The Beauty of UP North (Part 1)
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir
We have been off the grid ‘taking it easy’ in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP (pronounced Yoo-Pee)) again. If you follow my blog, you know how adventurous my Yooper husband is when it comes to the great outdoors (Life Together).
I have to admit, I am enjoying our adventures more than I used to. Oh yes, I am still the cautious one questioning if we are on a legitimate road and wondering if we are going to be safe. However, I know it’s going to be part of our time in the UP…so I hold on and enjoy the ride (well, I hold on…joy comes after I survived the adventure(s)!!!). 🙂
UP TIP: GPS is a must (Trust me, you do not want to get lost on a back road…even if the road does not exist on the GPS!!!).
We headed up north after my younger brother got married at the end of June. It was a beautiful wedding and it was pure joy to see him so happy and spend time with my family!
This made for a longer vacation to enjoy a slower pace in exploring the UP. Once there, my hubby gets the camp fire roaring. 
He can make a fire!!! It makes me smile because I always think of the scene from Castaway when Tom Hanks makes a fire. It’s classic! My husband is the best at getting the fire going….he loves getting it started. I love enjoying it and it’s beauty makes me happy. Plus, it’s a must at the camp to help keep the mosquitos at bay.
UP TIP: Remember to bring along a lighter (for a cozy fire) and have plenty bug spray. Personally, I use Badger Bug Balm since it is a natural repellent (love the cedar scent of it). However, make sure to enter the UP armed with your favorite. Plus, arm yourself with a handheld zapper. We found these last year and they make all the difference for a pleasant camping experience.
I’m all about lazy days on the beach.
The weather was wonderful with cool mornings in the 60’s (even dipping down into the mid-40’s a few nights) and then sunshine in the afternoons (a few days reached 70 to 80 degrees).
UP TIP: Think layers (even in the summer) and pack for cool and hot weather (at least one sweater and/or long-sleeve shirt, (rain) jacket, long pants, and warm (wool blend) socks).
Miles and miles of beautiful agates, the occasional sea glass and driftwood filled my heart with joy!
“Whale burps” (pictured below on the right) were a new discovery this time as we roamed the shore.
UP TIP: Pack a box of freezer bags to hold cell phones and keys (anything else that needs waterproofed) while enjoying the shore. Plus, they come in handy to hold treasures found along the way.
Even my Finnish man enjoyed time on land before taking to the water (me thinks he’s part fish too!). 😉 Can you spot him swimming?
UP TIP: You want to bring along some sort of water shoe. Although, there is sand on some beaches, it is a very rocky shoreline.
Lake Superior is usually w-a-y too cold for me, but the water was about 60 degrees so I gathered up the courage to go in for a quick dip on this trip. Usually, I am happy to just get my feet wet while my hubby explores depth unknown.
Purr-fectly happy!♥ 
UP TIP: The weather in the UP can vary day to day (and from location to location). Make sure to have an emergency radio to keep alert to inclement weather conditions as you plan your trip.
Even spending two weeks in the UP went by too fast! There are so many beautiful places to see and local flare to enjoy.
“Thus says God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that gives breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:” – Isaiah 42:5
Join me next week as we explore Part II regarding the beauty of the UP and Yooper Life.
♥ Michelle
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07/19/2016 @ 1:03 pm
Michelle, you really captured it! Makes my heart ache to be back home!
07/19/2016 @ 3:35 pm
Thanks Renee…really missed you this trip! Great to see you over the weekend though. To future trips!!! 🙂
07/19/2016 @ 1:10 pm
Michelle, the UP is so beautiful!! It looks like you had an amazing time!! Thanks for sharing the tips on how to have a great and safe time there! Love all the rock prints you made, too cute!!
07/19/2016 @ 3:34 pm
Awe, thanks Keri…so glad you enjoyed it! I just love lake gems…I could spend hours sorting through all the rocks on the shore. 🙂
07/19/2016 @ 3:12 pm
Oh that looks like a lovely trip Michelle! I’d love to go, even though I’m not a camping fan, but that fire really got me in the camping mood, lol! I’m happy you’ve had a great time and enjoyed it up North! can’t wait for part 2!
07/19/2016 @ 3:31 pm
Thank you Katrin! This is my husband’s stopping ground and he loves roughing it…the beauty makes it worth it all!!!
07/19/2016 @ 5:06 pm
Where in UP were you? Michigan is our home now (one hour south of Traverse City AND just eight blocks from Lake Michigan and it’s just as beautiful. I’m totally in love with summer temps, our reward from the cold winters. Glad you married a yooper :). I look forward to your yooper stories 🙂
07/21/2016 @ 4:22 pm
I’m so glad you stopped by Bev! Looking forward to keeping connected and reading your bungalow stories (love the history on it!). We often stay a day or so in Mackinaw, before making our 5-hour trek to Copper Country (not too far from Houghton). Yes, the summer is amazing!!! Not sure if I would be able to survive winter though!!! lol
07/20/2016 @ 5:15 pm
What a wonderful trip, Michelle. Congratulations to your brother on his wedding. All your pictures are lovely, I was reading and looking at them and I felt transported there.
07/21/2016 @ 4:12 pm
Hello Pili, thank you for stopping by and for your kind support! Glad you enjoyed the photos…so love spending time by the water!
07/22/2016 @ 1:53 pm
It looks like you had such a great time Michelle. It’s always nice to see family and the wedding couple was so handsome. The time on the beach must have been perfection. I too live near beaches that have pebbles. One good thing about them is that you don’t get sand everywhere. And you can collect so many of them… as I can attest to that.
07/25/2016 @ 3:20 pm
Thank you sweet Mary! How fortunate you are to live near the coast! Oh-yes, I have a collection as well…such natural beauty!!! 🙂