A Little Slice of da Harbor...: A Welcoming Sight

Sunday, March 14, 2010

A Welcoming Sight

When I left the Keweenaw last Saturday, sunshine filled the sky and layers of snow lined the ground. On my drive back up yesterday, however, things were not the same. Over half the snow melted. Mt. Bohemia is officially closed. Groomers have stopped grooming the snowmobile trails. The ground is wet and squishy. It looks like winter is over. I know it's not.

At the end of my drive North on Hwy. 41, I descended upon my little town. The "Copper Harbor" sign welcomed me home. I anticipated my favorite part of the return: coasting down the little hill to see her Majesty, Lake Superior, past the blinking light. I always know, at that moment, that I am the luckiest girl I know. Home.

Today, in the blue sky day, I went for a hike (without snowshoes) to my friend the Lighthouse. The snow was melted most of the way there. The afternoon sun must have been tempting because I saw three neighbors out and about too. It's always nice to see others taking advantage of the day.

After visiting the dock, and skipping up the bare stairs, I got a view of her. The land looked so different -- I could actually see it! My days of ice volcanoes and ice caves seemed like a dream. Not a sign of any of them in sight.

So I walked out to my favorite looking rock and stared at the Lake. Oh, how I missed you! You just make everything seem right every time. No matter what time of year, I reach to the lake for solice, serenity and peace. She never lets me down, and I am so grateful for that. Especially after time away, it's good to know she will always welcome me, and sort me back out.

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Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

“If you’ve never been there, you wouldn’t understand” is a quote printed above an outlined picture of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on a t-shirt sold in gift shops in the area. Some people cock their heads in bewilderment of what this could mean. Well, if you’ve never been there (to da U.P.), then you wouldn’t understand.

It’s simple really. Where are you guaranteed to see more trees than people on any drive or walk? Where can you sit in a bar in April and know everybody’s name? Where can you wear flannel and Carharts anytime of the year without a flinch from a passerby? Where can you end most of your sentence with the colloquialism eh, eh? Where can you go to truly get away from the civilized world? If you answered “da U.P.” to all of these questions, why, you must have been there.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula makes up one third of the state’s land mass, but only 3% of its entire population. It’s no wonder the average number of people per square mile is 19.3. Nineteen people per square mile! Its lack of inhabitants combined with a plethora of wilderness, unique geographical features and an abundance of water is a big part of what makes the U.P. so unique. In fact, it was included in the Sherman Travel worldwide “Top 10 Places to Go in 2005."

And unique in itself, at the most northern tip in the Keweenaw Peninsula sits the little village of Copper Harbor. “Tops in Michigan,” “the beginning of the road” and quite frankly, the hardest place to leave once your soul has found its peace. It’s the least visited and most revisited place in America. Returning visitors make an appearance at least once a year, no matter what gas prices are. And when they’re back at home, they dream of their next visit to the end of the world.

Why would people want to return to a place where their cell phones don’t work and they can’t get a Big Mac for at least 54 miles? Once you drive through the one and only blinking stop light in town, you are 99% guaranteed not to see any authorities. The town can take care of itself for the most part, and people respect each other and each other’s property.

To the local residents and the handfuls of returning tourists (of which some have been adopted), Copper Harbor is the only place where they can be themselves -- completely and shamelessly (at least until the next morning). Fashion does not exist, but comfort is a must. Possessions mean nothing, but attitude means the world. Loitering is encouraged, and talk is ceaseless. Fresh air is plentiful, and serenity is down the block on Lake Superior’s shore. Ahhh.

Only 90 people can bear to live there year-round (good thing because the post office only has 130 mailboxes), but the population peaks around 250 in the busy summer months when people reopen their business or their summer home.

Copper Harbor and the rest of the Keweenaw Peninsula average 270 inches of snow each season. Whether it falls consistently throughout the winter or all in one dump, it’s guaranteed to fall if it isn’t drilling sideways. Only four businesses stay open through these long months because sometimes, there’s just nobody there.

U.S. Highway 41, which runs all the way to Miami, Florida, begins in Copper Harbor, and yes, it gets plowed the whole way up. A half mile north, six miles east and five miles south of this landmark puts you in magical Lake Superior. I know it’s magical because I’ve caught myself and many other people staring, mesmerized by its pure vastness, undulations and crashing waves.

When you can enjoy every breath of Lake Superior air, wear clothing soley for funtion and not mind seeing the same people day after day after day after day, then, my friend, then, you’ll understand.

A Little Slice of da Harbor...

Copper Harbor, That is!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

A Welcoming Sight

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Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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