Posted on 10/05/2013 6:54:22 AM PDT by cripplecreek
Our vacation was planned for months. The time was planned to coincide with the maximum autumn colors, and the best weather possible.
The planning took place, a vehicle was rented, rooms were reserved, and the weather forecasts were all scanned and showed great autumn forecasts.
Congress was the unknown factor.
For hundreds of vacationers to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the shutdown of government facilities was something that did not fit into the advanced planning.
Dotted with state and federal parks and attractions, the Upper Peninsula has peak fall color in early October. It seemed like the perfect time for us to visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Unless they are closed due to a government shutdown.
At the Pictured Rocks, east of nearby Munising, the barricades went up on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Alger County Road H-11, leading to Miner's Castle, a popular overlook at the western end of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, was blocked with three plastic barrels and yellow caution tape.
Numerous times, the tape was ripped off and vehicles continued on to the site. Some drivers were warned and even ticketed for trespassing, according to local residents who did not want their names published due to fear of government reprisals.
One local business that appeared to benefit from the closures was the Pictured Rocks Boat Tours, who suddenly found reservations jumping and full shiploads of visitors. The boats travel east along the 14-mile-long Pictured Rocks, offering great viewing of the unique and ever-changing rock cliffs, waterfalls, and beaches.
We also found the roads closed to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. The visitor's center darkened and locked.
The attractions offered by the State of Michigan, including Kith-iti-kipi spring at Palm Books State Park, numerous Alger County waterfalls, and a drive to Tahquamenon Falls were all crowded, as disgruntled visitors explored ways to fill the gap caused by the unavailable federal parks and lakeshores.
'Twasn't Congress, my dear friend.
All that had to happen was Obama and his Democrats agree to preventing the exemptions for Congress, Admin officials and aides.
But no, they had to be exempt. Not you, John. Nor any of your friends and relatives. Their exemption was too important. They couldn't remove it.
And that's why your vacation was ruined.
Don’t be suckered by the distractions. Obamacare is going to deny lifesaving treatments to your fellow Americans. You shoud be doing something about it, not whining.
Go drive Highway 1 from top to bottom if you can. It’s amazing.
Drive the country, even if you don’t see all the monuments. You’ll see plenty.
Then there’s Banff, CA. That’s amazing.
In Leadville, CO, is a museum about the Tabors and “Don’t give up the Matchless, Baby Doe.” Private. Worth seeing.
The headwaters of the Missouri River is off some little road.
Cripple Creek, CO, may still have some of the old ramshackle cabins from mining days, but I don’t know.
Try a train ride up the Gunnison canyon. You’ll love that, too.
The site of the Little Big Horn is visible outside the park. It really is just fields.
Try the Berea Inn in KY. Private and famous.
WTF? They want to so bad go to Miners Castle? Ef that place..the are hundreds of roads from Melstrand up that can take you to the lakeshore...like the Adams trail.
The one place you all would need to go is Fayette park..that is the old iron smelting town. The other is big springs-as they say. One hell of a nice drive is the Rapid River Truck trail..from Rapid River up, which comes out by the Au Train Basin. This road has some real good places to take photos if that is your cup. But take it easy on there...lots of log trucks and hunters use it. Screw Pictured rocks. Use the state park system.
I’d be pretty well pissed off about being ticketed for trespassing on public land. (Land that we Americans all own)
Come to Wisconsin. Our Governor is keeping our parks open!
This reminds me of when the thug Chicago mayor plowed up an airport runways in the middle of the night.
So they have the staffing and funding to guard the premises and issue tickets but insufficient to operate the facilities? I don't ever want to see funding restored to these chumps.
Oh Creek..and BTW, the Morrisons, I bet are really cashing in on the cruises. I know these people. Lived and worked there at CCIs sawmill for 15 years.
Get yourselves a county atlas of Michigan. They sell them at the Holiday Stations, and have a ball. EFFFF pictured Rocks.
He’d love it...He would pick the nearest one to the hole and claim it was his...
I would lay money that Nova Scotia’s leaf season is going to be busy.
It sure shows people how much LAND our FEDERAL GOVT. OWNS!!
So PROUD of the people not afraid to go thru these BARRYCADES!!!
In the Smokies, drive the old roads by the TVA dams. You’re not in the park, but the territory’s the same.
Hwy 129 comes to mind.
Yeah, I noticed that part first thing. This author is in the “Blame the Republicans” camp. I hope he had a miserable time.
Frankly, my grand daughters are now saddled with an impossible debt from a vindictive and petty tyrant posing as a US President using spoiled brat tactics trying to resurrect the opulent conduct of this government for entitlements. Further, he is trying to provide them with third world healthcare.
I really could not care less what affect this shut down has on fall-leaf change viewing anywhere in this country, myself
If the park rangers have any character and integrity left, they would defy orders, remove the barricades and let the public use their property. I would like to see Congress pass a law granting them amnesty and reinstatement if they lose their jobs as a consequence. How about it Congress?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.