History of previous days
Day 1: (Saturday, February 21st, 2004) We started the trip and left West Branch in Mid Michigan and snowmobiled north to Mackinaw City. The trails where pretty rough the last 30 miles. At the Mackinaw bridge we decided to just skip across the straights to the UP, it was really difficult due to the recent passing of a coast guard ice breaker. There was a 200 ft. gap in the ice that was nothing but ice floaties, finding a narrow section, we took turns getting our snowmobiles up to about 50-60 mph and just skipping across. Betty would not go, so we sent her back and the chase truck trailered her and her sled to St. Ignace. We all safely made it across. After getting to our hotel we boarded the bus to the Casino and ate prime rib and crap legs. We left with more money then we brought!
Day 2: (Sunday, February 22nd, 2004) We left St Ignace and traveled north to Newberry and onto Paradise, Michigan in the UP. We stopped today at Tahquamenon Falls, where we walked the 2 miles down and back (in 2 ft of fresh snow), it would have been easier if we had snow shoes. The trees where full of the biggest snow squirrels we have ever seen. On the way back we kidded some tourist "that they had shut off the falls and that they should go back, the kids started to cry so we moved on!". While we were on our trek, a DNR officer showed Betty and Joann how to find & identify the different breeds of snow fleas. After dinner & pie we chipped in and helped locals shovel about 3ft of snow off the roof of a building across from the restaurant. Boy are we going to sleep good tonight!
Pete & George at Tahquamenon Falls, Pete standing
on the snow bank "higher then the sign" in Paradise and the falls
Day 3: (Monday, February 23rd, 2004) We started this morning in Paradise, Michigan in northern eastern UP. While filling up with gas in Shingleton, Robert heard a gobble! gobble! and turned around to see a turkey sitting in the back seat of a car. It was looking out the window giving him a loving & wandering eye! Later, Pete tried to climb a hill, or was that a tree.. either way he did not make it! The boys hiked into the bluffs of Lake Superior, and then hiked again into the Ice Caves near Eben Junction. Combined both hikes were about 2 miles in 3 feet of snow and up hill, there and back... with heavy boots and clothing, lots of cardio today! Betty & Joann gave up and rode the last 30 miles to Gwinn without us! We had a great dinner at Lynn's in Gwinn, Michigan, Robert refused to order the soup for some reason.... it was turkey dumpling!
Starting at top left going clockwise: Turkey watching
us fill up with gas, Pete stuck to a tree, The fab 4 hiked into the
ice caves & inside the caves
Day 4: (Tuesday, February 24th, 2004) We started the morning in Gwinn, Michigan in central UP. After a big breakfast @ Lynns in Gwinn, with pancakes the size of hubcaps, we rode 200 miles through beautiful trails with lots of snow! We stopped by the Bond Falls and hiked down stream for a great view of the falls. Betty was playing daredevil, dancing on some rocks at the edge of the river. We were all relieved when she came away from the edge! We safely rode the final 60 miles of the day to Bergland, Michigan.
On the left is the spectacular Bond Falls, Here we
see Betty taking a break from dancing on rocks at the waters edge!
Day 5: (Wednesday, February 25th, 2004) We started the morning in Bergland, Michigan in western UP. We had decent trails today, temps were in the upper 30's, even low 40s (kind of warm!). We stopped at the Lake of the Clouds on the edge of Lake Superior and got some great pictures. We then headed north too Houghton on the way we stopped by a mountain where they hold competitive hill climbing events. Pete took off and headed up the mountain (no trees) and successfully made it to the top.. when he got back down, Betty scolded him for trying... so he went up again. No one else in the group would even try! We had great fish & chicken at a new chain called "Joey's Seafood".
On the left is the spectacular view of Lake of the
clouds, right - we see the group hanging our at the edge!
On the left is the spectacular sunrise this morning
over Lake Superior, right - Robert shows us his special skill!
Day 7: (Friday, February 27th, 2004) We started the morning in L'anse Michigan, at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula. We had good trails, a little dirt and sloppy around towns and roads. The temp's are in the teen's in the morning and mid to upper 40's in the afternoon. George had a little trouble getting back on the trail after a taking a short cut.. Robert and Darrell had to help him get it back up-right... Pete was there with the camera. This was one of first times that we were able to catch George having trouble... (with a camera nearby!) We rode to Marquette and then on to Munising, Michigan. We had crab legs and perch for dinner at the "Dogpatch" We got about 180 miles in today!
On the left is boys helping George get his machine back upright, right - Betty is tired of the heat wave!