Length of the Great Lakes' Shoreline

Length of the Great Lakes' Shoreline

A month ago we posted a blog entry about Why Lake Superior Kicks Your Lake’s Butt, a look at several fun facts about the world’s greatest lake that the Upper Peninsula is so fortunate to share. After posting the entry Dan left a comment asking about the difference in length between Michigan’s and … Read more

The Mighty Mac vs. The Golden Gate

The Mighty Mac vs. The Golden Gate

The Mackinac Bridge has become a sort of personal symbol for me in recent years, representing how my heart is divided between my homeland of the U.P. and my current home in Grand Rapids. It seems I still have the same excitement crossing the bridge today as I did when I was a child. I grew up … Read more

The Michigan Ice Film and a Q&A with Aaron Peterson

The Michigan Ice Film and a Q&A with Aaron Peterson

UPDATE: You can now rent and download The Michigan Ice Film. If you like local folklore, adventure, winter, or simply live in Michigan, you need to check it out. Much respect to Aaron and his crew for putting this amazing film together during the coldest winters on record. Let us introduce you to … Read more

Fish Fryday #3: Breakwall Bakery & Cafe, Grand Marais

Fish Fryday #3: Breakwall Bakery & Cafe, Grand Marais

This is our third installment of Fish Frydays. On a not-quite-weekly but more-than-monthly schedule, we will patronize a new fish fry location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. These outings will take place on Friday evening, with a review posted the following Monday. The goal is simple, try as many … Read more

Real Men of Genius: Isle Royale Edition

Real Men of Genius: Isle Royale Edition

This post and photos brought to you by two friends of Yooper Steez, Allison Rueff (a native Yooper from Marquette living in Cincinnati) and Kate Rose (from Novi living in San Francisco), former MSU roommates who finally made it up to Isle Royale after years of talking about it. It lived up to all … Read more

Fish Fryday #2: Skipper's L'Anse

Fish Fryday #2: Skipper's L'Anse

This is our second installment of Fish Frydays. On a not-quite-weekly but more-than-monthly schedule, we will patronize a new fish fry location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. These outings will take place on Friday evening, with a review posted the following Monday. The goal is simple, try as many … Read more

Fish Fryday #1: Portside Inn, Marquette

Fish Fryday #1: Portside Inn, Marquette

Today we introduce a new feature, Fish Frydays. On a not-quite-weekly but more-than-monthly schedule, we will patronize a new fish fry location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Naturally, these outings will take place on Friday evening, with a review posted the following Monday. The goal is simple, … Read more

Roaming through Michigan

Roaming through Michigan

A must watch tourism documentary about Michigan from 1949. I love my state! Thanks @brockter for sending it my way.... Read more

Yooper, Dialect, and the Upper Peninsula on Jeopardy

Yooper, Dialect, and the Upper Peninsula on Jeopardy

The Upper Peninsula is so frequently left off maps that when our demonym, Yooper, shows up on Jeopardy, it’s a pretty big deal. dem·o·nym : the name used for the people who live in a particular country, state, or other locality Coincidentally, the definition example on dictionary.com mentions … Read more

'Can you see to the other side of Lake Superior?'

'Can you see to the other side of Lake Superior?'

That’s what I was asked once while on my 50-state Hometown Invasion Tour. I don’t want to drop any names of who it was, but clearly someone a long ways away from the Great Lakes Region. This adult was someone who I saw as well educated, and I believe any U.S. citizen should be able to answer this … Read more