A Little Slice of da Harbor...: Crashing in the Harbor

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Crashing in the Harbor

Today I woke up to the wind brushing branches and leaves against my house. I opened my eyes and saw gray skies. As I threw the covers down, goosebumps pimpled my flesh. Strolling toward the glass front door, I saw the waves on Lake Superior. And when I opened it, they shouted the songs of fall.

"Okay!" I decided, "time to find some kindling!"

Though I didn't start a fire yet today, I have all my wood dry and ready for at least a couple starts. Aaron is in Las Vegas (a place he would never choose to be) for bike meetings, so I need to keep Duce and myself warm.

On my way to Jamsen's Fish Market and Bakery -- my summer addiction, as Jill makes irresistible thimbleberry frosting for her chocolate donuts and cheddar/bacon/chive scones -- I saw the waves crashing on the shore by the Harbor Haus. Wait a minute... I rarely see THAT! So I grabbed my GoPro to shoot you some video because now I have more time for you. Isn't that wonderful?

After my camera was full of footage, I felt something. It was a feeling that I haven't felt for months. A rush of excitement rippled through me as I pedaled home to plug my camera into the computer to see what I captured so I could edit it and upload it and share it with you! A VIDEO! YES!!! It's been so long.

I can't say it's the best video I've made ever, but it's something for you to watch instead of just reading my words.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WAVES BY THE HARBOR HAUS

Color Report

Um, well, it's cooler than before. I can't say much has changed right in town here. I'll get some more details from a coworker who drives 41 often. But don't get your undies in a bundy (my mom always said that). I think it's gonna be a couple weeks yet. I promise I'll keep the updates coming more rapidly when things start to change. Just sit tight; I would never intentionally let you down.

Ooh, the Copper Harbor Chili Cookoff is this Saturday afternoon! Contest categories are for classic chili, specialty chili, cornbread and berry pie. Bring up your concoction no later than 3:30 pm to the park to enter it! Otherwise, just come and eat with your Harborite friends.

I won't but you any longer today. Enjoy the moment while you have it!

3 comments:

Dennis W. MontvilleSeptember 15, 2013 at 1:28 PM
Thanks so much for the video. Now if only I could smell the fresh air to go with it the experience would be complete. I'd love to be there for the chili cook off, but not this time. If only they'd fire me from my job I would have the time to get up there. Of course then there'd be a money issue. Oh well...someday.
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DeeSeptember 17, 2013 at 1:45 PM
Where were you standing? Looke a little like Rocky Ledge...wish I was still there...
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AmandaSeptember 17, 2013 at 2:06 PM
Dee, I was standing on the rocky shore just before the little path that goes to the left. I was getting splashed 6 feet back! I thought I saw you walking your pups when you were up in August. Next time we'll have to catch up! Take care!
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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!

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Crashing in the Harbor

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Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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