A Little Slice of da Harbor...: Why People Drive so Slow

Friday, October 11, 2013

Why People Drive so Slow

I did it. I went south of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for my first time in about three weeks. Man, am I glad I don't have to make that drive often. I wouldn't have any hair left, my teeth would be ground to nubs, my fingers would be stuck in a white-knuckle curled position and I would excessively use the words my father told me never to say EVER.

Why? This story, excerpted from my book Little Slices of da Harbor, illustrates why I had to slam on the breaks multiple times while driving back home on the Covered Stretch the other day.

Leaf Peepers on “The Covered Stretch” -- By Yours Truly

(Reproduced with my permission)

Wife: Oh, Honey, look at those leaves! Have you ever seen a red color like that before?

Husband: Well, no, I --

Wife: Slow down! Let me get the camera ready.

Husband: But there’s a car right behind us.

Wife: Well, pull over then.

Husband: Look at this road. Where am I supposed to pull over?

Wife: I don’t know, just -- ugh. We missed it. Oh, my word! Look at that orange! Is that a maple?: I think so.

Wife: Well, slow down! I’m missing it!

Husband: But that car is right on my tail!

Wife: So find a spot to pull over.

Husband: Honey, look at this road! There is not place to --

Wife: There! On the left!

Husband: That’s the other side of the --

Wife: Pull! Pull! Stop!

Husband: Ahhh! Okay!

Wife: Whew. There. Nice job.

Husband: You mean nice job not getting us killed.

Wife: I suppose. Yeah, cuz this really isn’t the best spot to take pictures. Besides, that road sign is in the way. Let’s see what’s up ahead. Just go slow.

However, in their defense, this is what the drive looked like on Wednesday.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FALL ON 41 VIDEO

Color Report

Let that be all for the color report. Brockway is rainbowing up nicely. We had a gorgeous week for weather too. If you weren't up here, then you'll just have to live vicariously (which is what I'm here for). However, Mt. Bohemia is still offering their Fall Chair Lift rides this weekend. There's still time to savor it!

Back to work for me... two nights until I'm freeeeeeeeeeeee!

3 comments:

AnonymousOctober 13, 2013 at 10:59 AM
I remember my grandfather telling me about a fatal crash, somewhere along 41, maybe 50 years ago or more, because someone stopped to take pictures. People are stupid, that's why we have fire departments.
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Dennis W. MontvilleOctober 13, 2013 at 11:47 AM
Oh sure. Rub it in. How can you stand it? Such a horrific environment. Where are the tall buildings and 4-lane traffic jams and broken concrete and pollution and muggers and....oops. Sorry. I just threw up in my mouth a little there. Ahhh, that's better. Anyway, so sorry you have to endure such views. Too bad too that Harbor Haus is closing for the season and you have to live with that view all day long now. You're such a trooper. Or, would that be Yooper?
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Dennis W. MontvilleOctober 20, 2013 at 5:52 PM
So, Amanda. How are you managing with all of the free time? Have you filled it yet?
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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!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Why People Drive so Slow

3 comments:

Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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