May 14–20, 2008, Number 492
Summers in the U.P.
Now that things have settled down in Houghton, I get the opportunity to spend another wonderful summer up here. I wanted to take the chance to write about some of the great things to see here in the area. I've explored the grounds of both Houghton and Keweenaw counties over the past several years and in this article I'm going to describe a few of my experiences for you.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to many fabulous waterfalls. Some of the more well known are: Hungarian Falls (Tamarack City), Jacobs Falls (3 miles northeast of Eagle River), Manganese Falls (Copper Harbor), and Eagle River Falls (Eagle River), just to name a few. Right now these falls are pretty magnificent after the spring thaw! The picture shown is a photo of me in front of the Jacobs Falls taken last week. Many of the falls in the Keweenaw Peninsula are easy to access and can be fun to hike through.
For those who like to check out the coast of Lake Superior while visiting, there are several prime locations. These include the city of Gay, Gratiot River Beach (great spot for Agate hunting!), McLain State Park, and Calumet Township Park (sometimes known as Calumet Waterworks). For those brave enough to handle the cool waters of Lake Superior, many of these locations are great beach areas for swimming and relaxation. I personal love to hang out at Gratiot River Beach, but that's because the beach is comprised of tons of rocks to hunt. Otherwise, when with my friends, we enjoy Calumet Waterworks, because we can barbeque, swim, and have fun hanging out.
Some favorite shopping spots of mine that I encourage people to check out are Copper World (Calumet), the Jam Pot (near Jacobs Falls), and the gift shop at the Quincy Mine Hoist (Hancock). Copper World is a great place to pick up unique pieces that are comprised of copper from the local area. What's unique about the Jam Pot is that it is run by the monks that live in the monastery near by. These gentlemen have some of the greatest jams, breads, and deserts in the local area, all at great prices. Definitely stop by there on your tour through the Keweenaw.
No visit through the Keweenaw is complete without a drive on Brockway Mountain Drive. Once you reach the top, stop at the gift shop and check out the view. It is absolutely gorgeous in the fall with all the colors and the view is crystal clear in all directions.
One important guide that I highly recommend that everyone try to get a copy of is entitled Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula: The Superior Coast – Visitor's Guide. I've used it several times to check out different parts of the Keweenaw and it details sights to see. For more information, the brochure states to either visit Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula website or call 1-800-338-7982. This guide is very handy if you aren't sure what to do in the area.
I hope the information that I've provided helps people know what to check out when visiting the area up here. All times of the year provide fun and beautiful aspects of the U.P. to see. If there are any questions or comments about this article please email me at my personal email address. If you have any suggestions for other summer article materials, please let me know.Until next week,
- Michigan Technological University
- 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931-1295
- 906-487-1885