The Phenomenon of Tahquamenon Falls

The 50,000 acre Tahquamenon Falls State Park is open year round and offers many recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and (for me) photography. 

Entrance Sign to Upper Falls

I think the Upper Tahquamenon Falls is the iconic symbol for the waterfalls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  They are over 200 feet across and drop nearly 50 feet making the upper falls the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.  Side Note:  Niagara Falls is the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. 

There is a large parking lot with restrooms and picnic tables.  The paved trail to an overlook is an easy quarter mile walk.  For a better view of the falls you need to continue down the trail to the stairs.

During one of our mid-April visits, it is still winter here.  The snow conditions are perfect for making snowballs  ...  I can't resist the temptation to throw one at my hubby!  

  

The snow on the trail is mushy and our feet slip-slide along the paved trail to the first overlook.  

View from the first overlook during a summer visit

We walk a little farther down the trail to a long stretch of metal steps.  I don't know why but whenever we climb stairs I count them (there are 94 of them).  They take us down to the brink of the Upper Falls.  Thankfully a work crew is just about done clearing the snow off the stairs.  So, we only have a short stretch of snow-laden steps to tackle.

Tahquamenon Falls are famous for its amber-gold color giving it the nick-name “Root Beer Falls”.  This color is caused by tannins that seeped from the cedar swamps drained by the river.   Is anyone in the mood for a root beer float?

View of the Upper Falls from the bottom of the stairs

During a summer visit, we walk to another set of steps (about 115 of them by my count) taking us down into the gorge to the river level offering a slightly different view of the falls. 

 

We return to the car and drive to the Lower Falls.  They are located four miles downstream.  

At the Lower Falls, there is a large parking lot, restrooms, and Tahquamenon Treasures (a seasonal gift shop, snack shop, and ice cream shop).

.Have some family fun with the wacky wildlife of Tahquamenon!

The Lower Falls are actually several small drops clustered along a short stretch of river that curve around an island.  During one of our mid-April visits, we are not surprised to discover the trail to them is not accessible yet.  However, during the summer, the Lower Falls can be viewed from the main trail overlook or from the island. 

Lower Falls Main Trail Overlook 

If you have the time during a summer visit, I recommend visiting the island.  Proceed down the trail and descend the stairs to the river level.  Here, you can rent row boars from the park concessionaire. We did this in 2009.  It is an easy trip across the river to the island.  We beach the boat and walk the trail around the perimeter of the island.  It is a shaded and pleasant walk with nice views of the Lower Falls in the south channel.  It's a fun family thing to do on a warm day.

During our 2018 Fourth of July visit, we took an early evening walk on the River Trail to an overlook of the Lower Falls.  The day was unseasonably warm (90F) with high humidity.  Michigan's state insect (the mosquito) was also present - we were prepared and used plenty of insect repellent.  The boardwalk trail leads us through a forest and is an easy nature walk..  

        

The view point is shaped like the letter "Y" allowing for two overlooks and two slightly different views of the falls.

We walk the trail back to the parking lot stopping for one last look at the Lower Falls before we leave.

 Main Trail to Parking Lot

We don’t get to this area very often but when we do, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is always a “must do” stop for us.  It is a phenomenal place of beauty and inspiration.  Bring your camera because every season offers a different perspective on the landscape – wildflowers blossom in the spring, summertime invites water activities, autumn is a patchwork quilt of harvest colors, and the beauty of the frozen falls in the winter is not to be missed.

Frozen Upper Falls 

Water Lily on River

Row Boat on the River

LOCATION & CONTACT INFORMATION:  Tahquamenon Falls State Park, 41382 W M-123, Paradise, Michigan (USA)   

Telephone:  (906) 492-3415

A Michigan Recreational Park Pass is required to enter this park.

Although I have never been there, I am told there is a campground.  I’ve done my share of camping in the past.  Now, I enjoy the comforts of a hotel or B&B.  The small town of Paradise does offer limited lodging and dining options.  The town of Newberry (about 21 miles south via M-123) has a broader range of options from national chain restaurants and hotels to local dining and bed & breakfast establishments.

Whitefish Point makes a good side trip to see one of Michigan's many lighthouses and a maritime museum featuring the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.  Looking for a unique place to stay?  The Crews Quarters at Whitefish Point has four guest rooms.  For more photos and information on Whitefish Point, please click on the following link:
Whitefish Point - Light, Lodging & Lake Superior

Since opinions, budgets, and preferences vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews on food and lodging.

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories.  To start planning your memorable trip to Tahquamenon Falls State Park, please click on the following link:

Plan Your Visit - Tahquamenon Falls SP

Having a Royally Good Time - Wish You Were Here at Castle Farms

LOCATION:  5052 M-66 North, Charlevoix, Michigan (USA)

(about 3 miles south of downtown Charlevoix)

Phone:  (231) 237-0884  

This French Renaissance-style castle was built in 1918 by Albert Loeb. It was a dairy farm but it was also something more ...

Castle Farms

Fun at the Fair - Allegan County Fair

During our constant search to find Michigan’s one-room schoolhouses, we find ourselves traveling off-the-beaten path, driving country roads, and through small towns.

Today, we are headed to the Allegan County Fair.  The fairgrounds are on private property and accessible to the public only on certain dates.  The County Fair Week in September is one of those times.  There is a one-room school in the historical village located on the fairgrounds.  So, we are off to the fair!

We arrive at the fairgrounds located at 150 Douglas Street in the town of Allegan, Michigan (USA).  We stop at the entrance gate.  Today is Discount Day so we got a break in price - $2 to park and $7 per person to enter the Fairgrounds.  Once inside, we park the car and begin walking to the John Pahl Historical Village. 

We begin our self-guided tour.  There are about a dozen buildings within the Historical Village.  While the schoolhouse is not the first building we see, it is the first building we visit.  The Historical Village was founded in 1972 and the Jewett School was the first building in the Village.  The Jewett (aka Brownell) School represents education in the early 1900’s. 

 Jewett School - Exterior & Interior

When we go inside the school, we discover students from an Allegan school are having morning classes here.  I don’t want to disturb their lessons, so I quietly take a picture of the vacant row of desks and leave.

If you would like to see more one room schoolhouses, please visit my Blog on Michigan One Room Schools by clicking on the following link:

Denice's Michigan One Room Schools Blog

I also have an interest in historic churches.  Next to the schoolhouse is the “Little Log Church” that was relocated here from Carlshend in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Log Church next to Schoolhouse

Interior of Log Church

The old time Doctor’s Office was Dr. Rigterink’s place of business.  I thought I heard the building was originally located in the nearby town of Hamilton.  Inside the office is a display case filled with antique medical tools.  They look more like tools of torture to me.

Doctor's Office - Exterior & Interior

The Log Cabin represents a typical dwelling in the mid-1800’s.  It was moved to the Village in 1986.

Log Cabin - Exterior & Interior

The Born House was built in 1840.  It was originally located on Cook Street and was moved to the Fairgrounds in 1984.  One of the volunteers is dressed in her Victorian finest – including a hat and white gloves.  We walk through the house.  Tucked in the corner of the living room is a piano … or so I thought.  I was fooled until I read the sign indicating this was an organ built to look like a piano. 

Bone House - Exterior & Interior

Organ - not a Piano

Every community needed a Blacksmith Shop.  The “Village Smithie” made and repaired items for the local residents. 

In front of the Fire Barn is an antique fire truck.  Inside this building, we see antique apparatus used to fight fires (clothes and tools).

Fire Barn - Exterior & Interior

1929 Fire Truck

The yellow Caboose and Train Depot building are small but interesting to see.

Train Depot Building

Caboose - Exterior & Interior

For a little nostalgic trip, stop by the Cook Oil Gasoline Station. During our visit, it had an antique Model-T car parked in front of it.  The scene was made complete by the presence of a uniformed gas station attendant.  Inside the gas station building I can hear an old radio show being “aired” over an antique radio.

Old Gas Station

There is an 1849 Carriage House and a barn museum with old carriages and a large variety of antiques from household items to farming equipment on display.

Carriage House & Horse-Drawn Mail Wagon

The Allegan Township Hall is the last building we see.  Inside is a “mock” Post Office and historical information.

Allegan Township Hall

If you are interested in seeing the village but didn’t get a chance to come to the County Fair, there is another option.  Private tours of the Historical Village can be arranged by calling (269) 673-8292.

There is more to see and do at the Allegan County Fair.  The Grand Stand hosts celebrity performers like Carrie Underwood (2015), Kid Rock (2014), Tim McGraw (2013), Kiss and Motley Crue (2012) to name a few..  There are horse races, carnival rides, commercial vendors, lots of food options ... and, of course, the animals.  

There are public restrooms, covered eating areas, and a tram to/from certain parking areas.. The Board of Directors is constantly working and planning to make the Allegan County Fair Michigan's best fair.  

We're Gonna Be Back In Time at Historic Charlton Park

We take a Sunday drive to Hastings, Michigan (USA) to discover the Historic Charlton Park located at 2545 South Charlton Park Road, Hastings, Michigan (USA).  The phone number is:  (269) 945-3775.  The Park grounds include picnic tables and restrooms.  The Upjohn House Visitor Center has brochures for a self-guided walking tour of the village.  The best part – admission is free (but donations are always appreciated).

The park was established in 1936.  The first building on the site was the stone museum (construction from 1944-1950).

Irving D. Charlton Memorial Museum

The Historic Village is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Unfortunately, we arrived at 4:30 p.m. and the buildings are closed.  The good news - the grounds stay open until later and we are able to walk around the village and look through the windows for a peek into the past.

The Village’s 25 historic buildings are located in a park-like setting along the banks of the Thornapple River.   They offer a glimpse of what life was like in Barry County in the late 1800’s – early 1900’s.  

Village Scenes

The first building we see is the Upjohn House (1852).  It was home to one of Hastings first doctors.  The building now houses the gift shop and administrative offices.

Upjohn House

The Bristol Inn (1848) was a stagecoach stop until 1869. 

Bristol Inn

The Carpenter Workshop was originally a barn.  In 1871 it was repurposed into a Carpenter Workshop.  Next to the Carpenter Workshop is a small open-weaved cubicle with a door and paddle lock.  Was this actually used as a jail? 

Carpenter Shop

Jail Cell

The Blacksmith Shop was added to the Village in 1968.  In the “olden days”, the “Village Smithie” performed a vital service to the community making and repairing various objects.

Blacksmith Shop

Hastings Township Hall (1868) was moved to the Village in 1981.  Town meetings and elections were held here until 1988.  Once in awhile, the township will hold a meting at this building just “for old times sake”. 

 Hastings Township Hall

The Village is home to the Lee School (1869-1923).  It was originally located at the corner of Carlton Center and Martin Roads. 

 Lee School - Exterior and Interior

In case you don’t know this about me, one-room schools are one of my favorite things to find and photograph.  If you would like to see more of them, please refer to my Blog on Michigan One Room Schools by clicking on the following link:  

Denice's Michigan One Room Schools

The Sixberry House (1868) represents the village’s lawyer house and office. 

SIxberry House

The main floor of the Hastings Mutual Building represents a typical Village Bank in the early 1900’s. 

 Hastings Mutual Building (Bank)

The Main Street consists of a Hardware Store, General Store, and Print Shop.  These buildings represent the typical businesses found in the community. 

Main Street

The Carlton Center Church (1885) was used until 1972 when it was moved to the Charlton Park village. 

Carlton Center Church

Even though the outside temperature is a hot and humid 90 degrees F, we spend over an hour walking around the property.  It may take you more or less time to visit this historic park.  Either way, you’re gonna be back in time!