PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SIGN UP - Deposit required to Reserve Your Spot. Once you RSVP - Yes, I will contact you about how to make deposit (keeping out the middle man here so payment through Zelle or Personal Check needed). Only 14 spots available. When you sign up please let me know if you want a double or single. First ones to sign up get their preference.
THE EVENT: A 5-day autumn photography trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to photograph autumn colors, waterfalls, sunrises, sunsets. Also if the weather cooperates we can do some night photography and who knows see the Northern Lights!
COST: I have 8 rooms (6 doubles and 2 singles) reserved at the resort so depending on if you are in a double or single room will determine your final cost (includes my fee of $300 + room). Transportation (you will need to drive up there and carpools will certainly spread the cost). An opening night Pizza Party gathering is also included in the cost. All other meals (basically 3 other nights) are on your own. Cost for sharing a room + my fee = $725. Cost for an individual room + my fee = $990. This is the cost for all 4 nights. NOTE: These were 2023 prices. They may be a bit higher in 2024 but shouldn't be more than $60 total.
ROOMS: The nice thing about the rooms at the Black River Lodge is that all the double rooms have 2 bathrooms and are separated by a corridor or in some cases a door. So for a double you don't even see each other and have your own bathroom. You can find more out about the lodge and see the rooms at www.blackriverlodge.net
DAY 1
Leave the Chicago area on your own or in a carpool (we have plenty of time to work that out). I would suggest leaving around 7:00 a.m. if possible. It is about a 6 1/2 hour ride. Check into rooms. Pizza party and meet and greet at 7:00 p.m. - You must check in by 7:00 p.m.
DAYS 2, 3, and 4
We did this event last year and changed up a bit day by day depending on the weather forecast, but below is a list of the areas we photographed during our full 3 days together as a group.
- Sunrise Shoot at Lake in the Clouds
- Sunset Shoot at Mt Zion
- Morning Fog Shoot at Little Girls Point on Lake Superior
- Waterfall Shoot along Black River (5 different waterfalls)
- Waterfall Shoot at Interstate Falls
- Waterfall Shoot at Bond Falls
- Waterfall Shoot in Procupine State Park
- Harbor Shoot at Black River Harbor including Swinging Bridge
- Night Photography Shoot at a spot close to Lodge
- Ski Flying Hill Shoot from top of only Ski Flying Hill in North America
DAY 5
Whatever you want to do and ride back to the Chicago area.
To reserve your spot you will need to put a down a deposit of $150. (I need to have the final count to the lodge by September 6 (one month prior to our arrival). This is when the remainder of the money will be due. $575 if you are in a double and $840 if you are in a single.
CANCELLATION POLICY - The biggest risk for me is people cancelling and not being able to fill in the spots and thus having to pay for their room when they don't come. I understand last minute events can cause you to cancel. But don't book unless you are almost 100% sure of attending. $75 refund of your $150 deposit if cancelled by August 10th.
Any other questions, please respond in the comments section for this event. We will have a ZOOM call prior to the event about 2 weeks before we leave.
We have done this event the last 3 years and have had a great time. Made some new friends, learned a few new things, and got some great waterfall and autumn photos. And who knows if we get real lucky (we haven't yet, but maybe the 4th time will be a charm) the Northern Lights will make an appearance during our visit.
