U.P. Wonderland

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a fantastic place. In three days, two of them filled with rain, we were still able to see an array of beautiful and amazing places. Since both my parents are from Michigan, I have always had a fondness for the state, and visited many times. But I had never seen the UP…until now…

 Some of the sites included:

Mackinac (pronounced Mack-in-naw) Island—you have to take a ferry to get there. We bicycled around the 8-mile perimeter of the island and visited the town. No cars allowed. Natural landmarks like the Arch are easily accessible, as are the biking trails.

 The Tahquamenon Falls near the town of Paradise. The water in the falls shows a brown hue, caused by tannins from cedar swamps. Because of this the falls are nicknamed “The Root Beer Falls.”

 Big Spring near Manistique is a beautiful pool of remarkably clear water fed from cracks in the limestone floor below, where tourists can ride a floating barge and gaze down through a plexiglass floor to see the fish, and even the water bubbling up through the fissures at the bottom. 

 The “Yoopers” (nickname for people who live on the Upper Peninsula) are quite friendly and helpful, and proud to tell you about their home. Cell service is spotty, which is probably good, because it allows you to spend more time checking out this remarkable remote corner of the country.