Day 54 Wisconsin into Michigan

To drive north through Wisconsin to get to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan I had to pass through Green Bay, so I stopped to visit Lambeau Field where the Packers play. I decided to pay for a tour of the stadium, which led my group up to the suite level into a luxury box and then down past the locker rooms onto the field. The tour guide was a lifelong Packer fan (and a shareholder) and provided a great deal of legacy information. For example, the Packers are one of the original NFL teams, and the only original team to have always stayed in the same city. They are also the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States, with over a half million shareholders.

The stadium was more modern than I expected, as I still recall the games from the 70’s in the “frozen tundra” that was the stadium. In those days, the stadium was only accessible ten days a year (game days). But the team made significant enhancements and the stadium now has the second largest seating capacity in the league, and is open year-round for tours, events, and shopping. I stayed on the tour long enough to take a few pictures and left to get back to the dogs. On the way out, I stopped in the gift shop, thinking I might buy a shirt or jersey, but they are ridiculously expensive.

I then drove further north and crossed into Michigan, driving along the edge of Lake Michigan most of the way. Sean had suggested that I include the Upper Peninsula in my trip plans, and I understand why. I entered the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which stretches for more than 50 miles along the shoreline of Lake Superior. I first went to the Munising Falls Visitor Center to get my bearings. The information clerk suggested I visit Miners Falls and Miners Castle and if I had more time (I did not), I should drive for another hour eastward to see the Twelve Mile Beach. I took the dogs for a 1.5-mile hike to the Miners Falls, and then drove to the cliffs to see Miners Castle, which is a rock formation overlooking the lake. The dogs were particularly annoying on the hike, as they slowed down to smell everything on the trail through the forest. The castle offered great views of the lake as well as the Miners Beach area.

I then drove to the Bay Furnace Campground outside the little town of Christmas, Michigan in Hiawatha National Forest, and across a bay from Miners Castle.

Posted photos include box-level and ground-level views of Lambeau Field, a statue of Vince Lombardi, Miners Falls and two from Miners Castle, showing the Pictured Rocks shoreline.