Marquette, Michigan

After leaving Muskallonge Lake State Park, we stopped at a private campground in the harbor town of Marquette, Michigan. We typically avoid private campgrounds, but this one looked like it was something we’d really like, and it was. The campsites were mostly in a wooded setting, as typical in state parks, but there was a lodge with a bar and deck, a swimming pool, putt-putt, bocce ball, and other games. Also, it had hiking and biking trails. We’ve never seen another private park quite like it. The closest was a place outside of Bennington, Vermont: Greenwood Lodge and Campsites.

Upon arrival we learned we were there for fall fest, which was essentially Halloween celebrations at the end of September. They had games, pumpkin painting, hayrides around the campground, trick-or-treating on Saturday evening, and a competition for the best Halloween decorated campsite. And let me tell you, some people took decorating their site seriously. Our neighbors even created a mini haunted trail for young children. It’s clear a lot of people local to the area came just for the fall fest.

The town of Marquette itself is pretty cool. It’s a small town, though largest in the UP, and home to Northern Michigan University. While there we visited the harbor where they have an old iron ore loading platform. They still have a functional one in a larger harbor away from downtown. On Saturday we spent time at their weekly farmer’s market. Dogs weren’t allowed inside the market area, so we took turns going in. When it was my turn to go in, I got a smash burger from one of the farm stands. Excellent. We also visited an art gallery on campus. They had lots of old photography on display that really gave a sense of the area’s history.

We ate breakfast one morning in a diner called the Coach Light Restaurant, a small old-timey diner. We went there Saturday morning, but there was a line just to put our names on a list for a table, so we left, deciding to come back early the next day. The next day we got there when it was still dark outside (about 7:45 am!). We were able to park on the street right in front of the place and go right in. The atmosphere, especially with it still dark outside was worth the trip alone. I felt like we were in an Edward Hopper painting. The food was good. LeeAnn had an omelet, and I had a local favorite, cudighi, a sweet Italian sausage. I enjoyed it, but I did think it was a bit odd as a breakfast food. I’d like to try some again in a sandwich or on pizza, which our waitress told us was a popular topping in Marquette.

*People gather around the fire and listen to music at Rippling River. Photo by LeeAnn.*

*The chairs in the Carp River at Rippling River. Photo by LeeAnn.*

While there, Barnie and I hiked to Morgan Creek Falls and Carp River Falls. Both were good hikes and nice waterfalls. All three of us visited the lodge almost every day we were there, having a beverage on the deck or by the river (Barnie’s beverage was water). They even have chairs in the river, but we didn’t test them out. They had a musician and a large fire Thursday – Sunday. We enjoyed our stay and would stay there again.

Windy Day on Lake Superior

Canyon Falls