After a quick snack, we decided to continue on to Alberta Falls. I'd read that the hike was just over 1.5 miles round-trip, but from where we were it was closer to 2. We grabbed a quick snack and headed off. Zadie saw a sign listing the mileage to the falls but didn't realize it was half the total length since it was an out-and-back hike. As it started heating up, her excitement from the Bear Lake part of the trip tanked and she was hiking mad. By the time we reached the falls, she refused to even look at them. We tried to perk her up with lots of breaks and a stop to cool down our feet in a creek, but weren't successful. Time to head back to camp for some downtime, lunch, and mood reset.
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| Ruth enjoying the view! |
After lunch, we visited the Moraine Discovery Center to check out the exhibits and the store, where we bought some National Park themed playing cards that we used for the rest of the trip. (Lots of rummy, Kings' Corners, and spades during the trip, plus the occasional rounds of poker or blackjack.) I was wearing a Michigan cherry T-shirt this day, and we ended up talking to several rangers who had worked in the UP. One even mentioned the Stonehouse fire. Small world!
Highs were in the mid-80s this day, but it felt hotter. As we returned to the campground, we saw people swimming in the river near our campground, so walked over to check it out. We waded in - SO cold. Melted glacial water is a quick way to cool down! Wading sufficed for me, but the others bravely decided to swim, so we circled back to change into swimsuits then returned for round 2. I generously offered to video while they cold plunged.
Zadie attempted to get me to pay her for diving in, but I reminded her that I am not her Pupere (my dad). Her great memories of her chilly swim will be their own reward, right? :) Ruth also loved this one so much that we sought out more cold water in the next park.
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| Post-cold plunge high |
We changed, made a campground dinner of black beans, rice, and mango salsa, then headed out for a wildlife viewing drive. We went through Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park, Sheep Lake - where we saw no bighorn sheep but one huge turkey - and Deer Mountain. Despite not seeing any other animals here, we were excited to see so many deer so close to the road. Back to camp for cards and we all crashed hard.
