In just a few weeks we are in the wind again this time headed north, way north. A few years ago Abbie and I roamed around the Great Lakes region for a few weeks on a road trip that allowed my to finish off the contiguous US and had a great time, though we left plenty of things to see. Something I have wanted to do popped up on my radar in late May in that region and I jumped at the chance. Since we will be in the area I just added some time off and expanded the adventure.
For as long as I can remember I have simply loved the night sky. I have had the pleasure of watching the Milky Way deep in box canyons in Colorado, on the sides of mountains in North Carolina, deep in the forest of Banff National Park in Canada, lying on the beach in Acadia National Park in Maine, and while sleeping on boats in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. It has been a lifelong pleasure and fascination that I plan on continuing. Once I discovered that Dark Parks were a thing I became fascinated by the idea and began looking for them everywhere. While digging around on the Internet I discovered that astral photography was a thing and I was hooked. So this trip will be centered around my efforts of documenting the Milky Way. I will be using my iPhone 12 Pro with the NightCap app, PhotoPills, some tripods, and a few lights for foreground images and we will see what happens. It is likely that I will be adding some serious camera technology in the future if I enjoy this little trial.
Superior National Forest is the largest Dark Park in the US and we will be exploring the region for around five days. It is not often that I commit to spending any amount of time in one place while roaming around as I often succumb to severe wanderlust, but it is something I really want to work on and expect to be relaxing. Digging around on Google Maps I discovered the Gunflint Trail Road in Minnesota and at the very end of it found Trail's End Campground and made reservations for site nine right next to the creek in hopes of being lulled to sleep by the sounds of rushing water. Being that removed from the masses, as it is still early in the second and the throngs of tourist should be at a minimum should be wonderful.
There are dozens of spots in the region, including Grand Portage State Park on the Canadian Border, that have piqued my interest and with any luck we will be able to pull some amazing photos and have some incredible adventures. Stay tuned!
From Superior National Forest we will travel along Lake Superior en route to Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan for a few days. One of the spots I found while roaming on Google that I am a bit excited about. Eventually we will end up in Cooper Harbor, Michigan before heading off to parts unknown. I spent a few days there on the Great Road Trip of '19 and knew then I would return. If you zoom in a map to the upper end of Michigan you'll see this little isthmus of land sticking out into Lake Superior, that spot is Cooper Harbor and it is a beautiful spot.
There are three of four days after leaving there before we are due at the event that started this whole adventure and I have no idea of where we're headed. Truthfully that is the best thing about travel for me, the unexpected, the unplanned, the take the day as it comes kind of travel. While it may not be for most people as it is kind of scary I suppose, I really recommend you throw caution to the wind at some point in your life and try it.
Live Life While You're Alive.
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