A Little Slice of da Harbor...: Opposites in a Day

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Opposites in a Day

Duce and I took a little walk today up Woodland Road. The funniest part, right away, was that three cars passed us before we even got through the creek area (which is next to my house)!

On the way, I ate some delicious dandelion greens. I could tell my body was craving it since we are all out of spinach and kale here. That is one drawback from being so far from civilization, so good thing it's Spring, and I can eat what's growing!

As I've said before, many types of flora are blooming. But a few of my favorites are coming out of their winter shells: roses, bilberries and thimbleberries! I have seen the greeny-goldness of them all and jumped for joy! It should be an early berry season this year!

On the other hand, my last three excursions on water crafts on the Harbor (note: in my little slice, "the" Harbor is the body of water itself, and "da" Harbor is the town and surrounding area) have shown me snow on North-facing shores. These shores don't get much sun, of course, so the snow can linger. But still!?

So today, on our walk to look at my sanity savior, Lake Superior, I saw some of that snow within walking distance. I also saw what looked like a long Chrysocolla vein stretching from the shore into the lake. Now, silly me for even thinking that's what it was, but that line under water was definitely turquoise!

Duce and I waded through the beach rocks (on land) to this large rock with snow and a mystery vein. It shouldn't have been a mystery vein because this large rock it covered in quartz! Standing at the top of that rock, I noted, yes, that was quartz in the bluest-greenest water I have ever seen. It turned that whole white stripe turquoise. Why else would I have been that curious?

Pretty cool. As I turned around to head back, I grabbed a couple handfuls of snow (to make sure that wasn't quartz too) and threw it in the air for Duce. Snow. Cold and beady snow. Probably the last handful of snow I will grab until next winter. Knock on wood!

1 comment:

RoxApril 21, 2010 at 6:13 PM
The color of the water over that white vein is amazing! I had to trudge there in January just to look at it. Peg & I found another one (not as long) about a bit less than a mile past Renate's on 26. I don't think it's visible once the trees are full. Rox
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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!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Opposites in a Day

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Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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