A Little Slice of da Harbor...: A Snowshoe with You!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A Snowshoe with You!

This post contains FIVE VIDEOS for your viewing pleasure.

Yesterday I went for a snowshoe on my double lakeshore loop. And guess what, you came with me!!!

I took a video in five different spots along the way of this 2 1/2 mile (give or take) stretch. So you can see all the wonders I saw without getting cold or sweaty! My special guest, as always, is Mr. Butters.

All the links are below. Best if watched in order from top to bottom. Enjoy!

8 comments:

AnonymousJanuary 15, 2012 at 8:28 PM
Amanda, Thank you for journey in seeing the wonderful views of Lake Superior and Fanny Hooe, in the winter time and most of all Mr. Butters, nice to have him break the trail for you. Great job !!! from Jane Newell
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Denny from FLJanuary 15, 2012 at 8:52 PM
Thanks for the winter walk especially cause we walk those trails in the summer and familiar. We can't walk on the water though!!
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MichaelJanuary 15, 2012 at 9:45 PM
Thanks for taking us along on your little winter adventure Amanda... with a nice commentary as well. Very relaxing and enjoyable. Thanks
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Dennis W. MontvilleJanuary 16, 2012 at 8:48 AM
Love the videos Amanda. When you pause and pan I'm struck by how deafening the slience is. CAUTION!!! Pun alert.... I pine to return to CH and IR soon. Thanks for the video fix. That will have to hold me till I get back up there.
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AnonymousJanuary 17, 2012 at 7:37 AM
Amanda, thank you so much for the walk in the winter woods. I LOVE it! Especially Lake Superior. I could feel the peace a bit. I love the way you know how to enjoy what is good!
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DeeJanuary 19, 2012 at 12:16 PM
This was great! I'm missing snow here in balmy NYC. Weird winter. I live vicariously through you...
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DannyJanuary 22, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Greetings Amanda,

Like so many of your followers, I too, enjoy your providing my Harbor fix when I can not be there.

Have you ever read a book "Lights and Shades of Missionary Life" by Rev. John H. Pitezel (copyright 1857)? He lived in the Harbor and tried to convert the Indians and miners (good luck with that!) Although it was written so long ago, he describes all of the same places we know now. I have the original book but you can view/read the same book by searching Google books. You have to check how how many miles he, routinely, show shoed. Let me know what you think.
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NataliaFebruary 2, 2012 at 1:27 AM
Loved watching those..made me a little more home sick, but your cheery voice helped, as always!! Miss you Amanda..hope to see you soon!
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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, January 15, 2012

A Snowshoe with You!

8 comments:

Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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