Today was a beautiful travel day. We had 342 miles of sunshine and scattered clouds from Brainerd MN to Bismarck ND. Temperatures reached 80 degrees and a brisk wind was blowing by the time we got to ND.
The trip was relaxing and we only had one oops. We drove through Fargo ND. That's right, through ... not around and not near ... through. We can honestly say the main route through Fargo is "nice".
The ND scenery (so far) is quite different from what we saw in MN and WI. The land is pretty flat and open.
Highlight
This was Dick's first time in North Dakota.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Day 6 - (07/24) Brainerd, MN
Today was a travel day. We left Hancock, MI at 9:30am (Eastern) and arrived at Brainerd, MN at 4:45pm (Central). The 345 mile drive was on MI-26S to MI-28W to WI-2W to I-35S to MN-210W to MN-371S. It misted and rained lightly most of the morning and cleared in the afternoon. Temperatures were in the low 70s. We passed through Superior MI and Duluth MN.
Crosby MN is a postcard city. It’s located on a lake, the homes are well maintained and the main street is lively and clean.
We’re camped at Don and Mayva’s Crown Wing Lake Campground 10 miles south of Brainerd. The campground is pretty crowded. We got a spot by calling ahead.
Crosby MN is a postcard city. It’s located on a lake, the homes are well maintained and the main street is lively and clean.
We’re camped at Don and Mayva’s Crown Wing Lake Campground 10 miles south of Brainerd. The campground is pretty crowded. We got a spot by calling ahead.
Day 5 - (07/23) Hancock, MI
We drove to Copper Harbor and used National Geographic’s Copper Country Trail route to tour the Keweenaw Peninsula today. Our stops included Ft. Wilkins, Eagle Harbor, Calumet Theatre and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.
Eagle Harbor
We took the Brockway Mountain Drive (MI-26W by-way) out of Copper Harbor. It was 2 lanes, narrow and rough most of the way to Eagle Harbor. The climbs were pretty steep; the views from a mountaintop were unexpected.
We passed Great Sand Bay on the way to Eagle Harbor. The details on the sign below were worth remembering and sharing.
Calumet Theatre
The theatre was opened in 1900. This historic opera house still offers theatrical, musical and community events throughout the year. The list of performers is very long and impressive.
Portage Lake Lift Bridge
This is the world’s widest and heaviest double-deck lift bridge. It spans the canal between Houghton and Hancock. It’s the only connection to the rest of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Background
During the 1840’s, rich copper deposits on the peninsula drew prospectors, miners and industrial capitalists to Copper Harbor. Mining had a huge influence on the area from 1843 to 1945.
Ft. Wilkins
The fort was built in 1844 to keep peace in Michigan’s copper country. It was abandoned just 2 years later as troops were withdrawn to support the Spanish-American War. It’s a well-preserved example of mid-19th century army life on the northern frontier. 19 buildings survive; 12 of them are original structures.
During the 1840’s, rich copper deposits on the peninsula drew prospectors, miners and industrial capitalists to Copper Harbor. Mining had a huge influence on the area from 1843 to 1945.
Ft. Wilkins
The fort was built in 1844 to keep peace in Michigan’s copper country. It was abandoned just 2 years later as troops were withdrawn to support the Spanish-American War. It’s a well-preserved example of mid-19th century army life on the northern frontier. 19 buildings survive; 12 of them are original structures.
Eagle Harbor
We took the Brockway Mountain Drive (MI-26W by-way) out of Copper Harbor. It was 2 lanes, narrow and rough most of the way to Eagle Harbor. The climbs were pretty steep; the views from a mountaintop were unexpected.
We passed Great Sand Bay on the way to Eagle Harbor. The details on the sign below were worth remembering and sharing.
Calumet Theatre
The theatre was opened in 1900. This historic opera house still offers theatrical, musical and community events throughout the year. The list of performers is very long and impressive.
Portage Lake Lift Bridge
This is the world’s widest and heaviest double-deck lift bridge. It spans the canal between Houghton and Hancock. It’s the only connection to the rest of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Day 4 - (07/22) Hancock, MI
We’ve been travelling north for the past three days. It’s now time to head west.
Today was perfect for a 269 mile drive. The sky was overcast, there was no rain and it was cool (mid-70s). We took I-75S from Sault Ste. Marie to MI-28W, MI-28W to MI-41N and MI-41N to Hancock. We’re on Keweenaw Peninsula … a peninsula of Michigan’s northern-most peninsula.
Route 28 between Munising and Marquette offered outstanding, unobstructed views of Lake Superior and the shoreline.
We’re staying at the Hancock Campground. It’s operated by the city and is very nice. We plan to tour tomorrow.
Today was perfect for a 269 mile drive. The sky was overcast, there was no rain and it was cool (mid-70s). We took I-75S from Sault Ste. Marie to MI-28W, MI-28W to MI-41N and MI-41N to Hancock. We’re on Keweenaw Peninsula … a peninsula of Michigan’s northern-most peninsula.
Route 28 between Munising and Marquette offered outstanding, unobstructed views of Lake Superior and the shoreline.
We’re staying at the Hancock Campground. It’s operated by the city and is very nice. We plan to tour tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Day 3 - (07/21) Sault Ste. Marie, MI
We went sightseeing today. The short description is that we went on a boat tour of the Soo Locks and took the National Geographic Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway drive. The long version follows.
Boat Tour
We “locked” up and downstream through the MacArthur lock, viewed the International Bridge and saw many historic waterfronts of Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Boat Tour
We “locked” up and downstream through the MacArthur lock, viewed the International Bridge and saw many historic waterfronts of Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Entering MacArthur Lock
The Arthur M Anderson, a749 ft Laker type ship, exited the Poe lock as we waited to lock downstream. This is the first ship to aid the Edmund Fitzgerald and the last ship to have contact with "The Big Fitz" before it sank off Whitefish Point in 1975. 
Scenic Drive Highlights
Iroquois Point Light Station guided ships through the channel for 107 years.
Iroquois Point Light Station
Whitefish Point Lighthouse dates from 1849. It’s believed to be the oldest active lighthouse on Lake Superior. The lighthouse keepers made about $600 per year.
Great Lakes freighter off Whitefish Point
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located on Whitefish Point. The museum describes some of the events surrounding the loss of over 300 ships on the Great Lakes.
The Fish House wasn’t described in the National Geographic guide, but it was along the route. It’s located in Paradise (honest) just a few miles from Whitefish Point. It’s owned and operated by 4th generation fishermen. The facility is unimpressive, but … they only open when they have a catch of the day to serve. We had whitefish. The meal and the service was OUTSTANDING. 
Did you know?
Lake Huron is 21 ft lower than Lake Superior. The St. Mary’s River connects the two lakes and the elevation change occurs at St. Mary’s Rapids where the Soo Locks are located.
There are four Soo locks – MacArthur, Poe, Davis and Sabin.
The Poe Lock (no pun intended) is 1,200 ft long and 110 ft wide. A 1,000 ft ship has 2.5 ft of clearance on each side when inside the Poe Lock.
There is no fee for passing through the Soo locks … for any vessel from any country.
Day 2 - (07/20) Sault Ste. Marie, MI
We drove to Sault Ste. Marie, MI today. The 281 mile drive was beautiful and became more remote as we travelled north to the Upper Peninsula.
It rained last night. We awoke to an overcast sky and misting rain. The day looked pretty bleak at the start. It cleared by 11am. It was mostly sunny during the day, but we had some heavy rain squalls in the afternoon.
The drive over Mackinac Bridge was breathtaking. Mackinaw Island, the Grand Hotel and jet ferries were clearly visible.
Mackinaw Bridge
Mackinac Island (Grand Hotel - white, in center)
We spent an hour in the Soo Locks Information Center getting acquainted with history and waiting out a severe downpour. Frank’s Place (a family diner) provided pie a-la-mode and coffee to complete the day.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Day 1 - (07/19) Birch Run, MI
After months of planning, we were able to leave Columbus for the northwest today. There’ll be no more wondering about what we’ll need, what we forgot or where we’ll go.
We pulled out at 11:15, drove north for 266 miles and stopped in what Buckeyes call “that state up north”. Yep, Michigan!
The route was I-270 to US 23N to 15W to I-75N to MI 83N. The temperature was in the mid-80s, it was mostly sunny and there was no rain. We passed Findley, Toledo, Ann Arbor and Flint. Birch Run is between Flint and Saginaw MI, 4 miles south of Frankenmuth.
We pulled out at 11:15, drove north for 266 miles and stopped in what Buckeyes call “that state up north”. Yep, Michigan!
The route was I-270 to US 23N to 15W to I-75N to MI 83N. The temperature was in the mid-80s, it was mostly sunny and there was no rain. We passed Findley, Toledo, Ann Arbor and Flint. Birch Run is between Flint and Saginaw MI, 4 miles south of Frankenmuth.
We’re at Pine Ridge RV Campground in Birch Run, MI. The campground is large, clean and quiet. Unfortunately there’s no internet service.
Frankenmuth
We visited here more than 5 years ago. Bruce & Barbara Stevenson gave us a grand tour then. There’s no way we can duplicate their description here.
We drove past Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, through the Bavarian village downtown, bought some fudge and had ice cream. The sights and sounds were as remembered. Ah, yes. There was nothing quite like a chicken dinner at Zehnder’s Restaurant, accordion music playing along the main street and Christmas shopping in July.
Did you know?
Some MI gas stations have cash and credit gasoline price. They differ by about 7 cents a gallon. I haven’t seen the concept for years.
The Frankenmuth Fudge Company claims to make 200 tons of fudge a year. They make more than 20 varieties of fudge. It's good stuff, but we find it very difficult to believe the production volume. Maybe we misheard?
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