They refer to themselves as "Yoopers" because they live on Michigan's Upper Peninsula or the UP. A hardy bunch of folks, DNA testing would no doubt prove that many who live here are from the same gene pool as Paul Bunion and with an annual snowfall of 300-plus inches they need to be. As might be guessed, along with the snow temperatures frequently dip to minus 30 degrees F and yes, Yoopers love this part of the equation as well.
Because the Upper Peninsula is located adjacent to one of nature's great snow generators (Lake Superior), the UP experiences what is called "lake effect snow" (this is why they get 300" of snow). Lake effect snow is caused when frigid, arctic air passes over the warmer waters of Lake Superior and huge amounts of moisture is picked up and deposited on shore as snow. When lake effect snow is in full swing the UP is a playground offering winter sports and adventures of every ilk and dimension. Because of this families from across the mid-west come to the UP for the express purpose of enjoying it.
One thing you observe in the UP is the large number of pickup trucks that seem to be everywhere. With vast virgin forests, uninhabited landscapes and hundreds if not thousands of miles of Great Lakes shorelines, this huge allotment of trucks is explained by the utility and functionality they yield in all settings and in all seasons. Based on personal observation it's not unreasonable to guess that when the snow flied probably forty percent of all the pickup trucks in the UP are equipped with after-market snowplows. Plowing your way out is a normal occurrence that can happen several times a day.
Last February TT went north to sample the fun stuff the UP has to offer. This included dog sledding, ice fishing, riding snowmobiles, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. It's important to note that in harsh weather like this you need to be safe and the key to being safe and having a great time is preparing for conditions that can be instantly and totally unforgiving. You must have a mechanically sound 4WD vehicle with snow tires and the appropriate cold weather gear is mandatory. On both counts we were prepared. We were driving a Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 and Cabela's had equipped us with a foul weather personal gear system that let us engage in outdoor activities under conditions and in temperatures that hovered around those described above.
Ice Fishing
Year round Harold Bailey takes folks out on Lake Superior to go fishing. His fleet of charter boats is licensed to do this when the lake is free of ice. However, when the lake turns solid he rolls out his snowmobiles and sleds that are tailored and equipped specifically to accommodate serious ice fishing. The sleds instantly convert into foul weather ice fishing tent type structures that come complete with propane heaters. With sub zero temperatures outside and the heater in service on the inside, we had to strip down to our T-shirts to keep cool. During the winter time whitefish, pike, perch and walleye are the sought after species. Harold is a stickler for three things; safety, having fun and bringing home an abundant catch. Blue Heron Fishing Charters 1-800-667-1940 www.blueheronfishingcharters.com
Dog Sledding
Owned and operated by Ed and Tasha Stielstra, Nature's Kennel is home to 150 sled dogs. When you think of a sled dog typically the first thing that comes to mind are huskies, like those in a Jack London novel. However, the kind of dog that is really good at pulling and racing in events like the thousand mile Iditarod or the Marquette 200, are scruffy looking pups that frequently look more like they came from an animal shelter than a dog kennel. Running for hours and pulling a sled is clearly in the canine's genetics. It's a dog's desire to do this. Some are better at it than other and it's those dogs who love it and are good at it that have a home at Nature's Kennel. Nature's Kennel offers a variety of experiences for the family that can include an eight mile ride where the kids can stand on the runners of the sled to see how it feels. Another option is to drive your own sled dog team over a five mile course or drive a team on a one night/two day adventure where accommodations and excellent food are provided. Telephone 906-748-0512; www.natureskennel.com