Eric Byykkonen and family recently took a beautiful hike at the Gratiot Lake Overlook area. There were still colorful leaves up above them, yet plenty had fallen to the ground to blanket the trail, too. The kids stopped at the Overlook sign for the classic “You Are Here” photo and we get a glimpse of the view of Gratiot Lake, too.

The last photo is my favorite though...the kiddos actually took turns perched on this bent tree... so fun! Last week, Donna had asked if anyone had ever found a Native American Marker Tree, saying they bent them when little to mark trails through the woods. I have no clue if this is one, but I’m guessing this is the type of tree she was referring too. This is the link Donna shared about the trees: Native American Marker Trees

MI Playground is taking us on a fall hike, also. We’re over at the Porcupine Mountains hiking along the Presque Isle River, which is located on the western edge of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. From the video lead-in: The Porkies, as they are often called is the largest state park in Michigan and the river is filled with waterfalls, so the scenery is amazing along the trails.

Nice pix! #4 gives new meaning
to the phrase “Get Bent”.
And a nice video too!
I made many an unforgettable trip
to the Porkies on the Wing.

I love these. I love seeing the ground
blanketed like that. That tree is very cool.
What a nice hike for those youngsters of
theirs. Just love the 3rd and 4th ones.

Sure looks like a Native American marker tree.

I'm betting Native Americans appreciated a good overlook as well as help in finding their way there. Given centuries of vegetation growth and lumbering the overlook certainly would have had a different "look".

Oh absolutely...that is a Native American Marker tree FOR SURE! How awesome is that!

Good for all of you...just think of when that was done. Well before roads, vehicles, all of our beloved ways of moving around....and that's where the trail to wherever was....amazing! And they did use the Keweenaw Waterways for trade routes...my bro found a rock up at Hardrock that's been looked at by many and someone, somewhere carved it..it's big in AAAPS...Ancient American Artifact Preservation Society. Look up "The MacIntosh Stone"...it's in Nahma.

My gallery of 'The Rock'
The Rock