---

KITCHI-ITI-KIPI is a natural, spring fed lake a few miles north of Manistique, Michigan, which is on the northern shore of Lake Michigan. It is the largest fresh water spring in Michigan. It is a dream come true for natural wonders of raw beauty. Unbelievable natural features such as crystal clear viewing to the bottom of the ice blue water showcase large fish, delicately swimming in this glistening water.

It goes by names like, “The Big Spring” or “Mirror of Heaven.” It is 200 hundred feet across, the 40 foot deep spring. Over 10,000 gallons a minute gush from fissures in the underlying limestone into the spring at a constant 45 degree Fahrenheit.

---

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details. Inspirational Travel Adventures is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

---

 

 

Life is passing us by as we live a fast paced lifestyle trying to achieve. We tend to forget what matters most sometimes, like our soul deep peace and enjoyment of this life we are all leading. Do you take time to slow down and just breathe? Nature has a way of grabbing us to remind us of the bigger picture in life. We are conformed instantly into specks of existence against the magnificence of the whole. Perspective is gained and a look at our lives through a new lens opens our eyes to reality. God is so great big and omnipotent. He is present everywhere if we only but look around. We forget that sometimes in our frantic overscheduled daily life.

---

“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.” –Alice Walker

 

---

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

WHO IS IT ABOUT?

 

 

The legend of this area  is thought to be about a young chieftain who was bested by his love interest. The girl prompted the young chieftain to prove his love over the other young women trying to win his attention. As a test of his love, she prompted him to canoe on this pool surrounded by the many conifers. As she leapt from an overhanging bough, he was to catch her. Unfortunately, his canoe overturned in the icy waters and he drowned. The girl laughed back at the village by the chieftains foolish quest. According to legend, the spring was named KITCH-ITI-KIPI in memory of the young chieftain who went to his death in the icy waters in a foolish attempt to satisfy the vain behavior of his love.

Other local legends say it was a place where Chippewa parents would go to get names for their newborn children or that the spring has special healing powers. Many different legends surround this great big spring! WHAT DO YOU THINK? The mystery surrounding this notorious place abounds!

---

“To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.” —Helen Keller

---

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

Early European explorers arrived in the Upper Great Lakes, at that time the Ojibwa called the Big Spring Kitch-iti-kipi. The words were said to have many possible meanings including: The Great Water; The Blue Sky I See; The Roaring, Bubbling Spring; and others.

In the early 1920’s, a man by the name of John Bellaire discovered this spring covered in a hidden tangle of fallen trees. When the lumber industry dried up he moved to the Manistique area to open a store. Six year later, Bellaire arranged with Frank Book of the Palms Book Land Company for the sale of almost 90 acres (including the spring) to the State of Michigan for $10.00.  The deed detailed that the property be used a a public park bearing the name Palms Book State Park.

---

“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” —Native American proverb

---

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

WHEN/HOW WAS IT FOUND?

Another legend recounts the deep love between a handsome brave and a young girl that drives a chief to act out his jealousy. The results are tragic for all three. The tragedy extended beyond the lover’s triangle to encompass even more tragedy at the site of Kitch-iti-kipi as a dark cloud of evil covers those in it’s path.

---

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” —Henry David Thoreau

---

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

WHERE IS IT LOCATED?

Palms Book State Park is located 12 miles north of Manistique, Michigan which is on the north shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This wilderness location offers many surrounding State Parks to accommodate campers who are interested in experiencing Michigan’s great out doors!

 

---

“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.” —Jacques-Yves Cousteau

---

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

WHY IS THIS DESTINATION SO POPULAR?

This view is clear all the way down 40 feet to the bubbling bottom where the big springs bubble water into this area. The view of the fish on the bottom is amazing!

---

“There’s a whole world out there, right outside your window. You’d be a fool to miss it.” —Charlotte Eriksson

---

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

TOTAL PICTURE PRESENT

 

---

 “It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.” —Robert Louis Stevenson

The surrounding area around the BIG SPRING looks amazing to explore! It is a vast, wilderness of coniferous swamp.

I was astounded at the number of hiking trails available in this location! The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a playground for the hikers! The hikes seem to be present everywhere you go! The views on the hikes are usually of the most scenic vistas or lakes! Grab a good pair of shoes and pack your adventuresome-ness and GO! EXPLORE! HAVE AN ADVENTURE IN THE U.P. hiking these amazing trails!

---

“Land really is the best art.” —Andy Warhol

---

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

PEACE ABOUNDS HERE!

“Nature is loved by what is best in us.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

We love an adventure! We love exploring! The wilderness calls our name frequently to come explore! We truly enjoy and soak up as much of God’s beauty as possible. Nature has a way of seeping into the cracks surrounding the stresses of our lives to create a soothing buffer between the stress and our need for peace! Achieving that balance keeps us centered and focused on the end goals, not the obstacles that lie in wait to derail your life journeys!

---

Embrace each moment that presents itself to you to truly enjoy this summer! Celebrate each moment of peace and tranquility!

Discover what tranquility and peace mean to you. Research a favorite location and go! Nature is calling, will you hear it? 

Did you notice some affiliate links along the way?? If you plan to buy any of the products we mentioned, please consider clicking through our link on this page. It won’t cost you a dime, and it will help our website continue running and offering you further inspirational travel adventures!

Inspirationally Yours,

Barbara

BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/

About Me

A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.

WEBSITE: www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com

---

Audible Gift Memberships

Audible Gift Memberships

MAKE SURE TO SHARE INSPIRATIONAL TRAVEL ADVENTURES! Click on any social media link below!!

---

Pin it for later: Inspirational Travel Adventures

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

•  

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW:

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

---

Pin it for later: Inspirational Travel Adventures

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

•  

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW:

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

---

Pin it for later: Inspirational Travel Adventures

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

•  

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW:

LEGEND OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI near Manistique Michigan

---

Pin it for later: Inspirational Travel Adventures

SUMMERTIME CAMPING CRAZY FUN

• 

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW:

SUMMERTIME CAMPING CRAZY FUN

---

MAKE SURE TO SHARE INSPIRATIONAL TRAVEL ADVENTURES! Click on any social media link below!!

RELATED POSTS:

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ: Inspirational Travel Adventures

10 REASONS TO CRUISE ON YOUR VACATION

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW:

10 REASONS TO CRUISE ON YOUR VACATION

---

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ: Inspirational Travel Adventures

SNORKELING SPOTS

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW:

SNORKELING SPOTS