A Little Slice of da Harbor...: My Book is Almost Ready...

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My Book is Almost Ready...

To my delight, the UPS man pulled over and handed me my book while I was on my way to check the mailbox for it. I told him he made my day.

It really turned out nice. I wish it was all ready to go, but you know (or maybe you don't know) how you can always notice more mistakes in text when it's on paper instead of on the computer. Oh yes, I found some of those. So they shall be corrected, and that shall take more time.

In the meanwhile, here's a picture of me being ecstatic with my first printed copy of my book, Little Slices of da Harbor.

My book and I. So happy together.

I'll let you know the moment it's ready to rumble. Thanks for your patience!

LET IT SNOW ALREADY!!!

4 comments:

Denny from FLJanuary 11, 2012 at 8:05 PM
Congratulations on the book. Good to see it so close to being able to publish it. If all goes well we can have you sign one for us this summer.

Looks like you all are finally going to get your snow by the weather reports. You may just be able to hollow out a snow drift for your fort!
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MichaelJanuary 11, 2012 at 11:29 PM
Congratulations big time Amanda!! Be sure to let us know how best to purchase it so you personally receive the maximum profit. Will we be able to buy it directly from you? It'll surely be a great addition to my collection of Copper Country books.
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AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Can't wait to read it! Be sure to let us know how we can order.

Apple Valley, MN
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AnonymousJanuary 13, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Jane from Owosso,MI
Hi Amanda, In August, my friend Rosemary and I were so happy to have the opportunity to meet you at the Harbor Haus Restaurant. Congratulations on the book, we are looking forward to buying copies of the book. I enjoy your website and the pictures you post.
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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!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My Book is Almost Ready...

4 comments:

Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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