A Little Slice of da Harbor...: Between a Rock and a Contest

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Between a Rock and a Contest

Remember how I like to perch on intriguing boulders? Well I found a new favorite one. But I'm not going to tell you where it is; you have to guess. I took a picture of it from an angle that you may only recognize if you've been there.

Where is this rock?

Do you know? If so, leave a comment of where you think it is, and you could win a free signed copy of Touring the Tip! The first person to enter the correct location of this rock wins. Please bear in mind that you need to leave your name somewhere, and I must moderate all comments. If you don't see your comment right away it's because I didn't get to publish it yet. Okay, go!

Want to know something else really cool? I got to go mountain biking -- true singletrack-ripping mountain biking for the first time in almost two years. TWO YEARS!!! That's a long time for a mountain biker. But I am still learning how to give my son to someone else and say, "See you later. I hope I come back in one piece!"

The weather has been lovely lately, though. I think rain tomorrow, but we've had sunshine and sometimes no jacket weather! We've had some clear night skies too. I spent a couple evenings out watching shooting stars and constellations. Man, it's great to be back.

Last I checked, the bell buoy was still out by the lighthouse. But we know how quickly that gets swept out from under my nose.

Lucky for you (and me, of course), I am not moving away this winter. You know, Arkansas just does not sound that appealing to me for four months. Yeah I'll have to haul in wood and shovel and take care of a one year old and all that, but I can do it here! I've had some unexpected adventures in the past, so I wonder what this winter will bring.

I just love how outdoor activities depend on the weather. Skating? Parachuting? Avalanche? Okay, just kidding about the avalanche (I hope). But life is full of surprises.

Otherwise, it's just nice and quiet here. Oh, how I love it. Well, I've seen some hunters up scouting lately, but other than that, just us. What a gift.

Well, you're probably getting antsy to comment on where that rock it, so I'll let you get to it. Good luck! Maybe I'll see you out there sometime.

8 comments:

AmandaNovember 12, 2015 at 9:43 AM
Just had one guess for Horseshoe Harbor. Good guess, but incorrect. Who knows it?
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D. JohnsonNovember 12, 2015 at 2:15 PM
Near Porter Is.?
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D. JohnsonNovember 12, 2015 at 2:16 PM
Near Porter Island?
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UnknownNovember 12, 2015 at 4:03 PM
Keweenaw Rocket Range
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UnknownNovember 12, 2015 at 4:04 PM
Keweenaw Rocket Range
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UnknownNovember 13, 2015 at 7:47 AM
That looks a lot like the rock up the beach which is directly across from Fort Wilkins main entrance. My kids and I played on it on a toasty evening this past July. What a nice day the was... we had dinner at the Harbor house, and envious of the chef and friends jumping off the pier we decided to take our own dip at that beach to cool off.
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MichaelNovember 13, 2015 at 3:05 PM
Esrey Park
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AmandaNovember 13, 2015 at 4:05 PM
Well, I'd love to hear more wonderful guesses, but we have a WINNER! Keith Kreag, you know that rock, and I love the story behind it. Send me an email at amandak114 at yahoo.com to redeem your prize. Thanks to all who tried!
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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, November 11, 2015

Between a Rock and a Contest

8 comments:

Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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