Post date: Jun 14, 2016 11:56:01 PM
Yoopers are a rare lot. There aren't too many and most can be found in remote areas far from civilization. I think they want it that way. They live north of the Mackinac Bridge and refer to their Southern brethren as Trolls. What is a Yooper you ask? Someone who lives in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan.
After a great sleep, I packed the bike and headed out on the road again. I found that the handlebar is a great place to hang my bathroom scrunchie so it will dry. Draping my blue Packtowl over my dry bag is a great location as well.
I rode up Michigan 25 and 23 all day around the coasts of Lake Huron and northern Lake Michigan until I crossed the Macinaw Bridge. By this time, I've tested the waters in all five Great Lakes. Almost the entire coastline is laced with cottages, businesses that rely upon tourists, and state parks. There are a few towns that earn mention like Bay City, Tawas, and Harbor Springs.
Bay City reminds me of a once bustling town that experienced some economic downturn and has yet to recover. Some of the homes on the main drag are astoundingly large and quite nice, similar to Meridian Street in Indianapolis. Tawas is clearly a summer getaway and is dependent on the tourist industry, local or otherwise. It has a beautiful beach area. Harbor Springs seems like a playground for the wealthy. As I was entering town, a Hawker jet was on approach at the small airfield in the area. That jet costs in excess of $10M. Everywhere you look is lakefront properly for sale represented by Sotheby's. There is also a renowned stretch of asphalt through the woods called the Trail of Trees. The route is very picturesque winding through a thick stretch of forest that forms a canopy over the roadway.
The Mackinac Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the Western hemisphere, is right around the corner. Part of the roadway is grated, so you have a clear view of the water's surface below. It's a bit disorienting trying to drive and look down at the water simultaneously. Thinking back, it had been almost three decades since I crossed the bridge last. I recall a fond memory of my grandparents, mom & stepfather, and myself taking a trip to the UP.
The area is known for Mackinac Island, where modern conveniences have been banned for quite some time, for example, almost anything motorized. There was a movie filmed on the island starring Christopher Reeves called Somewhere in Time. And there is fudge. Yes, fudge. If you don't want to take the ferry to the island, you can procure some really good fudge, arguably the best in the area, from Marshall's.
One of the local pizza places offers a coupon to Marshall's for buy one slice of fudge and get a second for a dollar. It's a good deal because they're proud of their product. The owner of the shop said that her family had been honoring the deal between the businesses for almost 80 years. It's worth it, if you like fudge.
On the other side of the bridge, I camped out at Straits State Park. It was a nice park like most other Michigan state parks where I have camped previously. I am quite satisfied with the cleanliness of Michigan's parks, their sites, the facilities & amenities, and overall camping experience. Unlike some other states, who shall not be named, Michigan employs a camp host(s) who is actually present 24x7. This obviously contributes to a sense of order which keeps people from acting foolish.
After a good night sleep, I headed deeper into the UP. It is abundant with trees - Cedar, White Birch, and Pine. If you're looking for remote wilderness, this is it. Some friends of mine have vacation properties up there where there are no services, electricity, or running water. If you totally want to unplug, this area is a good place to do it. I didn't have cell service the entire time I was in the UP, and even then, my phone didn't pick up a usable tower until about 100 miles outside of Minneapolis, MN. The UP isn't all barren though. Marquette is a nice little town.
A local favorite delicacy is called a pasty. It's a pastry dish that is usually packed with meat, potatoes, and spices. Think of Spanish empanada but better. They are delicious, and Lawry's serves them up second to none, at least I'm told. So, I met a former relative-by-marriage who lives in the area and caught up on some twenty odd years of life. Stomach full, batteries recharged, and ready to move on, I continued through the rest of the UP all the way into Minneapolis, MN.
Turns out that when I reached my scheduled stop for the night, it was 1400 in the afternoon, and I wasn't the least bit tired. I continued on riding. About 100 miles outside of town, I was able to contact my friends in the area and inform them that I was arriving a day early. They were most accommodating and rolled out the, "Black carpet to their home," e.g. the newly paved streets in their neighborhood.
It was great to see them as it had been several months since our last encounter. They have three sons that will no doubt turn out to be fine men one day. I think that I was able to make a small and indelible mark on their childhood by giving them all motorcycle rides around the neighborhood. The moments were memorable for me, and I hope the same sentiment is shared with them. I have very fond memories of my youth that are run amuck with motorcycles.