A Little Slice of da Harbor...: The Little Things on the Double Lakeshore Loop

Sunday, September 22, 2013

The Little Things on the Double Lakeshore Loop

From day to day, and even during a single day, the weather has no idea what it wants to do. One day was gorgeous and sunny, then the next night dropped to nearly freezing temperatures. The nights are cooling down. That helps the trees turn colors.

Color Report

Every day now, I hear someone new say that the way up North on Highway 41 is turning red. The maples are becoming crimson, fresh blood and plum. Not too much of the pinks and tangerines, but maybe they are to come. Once you get to the Covered Stretch, however, those vibrant colors cease. My advice? If you like the reds, plan your trip and come up soon. The oaks and birches have yet to turn. Even Brockway Valley is still totally green. If you come up this weekend, you'll see some nice colors, but not all of them.

I hadn't been out on my Double Lakeshore Loop since hepatica season. That was four months ago! So Duce and I went out on Thursday. Here are some pictures of the green foliage I found captivating.

One little orange and yellow mushroom

New life springing up in a drifted trunk on the shore

The path of beach rock covered in moss

So many little green things in one spot!

The foliage decorates an old stump

We just had a busy weekend, so people are still coming up in anticipation of the vibrant colors. I am anticipating them as well, since I love bright colors in general. I hope to get up to my favorite spot to scope out the leaves. And this time, I'll actually bring my camera!

I have started a fire in the wood stove a couple times now. The nights just get so chilly, and the house doesn't warm up during the day with the winds and lack of sunshine. Even though the atmosphere mixing with that Big Lake is constantly changing our view, it sure is magical to watch. I've got a treat for you next time as an example.

Stay tuned and have a wonderful day!

1 comment:

MichaelSeptember 22, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Thanks for the reports Amanda. I'm hoping the color holds up well until we're up the first weekend in October. Nice eye on the photos!
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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 22, 2013

The Little Things on the Double Lakeshore Loop

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Unofficial Overview from a Resident's Point of View

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