A Second Week In The U.P.

I had the pleasure of spending a second full week in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It was more laid back than the first. The first was celebratory while the second was … chill. I took the opportunity to get more familiar with the area. I had been to the U.P. several times before, but wanted to explore a bit this go ‘round.

I found myself aimlessly driving around downtown Sault Ste. Marie (better known as The Soo) stopping at thrift/junk/antique stores, before picking up m’lady to go to a Soo staple, Clyde’s Drive In. It was great to see Liz get visibly nostalgic about a burger joint. Come to find out, her parents had a meal at Clyde’s prior to their high school prom. Queue my forever love for the place.

The exploration continued after Liz realized I had not been to been to Tahquamenon Falls. A hop, skip, and a jump from the cabin, I decided to take the touristy trip while she worked. Luckily my mother-in-law decided to join me. We drove Lake Superior Shoreline Road, stopping along the coast of the lake to explore and reminisce about memorable moments from her past. The falls were great, but the day trip was made by the stories provided along the way. It didn’t hurt that a pit stop was made at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery.

The week started to come to an end with a hike to “The Point”. A jutting peninsula that guides the freighters through Whitefish Bay, into Waiska (Whiskey) bay, and through St. Marys River. Liz and I gathered driftwood and beach glass that would make the trip back to North Carolina. The week culminated with me making (needless) excuses to kayak out into the bay, and floating peacefully in the glass-like waters.

It was difficult to drive south, with Michigan in the rear view mirror. However, if I realized one thing on my 1,000-mile drive back to Durham, it is that you can’t return to a place unless you first leave it.