Out in the Middle of Nowhere - Tues., Sept. 30, 2014

There is a sign on an old building on U.S. 41 that says, "The Edge of the World." It sure felt like it. The Keweenaw Peninsula juts out into Lake Superior, with Copper Harbor as the northernmost town, and only the hardiest of the hardy live there. Everyone else heads south for the winter, but with gorgeous days like these we are happy to be here for fall colors.

 

In yesterday's blog I told you about U.S. 45 starting in the U.P. and ending in Mobile, Alabama, a distance of 1330 miles. Today, we found the following sign relaying information about U.S. 41 which starts  in Copper Harbor, Michigan, and ends in Miami, Florida, a distance of 1990 miles. So even though the Keweenaw Peninsula feels like it's in the middle of nowhere, it's actually the beginning or terminus of two different U.S. highways!

Ft. Wilkins State Historic Park was our campground of choice. Pull-through site 142 in the west campground was the perfect size for our 5th wheel and truck. It was mostly level too! Electricity is the only hook-up in your site, but there is fresh water as well as a dump station along the entrance road. There are also restrooms and showers. This park is so dark at night that without a lantern or flashlight you can't find your vehicle. (Remember what I told you about the number of bears in the Upper Peninsula? I wasn't planning to go outside without a light.)

Ft. Wilkins Historic State Park Campground

Site 142, West Campground

Our weather on Tuesday was great. No rain, 63 degrees. From the campsite we could hear the buoy bell out on Lake Superior. Oh, I forgot to mention that our campsite was directly across the campground road from Lake Fanny Hooe. Very pretty.

As soon as we were set up, we walked to Ft. Wilkins Historic State Park, once an active U.S. Army post built to keep peace in Michigan's Copper Country. It was abandoned two years after it was started. The park has a restored 1884 army military outpost with 19 buildings open for tours. At this time of year there are no interpretive programs on the grounds.

Bob in the powder magazine

Looking past officers quarters toward parade ground

Parade ground looking over Lake Fanny Hooe

The fort hospital

Looking toward the fort hospital and mess hall

Cabins

This is where I would have worked

Bob trying his hand at playing a drum

The sutler (store)

Which way do I go now, which way do I go?

 
From Ft. Wilkins, it was a short walk across the road to a viewpoint of Lake Superior and the Copper Harbor Lighthouse.

                                                          

The ship John Jacob Astor wrecked on this point in September 1844.

When we got back to our site, Bob did some marathon training while I tried my darnedest to get a fire going so we could roast hot dogs. The campfire wood was pretty wet and wouldn't keep burning. I had a nice blaze going for a while, but it died out. There were just enough coals to cook our hot dogs.

"Day is done, gone the sun..."

Travel Bug out.