Houghton and Copper Harbor, MI

We chose the Keweenaw Peninsula as our next destination after the advice of so many local folks that live in the U.P.  On Tuesday, September 8^th we left Munising and traveled over 130 miles in the rain to the City of Houghton RV Park.  We normally do not rely on a navigation system for directions to campgrounds because of our past experiences with being directed to roads that a 39 foot motorhome and a tow vehicle should not travel on.  The phone call made to the campground for directions did not turn out the way we hoped.  After maneuvering through the side streets of Houghton we finally made it to the campground where we met up with Joe & Crickett Cherry.

The cities of Houghton and Hancock are connected by the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.  It is the only land-based link between north and south sections of the Keweenaw Peninsula.  The bridge is the world’s heaviest and widest double-decked vertical-lift bridge.   This unique double deck bridge has two levels of traffic.  The upper level is for vehicular traffic while pedestrians and snowmobiles can use the lower level.   The upper level was the only level open during our stay in Houghton due to road work being done.

On Wednesday morning we picked up Joe & Crickett and the four of us headed out with cameras in hand to Brockway Mountain.  It was a very scenic drive up to the quaint town of Copper Harbor.  Some of our stops during the day were at Sand Hills Lighthouse Inn, Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, lunch at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, overlook at Brockway Mountain, Fort Wilkins and The Gay Bar. 

We missed seeing the Northern Lights by one night.  They were seen from the campground the night before we arrived.  There was a lot of talk about the lights and pictures shared with us on our day in Copper Harbor.   How cool would that have been to see the night skies in yellow-green color?  The Keweenaw Peninsula is the premier location in the lower 48 states to see the Northern Lights.

Keweenaw County, located at the northernmost tip of Michigan, is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior.  The winters bring in 300 inches of annual snowfall.  That is 25 feet!  But that is only one of their four seasons – summer is beach season, fall is leaf season, winter is snow season and spring is waterfall season.  This area may take some getting used to because of the openness and quiet but once you do, you will feel life’s stresses fade away.

 

We said good-bye to Ron and Kay Servies from Knoxville, TN the morning we left Munising. 



Meet Joe and Crickett Cherry from Shelby, NC our traveling buddies for the next several weeks.



This is not what you want to come upon while trying to find a campground.  You know immediately your directions are wrong.



City of Houghton RV Park was a nice place to sit outside and grill.




Dinner is ready- check out the view from our campsite.



Portage Lift Bridge is capable of allowing 100ft. clearance for passing ships.



Sand Hills Lighthouse Inn -
The lighthouse was purchased in 1961 and it remained boarded up for 31 years.  Renovations began in 1992 and in 1995 the first guests were welcomed to the bed and breakfast by the inn keepers Bill and Mary Frabotta.



On the grounds of Sand Hills Lighthouse Inn.



A cluster of berries on the trees. 



Views of Lake Superior's rocky shoreline are sure to help one unwind while walking around the grounds at the Inn.



We enjoyed the sounds of the breaking waves as we looked for rocks and driftwood.



The Smart Stone



Deer we saw along the roadside on our way up to Copper Harbor.



Eagle River Lighthouse
The lighthouse, located at the south bend of the Eagle River, went into operation in 1854.  It's service ended in 1908 and it is now a private residence.




Located at the west end of Eagle Harbor



Lake Superior is the largest fresh water lake in the world.



Lake Superior - 31,700 square miles




Its deepest point is 1333 feet and its surface is 602 feet above sea level.



This structure was built in 1871.  The 100 year old roof was being replaced while we were there.



Terry, Crickett and Joe enjoying the view of Lake Superior.



In the distance is Copper Harbor.



Another view of Lake Superior's rocky shoreline.



Overlook at Brockway Mountain. 




We were so glad to have taken the drive as far north as you can go in Michigan to be rewarded these beautiful views.



Here we are enjoying the view at 735 feet above lake level.



Copper Harbor Lighthouse is one of Michigan's oldest lighthouses and has been restored to its original beauty. Guided tours are offered 7 days a week accessible  only  by tour boat. 




It is hard to describe with words the feeling of serenity that saturates your whole body, mind and soul. 



Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is where we had lunch.  There were a few items on the menu that we had not seen before.  Joe and Crickett tried the grilled  macaroni and cheese sandwich. 



This switchboard at the lodge was used from the mid 40's to the 80's.   



In the early 1840's, a copper rush took place, with fortune seekers moving from all directions to the peninsula.  When New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley referenced "Go West, Young Man" he wasn't encouraging settling America's West Coast.  He was directing them to the "Copper Rush" in Keweenaw County where he was an investor in the Delaware Mine.



Fort Wilkins was built in 1844 and the U S Army occupied the fort too help keep peace between  miners and local Ojibwas so that essential supplies could be shipped in and the copper moved out.



The fence around  Fort Wilkins.



Flagpole in front of Lake Fanny Hooe at Fort Wilkins. The next few pictures were taken at Fort Wilkins.





Lake Fanny Hooe



Lac Labelle Harbor Navigation Project serves as an important Harbor of Refuge and supports chartered fishing and recreational navigation interest.



Mendota Lighthouse



The clouds are rippled. One of the places we found by just veering off the main highway.



Bete Grise Bay Area



One of a few recreational boats we saw on Lake Superior in this area.



Notice how thick the forest is bordering the lake.



We were told not to miss this stop in Gay, MI.



Terry just being Terry and making us all laugh.



We were getting close to the City of Houghton leaving the dense wilderness behind.



Another shot of the Portage Lift Bridge.



A view from our campsite and as you can see wilderness is still all around us.  The local folks say this area is a canopy of color in autumn when the trees become yellow, orange, red and green.  The slower pace, unspoiled wilderness and massive waterways gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself.