Manitou Island Day 3

It rained lightly on our second night, but we stayed dry (mostly).  Katie's sleeping bag was up against the side of the tent and got a little wet.  It stopped raining just in time to wake up and make breakfast.  We found out that the famous/infamous Manitou Island microbears (chipmunks) made their way into our food bag and ate our trail mix morning snack!  We were warned about the chippies, and we hung our bag 10' in the air on a small branch, but they still somehow made it to the bag, ate a hole through it, and got to our ziplocs of trail mix.  Little jerks!

There were two ferries going back to the mainland, and we opted to take the first one since our gear was all wet, and because we had already seen/experienced so much of the island.

Packing up in a light mist

Last hike of the trip

Seeing the lighthouse means we're close to the dock!

Topographical map of the island.  We started at the dock, in the cove at the right.  Our first day we hiked to the far north/top end of the island to Popple Campground.  Our second day, we hiked a straight line down the middle of the island to the south/bottom, to Weather Station Campground.  Our "day hike" took us to the highest point to the west/left side, down the huge dune, and around the shoreline.  The football shape in the water is the shipwreck.

Having a meager snack at the dock.  Damn chipmunks.

Standing on the dock, looking at the gorgeous Lake Michigan beach

Taking naps on the LONG ferry ride home.  It was over 2 hrs!

We had to stop at North Manitou Island before going to the mainland.  It's a much bigger island, with no campgrounds at all, and is the more busy one with backpackers.  Maybe we'll go there in the future!

Lots of backpackers joined us from North Manitou.  Look at all the gear in the back of the boat!

We had a late lunch in downtown Leland, and drove home after lunch. We were all completely spent, but in a good way.  It was a fabulous experience.  Three days away from electronics and schedules weren't enough!  The girls learned a lot about being tough and self-sufficient by spending time on an island with no running water, bathrooms, or buildings.  We can't wait to backpack again next summer!