10-16-2021
Rogers City, MI
With spirits low, temperatures dropping, and rain still threatening, I am tempted to abandon course for the day and return home. Gob gazes at me with pleading puppy eyes, craving more adventure. Obviously, I cave. Because while I am grumpy, I am no monster.
We pull into the park amidst a light drizzle. There are a few other cars in the lot, but not a soul in sight. Gob wags his tail in excitement and quickly leaps out of the car.
The colors are saturated with the actual moisture of rain. We spend 20 lovely minutes traipsing about the park near the parking lot, judging whether the rain will unleash from the sky. As it is still holding off, we opt for the hike.
Just over one mile in, the rain has started. I am grumbly, but Gob is having fun. As we have already started, I am now obligated to finish our trek and find the sinkholes that have been promised.
We pass a couple on the last leg their trip. True Midwesterners, they greet us with a “We thought we were the only ones crazy enough to be out today! Enjoy the weather!” I let out a chuckle through my painted-on smile, not feeling much like a Midwesterner today.
As we near the sinkhole, the rain lets up again. The sun warms us. Enough so that Gob is ready for a dip in the sinkhole when we finally arrive.
Our return trail leads us around the quarry. We walk the edge of the gash, a scar left by machinery. Young trees grow between the long thin ponds that stripe and curve like crop circles.
A few hours of sun was all it took for the parking lot to fill. But as we clamber into the Suby, the clouds have already converged. The rain begins as we exit the park. Good timing on our part. And I think the end to our weekend adventure.
Interested in checking out this park? Find out more here!
Check out my other Michigan State Park adventures!
Hypertenuse 