
2024 Fall Foliage & Northern Lights
In late September 2024, we set out on a colorful 3-week adventure to rediscover the magic of fall foliage — something we hadn’t truly experienced in decades after living in Texas, where most trees seem to skip straight from green to brown!
Our journey took us from through Iowa and Minnesota to visit family and friends, but the real excitement began when we crossed into Wisconsin and Michigan at peak fall colors. The landscapes burst into vibrant reds, oranges, and golds — a breathtaking reminder of how spectacular autumn can be. From scenic drives to quiet forest walks, every turn felt like stepping into a postcard.
And just when we thought nature couldn’t surprise us any more, the Northern Lights danced across the sky above Lake Superior — a surreal and unforgettable experience. The aurora shimmered in greens and reds, adding yet another layer of wonder to an already unforgettable trip.
Michigan in the fall gave us everything we’d been missing — crisp air, crunching leaves, and color-soaked views that made us feel like kids again. It was more than just a trip… it was a celebration of the season in all its glory.
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Don & Val KernsPowers Lake Park, Woodbury, MN
Powers Lake ParkWoodbury, MN
Patas MonkeyComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
House SparrowComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
GorillaComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Rattlesnake PlantComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Satin PothosComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Scarlet Star AirplantComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
HibiscusComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Christmas OrchidComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Shining Water LilyComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Blue Water LilyComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Blue Water LilyComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Blackeyed SusanComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Katie & Joe Kuntz + Don & Val KernsComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, St Paul, MN
Dwarf ChicoryNine Eagles State Park, Davis City, IA
Twin Falls ParkPort Wing, WI
Twin Falls ParkPort Wing, WI
Potawatomi FallsIronwood Township, MI
Chapel RockPictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising. MI
Chapel RockPictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
Spray FallsPictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
Sandstone SlidePictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
Chapel CovePictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
Lover's LeapPictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
East Channel LighthousePictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
Twelvemile BeachPictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
Au Sable Light Station from Log Slide OverlookPictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
Beach SignsPictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
Woodpecker CondoLost Creek Falls Nature Preserve, Cornucopia, WI
Mushroom CondoRainbow Falls, Ironwood, MI
Angry SkiesHunter's Point Park, Copper Harbor, MI
Agate BeachHunter's Point Park, Copper Harbor, MI
Lake Superior Freighter from Agate BeachHunter's Point Park, Copper Harbor, MI
Plimpton PointHunter's Point Park, Copper Harbor, MI
Agate BeachHunter's Point Park, Copper Harbor, MI
Otsego Lake State Park's nod to landscape painter, Bob RossOtsego Lake State Park, Gaylord, MI
Brockway Mountain LookoutCopper Harbor, MI
Brockway Mountain LookoutCopper Harbor, MI
Keweenaw State Trail WestMohawk, MI
Keweenaw State Trail WestMohawk, MI
Keweenaw State Trail WestMohawk, MI
Montreal RiverMohawk, MI
Eagle River FallsEagle River, MI
Keweenaw State Trail WestMohawk, MI
Queen Anne's LaceKeweenaw State Trail West, Mohawk, MI
Lake Superior @ SunsetWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Edmund Fritzgerald's Bell
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisCopper Harbor, MI
Aurora BorealisCopper Harbor, MI
Aurora BorealisCopper Harbor, MI
Whitefish Point Lighthouse with Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Whitefish Point Lighthouse with Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Aurora BorealisWhitefish Point, Paradise, MI
Upper FallsTahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, MI
Lower FallsTahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, MI
Bald EagleTahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, MI
Tahquamenon RiverTahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, MI
A very scared baby Eastern Gray Squirrel on a busy downtown streetSault Ste. Marie, MI
Lake MichiganCarp Lake, MI
Mackinac BridgeCarp Lake, MI
Common TansyStraits State Park, St. Ignace, MI
Mackinac BridgeStraits State Park, St. Ignace, MI
Grand Hotel featured in the movie "Somewhere in Time" with Jane Seymour and Christopher ReevesMackinac Island, MI
Grand HotelMackinac Island, MI
Fort MackinacMackinac Island, MI
Grand HotelMackinac Island, MI
A calm Lake Michigan @ SunriseCarp Lake, MI
Lake Michigan BeachCarp Lake, MI