Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, holding 10% of the world’s freshwater. The Lake Superior Circle Tour is a 1,300-mile self guided tour that touches one Canadian Province (Ontario) and three American States (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan).

I began my circle tour on June 9, with a ferry ride to Madeline Island — one of the Apostle Islands.

The famous sea caves in the Apostle Islands are the product of repeated wave action, freezing, and thawing. The resulting formations include delicate arches, vaulted chambers, and honeycombed passageways. Foul weather prevented me from exploring these caves up close via a kayak. So i took a 55-mile sightseeing cruise to see Devil’s Island.

The most photogenic lighthouse ever?

Split Rock Light is a magnificent brownstone structure perched atop an daunting bluff. For the first 15 years of its life, the lighthouse was only accessible by water. That changed in 1924 when the Lake Superior International Highway was completed. Tourists took advantage of the new roadway, and Split Rock became one of the most popular destinations in Minnesota.

I have a ten-stop ND Filter and I’m not afraid to use it.

To freeze water droplets in the air, used faster shutter speeds. Other photos call for slower shutters, extending the time when the camera sensor is exposed to the light. I like experimenting with remarkably long shutter openings–up to 30 full seconds. The results include a waterfall that looks like cotton candy, or a lake with absolutely no ripples. This is made possible by a neutral density filter that acts like dark sunglasses for the camera.

A dog, a log, and the morning fog

The Route

After returning to the US via Sault Ste Marie, I had planned to traverse the Upper Peninsula. However, I was feeling quite fatigued. And I had already visited Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on a previous epic adventure. I decided to head for home.