This summer’s annual trip to the Upper Peninsula will forever go down as one of our best. We had the most magical four hours on Lake Superior—a tourist’s dream. We rented a large pontoon boat from Superior Boat Rentals in Munising and cruised the shoreline at our own pace. Seeing Pictured Rocks from the water was breathtaking. The lake shimmered in shades of blue and green, the sky was perfectly clear, and at 85 degrees, even a dip in the “big lake” felt refreshing.
The next morning we drove the final stretch—eight hours in total from home in Grand Rapids —to my parents’ cabin outside Ontonagon in the Porcupine Mountains. It’s rustic, remote, and a once-a-year tradition that we all look forward to. The kids count down the days until “camp week,” and Jeff and I love the chance to unplug from our usual routines.
My retired parents are happiest in their U.P. hideaway. My mom says her favorite part is having us all together, while my dad enjoys seeing his “fortress” being utilized. This year was extra special because my brother Jason and his family’s visit overlapped with ours, which meant cousin time all week long. Natalie and Thomas were in heaven, and I loved catching up with my sister-in-law Rachel and brother Jason.
At camp, mornings are slow. Even the kids slept in after back-to-back late nights. Coffee is brewed, big breakfasts are made, and lunch is usually skipped in favor of snacks because we know another feast is coming at dinner. Jason smoked chicken on the Green Egg one night for incredible street tacos—a highlight meal for me.
Afternoons are for fishing at the river or braving its cold, dark waters. Natalie came home with a leech on her toe this year—eek! Thomas had endless fun target shooting with the BB gun from the porch, but his true love is riding the four-wheelers. Natalie could usually be found floating on the big tree swing or tending to her little cousins. We played checkers, card games, and I even finished the book I’d been reading. And att night, nothing beats winding down in the sauna.
No trip is complete without an afternoon on the Lake Superior beach. Once again, we lucked out with perfect weather. The kids buried themselves in the sand, while Jeff and I manned the grill for our meal contribution.
Another family favorite is visiting Stubbs Museum Bar in Ontonagon. Miss Connie May, the bartender, is the sweetest and always welcomes us “downstaters” with open arms. The kids practiced their pool shots, munched on M&Ms from plastic cups, and drank way too many kiddie cocktails.
This year we also toured the Ontonagon Lighthouse for the first time. Hard to believe we’d never been before! The lighthouse is beautifully maintained and set up as though the keepers still lived there, complete with stories told through plaques on the walls. It was a step back in time and a wonderful piece of local history.
Being away in the woods with family is always grounding. We may be city-folk at heart, but escaping our modern conveniences reminds us of how important it is to slow down. Each trip leaves us grateful for many things—but mostly for each other.