On the way!

Lakenland Sculpture Park

https://lakenenland.com/

2800 E State Highway M28, Marquette, MI 49822

Welcome to one of the most beloved attractions in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Tom Lakenen's Lakenenland Sculpture Park.  Tom invites you to stop by and see, for yourself, why the Detroit Free Press called Lakenenland, "The coolest unofficial roadside rest stop in the state." His 37 acre park includes a Sculpture Trail, a winding road through the woods featuring more than 100 of Tom's whimsical, colorful and sometimes "tell it like it is" Metal Art sculptures showcasing his tremendous talent for turning junk metal and scrap iron into awe inspiring, entertaining works of art.

In addition to the Sculpture Trail, Lakenenland also features:

• A bog walk

• A massive timbered framed pavilion
  (with the coolest table and fireplace you've ever seen)

• A picnic ground

• Two entertainment stages

• A playground for the kids

• Two fishing ponds

• A brand new timbered "T Shirt shack"

• Direct access to the North Country Trail

And, best of all, Lakenenland  is free of charge and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

So pass the word and tell your friends near and far, "Don't miss this place!"

 

Eben Ice Caves/Rock River Canyon Ice Caves

Located in the Rock River Wilderness area of the Hiawatha National Forest

There is an Eben Ice Caves Trail that takes about 30-60 minutes. Might want micro spikes on boots, depending on the time of year. 

https://mikelbclassen.com/eben-ice-caves-alger-county-michigan/

Here's How to Get There

Set your GPS for Eben Junction (or use Google Maps to find it). From M-94 in Eben Junction, turn north onto Eben Road and drive about 1.5 miles to Frey Road. Turn right on Frey Road and drive to the end (if you can) or if it's a busy day just find a spot to park along the road. It's not unusual to see fifty or more cars parked here on a nice weekend day. Also, Eben Road and Frey Road have yellow signs on them that say "Ice Caves," so keep an eye out for those.

Plan for the Hike to the Caves

This isn't an attraction where you can pull up in your car, walk a few feet and be done. It's not a long hike, but yes, you will have to get out and stretch your legs. And for the pet owners out there, the area is pet-friendly. Each time I've visited the ice caves I've seen more than a few dogs on the trail. 

The hike from the parking area to the ice caves is about .75 miles. The first .25 mile stretch is a very flat walk through a farmer's field. The landowners allow people like you and me to pass through the field at no charge. If they ever stopped allowing this, the hike to the ice caves would be much longer. In addition, the landowners now offer portable bathrooms in the parking area at no charge. Show your thanks by purchasing a hot beverage or a snack at their concession stand if you're able!

Use Ice Cleats

After a foot of snow got dumped on the area just two days before my recent visit, I asked a friend who lives in nearby Chatam if I should bring snowshoes. "It's never a bad idea to bring the shoes," he said, "but I'm guessing it'll be packed down by then." He was right. Snowshoes would have only made the hike more difficult. So if you have them, bring them in case you happen to visit right after a big snowstorm. Otherwise, wear ice cleats. 

Ice cleats (I like Yaktrax, but any of them should help!) can go a long way toward enhancing your Eben Ice Caves experience. Trust me. On any given day, about half the people visiting the caves are wearing cleats, and the other half wish they had them. The main reason is that, with ice cleats, you're able to walk around inside the ice caves on relatively sure footing. And without them, it's a little treacherous. The ice inside the caves is very smooth so traditional rubber boots tend to slide around quite a bit. 

But another reason to wear cleats is that the trail out to the caves has some steep ups and downs. You'll see many spots where people slide down hills on their bottoms and then struggle to get up the other side. In short, if you're wearing cleats (like myself and my cohorts were on our last outing) you'll be able to walk right up and down those slippery spots. On my last visit, a college-aged girl looked a little stunned as I walked right by her on a slippery hill and said, "Oh, so that's what it's like when you have traction." Okay, enough about the ice cleats. You get the point! 

All in all it's a bit of a trek to the ice caves, but I'd highly recommend checking them out! As far as Michigan ice caves go, these are the most accessible. 

Nineteen miles southwest of Munising on M-94 or 29 miles southeast of Marquette in Alger County is Eben Junction. As the name implies, it is little more than a crossroads with a few homes clustered nearby. The attraction of the caves is known by all of the locals and they are willing to give directions to the exact location. There is both a bar and a store on the corner and the people in each place are friendly and informative. To get there, turn north from this corner and go about a mile and a half to where the road turns 90 degrees right. Go around this and follow the road another half-mile until the next 90 degree turn and park. You will be facing an open pasture. There is a parking space here with signs pointing the way.