Artist Adventures No. 1
Last summer, my cousin Jasica and I packed a small bag with clothes and headed north to have our post-college movie moment. With basically no plan, little money but a lot of excitement we began our drive to Upper Peninsula Michigan. First stop: Luxemburg WI. We’re lucky enough that our other cousin Nicole lives in one of America’s most scenic places so the first night was spent with family. The Wisconsonian indigo blue sky greeted us as we stepped out of the car when moments later her German Shepherd guard dogs aggressively started alerting the neighborhood of our presence. We ran back in the car until we realized the dogs were caged and that we were not in fact going to begin the trip by being gnawed up by dogs.
The next morning we awoke to the luscious smell of coffee and Nicole studying for her law school exams. We managed to pull her from her study break and our trio headed to Green Bay. A road trip wouldn’t be well spent without a proper manicure so we got our nails done, enjoyed brunch and returned back north to enjoy wine at a local winery. We ended the day watching the sun go down over the water of Sturgeon Bay. We’d need to get back to get a good night's rest for the unexpected adventures that awaited us the following day.
We said our farewells and continued our journey north towards Michigan. The drive was extensive and we arrived late yet determined to experience the Chapel Loop hike at Pictured Rocks. As we arrived past 2pm families were exiting the forest; parents covered in sweat as their children cling onto their legs, older couples limping out with their canes and only a few younger people were entering the shaded oasis at the time we were. Even with the multitude of people present, the stillness of the forest spoke louder. As if this place was sacred and we were merely guests lucky enough to tip toe through a grand estate. The sun shined through the canopy and created mosaics in the leaves. The wind whooshed gently past the tree's trunks. Finally we came towards an opening towards Chapel Beach. The beauty was astonishing! Clear blue water contrasted beautifully with the sandy beach.
The next few miles my jaw did not close. This part of the loop followed the shoreline and was front and center for the golden hour sunset. Colors of the water and leaves changed, becoming brilliant blues and greens. Here I snapped many incredible photos which inspired many paintings.
One of the many jaw dropping views on the Chapel Loop hike. 2020
Before we knew it, our legs started feeling sore and the loop pointed back towards the forest. This time, the woods were a little darker. Every now and then we’d get a glimpse of the last rays of the sun gleaming through some branches but it was very evident we wouldn't make it out of there before sunset. 2 miles left. Our steps got louder and the darkness began taking over the spots where we saw mosaics in the leaves. With no one around, this situation was easily described as spooky. 1 mile left. Hiking through the woods the path became more narrow and led to a bridge where water trickled underneath what appeared at the time to be black rocks. At this point I am not certain if I prefer to lead or be at the tail end of our duo. .5 mile left. ‘Nothing was going to go wrong,’ I kept telling myself, ‘it’s just dark,’ I kept telling myself. An innocent mistake, I looked to the left, there in the side of a old tree appeared to be the figure of a corpse sunken into the tree. Blood ran cold. I whispered “Jasica, don’t look left.” What does Jasica do? She looks left. Without a single word being exchanged the two young gals began sprinting out of the woods like their life depended on it.
Was there actually a dead man in that old tree? We’ll never know…..
That was only the beginning of the surprises at our Upper Peninsula stay. The next day I had downloaded an application that helped find nearby campsites to reserve. For $18 we had secured a spot. We spent the day paddle boarding near Apostle Caves before driving further up north. It was already late as we grabbed our tent, sleeping bags, clothes bags and began to enter the shrubs that were going to lead us to our supposed campsite. We’re walking through tall grass, then on pallets, pushing past intruding branches. We’re tired. All the sudden a run down tent is standing in front of us. What is this? We were supposed to be out here alone. I checked the map and it did indeed say “Run Down Tent” and further to the left was where we should have found our stay. Sketchy? Maybe. Possibly. Yes.
We arrive at the point where we should set up the tent when Jasica asks “Do you think we should be here?” Because my mind was completely in “go mode” I turned on the flashlight and began setting up the tent as Jasica stood there frozen. We threw our belongings inside and lay down to sleep when suddenly I faced reality. Where were we? We couldn't get out of here if we tried. Outside of our tent we could hear a large animal passing through. Panicking, I called my brother. “David, here’s our location, here’s the site we rented this spot out on.” He calls me back a few minutes later “Kasia, don’t freak out but you gotta get out of there. I checked your location and there’s a taxidermist to your right and a sawmill to your left.”
No amount of Hail Mary’s was able to calm my fear. Now two of us lay there in the darkness, unarmed, in a foreign place unable to get out.
The paintings produced afterward are proof that we did in fact return alive but it left us with a memorable first part of our trip. I hope you enjoy the fruits of our adventures!
“Pine Tree at Pictured Rocks” 2020
“Cliff Shore” 2021
“Pictured Rocks Sunset” 2020
“Pictured Rocks Forest Stream”
