Posted on 10/05/2013 6:54:22 AM PDT by cripplecreek
Our vacation was planned for months. The time was planned to coincide with the maximum autumn colors, and the best weather possible.
The planning took place, a vehicle was rented, rooms were reserved, and the weather forecasts were all scanned and showed great autumn forecasts.
Congress was the unknown factor.
For hundreds of vacationers to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the shutdown of government facilities was something that did not fit into the advanced planning.
Dotted with state and federal parks and attractions, the Upper Peninsula has peak fall color in early October. It seemed like the perfect time for us to visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Unless they are closed due to a government shutdown.
At the Pictured Rocks, east of nearby Munising, the barricades went up on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Alger County Road H-11, leading to Miner's Castle, a popular overlook at the western end of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, was blocked with three plastic barrels and yellow caution tape.
Numerous times, the tape was ripped off and vehicles continued on to the site. Some drivers were warned and even ticketed for trespassing, according to local residents who did not want their names published due to fear of government reprisals.
One local business that appeared to benefit from the closures was the Pictured Rocks Boat Tours, who suddenly found reservations jumping and full shiploads of visitors. The boats travel east along the 14-mile-long Pictured Rocks, offering great viewing of the unique and ever-changing rock cliffs, waterfalls, and beaches.
We also found the roads closed to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. The visitor's center darkened and locked.
The attractions offered by the State of Michigan, including Kith-iti-kipi spring at Palm Books State Park, numerous Alger County waterfalls, and a drive to Tahquamenon Falls were all crowded, as disgruntled visitors explored ways to fill the gap caused by the unavailable federal parks and lakeshores.
Meant to ping you to #58
Went through Zion last month. My Brit in-laws were stunned by the beauty of the park. They had originally wanted to take a different route to get back to I-15 from Bryce Canyon, but I convinced them that going through Zion wouldn’t take any longer than the backtracking it would have taken to take the alternate route, and the scenery would be a lot better. After going through Zion and observing the spectacular sights, my sister-in-law berated her hubby for suggesting the alternate route back.
And besides all that. I have been on every one of those raods. Logged on jobs along them. Like Melstrand, the little red line that runs west away from there was the location of the last job I did for Besse Forest Products. There is state land along that road.
I’m stalking the shark. Just kidding, but I’m reading all the national park goon threads right now.
> He’d love it...He would pick the nearest one to the hole and claim it was his...
I hate to admit it but you’re probably right.
Understood and I agree about the petty retaliation this boy president is ordering.
You drove by and didn't stop? LOL
Pretty hard for Obama to cover up all those trees & their colored leaves.
What’s next? A dusting of Agent Orange to make the leaves fall prematurely???
:-)
Let's just say Bambi isn't winning the "compassion optics" war on this one.
If the government gets away with blocking county roads, what’s to stop obama from closing US highways and Interstates? It’s amazing that not one ranger is standing up against this tyranny. It proves it really is “us” against “them”.
This is probably why obama is doing this. He’s finding out who’s with him and who’s against him. And he’s finding out ALL of LE is with him. Destroy the economy and everyone will be afraid of losing their jobs. I’ve said it before. A man will do a lot to feed his family. The only effective resistance will be going Galt.
Too bad I’m too far away to come protest with you. Shark and snake hauled off in handcuffs (again, lol).
Sorry pal, didn’t even think about it unfortunately. I was too preoccupied with getting from Bryce to Las Vegas that night. We’ll be back in Utah in the future though, I guarantee it. My Brit in-laws said Utah was the best part of the trip.
“Thou shalt not poach the king’s deer.”
“Robin Hood”
;-)
you’re just ebil man! lol
I like your description of of nobama’s bullying Americans.
Thanks for the recommendations.
Did Baniff and Canadian Rockies last year, it was great.
Also did Highway 1 from SF to Crescent City in May and went South to San Simeon a couple of years ago.
Anyway, I’ll look into the other things you suggested.
I vacationed in the UP for the first time ever this summer. Truly beautiful country. There is much to see without Fed BS. Screw ‘em.
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