We crossed the Mackinac Bridge from Mackinaw City, Michigan to St. Ignace, Michigan. The bridge opened November 1st, 1957 and finally connected the two pieces of Michigan that had been separated since statehood. The upper peninsula, commonly called the UP, has an interesting history. Why was it not part of Wisconsin, to which it is directly connected to, rather than Michigan, which had no direct connection? Well, come to find out, common sense had nothing to do with establishing the borders. It was a political decision by Congress. Sound familiar? Basically, as best I can decipher it (sorry, had to say it) the UP was originally a part of the Wisconsin Territory. Michigan was feuding with Ohio over land. Congress bribed Michigan into giving up it's Ohio claims and in return took the UP away from Wisconsin and gave it to Michigan. Here is a link to a pretty detailed history of the border issue.
Monday, 9/14: Munising Tourist Park (site 82) in Munising, Michigan
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a stunning shoreline of sandstone cliffs along with sand beaches and great waterfalls. We took in only a tiny fraction of the park, but even then, the scenery was stunning.
We stopped at a brew pub for dinner and had our first pastie. Ever since entering the UP, we have seen sign after sign advertising Michigan pasties. We didn't really know what they were, but Judy thought they might be something like a meat pot pie. The hostess at the pub said that she had just a few left, so we tried one. It was very good, and very filling. They are kind of like a meat pot pie, but drier. But that is made up for with the gravy and coleslaw they are served with. The pastie appears to have originated in early England. Then European settlers brought the pastie to the UP, where they have become a regional tradition.
Tuesday, 9/15: Menominee River Park Campground (site 49) in Menominee, Michigan
Today's drive was very pleasant and peaceful. No crazy Interstate traffic to deal with. Just logging truck after logging truck. Timber is a huge industry in the UP. The campground at River Park is just absolutely amazing. It is undoubtedly one of the most immaculate campgrounds we have stayed in, matched only by Maunee Bay State Park in Ohio. And River Park is city run. Just look at the view from our dinning window! That's Wisconsin across the river.
Across the Menominee River from the campground is a huge boatbuilding facility. Fincantieri Marinette Marine was founded in 1942 to meet the growing demand for naval vessels. It has since become a world wide company. In the photo, the River Park Campground is across the river near the upper left.
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