Day trips on the West Side of the North

  Menominee, MI

Today we packed a picnic and drove 50 miles to Menominee.  We just kept following US2.  The main street is adjacent to the very full harbor and a very green public park.  Walking through Menominee it is easy to see that one time lots of money was spent here.  There are a lot of open store fronts and a massive halted renovation to the Lloyd Building.  Apparently, the Lloyds are big in this area.  Wicker furniture is the family business and seems to be a thriving business but no longer located on main.  It will be great to comeback some day and see the shops that turn up in this great structure.  Many of the boats in the harbor had just finished a small race and were recovering and doing minor maintenance to their boats.   Les and I had to walk the harbor break.  We passed a quiet polite group of teen boys.  On the way back they were jumping off the pier into the lake and being very vocal and kinda naughty.  The difference……girls had been added to the group.  So funny to see the show begin.   Teen years never change.

We drove home on US35.  We had to stop at a great car show.  Now granted this was a car dealer, and I doubt that these cars could ever be sold …but they are totally beautiful in their own way Wearing rust with glory and dignity.

I wonder what todays cars will look like in 50 to 75 years?  Or if anyone will see beauty there? 

18 JUL 2011

Escanaba, MI

The volunteer Historical Society in Escanaba(Delta County Historical Soceity) should be the example that others follow.  The light house, boat house and the museum are all monitored and better word would be “Hosted” by friendly, helpful and informed members.  At times they had more information then I wanted, but you can’t take away that they all knew their stuff and had many stories to share.  They do have a great sense of local history and Escanabas contributions to it.  The museum is nice.  (Brady is not impressed with Lake Michigan)

I did learn something about currency.  The National Banks could and did print their own legal tender from 1863 to 1877.

You never know when you’ll find a neat tidbit.

 

Don’t be deceived.  The Swedish Pantry is a restaurant.  It may look like a boutique from the outside and the inside, but it is a bakery with a full Swedish menu.  This is good food but VERY solid.  A big appetite and a doggy bag are required.

19 JULY 2011

Iron Mountain – It’s to damn hot

Whoda thought.  Here we are in the U.P.  To borrow a local sign “Satan called and he wants his weather back”.  It is 100 Degrees with an index of 122.  Les and I turned up the air, left Brady at home and went to tour the Iron Mine ($12.00 for adults and the tour is about 45 minutes with 30 in the mine).  Truly looks like this exhibit has not changed for at least 50 years.  And that is just fine.  It has all the rusty folksy charm a U.P.tourist attraction should have. 

 

A very Yooper guide explained mining equipment, and the hit and miss techniques of the era to look for iron in the 1870’s.  Don’t forget that Yooper humor ( Did he just tell a joke? I think he did?  I’m not sure?  Just smile).  There is no hurry on this tour plenty of time to ask questions and look around.  Did I mention it is 38 degrees in the mine?  A perfect tour for a day like this. 

 After thinking about going to see some rivers and falls we decide to have some homemade custard and come home to check on Brady.  Air is working great.  He came outside to greet us and ran back inside.  Too hot for the dog.  Our family stayed inside the rest of the evening and watched TV. 

20 JULY 2011