Hartwick Pines State Park - Grayling, MI

I really need to start visiting other Michigan State Parks! Hartwick Pines is convenient to where our log cabin is located and plus I never tire of it. Here are some recent images taken this past week.

Church in the woods

Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, is a favorite place of mine to photograph. I just love this old church with its beautiful logs.

Images from Hartwick Pines State Park

I know I've posted previously about Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, but I just think it's a wonderful place to experience. I went this past weekend, and even though it was a little rainy, we were still able to do a 2 mile hike. I've included images from the walking trails and the logging museum. Some of these trees are over 300 years old! When you are walking down the trail, the smell of the trees just fills your senses. And when you look up the full length of the towering trees, you realize how small you really are. On July 19 and 20, Hartwick will be having their Woodshaving days. For more information on Hartwick Pines State Park:

http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/wildlife/viewingguide/nlp/59Hartwick/index.htm

Bright & Glory Lake in Grayling, MI

Bright and Glory Lake is located on the edge of Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling. There's a quarter mile trail you walk down and when you reach the fork in the road, you can either head to Bright or Glory. If you like to fish, there is a nice size wooden dock from where you can try to reel in trout, bass and pan fish. They are both catch and release lakes. Last year we witnessed Loon parents swimming with their 2 babies. It's scenic, quiet and peaceful. Bring a chair, fishing pole, binoculars, camera and bug spray. A great way to spend the early morning!


http://www.michigandnr.com/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=453&type=SPRK

Maple Syrup Day at Hartwick Pines State Park

I go to Hartwick Pines State Park at least every other month. It has 49 acres of old growth pines and a logging museum. I love the trails, hand feeding the chickadees and best of all - their events! They had their annual Maple Syrup Day on March 22nd. They took a group of us out into the Park and demonstrated how they drill into the tree and attach the bucket for sap. Unfortunately the cold season has lingered in Michigan so we didn't get to hear any sap drip into the bucket. By the way, did you know that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup?! The hubby and I decided against trying to tap the trees on our property after we heard this - ha. Afterwards, we got to see them boil it down and then taste the syrup. We also purchased a pint of the Michigan based Korthase Bros. Maple Syrup. It was delicious on our pancakes the next morning. Hartwick is a great place to take the family.

Place: Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, MI http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=453&type=SPRK