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.
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