Traveling Square Dancers: Visiting the Keweenaw Peninsula and Historic Fort Wilkins

Who We Are

We sold our home in June, 2007, and spent the next 7 1/2 years traveling full time in a Cross Roads Fifth Wheel. (We had been traveling during our summers for several years before going full time.) We loved the full-time lifestyle! Each summer we spent a month or two volunteering in State Parks, first in Indiana at McCormick's Creek State Park, near our family, then in later years as the grandchildren got older, at the Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico. We spent 6 months each winter at Cactus Gardens RV Resort in Yuma, AZ, where I worked mornings in the park office. The remaining months were spent on the road, seeing this great country of ours. Our favorite places are our National Parks. Anita loved photography and the freedom of digital photography, taking sometimes hundreds of photos in a day. We hiked as much as our legs will allow. We also really enjoyed square and round dancing as we travel across country, and meeting all the wonderful people who dance and/or travel.

But as in all things, there comes a time for change, and we decided it was time to create roots once more. In the fall of 2014, we purchased a home in Cactus Gardens, and in the spring of 2015, sold the 5th wheel. Anita also retired in the spring. We will continue to travel each summer, but for a shorter period of time. We hope to continue blogging about those trips, but it will obviously be on a more limited basis than in the past.

Please explore our past posts if you are interested in traveling this great country. You'll find an index in the left column. We hope you enjoy our blog, and appreciate all comments

Monday, August 10, 2009

Visiting the Keweenaw Peninsula and Historic Fort Wilkins

We traveled today up the Keweenaw Peninsula to Michigan’s northernmost shores. The Keweenaw Peninsula contains one of the world’s largest deposits of copper. Little, if any mining is done there today, but there are reminders everywhere of the days when mining was widespread. There are tours available through the mines, but that didn’t appeal to us.

At the very top of the peninsula sits Copper Harbor. In 1843, the discovery of the copper brought a need for law and order among the rapidly growing population of prospectors. In 1844, Fort Wilkins was built. It was abandoned just two years later (with a brief regarrison in the late 1860’s).

The fort has been well preserved, and we enjoyed the glimpse into 19th century army life on the northern frontier. Visiting with the three “residents” present today made us feel for a while that we had really stepped back in time. The living history role players are from the nearby college, and fulfill their role very well.

For a look at our pictures from the Fort, CLICK HERE.

The Copper Harbor Lighthouse is located on an island, but visible from the shore. Thimbleberries are abundant on the peninsula. I had to taste some … not impressive, but perhaps in a pie??

Upon leaving Copper Harbor, we drove up nearby Brockway Mountain. The 8 mile scenic drive takes you more than 700 feet above Lake Superior. The views were fantastic.

Half way up, looking down on Copper Harbor

We spotted a freighter on Lake Superior

Still Climbing….

When we reached the summit, the freighter was still in view

Great view in every direction

A s we headed back down the peninsula, we spotted the sign for Silver River Falls, and stopped long enough to walk the short trail along the falls. I finally had the chance to photograph the ferns we have been admiring throughout northern Michigan.

Silver Falls, more a cascade than a falls, it was nevertheless a picturesque, peaceful site and a good way to end our day of sightseeing.