Honeymoon in the Keweenaw

[russholio]

My wife of 6 days and I have been here since Monday, enjoying all the area has to offer. Although the warmup didn't help the trails any, we've still managed to get plenty of saddle time and have made the most of it. We now know exactly where all these places are that we've heard about here on JD -- Krupp's, the Peppermill, Henry's, and the old Northgate Motel, to name a few-- had a tasty burger at the Mosquito, and a great pizza at the Cozy Corner in South Range. It's been six years since we were last here (long drive from Detroit, dontcha know) but we're hoping it won't be as long until our next visit.

Everybody we've met has been super friendly -- no surprise, since we know that's how Yoopers are. Special shout out to Dave and Lori Sleeman and the staff at the Wildlife Refuge Cabins for their kindness and hospitality. We leave tomorrow to resume our life as trolls, but we're already looking forward to our return!

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Congratulations on your marriage! You will have to celebrate every anniversary UP there now!

 

[slimcake]

im getting close to the whole marryied thing. I told her it was gonna happen in Alaska...... I would rather it happened in the U.P. I love the U.P. I only get up there once a year.........

 

[mrsrunningbear]

Congratulations russholio and mrsrussholio!! Beautiful place for a honeymoon!!

 

[eagle1]

My wife of 6 days and I have been here since Monday, enjoying all the area has to offer. Although the warmup didn't help the trails any, we've still managed to get plenty of saddle time.

Wooo Hooo..................Save the sled, ride a sled guy!!

Congratulations to you both.

 

[Skidooski]

Congratulations! Not to impose, but I'm assuming by "saddle time" you mean snowmobiling. Of course being newlyweds, other connotations of that is certainly acceptable!

 

[booondocker]

Congrats...long drive or not....certainly one of the most uniquely beautiful places on the continent. While many curl up and hibernate in the winter, some know that winter can actually rival the summer in raw beauty. And the number of tourists are far fewer. Of course the 4 seasons that this place goes thru always leaves me with some new thing I discover year after year.

This country will have every bit as much memory food as some exotic location which once you get there you find out...."this wasn't what the brochure's portrayed"....

 

[loriwlrc]

Congrats, was so nice to have met the both of you , and that you visited with Kathy and I each morning. We like for people to check in and give us a rough idea where they are heading. Out west they ask that you check in and let the office know your plans, just in case. We try to keep up with guests where abouts, in a good way. Glad you made the best of everything, there's always a good side to everything. Hope you come back to the Copper Country year after year to celebrate each milestone year.The best to you both!

 

[russholio]

Thanks all for the wishes....we had a great time! Lorna and I aren't "warm weather destination" type folks at all, so this was perfect for us -- except for the day that hit 63 degrees!

And as a postscript: We left yesterday morning, stopped at Champion around noon and were going to take a ride up to Mt. Arvon. Neither one of us had been up that way or ever been on any of those trails so it was new to both of us. Well, as luck would have it, 36 miles into the ride her sled crapped out. I thought it was the dreaded 'Doo relay issue. No problem, I have spares for that reason. But, no such luck. So, by the grace of God we had enough cell phone signal and after a couple hours, some help from passersby, and several calls to various people, we got ahold of the Big Bay 550 Snowmobile Club and one of the groomer drivers agreed to come out of Big Bay and tow the disabled 'Doo back to Big Bay (about 8 miles or so). So, Lorna and I had to ride double 36 miles back to Champion, drive from there up to Big Bay (and came within a hair of pasting a deer on the way), load the sled up (with the help of the Groomer Guy, his son, and another young man) and finally got back on the road about 8:30. We pulled into Mackinaw City around 12:30 a.m. and pretty much collapsed. Of course, with predictions of the bad storm coming, we were up at 6:30 and on the road at 7:30 in the hopes of getting home before the storm hit (which we did, with plenty of time to spare). Never did make it to Mt. Arvon, but those trails were beautiful and I intend to give it a try some other time. We never did get the Groomer Guy's name, but needless to say we are eternally grateful for his help, and his club got a nice donation to put in their "tip jar". We will also be sure to send the club a "thanks much!" email.

Great trip, wonderful people, lots of fond memories. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Skidooski -- yeah, I did intend for "saddle time" to mean sledding. But then again, on second thought....hmmm....well, maybe I just better shut up!

 

[russholio]

Wooo Hooo..................Save the sled, ride a sled guy!!

I couldn't agree more!

 

[russholio]

Mrs. Russholio here...

Thanks for the warm wishes everyone! I wouldn't trade a trip to the western U.P. for anything! We certainly look forward to another trip back (and hopefully it won't be 6 years this time!) so we can give the Mt Arvon trails another chance! I about cried when we rode away leaving my beloved sled there on the trail all by its lonesome! The groomer operator assured us that he was on his way out right then to pick it up and that it would be fine at the groomer barn til we could get up there for it. It was! Many thanks to the Big Bay 550 Snowmobile Club for everything!

Lorna

(PS... maybe I should try to remember my screen name and password.. or have John look it up for me.... )

 

[peppermill]

Congrats to the both of you. Next time you up here in the northwoods we would like to meet you. Hope you can spend many vactions up here.

 

[peter]

Congratulations. My wife and I spend our anniversary every march somewhere up there sledding.

 

[russholio]

Thanks all, for the congratulations!

And now the second postscript: The cause of Lorna's sled's woes was a bad battery. Yes, the brand new one that I just put in a couple weeks before our trip! So much for my bright idea of thinking that a new battery would be better than the almost 8 year old original. I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it!