We consider it a beginning …
… the north end of US Highway 41.
Yes, when we arrive it is the end of a 500-mile drive, but it is the beginning of a chance to be revitalized. The air is fresh … scented by pine trees. The water is clear, cold and full of life.
With a heat wave oppressing a large portion of the central United States, being on the shore of Lake Superior in the northern-most town in Michigan is a very good thing.
Crows Nest and Harbor Haus Restaurant ... the End of the Road
We wore sweats this morning while the area was cloaked in fog. After lunch we decided to go hiking and debated whether to wear jeans or shorts. When we had walked less than a few blocks from our vacation spot, we were already hot and sweating.
Once we returned to our spot on the harbor, conditions were much more comfortable. Back in Chicago our neighbors are melting. This week is expected to be the hottest we have experienced in the Chicago area this season. As a local bumper sticker proclaims, “Copper Harbor … the trip is worth it.”
We were introduced to Copper Harbor by a young woman who grew up in the area. After hearing my wife describe our typical vacation activities and destinations, she said, “You would like my home town.” Plus, her parents still operated a small “resort” in the town.
That is what brought us to the end of the road the first time.
Over the last 20 years, we have returned 18 times. We will continue to make the trip to the end of the road. Spring 2011 was long, cool, and very wet. Now, the Midwest is enduring warnings of “Excessive Heat” with recent reports of 131 degree heat index readings.
Our drive to Copper Harbor on Sunday involved 10 hours in the van interrupted a few times by very hot walks (because we travel with two large dogs) at rest areas and gas stations. We were pleased by the cool air that greeted us as the highway descended from the Keweenaw Lodge to Copper Harbor on the shore of Lake Superior.
When we reached the stop sign at the end of US 41 (only one block from the Copper Harbor and Lake Superior shoreline), we rolled down the windows and were greeted by much cooler air.
To see pictures of Copper Harbor area you can visit my Walking Keweenaw photo web gallery.
Click the photo above or this link for the Harbor Haus website.
You will find information about Copper Harbor, Michigan, using these links:
Nice web presence. Ran across your sites while testing filtered Google searches. (Keweenaw + updated in last 24 hours). I live in Houghton but am currently stuck near Saginaw for a while this summer.
Welcome back to the Keweenaw. Wade in Superior for me, eh?
Jim Curtis
Keweenaw Press
Houghton
Hey, Jim – Thanks for the note. On Thursday we did a lot of wading on the rock formations along the shore in the Isabelle Point area. The wind was churning up a lot of sand a gravel, but it was still a great place to spend some time.
Last night (between 10:30PM & 11:30PM) before the moon rose, we had a wonderful opportunity to view the Milky Way, count satelites and falling stars … then had a brief show of teh Northern Lights.
Today (Friday), we plan to get to the agate beaches on Hunter’s Point between Copper Harbor and Lake Superior. Later, we’ll walk through Fort Wilkins State Park and let the dogs take another dip in Lake Fanny Hooe.
SHould be a great day.
Brian
lovely photos! We were in Marquette 2 weeks ago – it was HOT! Cooled off very well in the evenings though. We saw that same Milky Way sky – however no northern lights. That would have been awesome! You are correct – that place just does something to your soul.
I am looking for the bumper sticker “Copper Harbor, the trip is worth it” We are doing welcome packages for a destination wedding at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Oct. Can you tell me where to find them? Thank You
Hi Leslie – I just received an email from Carol at the Copper Harbor welcome center confirming that http://www.copperharbor.org/ is the source for those bumper stickers. They cost $2.00 each (plus postage).
Carol says you could contact her by email … chwelcome@gmail.com … to order the bumper stickers. You might also want to call the Visitor Center at 906-289-4274.
Good luck and have a great time in October. It should be very colorful at that time.
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