Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)
Lake Superior or Lake Michigan
Page <prev 2 of 5 next> last>>
Feb 10, 2019 12:49:06   #
pendennis
 
The Northern Peninsula of Michigan is quite cold, and the winter lasts well into April. Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails are active until then in some areas.

If you go in February and/or March, you'll need quite warm wear. Multi-layer Polartec-like or down is a must. You'll need boot-pacs, or some other warm, insulated footwear. Out on open boats to see some of the shore like Pictured Rocks would be quite miserable, if they can be found. Most of the lake craft are off the water until April, or so. There are some scenic winter areas, but only for those who love the cold weather.

My wife and I have "chased" lighthouses for a number of years, and the UP is only done in June, July, and August for comfort reasons.

Lake Superior freezes over, and commercial shipping comes to an end, usually around the end of November. The autumn can be awful. There are any number of shipwrecks which litter the bottom of the lake. You may remember a song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", by Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot. It's based on a real 1970's incident, in which the largest freighter on the Great Lakes, foundered and sank, losing the entire crew. In the song, he mentions the "gales of November", and it's no exaggeration.

If you really want to enjoy the UP, schedule your vacation for later in the year.

Reply
Feb 10, 2019 22:43:18   #
krashdragon
 
And if you want to see whales, check out when whale sighting season is in Hawaii.
There are large tour boats that cruise among the islands specifically for whale watching.
Yes, I've been on a daytime cruise. Had a momma whale and her baby swimming fairly close to the ship. They can get close to you, but you're not allowed to get close to them if you're in a boat.
Dolphins also escorted us back into Honolulu Harbor.

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 05:58:18   #
Lens Cap Loc: The Cold North Coast
 
This is interesting, I would not have believed it, but this might be where this subject started.

https://www.mid-americantitle.com/local-news/whale-watching-northern-michigan

http://www.greatlakesgazette.com/2016/04/01/whale-watching-on-the-great-lakes/

Unless it is totally a scam to get visitors!

Reply
 
 
Feb 11, 2019 05:58:52   #
DaleBrown
 
How would you explain the absence of sharks in these lakes as well?

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 06:13:22   #
Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM
 
mark.r wrote:
Hi' I'm looking for help and advice with Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.Next year in February or March myself and family are thinking to visit one of these lakes to see wildlife and most of all to see Whales.Have anyone on here live near these two lakes, or who have been there and spotted Whales in the Two Lakes.Thanks for reading.Mark


They are all correct.....no whales!

Given the time period I would highly recommend Lake Michigan (Michigan side) over a Lake Superior as you cannot fathom how cold both are, but the Lake Superior cold is surreal.

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 06:44:45   #
rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines
 
Lens Cap wrote:
This is interesting, I would not have believed it, but this might be where this subject started.

https://www.mid-americantitle.com/local-news/whale-watching-northern-michigan

http://www.greatlakesgazette.com/2016/04/01/whale-watching-on-the-great-lakes/

Unless it is totally a scam to get visitors!


Notice the date on both of the articles!!!!!

Loren - Baguio City

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 06:47:14   #
rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines
 
Largobob wrote:
Oh, yes. My favorite movie..."Somewhere In Time." Incredible soundtrack as well.


Absolutely correct!!!!!

Loren - Baguio City

Reply
 
 
Feb 11, 2019 07:19:31   #
traderjohn Loc: New York City
 
mark.r wrote:
Hi' Thanks for your reply with the Whales.On Goggle images of the two lakes they are showing the Whales.My wife will be gutted when i tell her because she was looking forward to see them.Still it will be nice to see other wild life which i don't see here in the UK.What is the normal Temperature out there in February and March.Mark


Bring your woolies. You will freeze your A$$ off.

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 07:24:31   #
Lens Cap Loc: The Cold North Coast
 
Good Catch.... April fools!!!!

rlv567 wrote:
Notice the date on both of the articles!!!!!

Loren - Baguio City

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 08:01:55   #
knessr
 
If you want to see whales that time of year, go to Cabo, Mexico or Maui, Hawaii. Having lived in Minnesota for over 30 years, I would question going that time of year. Not only can it still be cold, but the Spring snows can be heavy and wet making driving difficult. Do your research first before deciding to go that time of year. I have seen snow as late at May 12th, however late May or June are good times to go as well as the Fall months of September and October (for the fall leaves color).

In the Winter, you are not going to see much in the way of wildlife if that is why you are going.

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 08:29:12   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
mark.r wrote:
Hi' Thanks for your reply with the Whales.On Goggle images of the two lakes they are showing the Whales.My wife will be gutted when i tell her because she was looking forward to see them.Still it will be nice to see other wild life which i don't see here in the UK.What is the normal Temperature out there in February and March.Mark


We have Cold temperatures in Jan., Feb., and Most of March too. Sometimes Spring is late, sometimes early. Google Whales and read description of where the are found, it is only in the salt water "Oceans" of the Earth where live, Not in the "Fresh water" of the 5 Great Lakes.

Reply
 
 
Feb 11, 2019 08:38:18   #
paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah
 
mark.r wrote:
Hi' I'm looking for help and advice with Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.Next year in February or March myself and family are thinking to visit one of these lakes to see wildlife and most of all to see Whales.Have anyone on here live near these two lakes, or who have been there and spotted Whales in the Two Lakes.Thanks for reading.Mark


Excuse my ignorance but how does one expect the whales to get past Niagara Falls. Besides salt water fish do not fair well in fresh water. It is a biological problem.

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 09:07:52   #
BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten
 
U
Lens Cap wrote:
This is interesting, I would not have believed it, but this might be where this subject started.

https://www.mid-americantitle.com/local-news/whale-watching-northern-michigan

http://www.greatlakesgazette.com/2016/04/01/whale-watching-on-the-great-lakes/

Unless it is totally a scam to get visitors!


To me everything about this thread makes perfect sense after checking these links out.
They both have Yooper humor written all over them.

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 09:09:55   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Largobob wrote:
Excuse my ignorance, but do whales live in fresh water?


If so, how did they get there?

https://baleinesendirect.org/en/are-there-any-whales-that-live-in-fresh-water/

I worked for a couple of years on the MS Mt. Washington, the big tourist ship on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. They kept a list of "interesting" questions asked by passengers. "Where was the lookout tower for German U-boats during WW II?"

Reply
Feb 11, 2019 09:47:16   #
Steveconnell
 
For the most part I’d recommend driving up the eastern Michigan side of the Lake Michigan. Crossing over the Mackinaw bridge, visit Mackinaw Island. Next cross over to Lake Superior and drive along the lower shore of Lake Superior. Lots of small resort towns, scenery, a few waterfalls and lighthouses. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is worth seeing and for hiking visit Isle Royal National Park — Island (might need a permit). Continue rounding the Lake. The road and shoreline going north of Deluth to the Canadian boarder is very beautiful. You could alternatively go up-to Sault Sainte Marie then drive around the top of Lake Superior (Canada). Lots of woods to see and a few towns in Canada. You’d be in more wilderness areas. It takes about three days to drive around Lake Superior. The best side of Lake Superior is on the lower side (Upper Michigan and Wisconsin) and on the west side (Minnesota side). You could also continue traveling down the western side of Lake Michigan into Wisconsin to the City of Green Bay then explore up into the Door County (good scenery). Try to stay off the interstate if you want to see the Lake. South of Green Bay are midsized towns more industrial areas than tourist areas.
NOTE HOWEVER (!) WINTERTIME IS NOT THE TIME TO VISIT THESE AREAS UNLESS YOU’RE INTO CROSS COUNTRY SKIING OR SNOWMOBILING. TEMPERATURES ARE USUALLY WELL BELOW ZERO (F) IN UPPER MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, OR MINNESOTA. Most tourist places are only open from June through September. Scenery is still pretty in the winter but it takes a Northerner to appreciate the cold.

Reply
Page <prev 2 of 5 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.