Among The Yoopies, 1

We were four days in the UP (hence "yoopies"), including Mackinac, doing a very good job of Covidial touring, that is, mostly scenic driving, scenic or otherwise interesting stops, not going inside hardly anywhere but wishing we could. In all this we were aided by the usual guidebooks, websites, etc., but mostly by email advice from extended in-law Jodie, who is a UP native. Thanks again, Jodie! (We'd visit her and Joey and nephew-in-law Joseph a few days later in Indianapolis).

About to ascend the Porcupine "Mountains," along Lake
Superior

Our earliest plans had included seeing the leaves in New
England, again; Covid cancelled that; but we found the
autumn leaves in the UP to be nearly as beautiful; many
hours driving through seemingly golden tunnels

I'm not sure lakes can count as sublime, but if they can, the
Great Lakes surely fit that category

At Lake of the Clouds

An abandoned mine: first of much more evidence of the region's
important mining history

Water levels in Lake Superior as well the others have risen
dramatically in recent years, resulting in shoreline erosion, etc.

Mid-October bloom

Pausing to appreciate the color

Surf's up; a blustery day...

Now in the town of Calumet, center of the copper mining age;
gawking at the curling arena (Canada is not far away)

World class rail plow

Half the nation's copper of the 19th century came from Calumet
and the UP; superseded by Butte, MT, thereafter

Stores, restaurants, generally open; public
offices, visitor centers, not so much

We were there mainly to see the 19th century architecture;
very reminiscent of Butte

Interestingly, just as Montana Tech is located in Butte, Michigan
Tech is located in nearby Houghton; above, main street, Calumet

Outside an attractive gift shop

One of several beautiful old USDA buildings

Alexander Agassiz, Copper King; son of the great 19th century
scientist Louis Agassiz (now in some disrepute because of his
creationism, racism, etc.), also dabbled in science, but mostly
created the largest of the mining conglomerates; also discovered
the lode in Chile that eventually superseded both Calumet and
Butte