A Little Slice of da Harbor...: Flat-lined

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Flat-lined

Hunting season. Okay, so what does that mean for me? Aaron and his papa are out in da Keweenaw woods from dark til dark. I have all day to spend with my pup. But what can I really do besides write, make egg rolls and crochet hacky sacks?

I can hike to Hunter's Point without getting shot. I can hike through Fort Wilkins without getting shot. And I can hike through Clyde's field without getting shot. Those are all fine places, but what do they lack? Elevation.

I LOVE climbing hills. I love climbing the mountains around here. It's an awesome workout with a great view and little to no gear. Love it. But I can't go up the mountains safely right now. Sure I could don the blaze orange and make the dog wear a safety vest, but it's not the same. Plus, the hunters get upset when passers infringe on their territory. I don't blame them. They worked hard to sit there so quietly without a sound or scent. I just miss my hills.

Thanks for listening. I try not to complain, but, you know, I have to fill you in on the happenings, and that's how I feel about it! Aaron is a hunter anyway, and he just got his young buck today. "Easiest buck I ever shot." Good, we didn't have to track it through the woods for hours like last year.

But in all reality, life is good! I have time to work on many of the projects I made lists of over the summer. I am so grateful for this time of year to catch up on what I call life. Oh, life. Thank you for still being here between work seasons.

On a present note, do you need a copy of Little Slices of da Harbor for any of your loved ones for the holidays? If so, you can send me a check for $12.95 for each personally autographed copy, and I will ship your book(s) for free! Here's the kicker: I will need to receive your request by December 1st. I'll be on my official honeymoon in Hawaii for two weeks, and your book may not reach the recipient in time for Christmas after I get back. (On the bright side, you will get to see my little slice of Hawaii while I'm there!)

If you haven't seen this book, you can get a free sneak peek of the winter season by clicking here. You can send your check and request to me at P.O. Box 94 in beautiful Copper Harbor, MI 49918. If you like, mention that you read my blog, and I'll throw in a black market F.A.Q. pamphlet too! Happy holidays!

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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!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Flat-lined

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Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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