06 Keweenaw Peninsula

Trip Start Jun 09, 2008
1
6
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Trip End Nov 05, 2008


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Flag of United States  , Michigan
Tuesday, July 29, 2008

After a hot breakfast at a diner out of the rain, we had a leisurely drive through towns like Ontonagon and Houghton-Hancock (twin cities a river apart) then into Keweenaw County -- ending up at Fort Wilkins State Park just outside Copper Harbor. This is the most northerly mainland point in Michigan and provides ferry access to Isle Royale National Park (no dogs allowed here since the wolves were decimated by a dog borne virus about twenty years back). The US government has a 50+ year study going on the moose (which swam there from Canada) and wolf (which immigrated from Canada across the ice) -- the wolf finally is seen as a good guy since it strengthens the Moose herd by killing mainly the old and infirm.

The "modern" campground (with showers and power) puts everyone too close together on cookie cutter style lots -- ergo, we only stayed one night before heading further south. However, the surrounding countryside is beautiful and we splurged on an excellent whitefish dinner with imported German beer.

Tidbits:
- Lake Michigan has a longer shoreline than Lake Superior (tidbit donated by Peter F).
- The state wayside picnic areas are extremely well maintained and placed in scenic locations.
- Almost no back-tracking rquired when driving around this peninsula.
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