Keith and Mary take on the Porcupine Mountains: Lake of the Clouds

 Thankfully, after the fun off-roading adventure to Rock Cut, the actual visitor's center and check-in process was a breeze at the Porcupine State Park.  

After checking into our backcountry camping reservations, we grabbed some maps and drove up to the Lake of the Clouds overlook where the truck would stay parked for two nights.  I would love to see this place in the full color of fall and the pristine quietness of winter snow.  The first is doable, but the latter may be a challenge as the park closes the road to drive up there for the winter.

Keith and I rearranged our backpacks and off we went down the trail to our first campsite for the night right on Lake of the Clouds. 

The walk down to the site was peaceful and perfect.  The sun shined through the trees like a beacon.

As we entered the trail to the campsites, Keith noticed a little mouse sitting on a small boardwalk.  The sweet thing was so confused about life that I just HAD to lift it up and give it some encouragement. I wanted to bring it with me as a pet, but Keith was nice enough to talk me out of that because I was already carrying Sasquatch on my back. 

That first night in the Porkies was perfect. It wasn't too hot nor too cold.  We got to start a fire, wade in the Lake of the Clouds and watch the sun dance off the trees.

For some reason, Keith and I woke up before the sun.  We sipped coffee - which is the one thing I forgot, how do I forget coffee???? (thanks for sharing, Keith) and took our time to get packed up.  This was perfect because we were blessed by a bald eagle flying the length of the lake as the sun started to crest the trees.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of it soaring, but honestly, I was in awe of God's blessing upon us that morning, that I didn't even think about getting my phone until after it was too far away.

Somewhere around 8 am, we were packed up and ready to climb back up the overlook to drop off some trash, grab more food, and begin the next leg of the hike down Big Carp Trail.

While at the truck, we met a couple from Indiana who started asking us some questions.  They were really nice and gave us instant coffee.  We talked with them a big longer than what was planned, but it was nice to have a friendly conversation.  It also didn't hurt that they were probably a few years older than us and thought I was in my early twenties.  That truly made my day. 

Once they left, Keith and I continued our adventure that will be continued in another post in a few days.