Posts tagged U.P.

Backpacking with the Boys on Grand Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

When I decided to join my younger brother and his friends for a four-day hike covering 20+ miles on Grand Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there were certainly some known quantities involved. I knew, for example, that spending the night on an island in Lake Superior in October would potentially be a frosty affair, thus packing plenty of layers and proper gear, including a sleeping bag capable of insulating my body in 35- to 40-degree weather, was a must. I knew that it would be extremely dark out there once the sun went down, which could possibly provide awe-inspiring glimpses of starry night skies, but also allow the imagination to run wild…

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenOctober 15, 2026travel, travel guide, travel advice, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel tips, travelogue, travel recommendations, travel ideas, travel diary, travel bucket list, backpacking, hiking, hiking gear, camping, camping gear, the great outdoors, Mother Nature, outdoors, outdoor adventure, hiking trails, Lake Superior, Grand Island, Michigan, Upper Peninsula, U.P., Munising, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Great Lakes, Great Lakes State, Mitten State, autumn, autumn travel, autumn getaway, autumn inspiration, fall travel, senescence, backcountry, black bears, Pictured Rocks, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island National Recreation Area, Henry David Thoreau, Hemlock, Shelter Ridge, Little Duck, camping trip, rustic camping, Muldoons, Muldoons Pasties & Gifts, pasties, Grand Island Ferry Service, hotty toddy, North Beach, Hemlock Beach, Bane, Milky Way, stargazing, Yogi Bear, Boo-Boo Bear, Yogi and Boo-Boo, Game of Thrones, Rains of Castamere, Trout Bay, Murray Bay, euchre, Eddie Rabbitt, I Love a Rainy Night, Williams Landing, guys trip, outdoor recreation, outdoor gear, cold weather, fall, fall getaway Comment

Lake Michigan is Officially Among the Most Picturesque Landscapes in the U.S.

Look, folks, here’s the deal: Lake Michigan doesn’t need your approval. It doesn’t need your accolades, or your superlatives, or your constant-but-warranted praise. It doesn’t need you to remind it that it is the greatest of all the Great Lakes, better than Lake Superior or Huron or Ontario... or that other one that we almost don’t even need to mention (because, come on, that’s just laughable).

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenSeptember 13, 2023travel, travel guide, travel advice, travel guidance, travel recommendations, travel ideas, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel porn, Lake Michigan, Michigan, Great Lakes State, Great Lakes, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, HOMES, Aaron Burden, Holland, Storyboards, Awesome Mitten, Instagram, Lake Tahoe, Clearwater Beach, Waikiki Beach, Lake Norman, Lake Powell, Mojave Desert, Upper Peninsula, U.P., Chicago, beach, beach life, beaches, beach getaway, biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, paddle boarding, lightkeeper, lighthouse, Traverse City, Old Mission Lighthouse, Mission Point Lighthouse, Old Mission, Old Mission Peninsula, sand dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Grand Haven, Pentwater, Leland, Fishtown, Arcadia Bluffs, golf, golf courseComment

The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 3

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part Three, which covers the final 22 counties alphabetically, from Newaygo to Wexford.

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenNovember 7, 2022travel, travel advice, travel guide, travel guidance, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel ideas, Michigan, Great Lakes State, Mitten State, The Mitten State, mitten state, Great Lakes, Newaygo, Wisner Canoes, Betts Guide Service & Outfitter, hiking, hiking trails, bikinig, canoeing, kayaking, outdoors, outdoor recreation, Newaygo County, Oakland County, Oceana County, Detroit Zoo, Arctic Ring of Life, Nocturnal Adventures, Silver Lake, Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Pentwater, Ogemaw County, Northern Michigan, Lumber Jack Food & Spirits, ATV, ATV rental, swimming, boating, jet skiing, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Interstate 75, I-75, Ontonagon County, Porcupine Mountains, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Lake of the Clouds, Upper Peninsula, U.P., Up North, Central Michigan, J&J's River Run, Crawford Park, Hersey Canoe Landing, Muskegon River, Osceola County, M-66, Oscoda County, Coopersville USA, Roadside America, Spike Cooper, Huron National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest, Otsego County, Treetops, Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Ottawa County, North Beach Park, Grand Haven, Grand Haven State Park, Windsnest Park, Holland, Tunnel Park, Holland State Park, Nelis' Dutch Village, Port Sheldon, Presque Isle, Presque Isle County, Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, Old Presque Isle Light, New Presque Isle Light, Ocqueoc Falls, Besser Nature Preserve, Roscommon County, Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake, North Higgins Lake State Park, South Higgins Lake State Park, Houghton Lake State Forest Park, Nibbles Ice Cream, Nibbles Ice Cream Store, lake life, Saginaw County, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, Frankenmuth, Little Bavaria, St. Clair County, Fort Gratiot Light, St. Lawrence Seaway, St. Clair River, St. Joseph County, Lakeside Cemetery, Colon, Harry Blackstone, Ted Banks, Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini, Abbott Magic Co, Jack Gwynne, Sanilac County, Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park, Sanilac petroglyphs, Anishinaabemowin, Ezhibiigaadek Asin, Cass River, Schoolcraft County, Kitch-iti-kipi, Manistique, Indian Lake, Big Spring, Palms Book State Park, Shiawassee County, Curwood Castle, Shiawassee River, Owosso, James Oliver Curwood, Curwood Festival, Tuscola County, Vassar Theatre, Vassar, Art Deco theater, Van Buren County, beach, beach life, beach day, beach getaway, North Beach, South Beach, South Haven, Lake Arvesta Farms, Washtenaw County, Michigan Stadium, University of Michigan, Big House, Michigan football, Wayne County, Eastern Market, The Henry Ford, Holiday Nights, Greenfield Village, National Historic Landmark, farmers market, Dearborn, Wexford County, Caberfae Peaks, skiing, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, cross country skiing, the great outdoors, summer travel, winter travelComment

Being a Travel Blogger in a Year Without Travel

2020 has been one weird year. There we were at the start of a brand new decade on January 1st, looking ahead to a year in which practically every major holiday fell on a weekend, the economy was continuing the upward trend that started back at the beginning of Obama’s first term, and the puns concerning 20/20 vision hadn’t even gone stale yet.

TripSavvy Says Michigan is Great for Outdoor Enthusiasts — They're Not Wrong

At the start of 2020, national travel publication TripSavvy declared Michigan an “underappreciated outdoor playground,” naming it the year’s top travel destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Provided this planet is full of all kinds of natural wonders, anyone unfamiliar with the Great Lakes State might balk slightly at such a designation. But those of us “in the know" aren’t the least bit surprised.

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenJanuary 24, 2020travel, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel advice, travel guide, Michigan, Pictured Rocks, Great Lakes State, Aaron Burden, TripSavvy, Great Lakes, Upper Peninsula, U.P., M-2, Isle Royale, Belle Isle, Detroit, Kitch-iti-kipi, Turnip Rock, Port Austin, Motor City, Motown, cider, cider mill, Northern Michigan, Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Charlevoix County, Beaver Island, Beaver Island Music Festival, Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse County, Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, daytripping, day trip, day trips, wine, winery, Leelanau County, Leelanau Peninsula, Manistee County, Little Manistee River, Little Manistee, kayaking, canoeing, outdoors, the great outdoors, Mother Nature, Oceana County, Pentwater, Wexford County, skiing, Caberfae Peaks, Saginaw County, Frankenmuth, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Wayne County, Greenfield Village, Holiday Nights, summertime, Alger County, Pictured Rocks Cruises, Pictured Rocks Kayaking, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Chippewa County, Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Locks, Soo Locks Boat Tours, Paradise, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Lake Superior, Houghton County, Keweenaw County, Keweenaw Peninsula, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac, Rocket League, The Gay Bar, Gay Michigan, US-2, St. Ignace, Muskegon County, White Lake, Whitehall, Ottawa County, Kirk Park, Grand Haven, Grand Haven State ParkComment

The Michigan Day Trip Tour, No. 6: St. Ignace, Gateway to the U.P.

From the Porcupine Mountains to Pictured Rocks, and a whole heck of a lot in between, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is filled with plenty of treasures for travelers to explore. As anyone who has been up there could tell you, it’s truly a world unto itself. While there is much to see and do beyond the bridge, it all gets started with the first city you run into after crossing the Straits of Mackinac: St. Ignace.

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenAugust 22, 2019travel, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel guide, travel advice, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, Great Lakes State, Mackinac Bridge, St. Ignace, Castle Rock, US-2, U.P., UP, up north, Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan, Chief Wawatam Park, Michigan Day Trip Tour, day trip, day trips, day tripping, daytripping, The Michigan Day Trip Tour, Sault Ste. Marie, Pictured Rocks, Yooper, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, Fort Mackinac, Fort Michilimackinac, colonial era, Colonial House Inn, Museum of Ojibwe Culture, Father Marquette, Father Jacques Marquette, Saint Ignace Historical Walking Tour, history, history lesson, Gateway City, St. Ignace Mission, Lake Huron, Great Lakes, Paul Bunyan, Babe, big blue ox, tourism, Straits State Park, Bridge View Park, North Country Trail, St. Anthony's Rock, Mystery Spot, mini golf, miniature golf, zip line, tourist trap, Driftwood Restaurant & Sports Grill, The Galley Restaurant, Java Joe's Cafe, The Gangplank, The Gangplank Pub & Grub, Joe's Diner, food, Bessie's Homemade Pasties, pasties, pastyComment

The Michigan Day Trip Tour, No. 5: Sault Ste. Marie & The Soo Locks

It seems odd for a city to be 150-plus years older than the state within which it’s located, but that’s exactly what you get with Sault Ste. Marie, which was founded — get this — 169 years before Michigan joined the Union in 1837. By virtue of its founding in 1668, the Soo is the oldest city in the Great Lakes State, while fellow Upper Peninsula stalwarts St. Ignace (founded in 1671) and Marquette (1675) aren’t too far behind.

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenAugust 17, 2019travel, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel guide, travel advice, The Michigan Day Trip Tour, Michigan, Upper Peninsula, Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Day Trip Tour, daytripping, day trips, day tripping, day trip, U.P., Great Lakes State, St. Ignace, Marquette, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Great Lakes, St. Marys River, US-Canadian border, U.S.-Canadian border, international border, shipping, maritime history, Great Lakes maritime history, history, history lesson, Detroit District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, General Douglas MacArthur, MacArthur Lock, Poe Lock, Davis Lock, Canadian Lock, St. Marys Rapids, Soo Locks Boat Tours, Portage Avenue, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, International Bridge, S.S. Valley Camp, Museum Ship Valley Camp, museum, museum ship, Edmund Fitzgerald, shipwreck, Valley Camp, Tower of History, The Palace, The Palace Mexican Restaurant and Saloon, Lockview Restaurant, Karl's Cuisine, The Wicked Sister, Haunted Depot Halloween Shop, Island Books & Crafts, Superior Coffee Roasting Company Cafe, Superior Cafe, Superior Coffee Comments

No Matter the Season, This Highway in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is Worth the Drive

Though driving through certain parts of Michigan is not all that exciting (looking at you, I-96), there are numerous stretches of roadway in the state that many would probably consider destinations unto themselves.

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenFebruary 19, 2019travel, travel inspiration, travelspiration, Michigan, Upper Peninsula, UP, U.P., US-2, U.S.-2, Pure Michigan, Pure Michigan Byway, highway, road trip, road trips, nature, Michigan Heritage Routes, Great Lakes State, Lake Michigan, Northern Michigan, I-96, M-22, Leelanau Peninsula, Lower Peninsula, Top of the Lake Scenic Byway, Mackinac Bridge, Thompson, Manistique, St. Ignace, U.S. Route 2, Michigan Department of Transportation, GarLyn Zoo, GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park, Mystery Spot, Brevort, Brevort Lake Campground, camping, outdoors, Epoufette, Naubinway, Gould City, Gulliver, Native American, trade route, Point Aux Chenes, St. Ignace/Mackinac Island KOA, Lake Michigan Campground, Hog Island Point, Hog Island Point State Forest Campground, Dunes Shore Resort, Chapel Hill Motel, Skyline Motel Inc., Gray Wolf Lodge, Grey Wolf Lodge, Traverse City, Great Wolf Lodge, Northshore Motel, The Colonial Motel, Colonial Motel, Up NorthComment

U.P. Adventures: A Stop in Paradise, Tahquamenon Views, & Superior Trails

Though I grew up in Michigan and have lived along Lake Michigan for most of my life, there's just something different about the U.P., something that draws you to it. The landscape, more varied, more green — more ethereal, somehow — makes that connection to nature feel that much stronger.

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenJuly 26, 2018travel, travel guide, travel advice, travel inspiration, travelspiration, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, Mackinaw City, Mackinac Bridge, Munising, Great Lakes, Great Lakes State, St. Ignace, Charlevoix, Beaver Island, Leland, Petoskey, Indian River, Pictured Rocks, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, U.P., Joann's Fudge, Straits of Mackinac, Paradise, Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, The Inn Gastropub & Smokehouse, Hurricane River, Hurricane River Campground, Tahquamenon Falls, Upper Falls, Lower Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Newberry, Haunting of Northwest Michigan, Shelldrake, Whitefish Point, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, M-123, Highway M-28, M-28, M-77, Soo Junction, Famous Toonerville Trolley, riverboat, Tahquamenon River, Au Sable Point, Au Sable Light Station, North Country Trail, Highway 58, U.S. Coast Guard, hiking, nature, Lake MichiganComment

10 Things I've Learned From Being a Travel Blogger for (Nearly) 10 Years

Writing and travel are two of my greatest passions in life, so you’d think combining them would send me into a state of euphoric delirium. The truth is that being a travel blogger means I am constantly thinking of ways to make content out of my travels, which can be draining at times. When you’re in a new place experiencing new things, it’s generally best to simply be in the moment and enjoy it, but there is always a little voice in the back of my mind reminding me that these posts don’t write themselves.

One Spooky Town to Visit in Each of the 6 New England States

Sporting some of the best fall foliage anywhere in the nation, New England is kind of the place to be when you start to feel that crisp, crisp air creep back in. The color-changing parade that falls across the region like a patchwork quilt every September and October is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws for anyone looking to put a fall getaway on the books, but let’s also remember that this is spooky season, and New England is hardly wanting in the arena of things that go bump in the night. From haunted houses and hotels to ghost-riddled cemeteries and ships, you can scare your pants off properly six ways to Sunday.

The Unassailable Allure of the Great Ghost Trains of Maine

Hidden in the 17.5 million acres of forest spread across the state of Maine are a number of abandoned sites. These include vacant paper mills, deserted homes, old forts, and underground bunkers. But one of the most interesting things you’ll find in the woods of northern Maine are a pair of long-forgotten locomotive engines, rusting away in the middle of nowhere.

7 Michigan Cider Mills That'll Help You Get in the Autumn Mood

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but summer is pretty much over. Pumpkin spice-everything is already lining the shelves at your local grocery store, the pumpkin-shaped Reese’s have sprouted from the soon-to-be leaf-littered ground, and, perhaps most importantly, football season is underway. Instead of fighting it, why not just turn the page and delight in all that the autumn season has to offer?

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