Michigan is a seriously big state. You can drive over nine hours and still be in the UP, which is technically part of Michigan but it's really a place of its own. For some crazy reason, I decided to make the trek from East Lansing all the way up to Houghton in the Keweenaw Peninsula -- a long, dark, snowy drive up I-75, over the Mackinac Bridge, and into the boonies.
I might complain about how long of a drive it was, but was really pretty, too.
I arrived with my friend Marie, also visiting a childhood friend, well into the evening but as it was the Winter Carnival all-nighter, that didn't particularly matter. Campus was alive with students ambling around, drinks in hand, indiscreetly disguised as travel cups of coffee as others furiously chiseled and shoveled snow into impressive sculptures. Catherine's warm hug and joyful greeting was the best kind of welcome. I was SO happy to see her (and perhaps a bit excited to get inside as I was unloading my suitcase up a snowy hill in freezing temperatures).
After the all-nighter and a breakfast of funfetti pancakes, we trekked up to Copper Harbor to snowshoe around. I had never snowshoed but borrowed my mom's since she recently got into it and was pleasantly surprised that they were a lot easier to walk in than I had expected. We saw this little guy along the road and stopped to watch him with all his friends.
The happy newlyweds enjoyed the view so naturally I creeped to get a cute photo.
We went around Houghton to see the snow sculptures that had been finished and judged. The theme was "as snow accumulates at alarming rates, we show our love for the fifty states". Basically they all had to do with America -- landmarks, big cities, McDonalds, bald eagles, ya know. Some were night long and some month long. The month long ones were so incredible! They seriously took up the entire yards and were full of details carved out of snow and sculpted from ice.
The night long ones were pretty cool, too. They just weren't quite on the same level.
Cath and I got to spend Friday afternoon together as she showed me the cute little town of Houghton, explored the shops, and got delicious pizza! We ate it at the Keweenaw Brewing Company next door where they delivered for free. Pizza and beer? I was a happy girl. On our way home from Copper Harbor we had also grabbed a beer at Brickside Brewery. Lots of good stuff to try up there! We even got a night out at the bars. They're a lot more casual up there, but I totally loved wearing my flannel out. So comfy.
For the very last day, James took Mike (his friend visiting from Boston) and I to hike up Hungarian Falls. It was a bummer that Cath was sick for the last day, but James kindly took on the role of tour guide. I had never seen a frozen waterfall, let alone climb one. I think James thought I was a little crazy at first, but I did it and he followed suit! There's always room for adventure, right?!
And with that, the weekend came to a close. It was a whirlwind of a trip and quite a drive both ways. Cath's knew a friend also returning to East Lansing so I was able to hitch a ride and even stop for a pasty on the way home -- a must eat in the Yoop! I've still got lots more to explore in this beautiful state so I best get to planning my next trip.
