It was time for another visit north, to Manistee, MI, to Lake Bluff Farms, to see the Giant Sequoia, the largest sequoia in the world outside of CA. My friend had never been there before and I wanted her to see what the big deal was about it. The first/last time I’d visited was in 2022.

Some things have changed. Where before the run-down mansion was empty, the organization who manages it now has fixed the place up and rents it out to groups. Because of the private rentals the area around the house is fenced off. There is still a public restroom thankfully, and most of the property is still accessible.

The trees look bigger, but how much bigger is difficult to say. They were huge to begin with. We did see several baby sequoias that have been planted and that is encouraging. I do think that the location on Lake MI bluffs, with its Lake Effect, is what makes the survival of these majestic trees possible. I do see that they can scrub 10x more CO2 out of the atmosphere than regular trees. Doesn’t the idea of Sequoia Forests along MI coast appeal more than fracking, coal, oil, etc?

There is at least one giant dawn redwood here. When I think of the twig tree I have, I can see how far it has to go.

The ginkgo are looking magnificent!

The bark on this gnarly tree bears closer inspection.

The view of Lake Michigan is consistently awe-inspiring here at Lake Bluff Farms.

The trunk of this massive, unidentified species of tree rests right on the edge of the bluff. How it holds on and doesn’t fall in is a mystery.

Tri-color beech tree fits right in with the rest of the impressive giants.

There are several trees and shrubs full of berries but wasn’t sure what species they were. Pretty, but perhaps not edible for the wildlife?

The property goes across the street. The map showed some small looping trails less than a mile. It was an adventure to find where the trail began, but we did find it. The trail wasn’t well-worn, “the road less traveled by,” as Frost would say, but equipped with gps and a spirit of adventure we set out. Here are a few gems we found along the way:

Up near the public bathrooms is what I named a witchy fence, perfect for the spooky season that is upon us. I cropped it to the tangled part and am sharing both as color and as black and white. Which one do you like best?

I hope you have enjoyed walking along with my friend and I as we hugged trees, climbed dune pathways, and soaked in the majesty of nature.

Happy Friday!