As a part time Yooper with family members born and raised there I can tell you that they do not want the trolls (those that live under the bridge) coming across the bridge to hang out. Yes they rely on tourism. But their infrastructure is fragile and a burst of Covid in the region would be devastating. Their healthcare and other resources will do fine if we keep out, overwhelmed if we do not. This is true for almost all rural areas in Michigan. You can't close down a portion of the state hence the statewide order. It protects all regions.
industries and businesses open. It is ridiculous.
the yoopers where I have my summer place I can’t do it? Live free or die.......err just live free.
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Country on the west and all parts in between. Family from Schoolcraft, Delta and Keweenaw.
While everyone else moves south when they retire, I think I have just about talked the missus into Marquette when we retire. It's a tough place to make a go of it if you''re still working, but a phenomenal place if you like the outdoors and all four seasons. Ever ski up there?
You've probably already been there, but one overlooked part of the UP, at least it used to be, is the Garden Peninsula.
I don't ski, tried it and was an abject failure. Spring, summer and fall are the times I visit. Nothing like Lake of the Clouds on an October day. Did some backpacking in the Porkies in my youth. In July, Blackflies almost ate us alive. We were naive. Favorite Bar is in Ontonagon it's a museum and a tavern. Worst thing state ever did was move the bridge outside of town, people passing by rarely stop anymore. Of course I like all the old pubs. Ever been to Shute's in Calumet?
Never been to Shute's. The next normal summer, we'll have to poke around to some of those places.
Many memories of the Porkies. I remember when there were actually people and businesses in towns like Silver City, White Pine, Green. I feel bad, I really do, for the people up there. It's always struggled economically, but it's just grown worse and worse. Decades ago, we took a big family vacation up there and this is before they believed in guard rails. We were all out walking on the rock and my aunt started slipping. Quickly. My dad grabbed her just in time or she was about to go up to the clouds. My dad and uncle backpacked in the Porkies, too. They both drank untreated water right out of the streams. It took my dad three years to get rid of the bug in his GI afterwards.
I honestly believe the UP, at least the wester half, would've benefited economically if it had been part of Wisconsin. Most of the Chicago/Milwaukee/Madison folks go up to the extreme north of Wisconsin, but stop at the border. Not that you want the Illinois folks around, necessarily, but it would infuse more dollars into the economy. Plus, that half of the UP just identifies more with Wisconsin than Michigan.
As for the UP, I agree. Especially before there was a bridge. Speaking of identifying with Wisconsin, they are all Packer fans. They are a discriminating bunch. They also lean toward the Red Wings, because they can. Convenient having two states to choose your team. You know why the UP is associated with Michigan? Blame the bastuds from Ohio. Check out the Toledo Wars.
I also fished Sugar Island and several inaland lakes in the UP itself.