As a former NMU'er, I knew it as a place of wilderness yet surrounded by water resources that is unique for all states save for the lower of Michigan where I grew up.
If you apply logic and common sense, much can be cleared up about this land where loyalty is as fierce as the winters.
Gas prices KILL tourism. Tourism has been on the wain since the mid 1950's. Some resurgence occurred in the 60's, late 70's and into the 80's and even the 90's but it has been a long battle which leaves abandoned buildings in it's wake. If tourism is a main draw for this place, then it makes sense that as travel expenses increase, longer distance places will take a hit. Staying closer to home but leaving farther away places the the Upper off the agenda.
When I was a kid, the Yoopee was the land of big bucks, big bears, big fish and cheap living. You went there to enjoy all those things and a fairly inexpensive place to vacation. Now for a family in Columbus, it is a hefty fetch. Too bad...all those little tiny overnite cottages used to be brimming with vacationers beginning as soon as school let out until just about Thanksgiving.
That has all ended...for the most part....logging boomed as forests regenerated, but now with paperless communication increasing, paper companies are waining and this will continue to put a squeeze on the economy. Mining will increase as precious metals continue to increase in value, but I hope that comes with far more oversight than in the past. Wrecking the streams and rivers that flow into the big waters isn't worth extractions and a handful of jobs that will leave long term scaring of the lands. If it is done right, and reclaimed afterwords with little threat to other valuable assets that the country provides, then it should be included in the viability of the economy.
With the increased costs of just living in a harsh climate, this will further strain the population. Lack of interstate highway systems will inhibit growth along with other high demand services folks are used to.
Still this land is of great importance, and few people who visit have something bad to say about it. On the contrary, they usually come back again and again once they find out that it has such raw beauty and such a diverse terrain. I mean is there any place in the world as pretty as the sandy beaches of lake Superior?
After doing time in the Marquette area for several years, it is in my blood, and I never ever fail to relax when I hit the bridge, leaving life behind and all too soon regret having to head back down south again.
I see it as one of the nicest places on the earth, and I hope we can keep it that way...with a population increase or not. I know lots of displaced Yoopers, who grew up there and want to go back as soon as they retire. It is the sort of thing that stirs your soul, and fortifies the body....and in the end...that's all the really matters besides family.
From a long history of stout people who timbered, mined, built towns and organized life from nothing....it takes a special breed to live there and little that Washington, or Lansing can do will ever change that...once you get a tast of this place Yoopers call home.
