GoneWandering.Wild

22/10/2025

22/10/2025

This is a post I shared a couple of years ago.
Facebook for Creators — why are we having to deal with more and more of this kind of crap?
Facebook, please clean up your platform! Get rid of the fake accounts and all the AI slop.

I still love connecting with my friends and communities here, but if this keeps up, we’re all going to start spending less time on Facebook.

Ken Jacobsen

10/08/2025

Before heading home from our August UP trip, we spent a couple of very hot days in Marquette. We took a drive around Presque Isle Park which is a 323-acre forested peninsula known for its rugged cliffs, tranquil trails, and sweeping water views. The park includes a 2-mile loop for walking, biking, or driving along sandstone cliffs, above secluded coves, and through stands of mature forest. The highlight for us was Sunset Point and the ancient basalt “Black Rocks,” where we watched swimmers jump into Lake Superior.

Designed by well-known landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who famously advised, “Don’t touch it,” the park's construction involved minimal alteration to best preserve the isle’s natural landscape and beauty. I’ll also put a link in the comments to a video I captured here several years ago at Sunset Point.

One morning before the summer heat set in, we hiked to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. This 470-ft granite peak is about six miles north of downtown Marquette and has a well-maintained trail and stairs to the top. From there, you can look south toward Marquette and Presque Isle, west to Hogback Mountain (one of my favorite day hikes—see video link in comments), and north along the rugged shore of Superior.

Of course, we also enjoyed some good food in Marquette, though I didn’t get pictures. We had dinner at Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery and picked up pastries from Lawry’s Pasty Shop. If you’re unfamiliar with the pasty, it’s a handheld meat pie traditionally filled with beef, potatoes, onions, and rutabaga, all encased in a flaky pastry crust. It’s a regional specialty originating from the Cornish miners who settled in the UP, and Lawry’s is known for making some of the best!

We camped at the Gitche Gumee RV Park and Campground which is conveniently located southeast of town. The staff were very nice, the campground is right across the two-lane highway from Lake Superior, and they even had a bar on-site. However, the arcade, ice cream stand and dump station were closed. Luckily, we emptied our tanks at an open full-hookup site before heading home.

We also checked out a new campground, the Raging River Resort, which is go

10/08/2025

It is always great to visit Copper Harbor! Each morning, we had breakfast from Jamsen's Bakery and Coffee. They are known for their thimbleberry-glazed donuts – yummy! We also had dinner at the Harbor Haus Restaurant, which was outstanding!But our time in Copper Harbor was more than just great food. We hiked Hunter’s Point, which is across the harbor from town, and also explored Horseshoe Harbor, part of The Nature Conservancy's Mary Macdonald Preserve. When I was in college, I helped mark the property lines of this preserve. It’s a lot bigger now! TNC and the Michigan Nature Association have done a lot to preserve this unique area.

We also stopped by Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. This well-preserved 19th-century military outpost gave us a glimpse into frontier life during the copper boom. While it’s no longer occupied by soldiers, it was clearly under the watchful protection of some very vocal Canadians—Canada geese, that is! They were everywhere, and definitely seemed to think they were in charge.

We continued our exploration of the area’s rich history with a visit to the Delaware Mine. Walking through the old copper mine tunnels was a fascinating step back in time. The self-guided tour gave us a glimpse into what life was like for the miners who worked underground in the 1800s. New this year, they’ve added videos down in the mine of the late owner talking about the mine’s history and operations. It was a thoughtful addition that added a personal and authentic touch to the experience. The surface buildings and historical displays helped bring the whole visit to life. It was both educational and a little eerie—in the best way!

03/08/2025

Captured a picture of this rock hound on Lake Superior! (Our Cavachon, Banjo)

03/08/2025

We started our day with a late breakfast at Suomi Home Bakery & Restaurant. We got a couple of pannukakku—delicious Finnish oven-baked pancakes served with warm raspberry sauce.

Next, we explored the Quincy Mine Historic Site and took a hike through the old buildings. Afterward, we headed to Calumet, visited the Keweenaw National Historical Park visitor center, and checked out a local antique shop.

Following a fish and chips dinner, we rested at our campsite for a bit before heading to the beach at McLain State Park to look for rocks.

A great start to our UP adventure!

07/03/2025

Our neighbors, who fly south for the winter, have recently returned. Their rattling calls fill the late-winter air with voluminous song. Come and enjoy the sights and sounds of spring on our next Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group hike at Indian Springs Metropark! (Registration link in my bio)

19/01/2025

I love to read! Growing up, my favorite author was Tolkien, but as I have gotten older, I have mostly switched from fiction to nonfiction, with an emphasis on natural science books. I have also switched mostly to listening to books, although I also use a Kindle app on my phone. I still am getting some magazines, too, mostly from , , and . Thank you, and , for all the wonderful book recommendations!

05/01/2025

Had a cold and snowy hike today with during Huron Valley Audubon's Winter Bird Count.

13/12/2024

I’m a big fan of podcasts, too, clocking in 21k minutes of listening. My go-to shows were NPR’s Up First, The Free Press's Honestly, ’s Mind, Body and Soil (or Ground Work as it is to be called now), Ed’s (Mountain & Prairie), and Jason and Abby + Jason's Podcast. Each one brings something special, and I highly recommend giving them a listen.