My daughter and her husband live in the Keweenaw Peninsula, so we try to get up for a visit in the summertime. This time we decided to take our time and view a few new things along the way. The Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan is so beautiful, with so many out of the way places like lighthouses and waterfalls!
First Stop on our Visit to the U.P.-Gran Marais
Our first stop in the U.P. was Gran Marais. About an hour northwest of the Mackinac Bridge. We wanted to walk to see the lighthouse, but first we needed to eat lunch. The West Bay Diner was in a very unique style. Like the old 50's theme. I loved the décor! The only thing that I thought was weird was the way you had to walk all the way around the back to enter. The staff was very friendly, and knowledgeable. Real downhome style! The waitress stopped to have a conversation with us as well as the cook. I ordered a pannu kakku (a finnish oven pancake) and the cook brought it out and told us that it was his grandmother's recipe.
Here's a link to learn more about Gran Marais, in the U.P.
Au Sable Light Station
We made it out to the AuSable Light Station, which is quite a drive on a dirt road west of Gran Marais. There is also campground there. If you walk along the beach, you will see old skeletons of shipwrecks. The day we were there, it was very warm and humid and the biting flies were out. We couldn't stand still for more than a few seconds before they swarmed us, which wasn't very pleasant. The girl at the lighthouse said it depends on the way the wind is blowing, whether the flies swarm or not.
We spent the night in Marquette, and in the morning we decided to see another lighthouse, Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. It was located just north of the city of Marquette along the shoreline. There are 121 lighthouses in Michigan, that's more than any other state!
We couldn't go past Ishpeming in the U.P without stopping in to see what crazy new things there were at "Da Yooper Tourist Trap".
Canyon Falls in Baraga
I loved the meandering boardwalk down to the Canyon Falls. The trail to Canyon Falls is at a roadside park south of Baraga. Beautiful waterfalls and flat rock ledges to walk out on to see the river up close. At the very end of this trail is the big waterfall into the canyon. It's interesting the way the tree roots grow right over the huge rocks. (By the way Baraga is the cheapest place to get gas on your way to Houghton.)
We took a long drive out to another lighthouse along a breakwall. It was quite a windy day, so you can see the difference in the waves on each side. The gulls love this lighthouse and as you walk to the end, the gulls start to fly away. It is quite a cool sight!
Portage Lake Lower Entry Lighthouse Lake Linden
Built in 1930, it is located at the end of the long breakwall at White City.
Last time we visited Houghton/Hancock we toured the Quincy Mine. This time we toured the Delaware Mine.
The Delaware Mine is located off U.S. Highway 41, 12 miles (19 km) in Grant Township, Keweenaw County, south of Copper Harbor, Michigan and is a Keweenaw Heritage Site.
There are over 100 steps down to the mine, so if you have health issues, it might be a little taxing getting back up those steps!
We enjoyed getting to know the pet skunk, their mascot, named Snickers.
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse
We crossed the Keweenaw peninsula and came into Eagle Harbor and stopped by the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. You can walk around outside for free, but pay to go inside. The lakeshore view is beautiful!
Our last stop on our sightseeing trip in the U.P was a small waterfall along the side of the road on our way back to Houghton from Eagle Harbor. You can't see everything in a day up in the Keweenaw Peninsula, but since we visit at least once a year, we are picking them off, a few at a time. You're welcome to leave comments below about your favorite place in the Keweenaw!
