Upper Peninsula

**9606 Prest** · May-30-12, 01:24 PM

When was the last time that you were in the upper peninsula of Michigan? What are your favorite places to visit there? Do you plan to visit the U.P. this summer?

**guito13** · May-30-12, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by 9606 Prest

When was the last time that you were in the upper peninsula of Michigan? What are your favorite places to visit there? Do you plan to visit the U.P. this summer?

I have 80 acres of hunting land up there. I go 2-3 times a year [[8 hours each way). Last time I was up there was November of last year.

We dont do much tourist stuff but there is TONS to do up there. You just need to start driving and you will pass lots of cool things to do. I wont visit it this summer more than likely but ill be there in October for bow season and November for gun season :-)

**black gold man** · May-30-12, 03:47 PM

A nice trip is use the
Badger Car Ferry - Michigan to Wisconsin then drive the u.p.

then come back over big mac on the way home.

**mwilbert** · May-30-12, 04:32 PM

I go to Au Train in the UP every year. There are a number of interesting places, but if you haven't been up through the Keeweenaw I would recommend heading up to Copper Harbor [[via Brockway Mountain Drive, naturally). I would check out Calumet and take a tour of the Quincy Mine on the way. People who don't mind a bit of a walk and like trees might visit the Estivant Pines while there.

**Ray1936** · May-30-12, 05:00 PM

Had friends in Green Bay, WI, who have now passed away. For years we'd drive there for a Pack-Lions game at Lambau Field driving thru Chitown, and then the UP on the way back home. Seemed like alwas a relief to hit the Big Mac; other than views of Lake Michigan and trees there ain't much on that drive.

But, nope, I think my UP days are done.

**gazhekwe** · May-30-12, 05:04 PM

I visit my family at Bay Mills quite often. Love it there. Not too far from Tahquamenon, Paradise, Whitefish Point with the lighthouse and bird observatory, Iroquois Point Lighthouse to climb and view, plus wonderful berry picking, beach walking, agate hunting. Let's not forget flopping fresh whitefish, trout, herring, perch to catch and eat. There are even two casinos if you like a little gambling, and a beautiful golf course if you like a good walk spoiled.

Keep in mind that until Duck Lake fire is under control, Tahquamenon might be off limits and Paradise and Whitefish Point might be a little smokey. If you are golfing or walking in the woods, be sure to wear a Bounce sheet on the back of your hat.

From there you can visit the mighty Soo to see the Locks and the Walk of History, St. Ignace, more history, Mackinac Island.

**Guideboat** · May-30-12, 05:42 PM

Fayette is very nice, as is the entire Keeweenaw. There are plenty of accessible lighthouses all around the peninsula. It's touristy, but I think the Soo locks boat tour is very cool.

**DetroitPlanner** · May-30-12, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

Had friends in Green Bay, WI, who have now passed away. For years we'd drive there for a Pack-Lions game at Lambau Field driving thru Chitown, and then the UP on the way back home. Seemed like alwas a relief to hit the Big Mac; other than views of Lake Michigan and trees there ain't much on that drive.

But, nope, I think my UP days are done.

I know what you mean. My sister lived in Chicago and once I took the US-2 loop to my cabin in West Branch from her home. Holy smokes that trip took twice as long as planned. In fact it was Menonomee where I spent the night because the original plan to spend it in St. Ignace was not going to be do-able!

**mikefmich** · May-31-12, 02:33 AM

Former UP property owner here.....I was up more than I could ever count from 1975-2000.....many times before, and some since. My earliest visits were done via car ferry.

I cut a swath fishing, backpacking, canoing, hunting, & trapping from Grand Marais to Melstrand to Munising to AuTrain. Usually to the north of the Seney stretch, sometimes just a few miles south.

Easily some of my finest Michigan memories.

**tponetom** · June-02-12, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by mikefmich

Former UP property owner here.....I was up more than I could ever count from 1975-2000.....many times before, and some since. My earliest visits were done via car ferry.

I cut a swath fishing, backpacking, canoing, hunting, & trapping from Grand Marais to Melstrand to Munising to AuTrain. Usually to the north of the Seney stretch, sometimes just a few miles south.

Easily some of my finest Michigan memories.

Looking back over the years, it has always been a “toss up” as to which has been the most fabulous. The 45 years of living in Detroit or the 21 years that followed, living in the Upper Peninsula.

Mike, the charm of taking the ferry across the Straits was sometimes tarnished when a 10 or 12 hour wait, during deer season, was necessary if you did not plan ahead..

The U. P. may just be for the esoteric.

[[I had difficulty posting this reply. Fame is fleeting.)

**Stinger4me** · June-02-12, 07:09 PM

Last month and can't get back soon enough. The folks in the UP remind me of Detroiters in the neighborhoods in the 40's, 50's and early 60's. The scenery there still amazes me. Good ethnic foods with nice folks and no shortage of good places to fish or hunt. Da UP is da place to be, eh!

**mikefmich** · June-04-12, 12:04 AM

tponeTom!

Good to see you in here......I've always enjoyed your tales of pre-war Detroit and you growing into the UP.
I sure wish my follow up with the UP, was the same as yours.....that's how it was suppose to go for most of my life.....then life blows a few changes in your path.

My uncle would spin me tales of 12-36 hour waits for the ferry during hunting season. His earliest years hunting [[1925-1940) were spent near Au Train.

It being June I was thinking of the early summer breezes coming in off Superior....I really love that place.

**chuck mc** · June-06-12, 07:03 PM

There are a lot of Detroit Area families that left the U.P. for jobs in Detroit before World War 2. My Grandfathers were both Copper Miners in the Calumet area. My parents were born there but were married in Highland Park in 1941. Economic necessity caused a significant migration of 'Yoopers' to Detroit. I remember, as a kid, going on huge picnics of a Detroit Area organization called the "U.P. Club". There were numerous families of varied nationalities [[i.e. German, Croatian, Slovenian, Austian, French-Canadian, Scottish-Canadian, Swedish, Finish, Polish, and 'Cousin Jacks' from Cornwall). No wonder we like Hockey and Pasties in Detroit and Vicinity! I was born in Detroit, but Vacation was going "Up North" or "Up Home" to see Family.