• Saturday-What'sUP November 8 - 09:11 pm

A few weeks back, Cindy Freeman was on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore boat tour near Munising and she snapped these late fall photos to share. The lakeshore scenes are beautiful any time of year, but there is just something about these autumn colors that really grabbed my attention. Mostly yellows and oranges, since it was later in the color season, but the hues topping those amazing cliffs is like frosting on a cake. There is even color in the rock walls, but I think that is there year round, not just in the fall.

If you look closely at Cindy's fifth photo, it looks like a large chunk of the cliff has loosened and slid down, complete with the greenery attached. It's a natural progression of the Pictured Rocks, that erosion happens and chunks fall off. I would say the most publicized happening was back in April, 2006, when one of the two turrets of Miners Castle (shown here in the fourth photo) fell into Lake Superior. We featured some up close photos of the before and after, back on April 17, 2006.

Pure UP pix...doesn't get much better.
Thanks for the boat ride!

Great photos. I marvel every time I see the scenic Picture Rocks. They are mighty impressive. Thanks for sharing Cindy.

Those are beautiful. My wife and I have talked about taking the boat tour to see those scenes.

The tours are wonderful, and they give such a gorgeous view of
the rocks. The Pictured Rocks Tour is sedate and lovely; the
boats go along the shoreline all the way to Spray Falls. The cliffs
are so beautiful in all weather conditions. The RipTide Ride is a
small boat, very fast and fun. That tour circles Grand Island, so
you see different scenery than with the Pictured Rocks Tour. It's
more fun for kids and someone wanting more of a water
adventure. The Shipwreck Tour is a large slower boat again, and
you learn a lot of history.
They're all interesting and really worthwhile, and there's
something for everyone.

Another wonderful scene of natural beauty!
Thank you, Cindy.

I've taken this tour in the summer. Absolutely
breathtaking scenery!!! I got sick in the boat,
but will still do it again, but sick on the top
deck. Won't get sick there. I'd also like to
take the other 2 tours. We're hoping to go there
next August. Will see what happens. Thanks for
taking us along for the ride!

Have never been on any of the cruises, but this shows Autumn is the time to go! It would be great to go some day....

Mary, i'm sure your right about the 'chunk' falling off! You can see where it fit on the cliff. Wouldn't it have been something to be there when that happened?! However, being in a kayak along the base of the cliff would have been way too exciting!

Deb: The theory is that the closer to the center of the boat and the lower you are gives you less rocking and rolling motion and the less chance of being seasick. Think of the boat as a teeter-totter, the closer to the center of it the less up and down motion you have. Like I said, that's the theory:)

Excellent theory, Duane and makes good sense; but I think I have to take a Dramamine and lay down now. :-)

I have taken the Pictured Rocks Boat Tour probably three times in my life, but the day I took these photos was the best trip of all. It was my first time going in the Fall, and Mother Nature was very kind that day. The weather was so fantastic . . . unusually warm for the season, sunny, and only a gentle wind. The autumn colors were stunning, and the colors are always more vibrant with a little sun shining on them. I would definitely recommend taking the Fall Tour, but the Pictured Rocks are beautiful in summer, as well. We are so blessed to have such breathtaking scenery in our state, especially in the Upper Peninsula. I just can't wait for my next trip.

Excellent theory is right. However, I was on the
bottom of the boat and sick as a dog. When I'm on
top, I have fresh air and don't get sick. Going
over to Mackinac Island, I make sure I'm on top of
the ferry. And yep, Alex, time for a dramamine,
lol.

When I was a kid, I was feeling queasy on the Boblo Boat ride to Boblo Island and my dad told me to lower my chin to my chest for a few minutes...it worked.

Beautiful Pix! God's Country For Sure!!!