Every day holds it's own adventures.  The morning comes and day breaks and we begin the journey to the end of the day.  Memories are made, life moves forward, and another day draws to a close.

Sunsets bring the last light into the world.  They ask the world to stop and pause at the end of the day.  The colors dance across the sky, illuminating magic for dreams that will come thoughout the night.  The sunset is the day's quiet moment of reflection. 

When traveling sunsets are the extension of the day.  The longer you stay, the longer you extend your experience.  The sunset becomes part of the travel adventure.  The place that you've visited will change in a variety of ways, creating a multitude of experiences in just moments.  

When traveling we try to experience every sunset we possibly can.  In Michigan, the lakes provide numerous changes to catch oranges and pinks flash across the sky.   No matter what the weather has been, if the sky clear, the sunset is a spectacular display of light kissing the world goodnight.  And as we travel around the world, we find that no matter where we go, people find a sense of peace in the setting sun. 

So as you come to the close of your day, take a moment to pause and take in the sunset.  Watch the colors dance across the sky, and let yourself dream.  For with every sunset, comes a sunrise, and another day filled with possibility.

We are currently recovering from jet lag and exhuastion after walking over 14 miles a day for 12 to 13 hours a day.  We did and saw as much as we possibly could.

While we rest up and recover, here are a few of our photos from the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.  Both countries gave us incredible views and facsinating history that we can't wait to share!

Head over to tik tok or insta to see more.  

Also, summer is winding down fast and the school year is quickly approaching!  Get ready for another year with us as we teach and plan for the next adventure!  Follow along!

And - the hiking shoes are still going strong!  No blisters and way over in miles!  Can't love Merrill enough!  (No affliation!)  Find them HERE.  (We are Amazon Affliates and do make a small compensation from qualifying purchases!)

As we travel, we have explored so many sacred spaces.  From Stonehenge to the ancient burial gounds of the Mound Builders, to churches and carins and natural alters.  As a species, humans are drawn to create sacred spaces.

We have a found a variety of spaces here in Michigan.  The Cross in the Woods is the largest free standing cross in the world.  Bishop Baraga's shrine overlooks Lake Superior with a beautiful view, and Our Lady of the Woods is a spot to wander in peaceful tranquility.

Stonehenge brings forth so many questions of ancient humans.  Why did they create the spaces the did?  And how did the do it.  We love finding ancient Carins.  They offer places to stop and explore while honoring those that have passed.

What draws us to these magnificant structures?  Why do we find peace both within created spaces and natural spaces?  What is it that draws us into the unknown?

The human experience, while unique to each individual, is a collective experience.  As each year and generation passes, we grow and reflect and find ways to look forward to the future.  Futures are unknown, and can be overwhelming, especially when changes occur or we find we have no control over outcomes.  When these moments occur, we have to find an anchor, something to keep us grounded and steady, knowing we will keep moving forward.

Faith is the anchor.  Faith is the ability to build on what we have learned in the past, reflect, and trust in a future we cannot see.  Faith allows us to celebrate, even if things are tough, and find joy in the moments that matter.  When we travel, we always take time to find these places, knowing that there is more to the future then we can possible imagine.  By standing in the prescene of the past, it reminds us how much good comes with moving forward in faith!

Bridges are facisnating.  The delicate complexity of creating a structure that can carry the weight of the world it's supporting is left to engineers who understand the phsyics behind it.  For the majority of people, they are a part of everyday life.  We have some of the most fantastic bridges in Michigan, and in the United States.  But have you ever thought of what it would be like without them?

We travel great lengths with faster speeds than in previous generations.  However, there was a time when it took far more than time to reach places like St. Ignance or the Soo, two places in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  Before both the Mackinac Bridge and the Zilwaukee Bridge were built, travlers waited for draw bridges and ferries to be able to complete their journey.

Now, bridges are easily a part of our everyday lives, even if we don't recognize it.  There are bridges over freeways and roads, both cars and walking, to allow people to move freely without having to wait or naviagate what might be below.  Where our ancestors forged rivers in wagons, worried about currents, we cross the Mississippi or enter Manhatten in a matter of minutes .  Our world continues to move and improve because of bridges lifting us up and providing us an easier path forward.

Think of the bridges in your life, both literally and figuratively.  Think of how much longer your routes would be without bridges to help you navigate major intersections or bodies of water.  Think of the things you might skip or not do at all, simply because getting there wouldn't be worth the time and effort.  

Think of the people who act as bridges in your life.  These people help you navigate easily over obstacles, raging waters, and busy intersections.  They help lift you up so that you can see what's on the horizon, and they help provide a path to get things done easily. 

Take a moment to really recognize those in your life that are making a difference and providing a path for your life to move forward.  They provide a bridge for you to make your life easier, all while holding just the right amout of weight to make it happen.  Bridges in our lives make the world a better place, and are a beautiful part of our world.

"OOOO"  They caught my eye before we even walked to them.  Driving across the wooden bridge, the waterfall cascaded to my right as we drove north through the Keweenaw.  We were traveling spots DC had already visited on his trips north.  I had no knowledge of what the Keweenaw has to discover.  This was definitely a must see.

Eagle River falls is located in Eagle River, Michigan.  This is not to be confused with Eagle River, Wisconsin to the south.  Driving north along the main road to Copper Harbor, you'll go over the falls and turn right into a parking area with a sign marking the historic point of Eagle River.

From there, it's a very short walk to view the falls.  For all of the hiking the Upper Peninsula has to offer, Eagle River falls is a fantastic waterfall that is easily accessible for all.  The bridge across the river is wide and paved.  No need to climb trees or find footpaths.

The falls themselves are beautiful.  Cascading down various points, they fall back and fourth within themselves.  The water shifts and changes, allowing one to sit for a while and just embrace the calm and consistency of the waterfalls flow into Lake Superior

If you have the time, this is definitely a stop worth taking.  You can find more sights around town, and continue north after you have found the falls.  But you won't regret finding your moment to soar at Eagle RIver Falls.

There comes a point in travels when you have been on the move all day.  You've explored and discovered and spent your day making the most of your time.  The sun begins to set, the shadows become longer, and suddenly you're much more aware of the horizon before you. 

Horizons come in all forms.  Waters, fields, forests, and moutains all become illuminates in the far distance as the day winds down.  Colors break across the landscape while also disappearing as the light begins to fade.  And as the day changes, you begin to wonder, what is just beyond that horizon?

Horizons bring the onset of rest and relaxation as the day begins to settle.  It allows you to reflect on the day that you've hard, embracing the hard and celebrating the successes.  It also allows you to begin to wonder in antcipation.  What will the coming days bring?  What will we see?  What lies just beyond what we cannot see?

In life, we always have a horizon in front of us.  We spend our days reflecting on the positives and frustrations, the highs and the lows.  We celebrate and we rest, and we are always moving forward.  The horizon spreads out before us.  We do not not know what it holds and we wonder what is on the other side.

Will the paths be easier?  Harder?  Will the views be better or will they be blocked?  Will we have oceans of unknowns or fields of plenty.  Every horizon begs us to look towards the future with both hope and anticipation, while also begging us to embrace the view before us before it fades away.

There are a few horizon views we really love as we travel.  Find your way to Michigan and take in many of the horizons along the Great Lakes.  The lakes are vast with great depths and pull you to rest along it's shore to ponder the world before you.  We love the horizons in the highlands of Scotland.  With their ominous hills and worn paths below, the horizon spreads out before in a twisted puzzle of awaiting adventure.  

Your horizon awaits.  Remember to rest in the moment as you watch the light fade.  Then take time to celebrate the endless possiblities that lie just beyond your site, waiting to be discovered.

How are you growing right now?

It's an honest question, and one that we are currently asking ourselves.  The world is rapidly changing, moving, and evolving.  You may feel as though you are thriving, that the garden around you is full of what you need, and it's easy to create images of beauty.  The sun is shining, rain is falling and everything falls into place.

Or maybe you feel as though it's a struggle to grow.  Life continues to fall upon you like hail in a corn field and it takes everything to keep standing and facing the sun.  The ground is shaky, the rain does not fall, and the clouds roll in.  Weeds consume the soil, and nothing comes easily. 

Life is an unexpected journey.  As we travel, we are finding our way to share our travels and help inspire you even in the most difficult times of growth.  We want you to be able to be inspired through reading and find your own path in this world.

aySo begins the Motivation from the Mitten Series by The Traveling Textbook.  A writing series in which we share small parts of places we've been by connecting them to motivational writing you may need in the moment to help you grow where you're currently at.  By taking small positive steps every day, you're creating paths to beautiful unknown destinations waiting to be discovered. 

So, how are you growing?  Come along with us as we share travel inspiration in a brand new way and grow a little more each day. 

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is rich with history, dating back thousands of years.  Each stop along the way allows you to discover a variety of different lessons: from nature to human's interactions.  The Keweenaw Peninsula is a stop rich in the history of copper mining.

One post will nnt be enough to encapsalate all that Copper Country has to teach.  However, we found an incredible spot along the way to start our explorations.  Old Victoria, the abandoned copper mine town, lead us through restored houses alongside aging ruins.

Run exclusively by volunteers, the Old Victoria historic site boasts four restored buildings on the property, each with their own unique touch.  We were able to explore the main boarding house, and then the homes of those that would have worked in the mine.  The volunteer docent walked us through each of the restored buildings, providing history and rennovation information along the way.

Life as a copper miner was not easy, and it required everyone connected to the mine to work together to create a life.  While miners searched for copper, wives and hired women would take care of the day to day chores and the meals.  Old Victoria was not a particulary large mining community, and everyone worked together to make it in the backcountry of the Upper Peninsula.

After visiting the restored sites, we took to the trails to explore the ruins of the Old Victoria mine.  Following the trail, we found the rock overlook, that gave views as far as Lake Superior.  We found a general building, and then eventual the hoist house.

The hosit house was fun to explore.  We walked along the walls and the ruins, imagining what life was like prior to the closing of the mine.  We were excited when we found the markings for the North Country Trail.  Having been on various parts of the trail, we imagined how unique it must be to walk the trail and land in the middle of copper ruins along the way. 

We found various views and wonderful spots to stop along the way.  This trip became one that was unexpected.  We were enthralled by the history and amazed at what we were able to see.  This is a great trip to take with friends.  The cost is free or good will donation, and your time is well spent learning stories about those that helped change our world through the mining industry. 

Rustic camping is a true adventure.   Finding a secluded spot off the beaten path provides a moment of peace and tranquilty in a world that continues to move quickly.  We were more than ready to get away after the school year.

Following signs across the northern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we found our way to the Two-Hearted Campground.  This small state run campground is a first come first serve spot.  Not wanting to miss out, we quickly made our way north from the bridge, hoping we land a great spot.

We were not disappointed.  We found our spot a little ways from the enterance to the beach.  We quickly set up our camping gear.  (We realized we needed a new air mattress.  The older you get the more the ground hurts your hips.  You can get one here.  We are Amazon Affliates and we do make a small compensation from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.)

After setting up, we decided to walk the grounds.  This took us over the walking suspension bridge that crossed the Two-Hearted River.  This incredible spot lent itself to picture perfect moments between the river and Lake Superior.  The weather was cool but comfortable.  The late setting sun allowed for longer strolls along the beach to look for agates.  We didn't quite know what we were looking for in Agate hunting, but we were enjoying the search!

As the sun set, we turned our attention from Agate hunting to Yooperlite hunting.  This was a new adventure, and one we didn't quite land on.  We attempted to find the specialized lights that bring Yooperlites to life, but may not have landed exactly on the right one.  We are still in the search!

Take time to get away from it all by finding ways to get off the beaten path.  One adventure always leads to another, and you never know where life may take you!

We only get so many moments in life to make memories.  Memories then stay with us a lifetime and come back to remind us of the best times.   Big Bay Lighhouse was a combination of both.  

Located on Big Bay in the Upper Peninsula, this lighthouse is operated by the United States Coast Guard.  The Innkeeper maintains the building and grounds, in an agreement with the USCG.  It is an incredible property.

The most incredible feature is the light itself.  While staying, you are allowed to go onto the viewing platform, and take in the sights of Lake Superior.  

Here's where memories came flooding back.  As a child, I, MC, would spend vacations in Florida, at my grandparents condo.  The condo opened up to the ocean, and I spent many nights falling asleep on the couch to the waves.  At night, you can't always see the waves, but you can hear them.  I stood on the viewing deck, and could stayed for hours, letting the waves of Superior wash over me in memory after memory.  Childhood happiness, grandparents, and hours upon hours of simple peace.

Instead, I climbed back down the tower and we made our own memories.  We walked the grounds, we sat out the lawn and watched the sunset.  We took time to just relax and do nothing, which was welcomed after an incredible school year.  It was, by far, one of the coolest places we have stayed so far.

We highly recommend the Big Bay Lighthouse.  Take some time to get away and make your own memories.  They last a lifetime!