We are in Houghton, MI in the Upper Peninsula

The map shows a part of the Keewanau Peninsula in Michigan that sticks out into Lake Superior.  This whole area (see the dark yellow strip on the map) was once a major copper mining area and is where some of Roger's ancestors came when they settled in the US. One family came from mining tin and copper in Cornwall, England (Think Poldark) and another family came from Finland to the mines.  Most of them worked in Calumet but census records also show them in Houghton and Hancock.  Roger's got some folks buried here and I hope we can find them.  It will also be nice to see where they settled and learn some more of the history of the area.  

Note the portage waterway across the land goes from one side to the other on the map.  We are in Houghton on the portage channel.  We are wondering if the waters go from one side to the other than why is it a peninsula and not an island?  Probably at one time there was a land bridge, but to expedite copper shipping a portage channel was dug?   We will find out when we go out and explore the local history in the next few days.

Me and the Maggs enjoying being able to be outside.

Nice decks with a table and bench behind the RV

After last night we were a bit leery of what we were getting into here.  What a wonderful surprise as we came around he corner and saw the park.   I had reserved four nights but as soon as we saw the place and got set up I added a night. We will be here four full days to explore and to rest before starting the trek home.  We are in an RV park run by the City of Houghton. (City of Houghton RV Park) There are 22 sites, full hook ups, WIFI (weak), and stupendous views.  We will have to find a laundromat, but that's ok.  As you can see the sites are situated for optimal views of the water and the town of Hancock on the other side of the channel.  It is really a beautiful setting.  The rest of the city park consists of a water park, beaches, pavilions with tables, and lots of tables along the water.  It looks to be quite busy and we can hear the kids screaming at the water park/beach.  It's Thursday.  I'm thinking we will need to do our exploring of the area on the weekend or we will be driven quite crazy by the screaming kids.  

View to the right.

View straight across from our site.

View to the left of our site.

The view from our dirty back window onto our deck.

It started raining a few minutes after we pulled in - a light rain that only lasted about 20 minutes.  The sun has been in and out and we have a steady breeze off the water.  Temperature today about 70.   It's not supposed to get that high tomorrow, but by Sunday will be in the 80s.  

We left that horrid campground as soon as we could this morning.  It rained a little in the early morning and the place was damp and creepy.  The mosquitoes were swarming and just enveloped Maggie when we went out for her to do her business. She was trying to fight them off.   It was awful.  I was afraid to breathe in for fear of sucking those babies down my lungs.  I noticed that next to the campground on two sides were swampy areas.  No wonder the mosquitos were so numerous.  We ended up bringing some with us and spent some time after we set up hunting those bad boys down and doing them in.  

We saw a bald eagle this morning perched on top of a tree, but that was about the only thing of interest we saw.  The roads up here are basically two lane tunnels through the trees.  In the clearings are very small towns or cottages on lakes, but nothing else.  It would be a beautiful drive in October.  There are some small blue flowers along the road and lots of lilac bushes in full bloom. Otherwise it was trees, trees, and more trees - lots of water, too.   

We were told that we need to drive out to the end of the peninsula as the views of Lake Superior are awesome from a place called Copper Harbor.  That'll be a nice day trip.  

Our camp host is a native Yooper (that's a person who lives in the upper peninsula of Michigan) from Calumet who lives half the year here and the other half in the Florida Keys. He is quite knowledgeable about the area and when I told him why we were here, he immediately started telling me of places and people we needed to see.  He even recognized some of the surnames we will be hunting down.   He's written a book that is a fictionalized account of his summer in Isle Royale National Park. Of course, I bought it.  I told him he must be the Bill Bryson of the UP.  He said his story was funnier than Bill's about hiking the Appalachian Trail.  We shall see.  Nice guy but quite the talker.   His name is Dan Kemp and the title of the book is "A Yooper's Summer on Isle Royal."  It looks to be a fun read.  

Roger had some fix-it stuff to do this afternoon.  One of the sliders made really ugly noises this morning when I pulled it in. He found the problem and managed a quick but not permanent fix for it.  This has been a rough trip on the RV.  Fortunately, he is a Mr. Fix-It.  

Tomorrow's agenda includes laundry, groceries, a stop at the frozen custard shop, and an oil change for the truck.  Busy day tomorrow!  

It's 9:05 (ET) and the sun has yet to set.  It looks like about another half hour before it drops below the horizon.  Rog is going to try and get some pictures - it looks like it will be a beautiful sunset.