Houghton, MI
A bit of a change of pace; we’re camping at a city park in Houghton Michigan, on the Keewenaw Peninsula. It’s a bustling metropolis of 8,000 population, home to Michigan Tech University. We’re right on the downtown waterfront, and have an awesome view of the Portage Lake vertical lift bridge. Lots of boats, pontoons, paddle boarders, kayaks, and sea-planes! Can’t wait to see the bridge in operation for the big boats (historically large cargo ships transporting copper from the Peninsula mines).
A drive through the Keewenaw Peninsula today:
* took the scenic 7 mile gravel Cliff Drive to see towering walls of rock.
* toured the Delaware Mine, one of several former copper mines in the region.
* stopped to soak in a peaceful scene at Medora Lake.
* went to the end of 41 to Copper Harbor and beyond into Ft. Wilkins State Park.
* learned some interesting history on life here as a Soldier in the 1880’s by walking the fort grounds.
* drove to the western mouth of the Portage Canal; saw the Keweenaw Waterway Lighthouse and hunted for yooperlites (some glow under a UV blacklight due to the fluorescent mineral sodalite).
* caught a Lake Superior sunset back in Houghton and enjoyed a delicious meal and brew in a cool historic building called “The Library”.
Another full day taking advantage of the super long days (sunset at 9:52 PM).
Delaware Mine