The Minis take Michigan - 2023 Michigan Road Trip Day Twelve: Springs and Falls
Day twelve of our RV journey through Michigan with highlights of the trip, sites and destinations along with food, fun, and ideas for your trip through Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. We have been finding things to do in Michigan with fun adventures, places to see and visit, and more. Today we
August 30
The rain, cloudy sky, and wind all went away so today was cool, sunny, and gorgeous. We had a busy day seeing beautiful sites.
Springs
We got an early start on our day, so we could visit Kitch-iti-kipi spring, also known as “Big Spring,” in Palms Book State Park, before the crowds arrived. It was about an hour drive, so we headed out as soon as we were all ready. When we arrived there were only a few cars in the parking lot. The gift shop wasn’t open yet, so we headed down the short path to the spring.
Most accounts attribute the name Kitch-iti-kipi to the Ojibwa language, but the translation varies wildly. The way you observe the spring is in a sort of barge, with an observation hole in the center, that is attached to a cable across the surface. Any person can unlock the raft, and turn the wheel that pulls the barge along the cable from the dock to the other side of the 300 foot by 175 foot pond.
Unbelievably, there are fish living in this spring. They are pretty large, and the ranger that helped up with the boat said they were fairly old (for a fish, anyway). You, however, will not be cashing those fish as there is no fishing, swimming, or kayaking (or any kind of touching) in the spring.
Here’s the geology part
Fissures in the underlying limestone allows 10,000 gallons PER MINUTE of 45°F, sulfur-rich water to bubble out of the bottom of Kitch-iti-kipi spring, all year long. Per. Minute. Astounding.
I was in awe! The spring water was so, so, so clear. The 40-foot depth looks like it is just below the surface, yet the erosion in the limestone floor is quite obvious. The locations where water is forcing through are obvious as they are really cloudy with mud, but that doesn’t travel far so it doesn’t affect the clarity of the rest of the pool.
The bowl-shaped pond flows out into a stream that then feeds Indian Lake and eventually into Lake Michigan in Manistique, Michigan.
Lunch, of course
We got back into Munising around lunch time, so we decided to return to eh! Burger. It was still chilly and breezy outside so we ate indoors. The food once again did not disappoint. Tony stuck with he Buffalo chicken sandwich, and I got whitefish filets. Bill tried the special of chili and grilled cheese. That looked good too, for a chilly afternoon!
Falls
Tony wanted to get some work done so Bill, Zappo, and I went to check out Munising Falls and Pictured Rocks. The walk to the falls is pretty easy, unless you want to view it from the top (we didn’t). We stopped at Sand Point for Zappo to play in the water, then went to the Miners Castle scenic overlook. The walk was again not too far, though to get to the platform right above the formation, you have to walk downhill and down some steps. The walk is worth it, you will be just behind the castle for goat photo opportunities. Also, there is a telescope that helps you see Twelvemile Beach and other rock formations, and a waterfall. We were running out of daylight, and so couldn’t visit any more of the Pictured Rocks park. That means we have a reason to return! I think it would be a good idea to take the Pictured Rocks boat tour for a great view!
Dinner, too
We had some frozen boudin balls in that we decided to heat up for dinner. I popped them in the oven and we waited (im)patiently for them to heat up. It was pretty chilly all day, and the hot food felt good in our bellies. We sat and talked for a while, then Tony and I decided we would pack up the gazebo because we are leaving in the morning.
