I almost don’t get out of bed. It’s warm and soft and the waves right outside are the best background soundtrack to a sleepy morning. When I do coax myself out of bed, I quickly realize the breakfast place I planned on visiting is closed as of last week through Christmas. Story of most places in these small seasonal towns. The town of Mohawk is less than twenty minutes away though and has a perfectly nice diner to get some eggs and toast before my hike.
I hike to the summit of Mount Baldy today, a ~6.5-mile roundtrip, the first part a steady uphill climb to the top. Even though it’s quiet on the peninsula, there are more hikers than I expected on this climb and I see why. The summit is an incredible 360 view of the peninsula. Another view that’s difficult to capture on an iPhone camera, but unlike yesterday the sun peaks through the clouds and I have visibility for miles out onto the lake and the green and gold forest.
I do the hike faster than I expected and I quickly grow restless when I stop back at the lodge. I grab a cookie (fresh from the diner this morning) and a Diet Coke and check out the scenic Brockway Mountain Drive on the way north to Copper Harbor. It’s a seasonal road, a little rough, but framed by golden trees as it climbs up the bluff and overlooks Lake Superior. There are a few overlook points, one notable one that I stop at along with a dozen other cars to get a similar (and no less breathtaking view) of the forest and harbor towns.
I drive through Copper Harbor and past the state park, but I knew there was nothing much open (including the state park) so I enjoy the drive and take the coastal road back to Eagle Harbor. All the while I listen to my audiobook, Fourth Wing, which has truly been an absolute pleasure. I am in love with this book.
After a rest in the room (I still appear to be the only guest at this motel), I walk through town to the Eagle Harbor Inn for an early dinner. It’s only open from 4-7 tonight but at least it’s actually open and only a few blocks away. I journal for the hour I spend there in a wooden booth, sipping an old-fashioned and working my way through a ham and Swiss sandwich and some spinach artichoke dip.
Once again I find myself retiring early after a hot shower, but I have books to read (I started In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune last night and am rushing through it, I love everything he writes) and a hike to scope out for tomorrow.
With Love,
Natalie