Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Kitch-iti-kipi (Big Spring) at Palms Book State Park

Despite the ban on camping, fishing or hiking at this remote state park,it is worth the trip to see the "Big Spring."

As its name indicates, the park is centered around a stunning emerald-green spring about 50 feet in diameter. A raft on a cable allows kidsas young as six to pull themselves out to the middle of the water hole to viewgiant brown trout swimming lazily below them in the 40-degree water.

We enjoyed watching the mini-eruptions from the springs that feed this tranquil pond and examining the moss on the fallen trees at the bottom. The 388-acre park also has a concession stand and makes a nice rest area on the way to Fayette.

Kitch-iti-kipi is located about 45 miles south of Munising. Take U.S. Highway 2 to Thompson and go 11 miles north on M-149. Contact Palms Book State Park at Route 2, Box 2500, Manistique, MI 49854, or call 906-341-2355.

McLain State Park

This park has little cabins for rent and more than 100 tent sites. There are over two miles of sand beach on Lake Superior, two playgrounds, horseshoe courts, hiking trails, nature programs, fishing, berry picking and another real light house, which kids can climb.

McLain State Park is about an hour northeast of Porcupine Mountains State Park along Lake Superior. From Hancock, take M-23 eight miles north. You can contact McLain State Park at Route 1 Box 82 M-203, Hancock, MI 49930.