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EXPLORING MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA

By Mary Emma Allen

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Fall view of Eagle River Falls in the Upper Peninsula. Photo Credit: Marinel Miklja

A fascinating part of our country lies in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, often called the U.P., near the Canadian border. Jim's and my travels took us there one cold, windy below zero January weekend, when the wind chill reached minus 40 degrees F. We wondered if we'd ever go back.

However, we've discovered that part of the U.P., in northwestern Michigan, bordering Wisconsin, contains many attractions and friendly people. During a recent trip to the area, Jim and I found the leaves turning color and scenery beckoning us to explore.

We ate a picnic lunch beside Fumee Falls, then climbed to the lookout platform above the water. A historic marker mentioned this was the site of a former railroad trestle.

We also walked along the Menominee River and took photos of this area. The weather was ideal, so different from that frigid January visit.

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Model T rides at Greenfield Village. Photo Credit: The Henry Ford

History of the Area

The history of the Iron Mountain/Kingsford area involves iron mining and lumbering, but

now has evolved into winter and summer recreation. Henry Ford also left his name in the U.P.

"I always associated Henry Ford with the Detroit area," raced through my mind.

Further delving revealed that in 1920, Henry and his Ford Motor Company purchased 313,447 acres of timber land, built a sawmill, and constructed a plant to manufacture wooden auto components. "Woody" station wagon bodies (popular in the 1930's and ‘40s) ranked high on the list of parts produced here.

During World War II, Ford converted his wood product production to gliders. The Ford Motor Company built 190 of the CG-4A gliders that the military used for combat activities during the war. Nowadays, restoration of one of these gliders is underway.

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Fisherman at Agate Waterfalls near Bruce Crossing in the Upper Peninsula.
Photo Credit: Raymond J. Malace

Attractions in the Area

*Pine Mountain Ski Jump claims fame as the world's highest artificial ski jump. National and international competitions still take place annually during February. When we mentioned this ski jump to a friend, he said he'd traveled there in the late 1930s for try-outs for the U.S. Olympic team.

*Menominee Range Historical Museum consists of a 1901 building donated by Andrew Carnegie with a large collection of artifacts from the Upper Peninsula (U.P.).

*U.P. Sports Hall of Fame features local sports "greats."

*Waterfalls, including Fumee Falls, provide scenic views as well as recreational opportunities. They're often a delightful place to picnic and hike.

*The Self-guided Ford Tour gives you an opportunity to see all the sites and buildings connected with the Ford Motor Company.

*Iron Mountain Iron Mine, where you can travel 400 feet below the surface, lets you see how mining took place years ago.

*Norway Mountain, not far from Kingsford, provides skiing in season

*Millie Mine Bat Cave houses the second largest colony of hibernating bats on the North American continent.

These are just a small listing of the many attractions and activities throughout the northwestern portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Discover this interesting area, in all seasons, for yourself.

Web site: www.ironmountain.org

�2007 Mary Emma Allen

(Mary Emma Allen lives in New Hampshire, but travels and writes from around the United States. She also hosts several blogs: www.quiltingandpatchwork, www.alzheimersnotes.com, and www.homebiznotes.com ; E-mail: me.allen@juno.com )