Copper Harbor in a day - bad idea

It is important to know how big the U.P. is.  Les and I thought we were being pretty clever.  We found a RV Park that was pretty central for a good price so we would be able to have many nice day trips.  Well, Copper Harbor and the Keweenaw Peninsula are still quite a drive (4 ½ hours from Escanaba).  We still decided to make it a day trip.  See the landscape and know that we were to the top of Michigan.  It was as most U.P. drives, beautiful. All of our U.P. Friends have told us what a great area Hancock- Houghton is.  They are right.  We wove through this great surprise of a college town with the back drop of Copper mines.  The smatter of sophistication of perfect houses and shops was a big changed from the Coyote pelts hanging at a road side log cabin just a few miles down. Just beyond in Calumet we ate at the Michigan House Café and Red Jacket Brewing Company. 

 This is a red brick building left over from the wealthy copper mining hay day ( 1847-1887).  We had a nice Hifenvitzen, but the winner was the baked havarti dill appetizer with raspberry sauce.  I will mess with this one until I can perfect it (super yummy). Onward, to the top of Michigan.   

The roads are winding and very green on the way to Fort Wilkins (1844 – 1846).  The purpose of the fort was to protect the copper industry in the area.  But if it only was used for two years you can’t help but think this was more government over reaction to a none problem.  Better safe then sorry I suppose.    It is now a state park.  So just your MI Passport is needed and they do have a full camp ground available.  The grounds are well maintained and you want to walk around and check it out.  There are a few people in period costumes that are very willing and able to talk about the life style at the fort and its renovations.  Isolation and the cold were big factors here for the solders.  

 We drove home on the 26.  It is a great road that skirts the shore of Keweenaw. We had great views of Eagle Harbor Light station.  Rock pickers were having a great time finding copper beach stones.   We had a nice time, but it was a big day to get there and home.   

Thanks to Becky and Jon for their generous tour guide offer.  We hope you will still have your door open to us next year. We will plan better for a trip to the Keweenaw area and spend more time.  But not in the winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 25 JUL 2011