427 Miles

"Not all who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien

Well, this was it. After countless miles logged, hundreds of pictures taken, and four days in the most unique and beautiful scenery I have ever come across in the state, it was time to make the 427 mile trek from Escanaba to Warren. No small feat, indeed. We woke up early with the intent of getting as much road time as possible with few distractions. This sounded like a great idea in theory....until we passed this. 

Cooking like Mama? Yes, please. / Samantha Franz

After a rather unsatisfying hotel breakfast, I was craving something a bit more substantial, as well as a hearty cup of coffee. The atmosphere was warm and cozy and every square inch of wall space was covered in various clocks for sale that were coordinated to go off at different times throughout the day. The clock by us even featured a four-piece band that dropped down at a quarter after the hour to play the theme from "Phantom of the Opera."

I have picked up on a two culinary revelations while in the UP:

1.) Yoopers love their coffee. Every place I have driven through, from the bustling college towns to even the smallest of former mining havens, has at least one mom and pop place to get a cup of coffee. And I have never, ever been disappointed by any mug I have experienced. 

2.) Scandinavians make really, really good pancakes. 

The interior of The Swedish Pantry. / Samantha Franz

Swedish pancake with spiced peaches. 

All together now: Yum. / Samantha Franz

The Swedish Pantry wouldn't be the only distraction on the way home, but you know what? That was okay. I don't like traveling with tunnel vision. Even though our sights were set on home, I think it's important to keep your eyes open to what's going on around you, because you never know what you are going to come across. Like Mackinac Trail Winery in Manistique, a small but charming "blink and you'll miss it" family-owned winery right off the marina that has had so much word of mouth success that they are looking to expand to other locations, including Michigan wine Mecca Traverse City. I had a nice chat with Krista, the daughter of the owners who filled us in on the business' expansion, as well as pointing us in the direction of where the wine was made...just  across the parking lot. 

The tasting room...

...and where the wine is made! / Photos by Samantha Franz

Our final pit stop before St. Ignace was the Cut River Bridge, which we spent quite some time looking for, only to realize that you literally drove over the bridge on M-2. Oops. 

 All photos by Samantha Franz

By the time we reached St. Ignace to recharge our batteries, it was about 2:30, so we were actually making pretty good time. And of course, no trip to the UP is complete without a pasty, so we made sure to stop at Suzy's Pasties to bring some of the goods home. Then, just as quickly as the week seemed to pass, we approached the Mighty Mac once again. I crossed it with a small tinge in my heart. Though we were still hours from home, I felt like the trip was already over. I missed it already, as I watched the Yoop grow smaller and smaller in the rear view mirror, a montage of memories seemed to flash before my eyes: accidental off roading, the agate beach, the ocean-like majesty of Lake Superior, the small towns and the kind and hospitable group of people that are a breed all their own. 

Traverse City offers the most to do, the sunset coast is full of hidden treasures, but I have to say of all my extended stay trips, the UP has been my favorite. I really look forward to coming back and really spending some quality time with our fellow Michiganders above the bridge. 

Highlights of the day:

After 231 steps at the Cut River Bridge, we were treated to this view.

One last view of the bridge before returning to

 the LP. / All photos by Samantha Franz

It is now the early days of October and I think I have one more extended stay trip in me: the Thumb. In the meantime, I will begin to craft my Project Michigan research paper to supplement my blog and before you know it, I will have a master's degree in hand come December. It's crazy to think that at 24 I'll have two degrees, but let's not get to far ahead here. There's still plenty of Michigan to experience. See you soon!