Kissed By A Wolf

“On a whim, last week, a friend and I decided to head north with no plans other than to get out of the Metro Detroit area. We left Friday morning, with dog in tow, and our first stop was Wakeley Lake, where we hiked the 4 mile loop around the lake. It had just rained and the rain stayed away the whole time we hiked. Just as we got to the car, it started to pour and it poured until we hit the Mackinac Bridge about 1.5 hours later.

After crossing the bridge, we stopped at the welcome center to inquire about what places allowed dogs to stay in the Upper Peninsula. The woman gave us one book, and it had all the answers in that. Saw a flat black bear on the wall, and a stuffed Grey Wolf.

Headed into St. Ignace, and stayed there at the San Bar Motel. Cheap. 34 bucks. Dropped dog off for a few and headed to visit a pottery studio. Came back to room and drank some beer.

Saturday, we went to Bentley's for breakfast and it was here that we were told to stop in Paradise, Michigan and ask where the "Wolf Lady" lived. She has three wolves that she has raised from pups on her property. We left and headed north to Tahquemenon Falls. Needing more coffee, we did stop at a place called Beary Patch, right in Paradise, and it was here that we learned about a bear that had been hanging out on the side of the road between the Lower and Upper Falls. I asked about the Wolf Lady and the woman that owns the resturant, called the Wolf Lady up. We headed north towards Whitefish Pointe. When I saw some fencing and a bunch of "wolf", I stopped, backed up (I had passed it), and pulled into the driveway. The Wolf Lady was coming out of her house and I was wondering if what I was seeing was a bunch of wolves....there were about 12 of them. As she was approaching us, to the left of me and in the distance, I heard wolves howling. What I was looking at were sled dogs. In the back, behind prison fencing, were the biggest wolves I had ever seen. Well, those are the ONLY wolves I have ever seen. We weren't allowed to enter the fenced in area, but she did and the Alpha wolf is the one who wanted all the attention. They were all males, and born in captivity in Oklahoma, where she was able to take them back here to raise them on her property. If one of the other wolves came up to myself or my friend, the Alpha wolf pretty much came at them with all teeth bared and growling like no tomorrow. The feet on these guys were about 6 inches across. They were absolutely beautiful and I was so appreciative of this opportunity. It was the Alpha wolf who we got to pet and he even gave a lot of kisses (licks).

http://community.webshots.com/photo/347437192/347442646aryDJV

Left the wolves, and once we hit the Lower Falls, slowed down to 10MPH to look for the little bear. Never saw him. Got to Tahquemenon Falls and saw those. They are beautiful. There were hardly any people around so that was nice. Headed to the brewery after that and had two glasses of Porcupine Pale Ale.

Went into Newberry, did some shopping, headed back to St. Ignace, took a nap, got up went to dinner and decided to go put the 7 dollar coins I had into a slot machine at the Kewadin Casino. Some dollars later, and we had won 174.00. Decided to leave but wanted to check out the other side of the casino. Of course, I could not just walk around without sticking money into a machine so I put a twenty in and hit 450.00. What a way to end a trip! That pretty much paid for the whole thing.

It was great to get away. I will never forget the experience of seeing and touching the wolves. I had great company and the weather was foggy, rainy, and cold. Kinda set the mood for the whole weekend. And I got kissed by a wolf from Oklahoma.”

“Hope Daffers wasn't a snack for those wolf. ;-)”

“

Neat-O

~BW”

“I lady I know here has a full blood wolf named Sitka and a halfblood named Niki. She'd bring them to work with her; her company shared the building my Dad's company is in. Sitka didn't really care for me until I spent an hour brushing out his winter coat for him. May in Florida can get really warm. After that, he was my buddy.”

“awesome!”

“coolest thing I've seen all week! thanks for sharing Wolfy!”

“Very cool Wolfeyes. I'm so glad you had a good, relaxing trip. Buy anything at the pottery place?”

“Great picture of Wolfie and the Wolf.”

“That is way awesome lady!!”

“DANG! Wolfie!
I just got home to where I can see the pictures! He could have bit off your face!”

“Great photo. Great post. Glad for ya.”