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What: #97 Kayak to Turnip Rock

When: September 27th
Where: Port Austin, MI
Why: As a true Michigander, I take great pride in the amazing places this state contains and the incredible experiences that can be had here. One of those places and experiences that kept popping up on bucket lists for people in Michigan was kayaking to Turnip Rock. It was only a few years ago that I found out this place existed, partly because it seems so out of the way. Then one of my dearest friends - who had this on her blog - had a free Sunday that aligned with my free Sunday and even the weather cooperated (sunny 70s in late September is rare in Michigan!). We met up early that morning in Detroit to make the 3-hour drive to the "tip of the thumb," as we describe it in Michigan. The areas we drove through were very unfamiliar to me, and I couldn't quite get a hold of the vibe of the region, but was glad to arrive to Port Austin - a rather quaint town on the lake shore - to eat lunch at The Stock Pot. Honestly, I did not know what to expect, but it was a delicious meal among very friendly locals out enjoying a lovely Sunday afternoon. 

Then, we walked to the Port Austin Kayak shop to get our kayaks to head off on our day's adventure. It was a bit breezy out on Lake Huron, and make the paddling a bit slow at first, but our excitement at seeing Turnip Rock kept us motivated. At first, the shoreline looked nothing like we were expecting; it was all grasses and flat beaches with larger boulders offshore. This didn't seem to be the terrain that matched what we had seen of Turnip Rock. Until, all of a sudden, we paddled around a point and it just sort of appears! It stands alone (something I wasn't expecting) and really is the only feature along that part of the shoreline. I suppose the fact that it is in the water by itself is what makes it so unique, and the plants and trees atop of it definitely add to the look of it.

Definitely make the trip up here on a lovely warm day to enjoy the town, the paddle to Turnip Rock, and the road trip up and through the Thumb!