Let the photo tell the story #8
- Setting: Little Presque Isle Natural Area, Michigan, USA
- Main Character: Lake Superior
- Plot: I can confirm, the namesake is well-deserved
Lake Superior, one of the Greats
For a time, I lived in the Midwest, in an area devoid of hiking opportunities. There were cornfields on my left and dairy farms on my right. After being spoiled with trails, parks, and preserves at my disposal, the adjustment to this new lifestyle felt drastic. The silver lining of this experience was discovering the ruggedness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Living a mere 3 hours south, I found myself there nearly every week. And one of my favorite spots to hit was Lake Superior. I recall on my first visit, walking down the trail to the lake, I could hear the sounds of waves crashing upon the shore and the squalls of shorebirds hovering above. With the faint smell of salt in the air and the impression of infinity on the horizon, I swore I was at the ocean and not a lake.
Superior facts for a Superior Lake
As the name may suggest, Lake Superior may have a bit of a superiority complex (pun intended). Its metrics land it at the top of ranking lists. And its vastness was once mistaken for the sea. With all the intriguing facts possessed by the lake, it was difficult to choose which to showcase. Alas, I made my choices, but if you would like to read more, check out this article.
- Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world, covering approximately 31,700 sq. mi (82,100 sq. km). It is the third largest by volume, holding 2,900 cubic miles ( 12,100 cubic km), and contains an astonishing 10% of the world’s fresh water!
- It is the deepest of the Great Lakes, with an average depth of 483 ft (147 m) and a maximum depth of 1,333 ft (406 m). It is also the coldest of the Great Lakes, averaging 36°-39°F (2°-4°C).
- The lake was formed approximately 10,000 years ago from depressions crafted by the ancient glaciers’ retreat.
- The Ojibwe name for Lake Superior is gitchi gami, which means great sea.
- Lastly, for my favorite fact: it has earned the nickname Graveyard of the Great Lakes due to its history of shipwrecks. To learn more about Lake Superior’s history of shipwrecks, check out this article by Minnesota Monthly.
Find the beauty in nature’s creations
Although my time in the Midwest was not always positive, I am grateful for it nonetheless. It was a lesson on how to seek out the beauty in every landscape; to be mesmerized by the little joys. When I first arrived, I was more focused on what the Midwest was not. It was not mountainous. It lacked warmer temperatures. And winters were far from mild. Yet, for everything it was not, there was plenty that it had to offer. Such as snowy landscapes and rolling hills. And blue lakes that felt like the sea. Not only did I see the majesty of mountains and panoramic views, but I also found enchantment in the greatness of lakes and the open prairies.
Happy Trails!
