Isle Royale National Park, Houghton, MI

Isle Royale NP, north of Houghton, MI, is a very unique park.  It is only accessible by boat or seaplane from either the upper Michigan shoreline or from Minnesota. It is the 3rd least visited National Park.  Isle Royale is a remote island wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior.  We took a ferry ride to the island.  The ferry ride was 3 and 1/2 hours one way.  We spent 3 hours on the island.  Unfortunately, it rained for most of the ferry ride and rained the whole time we were on the island.  We did take a hike through the forest walking through water and mud sometimes 5 inches deep.  We were wearing raincoats but still got soaking wet due to heavy rain.  The scenery was beautiful, even though, it was hard to see in some places.  Isle Royale is a remote island where many people come to hike, canoe, or kayak.  Maybe someday we can go back when the weather is better...

Keweenaw National Historical Park, Calumet, MI

The Keweenaw NHP in Calumet, Michigan, is a collection a sites throughout the Keweenaw peninsula.  The park is dedicated to the copper industry that made its mark on this part of Michigan's upper peninsula.  The copper mining began in this area as far back as the Native American  occupation.  In the 1800s financial investors and immigrant miners moved into the area and began copper mining operations.  The mining is now over for the Keweenaw peninsula, but the mines and building remain.

While we were in Calumet to see the National Park site, we stumbled upon Pasty Fest.  There were having a parade, a car show and a pasty eating contest.  We were able to catch the pasty eating contest with the winner eating 3 whole pasties in 5 minutes. (if you don't know what a pasty is, read my post on the Upper Peninsula).

Pasty eating contest, winner is on the left.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is named that because the rocks along the water are multi-colored due to mineral content.  There are many things to see and do at Pictured Rocks.  You can take a boat tour or take your own water tour by kayak or canoe.  There a dozens of hiking trails and many waterfalls to view.  We hiked to four waterfalls and saw the log slide.  It is a steep, sandy incline where loggers would slide the logs down to Lake Superior.  You are allowed to slide down and climb back up but there are warnings that if you need emergency services to rescue you, it will cost you $500. We did not slide down it.  We liked Sable Falls the best, we had to climb down and back up 168 steps, but it was worth it. Picture Rocks is a very beautiful and diverse park, something for everyone to see and enjoy.

Miner's Castle

Miner's Falls 

Log Slide

Sable Falls

Michigan's Upper Peninsula

We crossed the 5 mile long Mackinac Bridge and entered the Upper Peninsula, also known as the U.P.
A popular food in the UP is known as a Pastie.  Pronounced Pass-Tee.  It is a meat pie that you can hold in your hand and eat as you go.  Pasties were popular with local miners because they were a filling portable lunch. Pasties usually have beef, shredded potatoes, rutabagas and other vegetables all wrapped up in a pastry crust.  They were delicious. We also enjoyed some Mackinac fudge, another local favorite.  The flavor we chose was Walnut Maple Cherry.  It was very yummy.

Mackinac Bridge

Pullman National Monument, Chicago, IL

The Pullman National Monument is located south of Chicago, IL.  It was a town, factory and housing area that was designed by George Pullman of the Pullman train car empire.  Pullman's idea was that if he gave his workers everything they needed, they would be less likely to form a union. He built stores, provided a doctor, recreational areas, housing in from upper class to working class even a church.  A beautiful hotel was also built to house visitors. The whole complex covered over 4,000 acres, with the factory taking up the largest share of the land.  His experiment of a planned community was well received but in the end, did not keep his workers from striking.

Hotel Florence

Administration Building, damaged by fire, being restored for the new visitor's center

One of the factory buildings, also damaged by fire.

Executive housing

Worker's row houses

Church