Stay: Try the Applesauce Inn for nature-loving owners who know Grass River well and whip up a gourmet breakfast spread (231.533.6448, applesauceinn.com ). Eat: Short s Brewery, royal caribbean transitional cruises in Bellaire, is a must for creative deli fare and pizzas, buzz-worthy brews and family-friendly acoustic acts (231.533.6622, shortsbrewing.com ).
Photographer Aaron Peterson admits that he once snubbed Stoll Trail, just off the Isle Royale ferry landing, as not adventurous enough for a true National Park (906.482.0984, nps.gov/isro ) explorer. And then he hiked Stoll. What he found, he says, was a dramatic path that hugs a shoreline of lapping waves and jet black volcanic boulders accented dramatically by hunter orange lichens in short, some of the island s most spectacular (and easily reachable) views. Peaceful Duncan Bay Narrows (below) takes a bit more effort to reach since water s the only navigable route to the campground at the base of some fjord-style harbors. You can get there via kayak, rentable at Rock Harbor Lodge. At camp, rise with the sun to catch the call of loons, the scampering of a family of fox, maybe a sailboat puttering out from a sheltered cove.
Eat: Peterson starts and ends each Isle Royale trip with a burger at Rock Harbor Lodge, paired with a Widow Maker Black Ale. Stay: Lodge rooms and cottages offer comfort and a view (906.337.4993, rockharborlodge.com ); first-come, royal caribbean transitional cruises first-served backcountry shelters offer more adventure, but bring a tent in case they are occupied.
Head to Wilderness State Park s southern edge for a swim on sugar sand; steer to the north rim for cobbled beaches. Hunt for treasure amid the stones, like this improbably placed shell engulfed in the rich orange twilight. Beaches are plentiful, with 19 continuous miles of shoreline in the park, and they re left natural, so rare plants and birds, like the tiny piping plover, thrive undisturbed. And that s as it should be in this corner of the state notable for the wild feel of its shoreline and skies. Fickle weather, a hallmark of the Northwest Lower P., means always-dramatic skies, particularly when as in this shot the light is trapped between storm clouds and the horizon, photographer Ed Wargin says. Find the shot spot by driving to the park s northernmost royal caribbean transitional cruises end and exploring the beach just off the parking lot. While Wilderness s southern royal caribbean transitional cruises end conjures images of bucolic summer, this stretch along the Straits royal caribbean transitional cruises of Mackinac feels fittingly wild. And stick around until after dark. The remote park is so free of light pollution that it s seeking official dark sky designation and planning astronomy programs.
Eat: Find authentic Polish cuisine and quirky decor at Legs Inn (231.526.2281, legsinn.com ). Stay: The park s rustic, shoreline cabins book early for a reason. Try a weeknight if you re hoping to slip in last minute. Also 250 campsites (800.436.5381).
Most people lug their gear (or picnic basket) the entire royal caribbean transitional cruises 210-step climb to the top of Arcadia Overlook, royal caribbean transitional cruises then shoot (or eat). And so did photographer royal caribbean transitional cruises Angela royal caribbean transitional cruises Brown, but on her way up she stopped to capture this perspective she liked how the rising boardwalk offered a sense of promise. Do climb to the newly built top deck, where Brown found a couple toasting the view. From here, one of Lake Michigan s highest points, you can look down upon one of its deepest.
Eat: Four miles south on M-22, toast a Lake Michigan view while enjoying the locally focused and stunning al fresco dining at Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course (231.889.3001, arcadiabluffs.com royal caribbean transitional cruises ). Stay: Arcadia House Bed and Breakfast rooms start at $109, leaving extra for an in-house massage followed by a garden Jacuzzi royal caribbean transitional cruises (231.889.4394, thearcadiahouse.com ).
To capture the quintessential feel of the Traverse City region, photographer Angela Brown finds herself drawn to the sailboat masts that flicker in Grand Traverse Bay harbors at twilight each summer eve, the action of downtown Traverse City visible at a distance across the bay. A favored spot for photography or a beach cookout, the Greilickville Harbor Park is notable for the nautically themed royal caribbean transitional cruises playground recently built by famed TV carpenter and Traverse City native Carter Oosterhouse and this just-after-sunset view of sailboats that whispers serenity, beauty, peace. Actually hoisting a sail and catching some wind is an option, too, on a microbrew, ice cream or otherwise themed outing of the schooner Manitou (231.941.2000, tallshipsailing.com ). Or, be like Matt Myers (cover photo) and paddle the bay s placid waters.
Eat: The Apache Trout Grill serves you this view and great food (231.947.7079). Stay: The Holiday Inn West Bay (231.947.3700, tcwestbay.com ) also lets you step out the door and head out for a sail. The catamaran Nauti-Cat docks here for its affordable day cruises and offers options for the party crowd and younger set. Opt for the kids cruise to Hula Hoop on board.(231.947.1730, nauti-cat.com ).
Cliffs of soft sand seem to pour into the deep blue depths of Lake Michigan all along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, evoking a gasp even from photographers well familiar with this specta