Fall in The Keweenaw Peninsula | Michigan
The time spent on the road during our fall road trip to the Upper Peninsula (UP) was amazing, but the Keweenaw Peninsula felt like we had entered another world. The network of wild nature preserves, parks, and beaches in the Keweenaw Coastal Wildlife Corridor are now protected for their scenic beauty and pure air in an area that once produced a large percentage of the world’s copper.
The leaves were just starting to turn on this gorgeous drive.
Our first stop upon arrival in Copper Harbor was at the Dapple Gray Bed & Breakfast. We were not disappointed in the beautiful log cabin as our hosts Ole, Ruth & Abe welcomed us to their home. We stayed in the Lincoln Room complete with period furniture and a Civil War library.
Eeyore the donkey. One of three that live on the property.
Another family member – George Washington, an Olde English Bulldogge.
The home has beautiful decks to enjoy the outdoors and views of Lake Superior.
Before leaving the next morning we even got the thrill of spotting a majestic bald eagle right from our balcony.
Once settled in, we took a quick ride through the town of Copper Harbor. What are the chances of seeing a line of vintage cars parked at a motel? It really did feel like another world or moment in time.
The Harbor Haus Restaurant where we had reservations after sunset. The food was delicious and our waitress was so much fun – wish I had taken a photo of her in her German attire!
A sign on the dock behind Harbor Haus – No kidding – it’s so true!
From there we headed up to enjoy the sunset view from Brockway Mountain scenic drive, stopping at the Copper Harbor Overlook, for a view of the little town we had just visited. The trees were just beginning to turn so the fall color weren’t what we had hoped for, but the views were spectacular!
Trying to keep warm and stay busy waiting for sunset we made this amazing discovery – our Fitbits were showing the exact same number of steps for the day – that never happens! Well, actually they were within a couple of steps so we jostled ourselves back and forth until they matched exactly – yes life with a photographer waiting for that perfect shot can be quite exciting! Thank you for always being so patient Bill!
Before heading back the next morning we enjoyed a peaceful hike at Hunter’s Point Park just left of the boat launch at the Copper Harbor Marina. The trail has a few roots and rocks to navigate, but is a fairly easy, flat hike through the woods and out to stunningly beautiful, rocky shores of Lake Superior.
I wasn’t kidding when I said it felt like another world, or maybe the end of the world. You can even go to the spot where US-41 ends it’s path all the way from Miami, Florida.
Well, actually this is the beginning of US-41, and it does feel a little like going back to a new beginning.
A short drive down the dirt road at the end of US 41 there is another hiking path to the shores of Lake Superior in Horseshoe Harbor.
Our last stop in Copper Harbor before heading home was the Estivant Pines Wilderness Nature Sanctuary. These enormous trees are as many as 600 years old and have been called a living museum. A “Save the Pines” movement preserved this small stand of trees back in the early seventies. The Estivant tract is believed to be the last stand of virgin white pine in the Upper Peninsula. In 1955, in recognition of its grace and beauty as well as its role in the wealth and development of Michigan, the white pine was designated the official state tree of Michigan.
What a perfect place to be in the fall!
