A Little Slice of da Harbor...: Back and Waiting

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Back and Waiting

Thanks for your patience with me while I consistently leave you hanging.

I never thought that being a mother would come with so many hospital visits. As you can tell, my life is on hold while I try to get this little boy feeling the best he can. It will still take some work, but he is doing well. Thank you to everyone who sent me good thoughts and kind words.

We are back in da Harbor. It's lovely, really. With a slight warm up in temps, I am able to push a stroller around town and get B acclimated to Harbor life. I know he is going to love it here. He is already a lover of life in general. Despite his medical hardships, he is smiley, observant, focused, strong, playful and adventurous. A bit stubborn too -- a good survival skill for the U.P.

I really wish I could update you on things, but I don't know a whole lot! The snow is melting. Many areas around the bases of trees are already exposed ground. The sun shines occasionally. The wind howls from time to time.

The lakes almost look as if a person could skate on them. With recent melting and refreezing, the tops are smooth. I would love to adventure out there, but, well, do I really need to explain myself right now?

So I can't wait for more springy weather. My little boy will get to go out with me as I wander the trails and look to see what's blooming. Oh my gosh. Wildflowers! What a welcome site they will be! My heart smiles just thinking about it.

Though I have not had time to write anything more than a to-do list lately, a couple of my articles have been published within the last couple months. Check out the Great Lakes Pilot for my award-winning essay titled "Whichever Season is Next." That is in Volume 10 Number 6, 2015 on the front page! And remember last year when I went to Big Bay for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman classes? Well that article was published in the February, 2015 issue of Traverse Magazine. Yeah, Traverse. Pretty cool, huh? They called it "Women Gone Wild." I am proud.

Okay. Mr. 20-minute-napper is awake, so I must tend. I really hope to get out for something fun soon, so you don't give up on me!

2 comments:

Rich FMarch 30, 2015 at 8:28 AM
I hope Braeden and his mom and dad are recovering nicely. Will you be at the CHTC party in Hancock on Wednesday?
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AmandaMarch 30, 2015 at 12:38 PM
Hey Rich! We are well so far! I hope to see you Wednesday.
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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, March 21, 2015

Back and Waiting

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Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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