06/25/2007
Fayette, MI – Back to St. Ignace, MI
Odometer: 8679.0 Total of 927 Miles in the upper Peninsula loop
Got into Fayette around Noon today. Took a tour of the Fayette State Park
“ghost town” iron mining 
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
06/25/2007 Fayette, MI – Back to St. Ignace, MI
Captains BLOG
06/25/2007
Fayette, MI – Back to St. Ignace, MI
Odometer: 8679.0 Total of 927 Miles in the upper Peninsula loop
Got into Fayette around Noon today. Took a tour of the Fayette State Park
“ghost town” iron mining 
06/25/2007
Fayette, MI – Back to St. Ignace, MI
Odometer: 8679.0 Total of 927 Miles in the upper Peninsula loop
Got into Fayette around Noon today. Took a tour of the Fayette State Park
“ghost town” iron mining
6/20/2007Copper Harbor, Brockway Mountain
Captain’s BLOG
6/20/07
Copper Harbor, Brockway Mountain
Odometer: 8218.2
The drive into Copper Harbor was very pretty
. There were so many small towns, so small that if you sneezed then you missed that town. Checked into the Fannie Hoo Resort Campground 
right on the lake. Again, the place was empty. Everyone keeps telling us that tourist visits are down but we think tourism to this area is over. Took a ride up to Brockway Mountain 
and was afforded great views of Lake Superior 
and its water traffic. The landscape in the area can be very similar to ours and then totally different all in the same view. The weather has remained sunny and very warm so can’t complain. The UP is a place we could spend 2-3 months 
exploring.
6/20/07
Copper Harbor, Brockway Mountain
Odometer: 8218.2
The drive into Copper Harbor was very pretty
. There were so many small towns, so small that if you sneezed then you missed that town. Checked into the Fannie Hoo Resort Campground 
right on the lake. Again, the place was empty. Everyone keeps telling us that tourist visits are down but we think tourism to this area is over. Took a ride up to Brockway Mountain 
and was afforded great views of Lake Superior 
and its water traffic. The landscape in the area can be very similar to ours and then totally different all in the same view. The weather has remained sunny and very warm so can’t complain. The UP is a place we could spend 2-3 months 
exploring.
6/24/2007 Iron Mountain – Cornish Pump – Escanaba MI
Captains BLOG
06/24/2007
Iron Mountain – Cornish Pump – Escanaba MI
Odometer: 8506.5
Finally ran into to someone who knew what bit us. They are called no-see-um, no really that is true. We looked it up on line and they are so small and nasty that you don’t even know they have bitten you until you develop the pain, itching and bumps. In rare cases too many bites can result in kidney failure. Treatment is generally prednisone. All we have is topical cortisone so if we are not cleared up by the time we get home we may need a prednisone taper. Anyway it was off to Iron Mountain for a tour of an Iron Mine.
We thought that mining iron may have been done differently then mining for copper but it was not. The only real difference was that the stopes were bigger. 
Next it was on to the Cornish Pump which is the largest steam powered water pump ever built and was used in the mines to keep the mine shafts dry. That concluded that day. We will be heading to an abandoned mining town “ghost town” for a tour.
06/24/2007
Iron Mountain – Cornish Pump – Escanaba MI
Odometer: 8506.5
Finally ran into to someone who knew what bit us. They are called no-see-um, no really that is true. We looked it up on line and they are so small and nasty that you don’t even know they have bitten you until you develop the pain, itching and bumps. In rare cases too many bites can result in kidney failure. Treatment is generally prednisone. All we have is topical cortisone so if we are not cleared up by the time we get home we may need a prednisone taper. Anyway it was off to Iron Mountain for a tour of an Iron Mine.
We thought that mining iron may have been done differently then mining for copper but it was not. The only real difference was that the stopes were bigger. 
Next it was on to the Cornish Pump which is the largest steam powered water pump ever built and was used in the mines to keep the mine shafts dry. That concluded that day. We will be heading to an abandoned mining town “ghost town” for a tour.6/23/07 Paulding Lights, MI
Captain’s BLOG
6/23/07
Paulding Lights, MI
6/23/07
Paulding Lights, MI
Odometer: 8362.9
Drove to Paulding today to witness the mysterious Pauling light. Since the early 70’s a mysterious light appears in the state forest located in a remote area following the power lines.
Drove to Paulding today to witness the mysterious Pauling light. Since the early 70’s a mysterious light appears in the state forest located in a remote area following the power lines.
The light appears almost every night at dusk and remains visible even during winter snowstorms. There has been scientific studies done to try to figure out what the light is but no one has been able to come up with an answer to the mystery. The local people find the light to be comforting and we spoke with the man that developed the Paulding light web page. http://www.backwoodswisconsin.com/paulding_light.htm http://www.unexplainedresearch.com/files_anomalies/paulding_light.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrnZVTzQ06Y
He has lived in the area for many years and has witnessed the light in the best and worst weather conditions thereby dispelling the thought that the light is headlight reflections. We went to the locale to get a look and sure enough there it was, first very bright then fading, even changing to a red color at times. There were many people viewing the light and no one has a explanation. It was very eerie, but real.
We had binoculars so did get a closer look. The light was bright and looked like it was sparking around the perimeter leading us to think it may be coming off the high tension wires but I guess scientists have disproved that theory. We went back the next morning to get a look at the area in daylight but did not see anything unusual. Then it was back on the road to our next destination.
Monday, June 25, 2007
06/22-23/2007 Quincy Mine, Porcupine MTNS
Captains BLOG
06/22-23/2007
Quincy Mine, Porcupine MTNS
Odometer: 8320.9
Well, it was another great day of sun and beautiful weather. On our way to Porcupine Mountains we stopped at the Quincy Mine
in Hancock, MI. The mine and surrounding property is designated as a National Park. We went on a two hour tour of the mine traveling down 1900 feet to the seventh level mine shaft. The mine is 9000 feet deep and all levels below 1900 feet are flooded. Cannot imagine working in the conditions that were so dark, damp and uncomfortable. At the height of its’ operation there were over 2000 men working the mine. The majority of workers came from Scandinavian and European countries all wanting to better themselves in the USA. Unfortunately most lost their hearing from the constant high decibel levels in the mines. There were millions of pounds of copper extracted with even more then extracted left behind. 
The mine shut down 50 years ago because it became a cost prohibitive operation (copper value had dropped too low). Within the complex is the largest hoist ever built and at the time was the showpiece of the mine. It is in pristine condition and operational although will never be used again. Our copper is now imported from China, Mexico and South America from open copper pits. Then it was off to Porcupine Mountains 100 miles away.
Got into Ontonagon MI around 5 PM and found a great campground right on the banks of Lake Superior at the Ontonagon Municipal Park for $18.00 dollars with water and electricity. Since we were only going to spend one night it was off to the Porcupine Mountains, so named because someone with a good imagination thought the mountains looked like two porcupines resting with their backs up. That adventure took us almost 4 hours (longer then anticipated), a lot of hiking and some OK views. The area is very similar to the White Mountains 
so didn’t bring anything new or different to us. Got back to the campground around 10 PM (still light and bright out because we are the furthest West in the Eastern time zone) and ate leftovers from the German Restaurant. Boy were we tired! Oh, did I mention that we have been eaten alive by “something”, not sure what because you can’t feel being bitten. First you may notice blood dripping down your face, feel a bump, then pain, then the swelling and pain intensifies and if you lightly touch the area the pain gets worse. We have bites on our heads, necks and temple areas only, and no one can tell us what bit us. 
The boat Captain in Copper Harbor told us it may be a small black fly that bites, injects a blood thinner and then sucks the blood. It has been very uncomfortable but the good news is that after 3 days the pain and swelling subsides.
06/22-23/2007
Quincy Mine, Porcupine MTNS
Odometer: 8320.9
Well, it was another great day of sun and beautiful weather. On our way to Porcupine Mountains we stopped at the Quincy Mine
in Hancock, MI. The mine and surrounding property is designated as a National Park. We went on a two hour tour of the mine traveling down 1900 feet to the seventh level mine shaft. The mine is 9000 feet deep and all levels below 1900 feet are flooded. Cannot imagine working in the conditions that were so dark, damp and uncomfortable. At the height of its’ operation there were over 2000 men working the mine. The majority of workers came from Scandinavian and European countries all wanting to better themselves in the USA. Unfortunately most lost their hearing from the constant high decibel levels in the mines. There were millions of pounds of copper extracted with even more then extracted left behind. 
The mine shut down 50 years ago because it became a cost prohibitive operation (copper value had dropped too low). Within the complex is the largest hoist ever built and at the time was the showpiece of the mine. It is in pristine condition and operational although will never be used again. Our copper is now imported from China, Mexico and South America from open copper pits. Then it was off to Porcupine Mountains 100 miles away.
Got into Ontonagon MI around 5 PM and found a great campground right on the banks of Lake Superior at the Ontonagon Municipal Park for $18.00 dollars with water and electricity. Since we were only going to spend one night it was off to the Porcupine Mountains, so named because someone with a good imagination thought the mountains looked like two porcupines resting with their backs up. That adventure took us almost 4 hours (longer then anticipated), a lot of hiking and some OK views. The area is very similar to the White Mountains 
so didn’t bring anything new or different to us. Got back to the campground around 10 PM (still light and bright out because we are the furthest West in the Eastern time zone) and ate leftovers from the German Restaurant. Boy were we tired! Oh, did I mention that we have been eaten alive by “something”, not sure what because you can’t feel being bitten. First you may notice blood dripping down your face, feel a bump, then pain, then the swelling and pain intensifies and if you lightly touch the area the pain gets worse. We have bites on our heads, necks and temple areas only, and no one can tell us what bit us. 
The boat Captain in Copper Harbor told us it may be a small black fly that bites, injects a blood thinner and then sucks the blood. It has been very uncomfortable but the good news is that after 3 days the pain and swelling subsides.
06/20-21/2007 Copper Harbor Light House Tour, Fort Wilkins, Delaware Mine
Captains BLOG
06/20-21/2007
Copper Harbor Light House Tour, Fort Wilkins, Delaware Mine,
Odometer: 8218.2
This morning the sky was clear, blue and sunny. The winds were gone and the Lake was as smooth as glass. It was off to our next adventure that proved to be quite interesting.
Toured Fort Wilkins, built in 1844 to house the military that manned the fort to protect the first commercial copper mine on Keweenaw point against invasion by the Keweenaw Indians. There were no tourists 
when we arrived but there were those dressed in period costumes that portrayed the people of that era and spoke in the dialect of that era explaining what life was like during those hard times. The Fort has been meticulously maintained by the state of Michigan. Then it was on to our private boat tour
(no one else was there) to the Copper Harbor Lighthouse one of Michigan’s oldest lighthouses. Tourism was so slow that the Captain and owner of the boat was our tour guide.
He was well versed and very informative about the history of the lighthouse complex 
reviewed the discovery
of the very first copper mine found on that site in 1948 by Douglas Houghton. The mine proved to be a failure but did find its’ way into history. Mr. Houghton is a celebrity in this area and is promoted as the great adventurer of his time. Unfortunately he died in a boating accident during a storm on Lake Superior at age 33. The lighthouse is different then any we have seen before. Walking up to the light there is a second floor of living quarters right off the spiral staircase. There is a 3-person brick outhouse 
in the back and the contents were allowed to run down the hill behind the lighthouse (ugh!!). We walked down a very rocky path to get a look at a copper vein and to the boat for our rocky ride back. The Captain suggested we stop at a local restaurant for a dining experience like no other. Then it was off to the Delaware Mine 
for a self-guided tour of an old copper mine. The owner’s live in Copper Harbor six months of the year and Florida six months. They have two dogs, one is three-legged and a 4 year old skunk (yes a skunk) that thinks it is human. 
There is no electricity so everything is run on generator. No tour guides until July, so we donned our hardhats and trekked our way into the mine 1200 feet down
hoping the generators wouldn’t fail. Great experience but cold (42degrees) and damp. After spending time talking with the owner (everyone in the UP is extremely friendly and happy) it was off to our “dining experience” at the Harbor House Restaurant for some German Food. The food was excellent and plentiful. So much that we had enough left over for a second meal. It was a “dining experience” as the Captain had described. German sayings throughout on the walls, all dressed in German attire and we even got see a little dance performed by the waitresses on the deck welcoming back the Isle Royal Ferry. Then it was back to the campground for some rest and preparation for the next leg of the road trip.
06/20-21/2007
Copper Harbor Light House Tour, Fort Wilkins, Delaware Mine,
Odometer: 8218.2
This morning the sky was clear, blue and sunny. The winds were gone and the Lake was as smooth as glass. It was off to our next adventure that proved to be quite interesting.
Toured Fort Wilkins, built in 1844 to house the military that manned the fort to protect the first commercial copper mine on Keweenaw point against invasion by the Keweenaw Indians. There were no tourists 
when we arrived but there were those dressed in period costumes that portrayed the people of that era and spoke in the dialect of that era explaining what life was like during those hard times. The Fort has been meticulously maintained by the state of Michigan. Then it was on to our private boat tour
(no one else was there) to the Copper Harbor Lighthouse one of Michigan’s oldest lighthouses. Tourism was so slow that the Captain and owner of the boat was our tour guide.
He was well versed and very informative about the history of the lighthouse complex 
reviewed the discovery
of the very first copper mine found on that site in 1948 by Douglas Houghton. The mine proved to be a failure but did find its’ way into history. Mr. Houghton is a celebrity in this area and is promoted as the great adventurer of his time. Unfortunately he died in a boating accident during a storm on Lake Superior at age 33. The lighthouse is different then any we have seen before. Walking up to the light there is a second floor of living quarters right off the spiral staircase. There is a 3-person brick outhouse 
in the back and the contents were allowed to run down the hill behind the lighthouse (ugh!!). We walked down a very rocky path to get a look at a copper vein and to the boat for our rocky ride back. The Captain suggested we stop at a local restaurant for a dining experience like no other. Then it was off to the Delaware Mine 
for a self-guided tour of an old copper mine. The owner’s live in Copper Harbor six months of the year and Florida six months. They have two dogs, one is three-legged and a 4 year old skunk (yes a skunk) that thinks it is human. 
There is no electricity so everything is run on generator. No tour guides until July, so we donned our hardhats and trekked our way into the mine 1200 feet down
hoping the generators wouldn’t fail. Great experience but cold (42degrees) and damp. After spending time talking with the owner (everyone in the UP is extremely friendly and happy) it was off to our “dining experience” at the Harbor House Restaurant for some German Food. The food was excellent and plentiful. So much that we had enough left over for a second meal. It was a “dining experience” as the Captain had described. German sayings throughout on the walls, all dressed in German attire and we even got see a little dance performed by the waitresses on the deck welcoming back the Isle Royal Ferry. Then it was back to the campground for some rest and preparation for the next leg of the road trip.Thursday, June 21, 2007
06/19/2007 Munising MI / Picture Rocks Boat Cruise
Captains BLOG
06/19/2007
Munising MI / Picture Rocks Boat Cruise
Odometer: 8030.2
Spent last night at the local KOA and fell asleep to the sounds of torrential rain on the roof. First order of business this morning – check on Mothers’ health status. Stephanie, her Nurse, assured me that Mother is better today. Temp dropped from 101.8 to 98 and she is more alert. We were encouraged to continue our trip and call later in the day. Drove to Munising a lovely town bordering Lake Superior and got a campsite at a city campground called City of Munising Tourist Park Campground right on the banks of Lake Superior. What a view!!!! Today is much cooler
then we have experienced with heavy cloud cover and strong winds. Took a three-hour boat tour on Lake Superior 
to
Pictured Rocks. 
Despite the cold and wind it was a great tour and beautiful scenery. Then it was on to the tiny little town of Christmas where the stores are decorated all year. VERY, VERY tiny town of Christmas with 2 storefronts decorated. Back to the
campground to have dinner and enjoy the view before taking off to Copper Harbor 200 miles west of here. Called to check on Mother and she is doing a little better, out of bed and eating, temp still down. It was overcast, windy and chilly most of the day and really got cold in the evening. Ron was hoping for a shot at a sunset over Lake Superior but it didn’t look promising. Around 9 PM the sun came out in all it’s glory and by 10:15 PM Ron got the picture of the best and most beautiful sunset we have ever seen. 
Did I mention that the sun actually sets between 10 and 10:30 PM? Still haven’t grown accustom to all the daylight hours.
06/19/2007
Munising MI / Picture Rocks Boat Cruise
Odometer: 8030.2
Spent last night at the local KOA and fell asleep to the sounds of torrential rain on the roof. First order of business this morning – check on Mothers’ health status. Stephanie, her Nurse, assured me that Mother is better today. Temp dropped from 101.8 to 98 and she is more alert. We were encouraged to continue our trip and call later in the day. Drove to Munising a lovely town bordering Lake Superior and got a campsite at a city campground called City of Munising Tourist Park Campground right on the banks of Lake Superior. What a view!!!! Today is much cooler
then we have experienced with heavy cloud cover and strong winds. Took a three-hour boat tour on Lake Superior 
to
Pictured Rocks. 
Despite the cold and wind it was a great tour and beautiful scenery. Then it was on to the tiny little town of Christmas where the stores are decorated all year. VERY, VERY tiny town of Christmas with 2 storefronts decorated. Back to the
campground to have dinner and enjoy the view before taking off to Copper Harbor 200 miles west of here. Called to check on Mother and she is doing a little better, out of bed and eating, temp still down. It was overcast, windy and chilly most of the day and really got cold in the evening. Ron was hoping for a shot at a sunset over Lake Superior but it didn’t look promising. Around 9 PM the sun came out in all it’s glory and by 10:15 PM Ron got the picture of the best and most beautiful sunset we have ever seen. 
Did I mention that the sun actually sets between 10 and 10:30 PM? Still haven’t grown accustom to all the daylight hours.
06/18/2007 Tahquamenon Falls Excursion / Newberry KOA
Captains BLOG
06/18/2007
Tahquamenon Falls Excursion / Newberry KOA
Odometer: 7967.7
Was wakened at 5:30 AM by the buzzing sound of the ever - present mosquitoes. It was light, bright and 69 degrees.
By the time we left at 10:30 AM on our mini-train and boat tour to the falls the temp had climbed to 88. After 4.5 miles of train-track a 21 mile boat ride and a one mile hike to the falls it was anti-climatic to see the falls because as the tour guide told us at the falls, they were run
ning at half capacity because there has been an ongoing drought in the area. I guess they didn’t feel it was necessary to let us know that in advance of taking the tour. Got back around 5 PM and had a voice message that my Mother had been taken to the ER. She had been ill and had become very confused and then unresponsive. Had some very tense moments but after speaking to the ER Nurse was told Mother had a UTI and was receiving IV antibiotics. They did send her back to the Nursing Home but we weren’t sure if we should return home or not. After 
speaking to the NH decided to spend the night in the area and call in the morning. If Mother is no better will start our journey home. By this point we were tired, stressed and hungry. Ate at a local Pub and Ron tired an Upper Peninsula food called a Pastie (pronounced pass-tie). Of course Ron called it a Pastie and the waitress was in stitches laughing. She informed us that they don’t sell pasties or the girls that wear them. That was the first laugh of the day for us. The Pastie consists of beef/veggies wrapped in dough with gravy on top and was delicious.
06/18/2007
Tahquamenon Falls Excursion / Newberry KOA
Odometer: 7967.7
Was wakened at 5:30 AM by the buzzing sound of the ever - present mosquitoes. It was light, bright and 69 degrees.
By the time we left at 10:30 AM on our mini-train and boat tour to the falls the temp had climbed to 88. After 4.5 miles of train-track a 21 mile boat ride and a one mile hike to the falls it was anti-climatic to see the falls because as the tour guide told us at the falls, they were run
ning at half capacity because there has been an ongoing drought in the area. I guess they didn’t feel it was necessary to let us know that in advance of taking the tour. Got back around 5 PM and had a voice message that my Mother had been taken to the ER. She had been ill and had become very confused and then unresponsive. Had some very tense moments but after speaking to the ER Nurse was told Mother had a UTI and was receiving IV antibiotics. They did send her back to the Nursing Home but we weren’t sure if we should return home or not. After 
speaking to the NH decided to spend the night in the area and call in the morning. If Mother is no better will start our journey home. By this point we were tired, stressed and hungry. Ate at a local Pub and Ron tired an Upper Peninsula food called a Pastie (pronounced pass-tie). Of course Ron called it a Pastie and the waitress was in stitches laughing. She informed us that they don’t sell pasties or the girls that wear them. That was the first laugh of the day for us. The Pastie consists of beef/veggies wrapped in dough with gravy on top and was delicious.
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