Gros Cap Roadside Park

After buying our pasties I realized that since Lehto's had no tables we couldn't eat them there.  But I was prepared with a bottle of ketchup and so we headed back down route 2 towards St. Ignace.  Not too far back we had passed a roadside park and I figured that we could stop there to enjoy our meal.

French fishermen who came to Gros Cap (on the shore below) early last century [i.e. the nineteenth cent.] also participated in its offshore settlement, St. Helena Island, where ships obtained wood fuel and other supplies.  There in 1850, Archie and Wilson Newton set up a fishing and shipping business.  The community thrived for more than 30 years.--from Michigan state historical sign

Since the day was a bit cool we stayed in the car to eat our pasties.  However, after we'd finished eating we walked around the park for a little while.

I think this is St. Helena island off-shore to the south.

There were some good views of Lake Michigan, and the above sign had a few tidbits about the lake on the reverse.

Lake MichiganThis lake, the sixth largest in the world, was discovered in 1634 by Jean Nicolet, who explored this north shore to Green Bay but found no Orientals as the French in Quebec had hoped he would.  The general size and outline of the lake was established in the 1670's by Marquette and Jolliet.  They named it Lake Michigan.  Its elongated shape was an obstacle to transcontinental expansion, but its waters soon proved a real boon to commerce.--from Michigan state historical sign

Had the weather been warmer it would have been a wonderful place to picnic outside.

As it was the walk was enjoyable, and there were plenty of trees between the park and the lake, which was visible down a steep slope.  Looking at Google Maps I see that there is another road, likely a small one, that runs between the park and the shoreline--Gros Cap road.

Again I think this is the island.

It is a nice little park, and certainly a nice place to enjoy your pasty lunch.  Stop by if you're ever in the area.

~Matt