It had been a very long time since we went on a Fall vacation. Experiencing the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan was a long time wish/dream of mine. We had two things planned, a boat tour to see Pictured Rock National Park from the water and hiking the park on foot. Anything else we did/saw on vacation would be a bonus.
I was SO excited on the ride up, when I found out that there was a chance the Aurora Borealis could be visible ~ while we were in MI. What were the odds this would happen?! I don't know. Thank goodness I had packed my tripod and night sky gear, just incase.
After a wonder-filled day of hiking and boating (post to come) we watched the sky light up. I took photos from the sandy shore of our favorite lake for about 45 minutes, before heading back to our room to watch the sky for a bit from our balcony.
See the big dipper above? If you are in new territory and not sure which direction to look for the Aurora Borealis (typically North/Northeast) find the Big Dipper. It is a directional indicator of North. A good place to start looking for the lights.
It was easy to spot the Northern Lights across the vast lake horizon. They were up high and visible to the naked eye. Although at times, colors were not as vibrant as seen in photos. Especially the bright magenta. It looked more red-ish to the eye and less bright pink.
East/South East (8:08pm)
Brad in foreground in both photos above
My favorite memory from our trip was seeing Brad get excited about the Northern Lights. When he wasn't watching them, he took photos with his phone.
Brad's iphone photo
It didn't take long for him to say "now I get it". Now?? Brad has been with me for my light chasing trips over the years, except Alaska. He has seen the Northern Lights before. Including above a different part of Lake Superior. However, I am not completely surprised. There really is something unique and special about seeing the Aurora Borealis with the naked eye, over big water. Plus, Brad enjoyed having the ability to capture the dancing colors with his phone.
North West (8:09pm) 
East/South East
East/South East (8:29pm)
The entire sky was non-stop evolving, at times in all directions. It was hard to decide where to look, let alone take a photo.
North West (my iphone photo)
The curtains were very tall! I've never tried taking Corona shots. It was challenging to say the least. I hope I get another chance, and a better result. Flipping ones camera upside down and contorting ones body comes with it's challenges. Comical!
Directly above us (8:42pm)
East/South East (8:29pm)
The tree's were randomly lit up by nearby vehicles pulling in/turning around. I personally like some of the lighting effects.
Aurora Borealis with Christmas trees!
Photo taken 10/10/24 East/South East (8:20pm) in Christmas, MI
We scrambled up, only to sink back down, the short but steep sandy incline to the parking overlook. I barely had enough strength left to make it back up the drop off. I may or may not have flung myself up and into a log rolled. I know, I know. You are sorry you missed it. We were laughing so hard!
It was a short drive back to our room at the Roam Inn in Munising, MI. As I got out of the truck and looked across the parking lot ~ there were the Northern Lights! They followed us back ;)
Brad's iphone photo, from the Inn parking lot
Taken from the sidewalk in front of Roam Inn
(my iphone photo)
Brad took this iphone photo from one of our suite balconies
(10/10/2024 at 10:10pm)
Our first time in the UP was such a memorable vacation! Complete with watching the Northern Lights dance above Lake Superior!! Life doesn't get any better. It was in one word "unforgettable". Nothing short of this girls dream come true.
6 comments:
Oh that must have been just magical! What a bonus to your vacation! You got some great and colorful photos- and so did Brad.
I was sick the day the Northern Lights showed themselves here- I did go out and try with my cell phone but I failed miserably, not knowing what settings to use, so I just sat by my big window and watched the lights dance across the sky. It has been many years since I have seen them so active.
What a magical night. I didn’t get the whole thing either, until last spring, when they went crazy here at our house. I can only imagine how awe inspiring they were over the Lake. Pictures never fully do them justice, but you got some great shots!
I've been thinking about you Shirley and truly hope you are feeling better. The gurus said it had been 20 years since we had a geo-storm as strong as Oct 10th. They must have been amazing to watch up by you!!
Linda, I completely agree that photos don't show natures true magnitude. I try to process and keep my photos closer to what I see, but colors easily become saturated.
Oh you were lucky to get such a beautiful night sky!!
Wonderful! I am glad you were there in that location to see the light spectacle! Unforgettable!
What an amazing fall trip! Pictured Rock and all of the north shore is on my to do list. There are places I visited in 1982 along that lake that I'd like to do again. We went around Lake Superior and through Canada on a motorcycle.
Anyway, drop dead gorgeous shots of an unforgettable light show.
I can't wait to see the post about the hiking and boating!
Whoo hoo!
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