A Blue Heron, a few salmon and one very large Badger

Today was all about wildlife, easy walks, dinner out and a really big floating Badger.

Just for fun, let’s start at the end of the day and the arrival of the Lake Michigan Carferry “The Badger” out of Ludington, Michigan. We’ve heard the Badger leave and arrive each day, but had not seen her until tonight.

Timing is everything and today was, in contrast to most other days here, very calm wind wise. So after dinner at Pizza Hut (my choice) tonight we gathered up our camera, walking shoes and made our way to the lakeshore to watch the arrival of the Badger from its trip to Wisconsin. The Lake Michigan crossing takes four hours and we plan to do that next year.

We watched as the sun traveled its predictable westerly route and the Badger its regular easterly return from the end of a pier. Cruising at a fair clip, the Badger quickly rose in height on the horizon and quickly passed through the breakwater opening heading for its mooring spot near the marina.

The water was table top smooth tonight and I shot way more pictures than anyone will ever be interested in looking at. After the Badger passed us we quickly made our way back to the truck and then drove to the Badger’s mooring to shoot more pictures and watch as the cars and trucks were unloaded.

I was curious about how big the vehicles were that traveled in the ferry thinking that next year we might cross with the truck and trailer via the ferry. First vehicle off was a semi-truck and trailer so I guess my little rig will fit. The Badger makes its last round trip of the season on Sunday (they are offering a $35 special fare, but alas we will no longer be here).

It was fun to watch the big ship smoothly and skillfully back into its spot about 7 p.m.

Now back to the beginning of the day, the next to the last of our vacation here in Ludington.

After we got up we headed back to Ludington State Park to take a new trail (I promised Joan no Dune Death March today) along the Big Sauble River and across the dam at Hamlin Lake.

The day was gorgeous and the walk was very nice. We saw a large freighter, three deer, a Blue Heron, squirrels, a herd of salmon and beautiful flora along the 1.5 mile walk.

Plenty of fishermen were doing what they could to entice a large school of salmon swimming around a bridge to take the bait, but we only saw one fish caught all morning. Apparently the salmon are more interested in procreating than masticating.

We sandwiched all this in before and after “Days of Our Lives,” which if you haven’t watched it, is full of drama and pretty ridiculous storylines.

After getting cleaned up this afternoon, I sat out in the bright sunshine reading my novel and enjoying the last great days of summer. Lots of new campers pulled into the park today.

Instead of cooking in I was in the mood for pizza and we went to a local Pizza Hut for dinner.

Today’s photos include some from the walk and the Badger, but I skipped the Pizza Hut because pretty much everyone knows what a Pizza Hut looks like.