If you’re looking for an experience with nature then the Nara Nature Park is the place to be. Nancy Haun made a visit to the boardwalk trails along the Pilgrim River there recently and takes us along with her. The following is Nancy’s description of this beautiful wetland area: “The Nara Nature Center is a wonderful place for photographers. wildlife, flowers, birds-everything you would expect to see in a wetland is here-on the outskirts of Houghton! A huge beaver den and beavers, otter's, all kinds of birds-especially the stars of course-the Eagles and their family. The old bridge with the ancient pilings and the walk to the Lake is fun-with all the lily pads and their sweet flowers-all this is next to the Soo Line grade-no longer used by the train but a beautiful trail for walkers etc.”

Information from the City of Houghton Nara Nature Park webpage explains that the Boardwalk Trail is a 4,500 foot long elevated wood boardwalk that runs along both banks of the Pilgrim River. The boardwalks float on the soils in the wetland sections and are anchored with large screw-type supports to keep the boardwalks in place and help to minimize the impact to the wetland soil structure. With fishing sites, benches, observation decks and access for launching kayaks and canoes, it’s the perfect place for a peaceful connection with nature.

Nancy takes us on another walk in her video here today. This time it’s around the grounds of the Bishop Baraga Shrine on Keweenaw Bay between Baraga and L’Anse. The next best thing to being there, until you can stop and visit in person.

These pix and video are excellent, Nancy Haun is so cool!


I stayed at the Lakeside Inn across the bay from the Shrine and I


never even knew that it was there because it was summer and the


trees blocked the Shrine. :-(

I have heard the wild berry cherry also called
Doll's Eyes.

We keep meaning to go there but haven't been
able to find our round tuit yet. It's a
long walk, and after the stress I put my
knee under this past week in the Munising
area, I think it'll be a little while. But
great pictures for sure and I always love a
visit with the bishop. This time of year you
can always find wild raspberries there also.

I forgot to mention that those berries are
on the trail where the log slide was in
Grand Marais. We didn't know if we could eat
them, and nobody that we talked to knew the
name of them. So when in doubt, don't.