Road trip: Upper Peninsula

Saturday, August 5th, 2017 - Friday, August 11th

Road trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Saturday, Aug 5th: To Munising, MI

Nice drive along northern Wisconsin and into the Upper Peninsula (UP). Drove by the "Porkies," and skirted the big lake for most of it. Quick lunch, walk-about and intel gathering at the local bike shop in Marquette. Then, finished the drive to Munising.

Canyon figured out the secret passage from truck cab to truck bed. Dirtbag dog.

Beautiful day to find a beach and tire out the pup.
Along the Lake Superior shoreline, just outside of Munising. Grand Island in the distance.

"We drove forever just to swim in the same damn lake" - Canyon

There is a feature park for mountain biking in Munising that we spent some time at on Saturday evening. With a teeter-totter (for bikes)! Mileage = 2.41 mi

Grabbed a taste at the East Channel Brewing Company, then headed to a trailhead (Valley Spur) to settle in for our first night. 

Chicken fajitas for dinner.

Sunday, Aug 6th: Munising, MI

Biked this morning. Part of a larger loop was closed due to logging operations, but still a nice ride. Mileage = 8.53 mi

We booked a pontoon rental to cruise along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It was a beautiful afternoon! What follows is a photo dump ...

Many, many, many kayakers taking in the pretty rocks

Boat dog.

Waterfall! Spray Falls.

The fog started to cruise in on our way back toward Munising.

Wooden lighthouse.

Canyon had fun doing pontoon jumps into the clear water.

Fog rolling in the area we'd just been

Headed back to Marquette for a taste at Ore Dock Brewing, then watched the sunset and full moon at Marquette Mtn overlook near our camping spot.

  

Monday, Aug 7th: Marquette, MI

Woke up right by the trail system, so we started the morning out with several mtn bike laps in between hammock sessions. Mileage = 12.40 mi

Nice surprise waterfall on one of my laps.

After riding, we found amazing pasties at Jean Kay's (with the best accompanying sauce!) 

Found a dog-friendly beach for Canyon to jump in, then walked around town a bit. Stopped into Blackrocks Brewery for a flight and handheld pasties (3 for $2) - and live music!

Tuesday, Aug 8th: To Copper Harbor, MI

Woke up early to get in the red Pioneer loop (Mileage = 9.44 mi), then made breakfast burritos out of Wayne. Mulled about Marquette for a bit. Then, we drove up the Keweenaw to Copper Harbor, ~3 hours. Nice drive.

In Copper Harbor, we chatted with the crew at Keweenaw Adventure Center (KAC) and planned to join the Tuesday shuttle group for $20.

5 runs for an awesome evening of riding! Mileage = 14.48 mi
Dinner = fish tacos from the food truck = delicious!

Rolled into camp at a future campground.
Fought an epic battle against the UP mosquitos that night ...

Wednesday, Aug 9th: Copper Harbor, MI

Eggs and tators for breakfast at the campsite, then cruised about town a bit.
Drove out to the Point, saw the start of Hwy 41, which ends in Miami, FL - a distance of 1990 miles!

We then arranged our own shuttle service from the Lodge/Golf Club to ride Red Trail and Stairway to Heaven. Mileage = 5.98 mi

Dinner at The Pines followed by beers at Brickside Brewery

Thursday, Aug 10th: To Calumet, MI

Had a much improved and victorious night against the mosquitos! Grabbed breakfast at Tamarack Inn, then walked about the strip of town. Snuck into a few shops, but several were closed due to lousy weather. It was a rainy day, so we decided to move on with our travels.

Drove Brockway Mountain Road - scenic, although foggy and rainy - toward Eagle Harbor.

Stopped for a Bloody Mary at Eagle Harbor Inn.

Shoreline of Eagle River, MI. We walked the shore, throw the frisbee for Canyon and pick up cool rocks.

Sniped bar seats at the Fitzgerald right when it opened (~4 PM)

Whiskey flight at the Fitzgerald.

The Fitzgerald lived up to the hype! Great BBQ and selection of whiskey and beers. Who knew!

We then set off further down the Keweenaw toward Calumet.

Another shoreline stroll near the Fitzgerald.

Snowfall-meter along the drive toward Calumet, MI

 Found a ski/bike/hike trail system of Swedetown for an evening ride on ~wet trails. No longer raining, but a misty ride around ~7 PM. Mileage = 5.90 mi

Canyon got a rinse off in this nearby river before we all settled in for the night in Wayne.

Friday, Aug 11th: To Houghton, MI

Another rainy morning, so we slept in a bit then hit the road for Houghton, hoping to get in a ride if the conditions allow.

Grabbed breakfast burritos and chai teas at 5th & Elm. Stopped into 2 bike shops and walked down by the river. Still drizzley out.

Stopped in at Roy's bakery for a few treats.
Then, realizing our fate, we opted out of riding the "Tech trails" d/t rain, sadly.
So, we loaded up Wayne and made our way back west to Duluth.

Great times in the UP - we'll most certainly be back :)

Total bike mileage = 59.14 miles in Michigan's U.P.