On day 3, we packed up and moved from Daisy Farm Campground to 3-Mile Campground, a fairly short 4 mile trip. On the way we took extra or first photos of plant we had already seen. And took a look range photo of a lighthouse on one of the outer islands.
One plant that we had seen and not stopped to look at is shown below. It took a bit of looking to make sure the pale cream colored top was in fact the flower and not just new foliage. We are fairly certain that it is the Northern Paintbrush (also called Pale Painted Cup ) or Astilleja serpentrionalis. It is only found in the very Northern counties in Michigan
After getting to 3-Mile Campground, we found it mostly empty, so we picked our site and set up our equipment. With the day being early, we decide to a hike to Mount Franklin. We went ultra light, and just hiked with some water and snacks and cameras. The elevation gain was not bad, and we saw some nice ponds and streams along the way.
We did see one orchid we are still working on identifying, maybe Early Coralroot but not certain.
Up top, there were some good views.
After returning to camp and having a lovely dinner of freeze dried macaroni and cheese with tuna added, we went on walks around the campsite. No moose, but when we looked closer at a plant we thought was Solomons Seal, we saw a flowers that were not greenish white, but were pink / purple. After some work with Newcombs, we conclude that it was Rosybells or Rose Twisted-Stalk (Streptopus laceolatus). |
That night turned a bit colder and much more humid than any night so far. We were cold when we awoke early on day 4. We ate out breakfast of hot oatmeal, dried off the tent (wet from condensation) the best we could, and packed up and were off to civilization. For along while we had the trail to our selves, but as we got closer to Rock Harbor we eventually ran into some day hikers. After arriving at Rock Harbor, Chris decided to make herself presentable and washed up in a bathroom with running water and changed into some clean clothes she had save for the return trip. I washed up a bit. We reported in to the rangers.
We had lunch at the Grill. Chris asked what kind of soup they had and was told "Tomato and Pork". Sounded weird, but the pork was pulled pork with barbecue sauce and it turned out to be excellent (I stole a few spoonfuls). We did a short walk and some shopping and were generally lazy waiting for the boat. On the boat, we sat with the same couple we had with on the way over. They had stayed at the lodge, but had done quite a bit of hiking. They also saw a moose cow with calf who had walked into the Rock Harbor Lodge area. After the 3 hour boat cruise, we were back in Copper Harbor, texted our children that we were safe (they worry so much about their elderly parents), and drove 5-1/2 hours to Manistique, for the next phase of our adventure, 5 days hiking with Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association (ONAPA), looking at plants and habitat.