Iron Mountain MI.  Jim with his Cousin Chris. They haven’t been around each other much, Jim was was 14 when she was born. As we got to know her she was a facinating woman. Quite the horse woman, she’s owned horses most of her life. Riding trails in Montana, Colorado and parts unknown.Also she is the real deal when it comes to hunting. Deer and Elk, wow. Out to dinner with her the night before and then a tour of the city and an iron ore and glider museum.

The Pine Mountain Ski Jump is one of the highest artificially created jumps in the world. It holds the U.S. Records for the longest jump in World Cup competition at 143.5m(459 ft.). In February it host annually jumpers from around the world!

The great iron ore deposits were discovered here in the UP. The Chapin mine was the largest however it had water seeping into it. The largest pump was designed and it pumped 3400 gal. a minute or 5,000,000 gal. a day. The Chalmers plant where it was built is right along the bike path in Millwaukee we would ride into town. Chris told us about the plant. It would be interesting if the plant would erect a sign about their history along the path.

Behind the mine museum is the World War II Glider museum. The Airborne division of the army began with the airdrop on D-Day. Jim’s warehouse manager with Schwinn, Erve Pesick was one of the 101st Airborne paratroopers He has passed, we will always remember his smile and stories. Jim was also part of the 101st in Vietnam Nam.

Ford motor company had a plant here, they started building the “Woody.” Because of the availability of the birch and maple forest.  Then in 1942 production of CG-4A gliders for the war started. They built 4,190 gliders from 1942 to 1945. Only 7 exist today. I always thought of the gliders we see individuals fly around.  The  CG-4A was 48’8″ in length,wing span 83’8″. It could carry 13 troops or quarter-ton truck and 4 troopers. Loaded it weighed 7,500lbs. That’s a whole lotta gliding.

Touring the city with Chris was fun. We invited her to dinner at the trailer. We we thrilled that Paul her husband was able to join us. We got to know him, really a nice fellow. Best part we found out he loves chocolate ice cream!

Heading into Munising MI. That is Lake Superior down the hill.

Wandering Wheels RV Park is where we are camping. We will move around a few times during our stay. Right now we are at the front of the park. Wide open spaces. The evening brings lots of rain, by the morning our rain guage shows 2 1/2 inches.

After a few days we move to another sight back in the trees. Doogie likes to walk out the back window and stand on the tool box and supervise Jim.

A few days after got to Musining we drove around. Jim found a place that rented pontoons. What a great choice he made. A beautiful boat and we packed up a lunch, drinks and dogs in tow and off we were off to see the famous Pictured Rocks. Jim promised Doogie he could drive the pontoon.

Diggity is always just chilling out. Which was easy to do into the wind we traveled.

The rocks come in all colors and shapes .

This arch is probably the most popular place. Jim wanted so much to go through it. However we saw blond water which meant rocks. I’m talking really big rocks under the water. When we were leaving the dock the guy told us ” dark water, green water good, blond water bad. He says you can try it but the boats motors are expensive.”

When we got back to camp these two trailers were there. Boy howdy these People were  serious about their Packers and partying. Anyone who passed they enjoyed inviting them to join them and take a tour of their interesting trailer. It was a little bit of sensory overload. Really nice people.

The next day we hopped into the truck and drove some of the small roads to different hiking areas. The falls are called Miners Falls. We saw the end of it from the pontoon. They outcropping is called the Miners Castle.

Friday Night Fish Fry at the American Legion in Munising.

We moved on to a town called Newberry. We checked it out earlier in the week and decided we would stay as long there. We extended our stay in Sault Saint Marie. Newberry did get us closer to White Fish Point. There is a shipwreck museum there. It sank on November 10,1975. It was the last major ship lost and all on the ship perished.

Up to the top of the lighthouse. Lake Superior doesn’t look all that inviting especially after going through the shipwreck museum. It is on e big lake and you cannot see land out there. Jim makes it to the top and now he gets to go down. Did I mention  he is not fond of heights? Hey the guy jumped out of helicopters in Nam!

Just how deep does the snow get here?!

These are the Tauguamenon Falls. Back in the day the loggers would send logs down this river. A fellow named W.D. Flatt who was a partner in the logging company came out to the falls made a comment that they were losing $2,500.00 a minute in broken timber here, As he watched the logs that were 2 feet square break like match sticks.

We are up early to go to the Oswald Bear Ranch. Right now there are 39 bears there. From Cubs to adults. The ranch is quite large and the Bears have a lot of space. To do all their bear stuff.

Our last night dinner out Dave at the campground told us about the Haywire restaurant. Turn right out of the park go to the blinking light 4 miles out on your right. It was Well worth the drive. Our favorite Walleye, a homemade ice cream sandwich we shared and fresh made pasties to take home. Pasties you ask? Like a pot pie. Back in the mining days it was meat and veggies rolled into a pastry. The miners would keep it under their hard hats to keep it warm for lunch.  The resturant was named after a train that actually ran through this area. Not it’s track is a Snow Mobil multi use track. It runs right beside the resturant. Definitely stop by next time you are in that literally neck of the woods.

Headed back home to the trailer and we will be off to Saulk Saint Marie Michigan. It will be our last stay in the U.S. and we will head into Canada, EH?!