On our drive, we had beautiful views of the lake.
We followed US Highway 41 across the Portage Lake Lift Bridge (officially the Houghton-Hancock Bridge), which connects the two cities of Hancock and Houghton, Michigan. This movable bridge is a lift bridge with the middle section capable of being lifted from its low point of four feet clearance over the water to a clearance of 100 feet to allow boats to pass underneath. It is the world's heaviest and widest double-decked vertical lift bridge. More than 35,000 tons of concrete and 7,000 tons of steel went into the bridge.
Fort Wilkins State Park West Campground was our overnight stop.
There was very little traffic. For a while we followed a van with two kayaks through forest areas, in and out of pockets of fog.
We followed US Highway 41 across the Portage Lake Lift Bridge (officially the Houghton-Hancock Bridge), which connects the two cities of Hancock and Houghton, Michigan. This movable bridge is a lift bridge with the middle section capable of being lifted from its low point of four feet clearance over the water to a clearance of 100 feet to allow boats to pass underneath. It is the world's heaviest and widest double-decked vertical lift bridge. More than 35,000 tons of concrete and 7,000 tons of steel went into the bridge.
When the road literally ended and proceeded only as a seasonal road, we were at the northernmost point of U.S. 41 and had to turn around. As noted on this sign, U.S. 41 starts its southbound journey here and crosses eight states which include Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and ends in Miami, Florida, a distance of 1990 miles.
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park at Copper Harbor preserves the restored 1844 army military outpost, Fort Wilkins. It is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at Copper Harbor. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Fort Wilkins State Park West Campground was our overnight stop.
After traveling all day, these pork chops, which fit perfectly in our pan, made a great evening meal. All we had to do was add the sides.
In 1835, two years before Michigan became a state, the American Fur Company built a small schooner at Sault Ste Marie and launched it on Lake Superior. The boat was called the "finest vessel afloat on the upper lakes". One passenger even called it a "very neat, smug little craft".
From his Mackinac Island Headquarters, the President of the company sent a basket of champagne for the christening, and instructed "You will call her the John Jacob Astor."
The John Jacob Astor was named for the founder of the American Fur Company. The double-mast schooner was said to be the first American vessel "larger than an open boat" on Lake Superior. It measured 78 feet long and weighed 112 tons. (To read the entire account below, click on the photo. You can x out of it to come back to the blog.)
The John Jacob Astor in September 1844 was driven upon the rocks near this area by gale swept seas.
Her keel was badly broken and her rudder broke in two. (To read the entire account below, click on the photo. You can x out of it to come back to the blog.)
What happens next? They were unable to get timbers under her to haul her out on, so with the approval of her owner, they salvaged iron from her and when she was dry enough to burn, they set fire to her. They collected a large quantity of spikes, bolts, and bars. She was still on fire some six weeks burning (as hard to burn as she was to break). (To read the entire account below, click on the photo. You can x out of it to come back to the blog.)
Lake Superior is the largest fresh-water lake in the world, at 31,700 square miles. Its surface is 632 feet above sea level. Its deepest point is 1,333 feet.
The first lighthouse in Eagle Harbor was built in 1851. In 1857 it received a Fourth Order Fresnel lens. In 1871 the present lighthouse was built. It has a 44-foot high tower, and its focal plane is 60 feet above lake level. In 1968 the Fresnel lens was replaced with an aviation type beacon.
In 1980 after a succession of 21 lighthouse keepers, the light was automated. The Coast Guard maintains the light and the Keweenaw County Historical Society maintains the buildings and grounds and operates museums on the property.
A fog signal was installed in 1895. Since its removal in 1978, a bell buoy several hundred yards offshore has marked the harbor entrance and warned of a nearby reef. Because of the winter ice, the Coast Guard removes the buoy every fall and replaces it in the spring.
The journey southbound was also beautiful with more trees. Birch trees were a welcome sight.
Michigan has many roadside parks for travelers. Besides a picnic table where we ate our lunch, this one had a pump for getting water.
From Houghton coming south we took 26 and 45 to Bruce Crossing. Then 28 back to 141 at Covington south down to 2 thru Crystal Falls, thru Florence, and Iron Martin, thru Escanaba and continued on 2 (Lake Michigan Scenic Hwy) following it along the north shore all the way back to St. Ignace where we turned south to cross the Mackinac Bridge and leave the Upper Peninsula.
Lumberman's Monument located in Oscoda, Michigan, is dedicated to the early workers of the logging industry in Michigan. The 14-foot bronze statue features a log surrounded by three figures: a timber cruiser holding a compass, a sawyer with his saw slung over his shoulder, and a river rat resting his peavey on the ground.
The monument is part of the River Road Scenic Byway, a 22-mile drive that runs from Oscoda to South Branch that runs parallel with the beautiful Au Sable River. It is designated a National Scenic Byway. The visitor center is barrier free with over a mile of concrete sidewalks and gravel foot trails.
Interesting to note that without snow logs could not be moved to the banking grounds, and without high water in the spring they could not be floated to the mills.
In my next post, it will be time to travel farther south. The next leg of our adventure will be split into multiple blog posts as we travel the Natchez Trace, visit Cobbs Camp, and Lake Palestine, including my emergency visit when I was almost comatose and spent three days in ICU and another two days out of ICU at the Medical Center in Lake City, Florida.
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