2 States
3 Great Lakes
3 Days
1,719 Miles
33 Hours and 35 minutes driving time
51 MPH average speed
35.2 MPG
21 Restaurants
10 Bakeries
2 Ice cream shoppes
That ‘before’ map includes 4 trips tallied from 2 ski trips, 1 summer trip up to Copper Harbor and 1 coming back from Mackinac Island. So it was time to complete seeing the UP.
Those outside of the upper Midwest might not know this region is unique from an identity based on remoteness and ruggedness. You don’t pass through the UP; you have to go there. Its past was based on mining and logging. Today those industries remain and are supplemented by very active tourism built on the outdoors from the bountiful lakes, rivers, Great Lakes, mountains and forests.
Friday, August 31st, 2012
A 50 hour work week under the belt head out at 4PM and drive up to Rhinelander.
Saturday, September 1st, 2012
Morning run through downtown Rhinelander.
Eagle River is one of the more popular northern Wisconsin tourist cities.
And it was a stop for food. A Pecan Roll from Eagle Baking Company.
Fay’s Dinky Diner has a counter and 3 booths.
Prompted by the TV those guys were making fun of Obama and later zookeeper Jack Hanna. Why must they make fun of Jack?
Headed up to the U.P. turning west to Wakefield.
Bordering Lake Superior is Porcupine Mountains State Park.
Lucked upon a street fair in Ontonagon. What a wonderful slice of Americana.
This is what it looked like from Ontonagon to Ishpening.
Raspberry Scone in Ishpening.
A Pasty (rhymes with nasty) is the Upper food staple. Originating from being a portable meal for miner’s lunch pails these are as ubiquitous up there as coffee is in Seattle or hot dog stands in Chicago. This is a traditional one with beef and potatoes.
The largest city in the U.P. is Marquette which features Beaux Arts architecture and a harbor.
These visually appealing buildings, active downtown, plenty of shops and waterfront provoked that urge to linger.
For nourishment there was the old time fountain at Donckers and then some bakery.
The thick forests open up along a remote loop in the NE.
Bordering Canada, Sault Sainte Marie has a neon lit downtown strip with cafes, souvenir stands and fudge shops. The big attraction is the Soo Locks viewing platform. It was a wonderful atmosphere of families excitedly waiting for the next ship to pass.
In the background is Freedom Bridge linking the United States with Canada.
Sunday, September 2nd, 2012
The second time driving across the 5 mile Mackinac Bridge was still exciting. I love engineering marvels.
Had no plans to stop at the already visited Mackinaw City but the magnetism of this kitschy yet agreeable tourist trap was too enticing.
Raspberry Roll from Mackinaw City Bakery & Tea Company.
1950s Pancake Chef. Loved this interior.
Took a stroll down to the shore to once again admire Mighty Mac.
Headed southeast along Lake Huron and through Cheboygan.
Just south of Rogers City is a viewing platform for a 3 mile long quarry.
The precision German sedan effortless continued south along Lake Huron through Presque Isle and Alpena.
Started heading west and around Hubbard Lake.
Centrally located in northern Michigan is the Swiss themed Gaylord for a late lunch at the circa 1919 Sugar Bowl.
Continued moving towards Lake Michigan and then headed north, passed through attractive Petosky (been there, done that) and around Traverse Bay to Harbor Springs.
This tony town has a harbor with a lot of money parked in it.
Wonder where the recipe comes from for Tom’s Mom’s Cookies.
Made the loop of Emmett County by the way of a narrow road overhanging Lake Michigan.
Back across the Mackinaw Bridge (still exciting) and to St. Ignace for MORE food.
A traditional ground beef pasty. Oh, what I do to my body for the sake of culinary exploration.
A Vegetable Pasty from Suzy’s Pasty Shoppe had the seasoning missing from most of these dough envelopes.
Clyde’s Drive-In from 1949.
A sprawling souvenir ship had an observation platform on its roof. This view captivated me for showcasing the beauty of nature and American engineering and workmanship.
Lehto’s has been dishing pasties out from this roadside stand since 1947.
Moving westward along the peninsula’s southern Lake Michigan boundary stopped for some Smoked Salmon from Gustafson’s Smoked Fish in Brevort.
Epoufette.
Monday, September 3rd, 2012
The long drag of downtown Escanaba.
A Breakfast Pasty of eggs, pork sausage and the ever present potatoes from Dobber’s.
Took a loop north before turning back south to head back to Wisconsin.
Hit a squirrel. Felt bad for a half second.
Almost hit a child duck. Would have felt very bad.
A late breakfast along the lake in Menominee.
Back in Wisconsin stopped at the Peshtigo George Webb so I can now say I’ve been to every location of this Milwaukee based chain.
The route back home purposely went past Kohler so I could see my favorite girls. Arrived at 2 and left at 5.
So, I saved the best for last.