Home Sweet Upper Peninsula Home!

This morning we packed the Jeep and left Superior, Wisconsin to head Michigan.  We have been away from Michigan (and the Eastern Time Zone) since July 4th and, although I love to travel, it was exciting to know we'd back in our home state by the end of the day!  The girls were pretty excited too, especially Maddie.

 

It was a cloudy, cool, rainy morning as we pulled out of town and got on US2 to head East.  The forecast for the day throughout our travels was questionable, so although I had hoped to get a few more miles on the North Country trail along the way, I decided to skip the hikes and just keep driving.

As we reached Ashland, WI, Maddie was ready for a stop and it was lunch time, so I decided to take a sbreak for lunch.  When we are in Ashland, it has become a tradition to stop at the Culver's and sit at their outdoor tables with a view of Lake Superior.  It is always a bit windy, but it is quiet and the girls can sit out with me.  They always enjoy watching me eat!

After I finished lunch, I decided it was nice enough that we should take a walk.  There is a lake shore path that runs right past the Culver's.  The view is nice and you can smell the lake air.  It was a great place for a walk.  

After a short walk and a good water break, the girls settled in for the remainder of our drive. There was more rain and there was road construction, which seemed fitting since we've dealt with both for lots of our trip.   And then there it was...that big, beautiful, blue sign, signally that we had made it back!  I dragged the girls out of the car for a picture and then we were on our way once again.

 

After traveling through 5 States, 4 Provinces, and 1 Territory, after 22 days on the road, and after traveling over 6,500 miles, we were back in Michigan.  Although we aren't home yet, our journey is really complete, but the adventures are not.   We have returned safe and sound to our beautiful Upper Peninsula and we will be making the most of the next few days we have left.

I was excited to see the Portage Lift Bridge as we headed from Houghton into Hancock.  I have never actually seen the bridge at work until today.  And it was about this point that the pouring rain started again.  But I didn't mind, I was happy to be heading North toward Copper Harbor.

In order to relax and recover from the extended amount of driving I have done on this trip, we will spend the rest of our time relaxing in Copper Harbor.  It is the most peaceful place I know and I know that I will be relaxed and refreshed when I return home on Sunday.

We arrived in the Harbor to dry conditions and the need for a good walk around town.  It was a beautiful night for a walk and the town is so quiet.  I saw some familiar faces as we walked around town and it is a great to be here, our home away from home.

The girls and I are all settled in and ready for a relaxing couple of days.  It is always good to be here!