A Little Slice of da Harbor...: What I Did, What I Should Be Doing and What I Will Do

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

What I Did, What I Should Be Doing and What I Will Do

I really try not to get too personal in this blog, but last week, I was consumed by a very special event -- my wedding! Since the ceremony was on the shore of Hunter's Point, and the reception was in the township park, it certainly relates as a wedding in da Harbor.

The rain held off all day for us. Family and friends travelled from afar and neighbors travelled from across the street to share in the celebration of our love. Here are some pictures that I found on facebook. Sorry, I don't remember who took them all!

My papa walking me down the beach rock aisle

Making our way to the "altar"

Of course, Duce has to be a part of everything!

Yes! I may kiss the groom!

So now I am Mrs. Rogers. Not too bad, hey?

Well, I guess the only "bad" thing is that my adrenal glands are shot for the time being. Today is the big excursion from Chassel to Phoenix on road bikes, Phoenix to Delaware running and Delaware to Copper Harbor walking. Sound familiar? This is the annual Keweenaw Path fundraiser for the Gundlach Shelter for women and children.

I was supposed to do the bike leg, but I can hardly dress myself let alone pedal 34 miles. I truly am bummed to miss this event, but my heart goes out to all who are participating. Now I will have to give a monetary contribution to support this worthy cause. You can too! Make your check payable to:

Gundlach Shelter Home

Calumet, MI 49913

And make a note that your donation is via the Keweenaw Path Fundraiser. Or you can donate online with this link! Don't be shy, domestic abuse is one of the most common crimes in Keweenaw County. Thanks for your support!

Other than that, guess who else is back in town. The bell buoy! I first heard him on Thursday. Welcome back bell buoy! Nice to see and hear you again!

Gosh, lots of new life is popping up too. Fiddleheads are delicious. Forget-me-nots have bloomed. I think I have seen leaves on every kind of berry bush (not that I pay attention). Lots of raptors and migrating birds are coasting in the Brockway Valley. And, if I have to admit it, I have seen a few swarms of blackflies. Here we go, people. Get your bug nets out!

Now guess where I am going this weekend. I'll give you a hint. It's the only place I could love more than da Harbor. You got it! Isle Royale! My husband (Ha! Husband!) and I are cruising there for the weekend to hike parts of the north shore. Oh, I am so excited to be there again. I'm sure I'll have some great pictures and stories for you after that!

Well thanks for making it to the bottom of this lengthy (and somewhat mushy) post. Hoo, you and me both! Now I need a nap!

8 comments:

Carla from The RiverMay 9, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Yay!
How fun, what a great way to get married. Have a fun time hiking Isle Royale.
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MichaelMay 10, 2012 at 7:51 AM
Congratulations Amanda! What a great place to have a wedding... and a life. Wishing all the best to both of you.
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AnonymousMay 10, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Congratulations! A long and happy life to you and your husband in God's country!
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CharlotteMay 10, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Rogers. Good name, was my maiden name. What a beautiful to have your wedding.
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RichMay 10, 2012 at 3:30 PM
You forgot to say how cold it was on those bare shoulders. You took it like a true yooper.
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Dennis W. MontvilleMay 10, 2012 at 4:51 PM
Amanda,

Congratulations! I can't imagine a more perfect setting for your wedding. Truely an outstanding choice. And you didn't even have to travel far to get to it. You can, and I'm sure WILL, return to visit the place you got married any day you want for many years to come. Wonderful.

Dennis
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SeoirseMay 10, 2012 at 5:44 PM
Sweet! Your wedding was the nicest and most fun of any that I have attended in many years. Everything worked! Congratulations!

Best, George
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MindyMay 23, 2012 at 1:34 AM
Sweet! I'm a longtime reader of your blog, an occasional summer resident of CH, and I actually got married at what looks like almost that same spot about 11 years ago this summer (we were on the lake side of Porter Island). Congratulations on your wedding and thanks so much for the chance to keep my eye on the harbor from so far across the country.
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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, May 9, 2012

What I Did, What I Should Be Doing and What I Will Do

8 comments:

Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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